The Principles for Understanding Kata are Largely Unknown Until Now The ancient masters developed kata, or "formal exercises," as fault-tolerant methods to preserve their unique, combat-proven fighting systems. Unfortunately, they deployed a two-track system of instruction where an 'outer circle' of students unknowingly received modified forms with critical details or important principles omitted. Only the select 'inner circle' that had gained a master's trust and respect would be taught okuden waza, the powerful hidden applications of kata. The theory of deciphering kata applications (kaisai...

Two veteran martial arts instructors and a renowned comic book illustrator deliver the ultimate course in self-defense
More than three million Americans are involved in a violent physical encounter every year. In these situations, knowledge is power, and few teachers are better equipped to deliver that knowledge than Lawrence Kane and Kris Wilder. Veteran martial arts instructors and masters in their field, Kane and Wilder have teamed up with DC Comics artist Matt Haley to produce a step-by-step guide revealing the secrets of surviving-and preventing-violent encounters.
The...

USA Best Book Awards Finalist - USA Book NewsThis book was written to address an important gap that exists in martial arts training. The gap is the space or dirty ground that lives between sport and combat techniques; that is when you need to control a person without severely injuring him (or her). Techniques in this space are called drunkle, named after your drunken uncle at the family gathering who needs to be escorted away before he hurts somebody or vice versa. This space reveals itself all too often when friends, family, good Samaritans, crime watchers, and certain types of muggings or...

Storytelling is an ancient form of communication that still resonates today. An engaging story told and retold shares a meaningful message that can be passed down through the generations. Take fables such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf or The Tortoise and the Hare, who hasn't learned a thing or two from these ancient tales? Legends of the Masters retools Aesop's lesser-known fables, reimagining them to meet the needs and interests of modern martial artists. Reflecting upon the wisdom of yesteryear in this new light will surely bring value for practitioners of the arts today.

"Implementing even a fraction of this book's suggestions will substantially increase your overall safety." - Gila Hayes, Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network We could whine about how we live in dangerous times nowadays, but let's face it, all throughout history ordinary people have been at risk of violence in one way or another. Abdicating personal responsibility by outsourcing your safety to others might be the easy way out, but it does little to safeguard your welfare. In this book you'll discover what dangers you face and learn proven strategies to thwart them. Self-defense is far more...

"The authors have made classic samurai wisdom accessible to the modern martial artist like never before." - Goran Powell, award winning author of Chojun and A Sudden Dawn "It's fascinating stuff " - Steve Perry, New York Times bestselling author "The precepts offer priceless advice to anyone." - Kate Vitasek, University of Tennessee "The five point perspective inspired deep introspection. I have been elevated to higher and deeper levels of personal and professional growth by reading this book." - Laela Erickson, Senior Business Development Executive Miyamoto Musashi (1584 - 1645) was arguably...