Martial Arts

Through popular movies starring Bruce Lee and songs like the disco hit "Kung Fu Fighting," martial arts have found a central place in the Western cultural imagination. But what would 'martial arts' be without the explosion of media texts and images that brought it to a wide audience in the late 1960s and early 1970s? In this examination of the media history of what we now call martial arts, author Paul Bowman makes the bold case that the phenomenon of martial arts is chiefly an invention of media representations. Rather than passively taking up a preexisting history of martial arts practices--some of which, of course, predated the martial arts boom in popular culture--media images and narratives actively constructed martial arts. Grounded in a historical survey of the British media history of martial arts such as Bartitsu, jujutsu, judo, karate, tai chi, and MMA across a range of media, this book thoroughly recasts our understanding of the history of martial arts. By interweaving theories of key thinkers on historiography, such as Foucault and Hobsbawm, and Said's ideas on Orientalism with analyses of both mainstream and marginal media texts, Bowman arrives at the surprising insight that media representations created martial arts rather than the other way around. In this way, he not only deepens our understanding of martial arts but also demonstrates the productive power of media discourses.

Secret training manuals, magic swords, and flying kung fu masters—these are staples of Chinese martial arts movies and novels, but only secret manuals have a basis in reality. Chinese martial arts masters of the past did indeed write such works, along with manuals for the general public. This collection introduces Western readers to the rich and diverse tradition of these influential texts, rarely available to the English-speaking reader. Authors Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo, who coauthor a regular column for Classical Fighting Arts magazine, showcase illustrated manuals from the Ming Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, and the Republican period. Aimed at fans, students, and practitioners, the book explains the principles, techniques, and forms of each system while also placing them in the wider cultural context of Chinese martial arts. Individual chapters cover the history of the manuals, Taiwanese martial arts, the lives and livelihoods of the masters, the Imperial military exams, the significance of the Shaolin Temple, and more. Featuring a wealth of rare photographs of great masters as well as original drawings depicting the intended forms of each discipline, this book offers a multifaceted portrait of Chinese martial arts and their place in Chinese culture.

This anthology isn’t a typical “How To” book for teaching martial arts to children. The eight chapters included tend not only to the physical aspects of the instruction of skills, but give special attention to the essential nature of children, their body and minds, and the effects their train have on socialization. In addition, some authors write specifically on the special needs of children with autism, attention deficit, and hyperactivity disorders.

Mixed martial arts hasn t been dubbed the world 's fastest growing sport for nothing. It 's noticeably rocked the sporting world since the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship nearly two decades ago and has even shaken up the pop culture scene. Who would have expected popular MMA fighter Chuck Liddell to trade in his sparring gloves for dance shoes on "Dancing with the Stars"? A combo of grappling, punching, kneeing, and kicking, this sport looks like it will be grounding and pounding, sprawling and brawling, for some time to come."Mixed Martial Arts Most Wanted " steps into the cage and brings you round after round of fighting deeds and details worthy of a sport known for bloody battles and ingenious tactics. Authors Adam T. Heath and David L. Hudson Jr. have knocked out sixty top-ten lists detailing the low blows, grappling greats, human anomalies, and fighting females that make up the compelling world of mixed martial arts.There 's no need to be an insider Heath and Hudson bring you all of the sport 's best bouts, dirtiest moves, and brainscrambling kayos in a book that will keep MMA enthusiasts reeling for months.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport in which a variety of fighting techniques are used, including striking techniques (kicks, knees, and punches) and grappling techniques (clinch holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns, and throws). MMA is exploding in popularity. Packed with more than 300 full-color photographs, this book takes you through all the moves, step-by-step, demonstrating the various techniques required to master this martial arts phenomenon. It’s an essential hand-book for anyone considering entering the ring.

Essays on martial arts and meditation attempting to provide as broad as possible an overview of the arts, and drawing from many unorthodox sources.

Barbaric. Savage. Violent. Words often used by critics to describe the sport of mixed martial arts. To this can be added lucrative, popular and flourishing. MMA has seen astronomical growth since the 2000s, spurred on by its biggest promotion, the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC). Along the way, legal issues have plagued the sport. This book provides an overview of the most important cases and controversies arising both inside and outside of the cage--antitrust suits by fighters against promoters, fighters suing other fighters, drug testing, contractual issues, and the need for federal regulation.

Martial Arts Techniques for Law Enforcement provides clear and straightforward lessons to law enforcement officials so they can effectively defend themselves in the line of duty. A comprehensive handbook of law enforcement self-defense, this martial arts guide offers instruction in techniques and tactics taken from a variety of martial arts forms that specifically cater to the situations unique to police officers. These simple, easy-to-follow lessons teach readers the theory behind: Stikes and Kicks Come-Alongs and Takedowns Psychological Defensive Tactics Defensive Maneuvers, including One-Hand Defenses Defensive Techniques against Weapons and Guns