Another new section is our product review and book review page. If you know of a good Martial arts book that you would like to share or a new "can't live without" product drop me a line at geckok@yahoo.com.
The Martial Artist's Book of Five Rings By Steve Kauffman
The Martial Artist's Book of Five Rings by Steve Kauffman
location = This is one of my all time favorite martial arts books. It takes
Musashi's classic and breaks it down soley for the martial artist. An
OUTSTANDING read. I've read it two times now.
Tridaya Inner Power Manual By Lukman Surjan
Tridaya Inner Power Manual: Guided by master teacher Lukman Surjana, this school focuses on the aspect of "Inner Power" within Pencak Silat. Explanations on this topic, schedules, experiences, training methods, and personal profile of the teacher.
Practical Tae Kwon Do By Master Y.D.Choi
This is a special book, not only for it's value as a Tae Kwon Do reference manual, also because it reflects the passion Master Y.D. Choi has for the art and his desire to share it with people around the world. His enthusiasm is so evident throughout the pages; it inspires the reader to reach for higher ambitions.
I was impressed with the large amount of information presented. Clearly written descriptions and instructions, along with textbook quality photographs, take the reader through the various aspects of
Practical Tae Kwon Do. From the benefits of starting training, through the various colour ranks all the way to first Dan Black belt the criteria are well delineated. The fantastic step by step illustrated forms section covers ITF style forms from, Chun Ji to Gae Baek, as well as WTF style forms from, Il Chang to Ko Ryo. The other topics covered including basic techniques, self defense, sparring techniques, terminology, breaking, competition rules make this book an immensely useful reference manual for Tae Kwon Do students to supplement their regular training.
Along with the many physical aspects of Tae Kwon Do, Master Choi encourages the reader to develop both mentally and physically. Meditation, goal setting, continuous encouragement to believe in yourself and respect others set this book above many other martial art books currently in print.
Practical Tae Kwon Do is a refreshing overview of Tae Kwon Do and Master Y.D. Choi does an excellent job of presenting it. I highly recommend this book to anyone aiming for black belt in the martial arts and in life.
Sandra Martin- Gecko K. Martial Arts
You can find Practical Martial Arts at Amazon.com for $45.00(US)
Hardcover - 414 pages (October 1, 1997)
Master Y.D. Choi; ISBN: 0965828506
Living the Martial Way By Forrest E. Morgan
This one makes you THINK for yourself. It is exceedingly stimulating and
potentially dangerous to the financial well-being of certain types of martial
arts instructors.
The issue isn't whether or how much you agree with the author, but, rather, the
way he compels you to consider your commitment to the arts and their impact on
your life and philosphy.
Positive Mental Attitude By Garry Wasson
AN easy to read book for the martial artist, tournament fighter or
any combat sport, on how to mentally prepare for a fight.Developed by Garry Wasson a sports Motivator,and martial arts instructor. the book covers ,overcome prefight nerves,overcome fear, counter act negative thouhts and more.
Samurai Sketches (From the Bloody Final Years of the Shogun) By Romulus
Hillsborough Publication Date:November 2000 Ridgeback Press
"FIRST ENGLISH PORTRAYAL OF FAMOUS SAMURAI HEROES"
The overthrow of the Shogun in 1867 was one of the great events in Asian history. As The Wall Street Journal recently reported, Sakamoto Ryoma, a leader of the revolution, is the idol
of the financial and governmental elite in today's Japan. Ryoma and his contemporaries are the substance of Samurai Sketches, a new book by Romulus Hillsborough (publication date: November
2000).
The final years of the samurai were an age of unprecedented turmoil and bloodletting in Japan. They heralded the end of nearly three centuries of rule under the Shogun. The rule of law
was deteriorating, assassination and murder were rampant, and inner-fighting among the samurai embroiled the nation.
Samurai Sketches are, to quote the author, "accurate portrayals of the heart and soul of the samurai, the social and political systems of whom have, like the Japanese sword, become relics of
a distant age, but the likes of whose nobility shall never again be seen in this world." The book is a collection of historical sketches from the bloody final years of the Shogun, never before depicted in English.
"While these sketches are indeed authentic accounts of historical figures and events, Hillsborough has written them in a literary style similar to the short story," writes distinguished Japanese historian Kiyoharu Omino in the Introduction to Samurai Sketches.
"Accordingly, the reader's perception of them will greatly depend on his or her imagination, and each reader will certainly perceive these sketches differently, depending on the subtle intricacies of his or her mind's eye. Similarly, just as the world created by Akira Kurosawa belongs distinctly to that famous director of samurai films, the world depicted by the author of Samurai Sketches is uniquely his own."
In recounting what he terms "the great epic which was the dawn of modern Japan," Hillsborough applies his long years of research and keen perception of things Japanese to delve
deeply into the psyche of the men of the samurai class. Brought to life are not merely warriors of a distant age and culture, but also "human beings, both good and bad, who suffer the same
pangs of body and mind as all of us." Sketches is Hillsborough's sequel to RYOMA - Life of a Renaissance Samurai (Ridgeback Press, 1999), the only literary biography of Sakamoto Ryoma in
English. "A magnificent book and painstaking achievement," said late Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi in praise of RYOMA. (To Read Gecko K. Martial Arts review of Ryoma, Click here
Hillsborough spent 16 years in Japan, studying the language, history and culture. His extensive research includes 80 books about this period of Japanese history. He has traveled extensively in those areas of Japan where the revolution unfolded, including the historical cities of Kyoto, Nagasaki, Kagoshima, Kochi, and the picturesque fishing village of Tomo-no-Ura on the Inland Sea.
Samurai Sketches (US$29.95) and RYOMA (US$40.00) are available in hardcover at bookstores, online at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, and others, or directly from Ridgeback Press, 151 Valdez Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112; ph: (415) 841-0508; ridgebackpress@mindspring.com
For more information on Samurai Sketches and RYOMA-Life of a Renaissance Samurai visit:www.ridgebackpress.com
Press Release-Ridgeback Press(November 8,2000)
Ju Jitsu-Nippon Ketsugo Ryu (Realistic self defense) By Professor Larry D. Hilton. Publication Date:Feb 2000NKK Productions
I waited in anticipation for this book to arrive in my mailbox and I was not to be disappointed. The essence of Professor Hilton?s book is useful, practical to the point self defence, just as I had expected.
The book is packed with a huge wealth of information that covers a variety of techniques and situations including: history, safety, women?s self defence, throws, jointlocks, multiple attacks, grappling and even short staff basics.
The layout is superb and easy to follow; step by step instructions facilitate positive learning and success. The "to the point attitude" of the defences make excellent additions to any Martial Arts program especially those wishing to incorporate practical self defence, without getting lost in countless repetitive techniques.
Professor Larry Hilton has over 40 years of Martial Arts experience and is the founder of the Nippon Ketsugo Kai Federation, he transfers this immense knowledge and experience to his writings. A unique aspect is the "Masters Gallery", which allows the reader a brief glimpse into the experiences and encounters of Prof. Hilton.
I found this book a fascinating and informative read; I absorbed many new practical techniques that I have started to incorporate into my own training. I will now have to wait again in anticipation of Prof. Hilton?s next publication.
Sandra Martin- Gecko K. Martial Arts President
You can read Professor Hilton's Bio on the History Page
Visit Professor Hilton's web site, http://www.midil.com/nippon.html to find out more.
The Mindset of a Martial Artist. By Dean Alan Clerc
The bold statement that greets you in this book is "the core of genuine understanding." This right away made me apprehensive, how could a small book bring about genuine understanding? Dean Clerc has put together such a book.
The Mindset of a Martial Artist is one of the most comprehensive martial arts training books that I have read. It looks beyond typical martial arts training manuals to incorporate an essential yet greatly overlooked training aspect, mental awareness or "mind set".
Mental tools such as visualization, focus and awareness are incorporated into training drills and exercises. The drills and concepts within, such as reading, timing, line of attack, and adapting to the environment are vividly described. All can be easily blended into any training program as they have in my school.
The plain fact is that no defence situation can be predicted. Dean pushes the reader to go beyond the false boundaries that exist in many styles and schools. He encourages you to gain a wider understanding of defence techniques and to develop one?s own concepts and ideas.
This book can benefit anyone, not only martial artists. Visualization and awareness of the environment that surrounds us are skills learned in this book that can be applied to many aspects of life outside the studio. This is an excellent book, and it will always be a part of my journey, both in the Martial arts and life.
Sandra Martin- Gecko K. Martial Arts President
Visit Dean Clerc's web site, http://www.martialarts1.com to find out more.
I liked it so much, They asked me to endorse it. (and I did )http://www.wipss.com(The WIPSS Jaw-Joint Protector is a patented mouth piece that protects the teeth, mouth, jaw, jaw joint, and base of the brain.)
Okinawan Karate..Teachers, styles and secret techniquesBy: Mark Bishop
Books...One of my favorites is "Okinawan Karate..Teachers, styles and secret techniques" by Mark Bishop. It goes into much depth of the history of karate, mainly the shorin-ryu styles.
Kristy Warren
The Warrior as HealerBy: Thomas Ricahrd Joiner
I'd like to take a moment of your time to introduce you to a new book that I've
written that I hope you'll consider worthy.
Do you ever find yourself wondering how you can improve your Dojo? Wondering if
there isn't something new you can share with your students? Or do you find
yourself asking if there is anything new for you to learn to improve your own
skills? I believe I have the answer to all these questions.
If I may take a minute of your time, I'd like to share my excitement over a
newly released book The Warrior as Healer that has been published by Inner
Traditions International. Although I must admit that my enthusiasm is partly
due to the fact that I have the distinct privilege of being the book's author.
For the most part writing this book has given me the opportunity to give
something back to martial arts, a sport that has given so much to me.
For a number of years I have been bothered by what I considered the degradation
of martial arts. I am convinced that this persistent erosion of standards has
been caused to some degree by a disregard for some of martial art's core values
- along with the discontinuance of traditional alliances with the healing arts -
namely herbology.
As you know, traditional Chinese martial arts training placed as much emphasis
on nurturing the spirit as it did on the fighting ability of the aspiring
martial arts student. This extended to the study of the healing arts and the
use of herbs not only for injury management, but also to increase sensitivity,
improve energy levels, and, most significantly, raise consciousness.
Many of the greatest figures in martial arts history were as renowned as healers
as they were as warriors. Leaving behind a history of extensive healing
tradition that includes an immense repository of herbal formulas.
Warrior as Healer provides the recipes for the formulas that have been used for
centuries to stop bleeding, speed the healing of fractured bones, and increase
vitality as well as those that increase one's ability to focus and calm the mind
or spirit.
In addition to re-examining the historical relationship between the martial and
healing arts Warrior as Healer also discusses how modern martial artist can
incorporate the use of herbs as part of their martial art training, to improve
stamina, condition their hands and feet, and to maintain their general health.
The book is almost 200 pages in length, it is user-friendly, filled with easy to
understand instructions. The main topics discussed are:
I have written this book in an effort to share with my dojo brothers what the
ancients had realized, that beyond the obvious benefits of using herbs to
health, energy levels, and injury management, integrating the study of healing
arts with the practice of meditation offered other, more subtle benefits such as
an increased sensitivity to pain and suffering that seems to be inherent in
healers and the healing arts, and a raising of consciousness that can contribute
to heightened spiritual development.
What appears to happen as a result of integrating these ancient arts can best be
described as a refining of temperament and a harnessing of the aggressive
tendencies that are sometimes accentuated through martial arts practice.
Perhaps the powerful way that this integrated study can mitigate an individual's
violent or aggressive tendencies occurs because, philosophically, such study is
a manifestation of the yin-yang theory of opposites in balance - in which the
yin (soft or healing arts) blends with the yang (hard or martial arts).
On a spiritual level, 20 years of studying these 2 ancient arts, combined with
daily meditation, has convinced me that such study does indeed harmonize the
emotions and provide a kind of reverence for life that is essential to anyone
learning the skills of unarmed combat, which ultimately confers the ability to
seriously injure or kill another human being. On a practical level, I attribute
my overall good health and lack of any permanent injures to the effectiveness of
Chinese herbs, which I have used throughout my many years of training.
Therefore, I encourage all martial artists who are interested in experiencing
firsthand the wisdom embodied in the traditional approach to martial arts
training to consider purchasing this book. I believe it will open your eyes to
a whole new approach to your practice.
I'd like to conclude with an excerpt from "Chinese Goju Virtues." Conceived by
Shidoshi Ron Van Clief, Grandmaster of the Chinese Goju System, "Chinese Goju
Virtues" serve as a guide or frame of reference to govern the moral character of
everyone who studies the Chinese Goju style. I have always been inspired by
them and have attempted to apply these principles whenever it has been necessary
to use my martial skills.
Chinese Goju is my secret
Yondan, Thomas Richard Joiner
PS - The book is currently available in local bookstores, or you can find it
online at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble or at the Inner Traditions web-site. Here's
hyperlinks you can use to go directly to their web sites:
bn.com - Book Search
Amazon.com: A Glance: The Warrior As Healer
Inner Traditions
Or if you wish you can visit my website:
http://hometown.aol.com/tjseaofchi/myhomepage/index.html
MusashiBy: Eiji Yoshikawa
One absolutely beautiful book I have read and highly recommend to anyone that
would like to know what it must have been like as warrior in the 1600?s Japan is
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa ( translated by Charles S. Terry ).
It is a fantastic book on the life and exploits of Japan?s most famous
swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi, with great characters, as well as being historical.
It is an epic and captivating adventure. I can?t say enough about this book!
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa
ISBN 4-7700-1957-2
Scott - Kenpo Exchange
Living the Martial Way By: Forrest E. Morgan.
One book that I would highly recommend--regardless of the system of martial arts you study--is
Living the Martial Way by Forrest E. Morgan. This book will change your whole outlook
on how you study martial arts and will teach you how to develop attitudes based on ancient Asian
martial arts. It is a manual for the way a modern warrior should think.
Scott-Kenpo Exchange
Moms and Dads' Guide to Martial Arts for Kids Coles NotesPublication Date: 1999
I think that this is a must read for any parent who's children are starting into the Martial Arts. It gives a short description 9 of the most popular Martial Arts styles.
-the rules for aikido, judo, jujitsu, karate, kendo kickboxing, kung fu, t'ai chi and taekwondo.
-the real nature of competition in each martial art.
-how you can support your child's interest and development in the sport
-the brief history, traditions and philosophy behind each martial art.
Coles notes also includes a handy glossary, list of age appropriate martial arts books and films for kids, illustrations of holds and postures and advice on selecting a quality martial arts club."
Available at any Coles book stores for $ 6.95 (CND) a great little book:-)
Sandra Martin- Gecko K. Martial Arts President
Ryoma Life of a Renaissance Samurai a new biography by Romulus Hillsborough.Publication Date:May1999Ridgeback Press
Romulus Hillsborough has presented a nice balance of meticulous detail and entertaining story in " Ryoma Life of a Renaissance Samurai."
This biography, written in the format of a class "A" adventure novel, guides the reader through the extraordinary life of Sakamoto Ryoma. Set in the mid-19th century Japan, at a time when the country was undergoing substantial social change, the driving force behind this growth was a man who fled his han (clan) becoming a Ronin (outlaw) who wore a long sword on his left hip and a Smith and Wesson tucked into his kimono.
Ryoma was a true visionary. Born into a lower samurai life, he had a dream of a better Japan where everyone was considered equal. With the ability to conceptualize plans that were revolutionary and
regardless of the insurmountable odds, he rose above the entire feudal system to initiate great change.
Ryoma was a skilled Kendo practitioner and earned the position of head instructor of a large school at a young age. This great accomplishment was just the start to his leadership role.
He persuaded enemy hans to fight together against the strongest most influential of Japanese factions. (The Bakufu military government.) This alliance was a critical first step to uniting the country.
Against the increasing pressure of European and American interests with their superior military strength, Ryoma did not flee from the "invading barbarians" nor make a futile attempt to engage them in battle. Instead by learning their navel crafts and trading with them, he modernized the Japanese military arsenal and started the first Japanese corporation which became the model for present corporate Japan.
At 603 pages it is a bit more than weekend read, but well worth the time. There are a few points in the book where detailed descriptions slow down the pace and flow of the story, but such details are needed for an informative biography . This book is required reading for anyone who would gain a better understanding of Japanese culture and learn more about Japanese history. A inspirational and exciting read for any martial artists regardless of style or background.
Sandra Martin- Gecko K. Martial Arts
You can order a copy from Ridgeback press for $40.00(US) per copy. For more information call (415) 841-0508 or fax:(415) 841-0592
The Super Bag Hanger Contact Dave Brown at Betszee@ix.netcom.com
Super Hanger is my Patented invention for hanging
the heavy bag at home. As most devices on the
market are not practical. They position the bag too too
low and eventually break. Super hanger gives 8 to
10 inches more height to the bag and will last a lifetime
Also it will hold any size or weight of a bag. Sells
for $39.95 all hardware included. We are trying to
let Martial artists know that a free swinging bag
is still best and that Super Hanger is the best way
for your dollar to hang your bag at home. Thanks for
your time. Dave Brown, inventor.
Due to Someone spaming this form, I had to remove it. Please e-mail any review to geckok(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Tammy Megow kyosanim@hotmail.com
Master Lukman master@innerpowercourse.com
Garry Wasson
- A brief discussion on the historical relationship between the healing and
martial arts.
- Step-by-step instructions on the methods used to prepare herbs (decoction or
tea, medicinal wines, pills and capsules).
- Injury Management Formulas - including: Herbs that stop bleeding, Herbs that
heal broken and fractured bones, Herbs that heal strained and torn ligaments,
Herbal oils liniments and salves, Herbal massage oils, and Herbs that restore
consciousness after a knock-out.
- Training Formulas - including: Tonics used for strengthening the body and
increase stamina, Medicinal wines that strengthen the body and increase stamina,
Seasonal wines used in Spring and Winter months, Chinese herbal liniments used
for hand conditioning, and a brief discussion on how to use Ginseng.
- Herbs for the Taoist Practice of Sexual Conservation
- Herbs Used in Meditation for Quieting the Senses
- Sources for the purchase of all of the formulas mentioned in this book.
I bear no arms
May God help me
If I ever have to use my art?
Fourth-Degree Black Belt
Oakland, CA
(from a description in the book) "Martial Arts for Kids gives parents all the key information to choose the right martial art for their children. In a clear, helpful style, this Coles Note will show you