Books published by YMAA Publication Center

Improve your balance, strength, focus and martial skills as you master this elegant and effective weapon of Gong Fu with America's most respected author and teacher.

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) has been known for centuries to promote deep relaxation and excellent health, to prevent injuries and illnesses, and to improve martial skills. Tai Chi has steadily become a popular form of mind/body exercise. This book introduces the history and underlying principles of Tai Chi Chuan from a modern perspective.

This book stands alone as an introduction to the context of self-defense. There are seven elements that must be addressed to bring self-defense training to something approaching 'complete.' Training that dismisses any of these areas leaves you vulnerable:Legal and ethical implications. To learn self-defense, you must learn force law. The consequence is prison. Side by side with the legal rules, everyone must explore his or her own ethical limitations. Most people don't really know where this ethical line lies within them. Violence dynamics. Self-defense must teach how attacks happen. You must be able to recognize an attack before it happens and know what kind you are facing. Avoidance. You need to learn and practice not-fighting. Learning includes escape and evasion, verbal de-escalation, and also pure not-be-there avoidance. Counter-ambush. If you didn't see the precursors or couldn't successfully avoid the encounter, you will need a handful of actions, trained to reflex level, to deal with a sudden violent attack. Breaking the freeze. Freezing is almost universal in a sudden attack. You must learn to recognize a freeze and break out of one. The fight itself. Most martial arts and self-defense instructors concentrate their time on the fight. It just needs to be in line with how violence really happens in the world. The aftermath. There are potential legal, psychological, and medical effects of engaging in violence no matter how justified. Advanced preparation is critical.

This book explores Shaolin Chin Na by presenting 150 techniques with detailed instructions for teaching yourself.

Use too much force and you are going to jail. Use too little force and you're in for a world of hurt. Conflict and violence cover a broad range of behaviors, from intimidation to murder, and they require an equally broad range of responses. A kind word will not resolve all situations, nor will wristlocks, punches or even a gun. In Scaling Force the authors introduce you to the full range of options, from skillfully doing nothing to applying deadly force. They realistically guide you through understanding the limits of each type of force, when specific levels may be appropriate, the circumstances under which you may have to apply them, and the potential cost, legally and personally, of your decision. Level 1 ¿ Presence. Staving off violence using body language alone. Level 2 ¿ Voice. Verbally de-escalating conflict before physical methods become necessary. Level 3 ¿ Touch. Defusing an impending threat or gaining compliance via touch. Level 4 ¿ Empty-Hand Restraint. Controlling a threat through pain or forcing compliance through leverage. Level 5 ¿ Less-Lethal Force. Incapacitating a threat while minimizing the likelihood of fatality or permanent injury. Level 6 ¿ Lethal Force. Stopping a threat with techniques or implements likely to cause death or grievous bodily harm. It is vital to enter this scale at the right level, and to articulate why what you did was appropriate. If you do not know how to succeed at all six levels there are situations in which you will have no appropriate options. More often than not, that will end badly.

Hit harder, kick faster, jump higher! World champion Tom Seabourne presents dynamic strength and flexibility training, up-to-date nutrition information, and mind/body training for champion martial arts competitors of every style.

Preparing you for what to expect in your Tai Chi journey, this book offers practical advice, observations, and training exercises for anyone on the path.

Wounded in battle (900 A. D.), a near dead Celtic warrior is taken by Viken raiders and sold into a Baghdad slave market. He is dragged further East, through the desert, into the 'Middle Kingdom' where he is bought by a Taoist Priest and his beautiful daughter.

Prepare to have your beliefs challenged about what karate really is.Within these pages, you will discover traditional karate; along the way, perhaps many of your own beliefs about karate will be confronted. You might have a body capable of mastering karate's physical techniques, but do you have a mind with a level of awareness that is able to grasp the true spirit of karate?For adults only. Regardless of how many people you can defeat in combat, the deeper aim of karate has always been to conquer your own ego, and by doing so, to increase the likelihood of avoiding conflict. When you can control your ego, you have a chance to establish peace in your life-this is the tradition of budo karate. Shin Gi Tai has a literal translation: mind-technique-body. A karate-ka's mind (shin) must be developed ahead of his technique (gi) if he is to discover a sense of balance within his body (tai). While the mental and physical aspects of karate are daunting and cause many to stop training, if you can just endure the early years-say, the first decade-then there is opportunity for real and lasting benefits. Budo is a concept more often discussed than put into practice. Yet, as part of traditional karate training, it has the capacity to dramatically change lives for the better, but only if you are prepared to move past the obvious and strive to understand the philosophy and the morality of budo. Your life is yours, your karate is yours; accept ownership of both and reap countless rewards.

Presents a functional taxonomy to see, understand and manipulate the roots of life's conflicts.

Suitable for all students of tai chi, this edition includes an easy-to-follow layout. It features sections that offer a brief history of Tai Chi, the role of qi in tai chi, and detailed instructions on how to generate amazing "natural" physical power. Each technique is presented in large photographs with detailed instructions.

Tai Chi Ball Qigong training is a long established method for increasing the body's physical power and Qi (energy). This training strengthens the torso, bones, muscles, ligaments, and improves root and balance. It helps with concentration and alertness, and teaches you how to lead and manifest Qi, which is key for martial power.

Healing with herbs has long been a tradition in the martial arts. This book investigates sixty-four herbs that are readily available in North America and Europe. It discusses the evidence for their effectiveness, the evidence for their safety, and how specifically to use them to enhance martial arts and contact sports training.

Decover Chinese secrets to maintaining health and expanding mental and physical capabilities. Originally published in China, this re-edited edition teaches us to take care of ourselves with simple all-natural remedies and herbal recipes, before the ailments (and doctor's fees) get out of hand

For Women everywhere: learn to cultivate and use your Life Force, for Joyful living.

Tali Chi Qigong is a foundation for good tai chi practice. This title is presened in an easy-to-follow layout. It includes with every movement large photographs and clear instructions, followed by a discussion of how the movements aid in improving Tai Chi practice. It is also popular with people who only want to obtain the health benefits.

Suitable for men ages 15 to 35, this book provides information about street survival. It explains how to use awareness, avoidance, and de-escalation to help stave off violence.

Fair Fight? Not likely. Least of all from a criminal who is looking to make a quick profit at your expense. A sad fact is that weapon-wielding thugs victimize 1,773,000 citizens every year in the United States alone. Even martial artists are not immune from this deadly threat. Consequently, self-defense training that does not consider the very real possibility of an armed attack is dangerously incomplete. Whether you live in the city or countryside, you should be both mentally and physically prepared to deal with an unprovoked armed assault at any time. Preparation must be comprehensive enough to account for the plethora of pointy objects, blunt instruments, explosive devices, and deadly projectiles that someday could be used against you. This extensive book teaches proven survival skills that can keep you safe on the street. A multitude of real-life scenarios and case studies analyzing violent encounters will help you to internalize this crucial knowledge. Contents include:• Awareness• Avoidance• De-escalation• Countervailing force• Armed conflict• Managing the aftermath of violence• Weapon features and functionsIf you are serious about self-defense this book is for you. Everyone, including experienced martial artists, security and law enforcement professionals, and concerned citizens will benefit from this vital information.

A simple Qiqong routine that combines physical exercises, stretching, breathing and self-massage. The program is divided into six groups, each focusing on different areas to achieve maximum benefit.

This expanded second edition includes many more gentle Qigong exercises and soothing Qigong massage techniques to ease your back pain, strengthen your torso, and expedite your body's natural healing abilities.

Dr. Yang presents numerous Qigong exercises updated theory and expanded instruction.