He's been named the Instructor of the Year by Black Belt magazine and dubbed "the published authority on American karate" by Karate International magazine. Now Jerry Beasley, ninth-degree black belt, shares his insights on the technique and tradition behind the most popular form of karate in the western world. In Mastering Karate, Beasley focuses on the crucial components of advanced karate techniques that will enhance your individual performance and give you the edge in sparring situations. The detailed descriptions and photographs will help you visualize and develop the critical skills needed to progress through the intermediate and advanced ranks. Mastering Karate also includes specific offensive and defensive strategies you can adapt in competition as well as an entire chapter dedicated to teaching styles and methods that you can apply to become more effective in the dojo. With advanced training methods for physical and mental preparation, this book offers the practical tools you need to succeed. In addition to a wealth of training techniques, Mastering Karate presents ideas and concepts about history, traditions, etiquette, and training methods, it traces the evolution of western karate and shows how it has been influenced by superstars like Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Bill Wallace. Mastering Karate is an invaluable resource for students in all karate disciplines. Whether you're an advanced black belt, an intermediate student striving for improvement, or an instructor in search of contemporary training methods, you'll benefit from this comprehensive resource. Use the experience and instruction of Jerry Beasley to guide you to success.

The strategy of karate is based on principle, what practitioners do to prepare for contact with an adversary, while tactics are what we do during the heat of battle. Practicing a martial art from tactics upward to principles creates a house of cards that will collapse from a gentle breeze, whereas working downward from principles into tactics builds a formidable foundation that can weather near any storm. These ten principles are style agnostic, all about ending fights immediately. They define how to best apply your skills and training in the real world. Those who work with these principles will find swiftness, clarity, and victory in so doing. What you will learn in the ultimate guide to starting karate • What is karate? • Where was karate invented and who invented it? • How fit do i need to be to start training? • What do you do in a typical karate class? • How do you research you karate gym to make sure they are legitimate? • Will i be sparring or undergoing other contact fighting? • What should i wear to train in? • What is karate training like? • How quickly can i get a black belt? Are you eager to learn karate? Do you want clear guidance on the tips, tricks, and techniques that can transform you from a novice to a pro? Look no further because this book is for you! Dive into a world where over 100 detailed illustrations and comprehensive instructions will guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, this guide is designed to help you understand and master karate fundamentals.

Grounded in a comprehensive overview of the philosophical and spiritual foundations that underlie karate, The Art of Killing emphasizes its original purpose: to kill an attacker swiftly and brutally. Prior to 1900, karate-dō was exclusively an art of unarmed self-defense. Its practice was designed for life-or-death situations--effectively, an art of killing. Here, authors Leonard Pellman and the late Masayuki Shimabukuro restore karate to its original intent. They move karate away from its popular modern-day sporting applications back to its deadly origins---and to the restraining philosophy of peace, self-sacrifice, compassion, and service to others that necessarily accompanied it. With chapters on kokoro (heart, mind, and spirit), ki (spirit and energy), and the seven major precepts of bushidō, The Art of Killing shows readers that the lethal art of karate is more than a method of bringing an enemy down--it’s a philosophical and spiritual system grounded in essential lessons to guard against abuses of power. This book does not contain detailed instruction in killing methods, but it does showcase the deadly power of karate--and explain why purity of intentions matters, and how compassion and respect are the essence of karate training. Readers will learn: The purpose and meaning of karate-dō The origins and major precepts of bushidō Training methods, preparation, and etiquette Fundamentals, spiritual power, training patterns, and analysis and application of kata About the body as a weapon

"Discusses the history, techniques, ranks, and competitions of karate"--Provided by publisher.

A detailed and unique training resource, Lessons with the Master is a meticulous account of the teaching methods and lesson strategies of world-famous karate master Hirokazu Kanazawa, chief instructor and president of the Shotokan Karate International Federation of Japan. Author and karate instructor Paul Walker spent three years studying karate under the direct guidance of Master Kanazawa and his expert instructors and has now compiled his diary entries of those years into this easy-to-understand reference for all students and instructors of Shotokan karate. Lessons with the Master offers ideas, tips, and guidance on the use of authentic Shotokan karate-do to supplement and improve current training and drill-teaching. Using the database of lessons, the additional explanations on lesson components, and the many other instructional tips, students and coaches can design an endless number of coherent and effective workouts and incorporate them seamlessly into their regular karate training. Detailed lesson notes, a glossary, and Walker's engaging anecdotes make Lessons with the Master an indispensable resource for all karate practitioners.

What would you like to obtain from your research and practice of an Okinawan martial art? For an academic, it would be to obtain historical and cultural facts and details. For a practitioner, it would be to gain expertise in the combative skills. If you’re interested in both, this first of a three-volume anthology is assembled for your convenience to facilitate your endeavors. These volumes assemble a wealth of material originally published during the two decades when the Journal of Asian Martial Arts was in print. Hundreds of pages and photographs present the richness of Okinawan martial traditions, from the original combatives to those influenced by Chinese and mainland Japanese martial art styles. The variety of topics shown in the table of contents indicate the depth and breath in the chapters, along with the authors who are well-known for their meticulous research and practical skills in specific arts. These three volumes dive deep into the history and culture of Okinawan martial arts. You’ll find coverage of the actual artifacts—the material culture related to weaponry and training methods. Instructions from the masters details both open-hand techniques as well as with weapons. The chapters offer insights into “the lives of many masters over the past few centuries, giving the raison d’être for these unique fighting arts—their reason for being. Many streams of arts have contributed to the martial traditions found on the small island: Naha-te, Shuri-te, Fukien White Crane, Shorin, Goju, Motobu, Shotokan, Isshin, Kyokushin, Pwang Gai Noon, Shito, Uechi, and the list continues … Along with the various styles come the associated training methods, such as conditioning exercises with weights and creatively designed apparatus, such as the punching post (makiwara), or stone lever and stone padlockshaped weights. Some become battle-hardened by active and passive breaking of objects (tameshiwari), including wooden boards, baseball bats, rocks, and ice. The extensive use of weaponry is found in many Okinawan styles, often associated with their farming and fishing occupations. Such a blend of history and culture make the Okinawan fighting traditions a fascinating field of study. Besides being such vital sources of information, these three volumes will prove enjoyable reading and permanent at-hand reference sources in your library.

What would you like to obtain from your research and practice of an Okinawan martial art? For an academic, it would be to obtain historical and cultural facts and details. For a practitioner, it would be to gain expertise in the combative skills. If you’re interested in both, this three-volume anthology (paperback) is assembled for your convenience to facilitate your endeavors. These volumes assemble a wealth of material originally published during the two decades when the Journal of Asian Martial Arts was in print. Hundreds of pages and photographs present the richness of Okinawan martial traditions, from the original combatives to those influenced by Chinese and mainland Japanese martial art styles. The variety of topics shown in the table of contents indicate the depth and breath in the chapters, along with the authors who are well-known for their meticulous research and practical skills in specific arts. These three volumes dive deep into the history and culture of Okinawan martial arts. You’ll find coverage of the actual artifacts—the material culture related to weaponry and training methods. Instructions from the masters details both open-hand techniques as well as with weapons. The chapters offer insights the lives of many masters over the past few centuries, giving the raison d’être for these unique fighting arts—their reason for being. Many streams of arts have contributed to the martial traditions found on the small island: Naha-te, Shuri-te, Fukien White Crane, Shorin, Goju, Motobu, Shotokan, Isshin, Kyokushin, Pwang Gai Noon, Shito, Uechi, and the list continues… Along with the various styles come the associated training methods, such as conditioning exercises with weights and creatively designed apparatus, such as the punching post (makiwara), or stone lever and stone padlockshaped weights. Some become battle-hardened by active and passive breaking of objects (tameshiwari), including wooden boards, baseball bats, rocks, and ice. The extensive use of weaponry is found in many Okinawan styles, often associated with their farming and fishing occupations. Such a blend of history and culture make the Okinawan fighting traditions a fascinating field of study. Besides being such vital sources of information, these three volumes will prove enjoyable reading and permanent at-hand reference sources in your library.

Learn all about the art of karate with The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Karate, including: • Simple tips for mastering the ancient Japanese martial art of karate • Behind-the-scenes looks at tournaments and competitions • Down-to-earth advice on how to strike, whether it be with fists or feet “The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Karate is a witty, inspiring, and user-friendly book… this book is not only for beginners; it is equally useful for advanced karate students.”—Stan Schmidt, Karate Master of the Japan Karate Association (JKA), Member of the JKA Shihankai (World Council of Masters)

Readers will learn about the history of karate and details on the different styles and belt categories. Charts and tables organize information in a visually appealing and easy-to-grasp way. Detailed step-by-step instructions and accompanying photographs help readers learn the positions and fundamental techniques followed by a demonstration of basic attacks and counterattacks. As the book progresses, the attacks become more and more varied and complex. Formal exercises encourage students to practice what they have learned, keep track of personal progress, and improve their mastery of karate.