From mad scientists to familiar aliens, to Irish gods who only go on Halloween dates, and the odd dragon making an unexpected appearance, they’re all here in this collection of micro-, flash- and short-fiction. Meet the shape-shifters and the scientists who just may be able take some tails too far. There’s the depressed love-lorn lady who meets a surfer-dude of note, and the cookbook writer hosting the Dark Man of Erskine. Have a beer with the geologist who knows their unalienable right, while you try to spot Medusa, if you can. And if it’s all too much, let the ELFs save you, or find your most cost-effective way to Mars. This collection of Leenna’s short fiction includes works both previously published, and never-before seen. There’s something for the holidays, the dreary days and those strange days too.

The Dragon Bagua Zhang system of third-generation master Fu Zhen Song was one of the most powerful martial arts styles to emerge from 1920s China. Fu Zhen Song had a reputation as a skilled fighter and uncompromising teacher, and his Dragon Bagua style was renowned for its extensive catalog of whirling body movements and fighting techniques. In 1991 Lin Chao Zhen, Fu’s formal disciple, brought this mysterious martial art to the United States, where he practiced and taught until his death in 1997. Fu Zhen Song’s Dragon Bagua Zhang presents this challenging system in a step-by-step format, including palm forms, stepping patterns, and training methods. Originally written in Chinese by Lin Chao Zhen and translated by his son, Wei Ran Lin, this edition also features an extensive introductory section on the development of the Dragon Bagua form and the history of its lineage. The text is accompanied by 150 photographs of the late master Lin Chao Zhen demonstrating the form, as well as an illustrated two-person practice set that teaches the system’s applications for self-defense and sparring.

Awaken to the energetic connections between you and your home. When you make conscious changes to your living space, you can transform your life and uplift your soul. Mind Body Home presents your home as an integral component for holistic living, correlating every room with its physical, mental, and emotional counterpart in you, from foundation to roof. Being in tune with your home's energy allows you to create positive changes in your life. Mind Body Home provides all the feng shui insights you need for selecting a home and how to enhance your health, improve relationships, and attract more prosperity once you've moved in.Discover what your home is saying about your health, emotional and mental well-being, or spiritual growth through repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Open the door to the heart of your home and discover a new way of seeing and living within it.

Master Wang Shujin (1904—1981) was one of the world’s foremost exponents of Chinese internal martial arts, with legendary expertise in the disciplines of Bagua Zhang, Taiji Quan, and Xingyi Quan. This book offers a lucid translation of Master Wang’s seminal work on Bagua Zhang and includes expanded instruction by co-translator and noted Bagua Zhang expert Kent Howard. It also introduces readers to a rarely seen personal side of Wang Shujin, who was not only a fighter but also a teacher and spiritual leader. Bagua Linked Palms includes a wealth of additional information useful to the practitioner of internal martial arts, including the story of Bagua Zhang’s development, the connection between the Bagua and the I Ching, and step-by-step instruction in the eight “changes” of Bagua Linked Palms, the first form in Master Wang’s style of Bagua Zhang. This comprehensive, richly annotated text makes it a must-have addition to every serious martial arts library.

A variety of flash and short-fiction from fantasy to science-fiction to contemporary romance to suit your mood, breaks and commutes. Here you’ll find the loquacious detective trying to shake off the god of lurve, a sister or two out for revenge, a trio of sweet lovers with a touch of magic, and a good old-fashioned whirlwind romance on a modern tour of Scotland. Not forgetting some contemporary inspiring peeks and a reminder that the human touch, with a healthy dose of curiosity, can’t ever be replicated. These stories are all curated from the author’s blog, patron-feed and stories that she loves but just can’t find a home elsewhere. Other short story collections by this author: I Find Myself Charmed and The Bagua And Other Stories.

Sighting: Possible Canid. Likely a werewolf Location: Walpole, Western Australia Status: Developing—tracking and research When Stacy hires a cabin at in the quiet Walpole forest, the last creature she expects to meet is a wolf. Now he’s got evil designs on her, but he hasn’t counted on the locals’ personal interest in matters. Shy forester, Ash, just wants to meet the beautiful new renter in the forest cabin and research that strange spoor he’s spotted. Events take a dangerous turn when the tracks turn out to be a werewolf’s, and the renter a cryptozoologist. Ash will have to think fast to keep the peace in his beloved forest, and win his lady love

One of the three major orthodox internal styles of Chinese martial arts (along with Xing Yi Quan and Tai Ji Quan), Bagua Zhang (or Ba Gua Zhang) is also one of the most ancient and revered. The first volume in a series of two on the form, Liu Bin’s Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, Volume One, is written from the perspective of a wise master who gives equal attention to Bagua’s historical evolution and to the art and practice itself. A disciple of famous master Liu Xing Han and one who honed his skills for over 20 years under the same trees in Temple of Heaven Park as the originators of Bagua, Professor Zhang Jie is ideally suited for the task. He presents the fundamental theories of Bagua simply and clearly, in such a way that they comprise both a martial arts manual and a guide for everyday living. The idea of balance in all things is stressed throughout, as is the ancient Chinese philosophy that underlies Bagua. In addition to illustrations of the Bagua movements, the book contains previously unpublished historical photographs. Equally useful for novice and seasoned practitioners, as well as students of Chinese culture and history, Liu Bin’s Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang immerses readers in all aspects of this important martial art.

Baguaquan and xingyiquan are two styles that complement each other as yin does yang. Bagua is known for its circular movements and its practice of circle walking. Xingyi embodies characteristic linear movements said to be derived form the logical strategies for using spear and staff. How fortunate we are to include writings in this anthology by leading authorities on these styles. Separated into three sections, the first features bagua. Allen Pittman presents five variations of the single palm change, followed by an overview of the Yin Fun bagua lineage and an interview with He Jinbao focusing on training, fighting skills, teaching and learning. Travis Joern examines how a martial artist can apply the theoretical aspects of the Book of Changes to bagua training. Hong Dzehan (son of Hong Yixiang, stellar master of the three internal systems) then shares some of his personal experiences and favorite bagua techniques. Section two contains chapters on xingyi. The interview with Luo Dexiu questions the proper way to study xingyi from the beginning to the advanced levels. Robert Yu compares American boxing with xingyi's pragmatic fighting techniques and in the following chapter he recounts in detail how it was to study under Hong Yixiang in Taiwan nearly forty years ago. Stanley Henning gives a travelogue of a trip to Shanxi Province (the home of xingyi) and then discusses Che Style xingyi training methods as thought by Dr. Wu Chaoxiang, including the five element theory, twelve animal forms, two-person routines, and spear training. The third section presents some commonalities in what many refer to as the internal arts: bagua, xingyi, and taiji. The chapter on Fu family style beautifully details how they incorporated the essential elements of taiji, xingyi, and bagua into their majestic sixiangquan (four image boxing). Marcus Brinkman relates many of the unique insights and experiences he had during his extensive study with Lo Dexiu and Hong Yixiang, including internal development and fighting applications. Tim Cartmell provides the final chapter which explains the key concepts of “sticking and following” as they apply to the throwing methods of the Chinese internal martial arts. The rich content in this anthology comes from the rare academic and hands-on experience of those presented in chapters here. Readers will no doubt benefit from the practical practice tips as well as the other cultural details these wonderful authors share.

Jayme Bartett, the feng shui consultant to the rich and powerful of Beverly Hills, has written the most comprehensive and life changing book on the subject.

Buddha Nature and Animality is about peaceful living. In discussions about the relation between humans and their animal relatives, a central theme is that Buddhism represents the most viable philosophical/religious alternative to the malaise surrounding us when we confront ecological problems. This recognition points to the notion of compassion. The author seeks beyond the limits imposed by discourses of ethics and assumes a more radical approach to seek the roots of the perspectives that allow the conceptual space for the problematic dialogues in the first place. Rather than viewing animals as distinct beings sharing our environs, the author attempts to give the animals soul back to spirituality.