This tome focuses on the martial heroes: characters who rely on their combat talents and keen wits for survival. "Martial Power" is the first of a line of player-friendly supplements offering hundreds of new options for D&D characters.
Different styles of martial arts offer contradictory information, philosophies and techniques for the body in combat. As a lifelong student and teacher of multiple styles of martial arts, Steven Pearlman has sought to distill from these disciplines not a fusion of techniques, but rather a compilation of fundamental principles that can guide the individual martial artist to the ideal action. Through his exploration of a set of basic principles that range from the physical to the spiritual, Pearlman arrives at a system open to all martial artists.
A collection of parables and teaching stories from the martial arts traditions of Japan and China that emphasizes their spiritual foundation. • The teaching stories in this book are based on the lives of martial arts masters and are meant to inspire questions and insights for the student. • Written for martial artists and anyone interested in Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Zen, and Taoism. True martial arts should never be confused with simple combat techniques. Rather, martial arts are a way that an individual, after a long and difficult apprenticeship, can gain a profound understanding of the true nature of reality and one's place in it. Over time the apprentice discovers the laws governing the subtle forces of life and realizes that their mastery is only possible after one has mastered oneself. "He who has mastered the Art doesn't use his sword: he compels his adversary to kill himself." This quote from renowned sword master Tajima no Kami perfectly expresses the paradoxical nature of martial arts teachings in China and Japan. These teaching stories are not moral fables; in fact they have nothing to prove. Their purpose is actually to inspire questions and insights that will aid the student to achieve self-realization. Most of the stories in this book are based on actual events in the lives of martial arts teachers who have achieved legendary status. The almost superhuman abilities of some of the masters described here are evidence of the secret powers that can be wielded by those whose martial arts training is not simply the learning of physical techniques but involves the mastering of the subtle energies of the mind and body. Master of the Art of Archery Kenzo Awa could hit the center of a target even when shooting in total darkness. Assailants of Tai Chi master Yang Lu Chan found their blows did more damage to themselves than to their would-be victim. By reading--and comprehending--the tales in this book, we can acquire the same essential knowledge that these masters had--that extraordinary forces are within the grasp of those who have achieved inner peace and self-mastery.
A must for advanced students, this book is the next level in training for those who have learned the Tai Chi form and begun pushing hands practice. It is the first book in English to fully explore Tai Chi power, known as Jin. This is a valuable reference for the growing number of dedicated Tai Chi practitioners.
Learn to harness your spiritual and mental energy to acquire the tools for survival and success in martial arts. In Mind Power: Secret Strategies for the Martial Arts, Kazumi Tabata, Grandmaster in the Shotokan and Shorinji styles of Karate, offers his personal teachings as to how martial arts students can reach the point where time seems to slow down, quick movements are seen in slow motion, and the full potential of one's inner power can be harnessed. Chapters include: Strategy--basic physical and mental approaches to combat Basic Laws of the Mind and Body--How to harness and maximize the power of one's mind and body Strategy of a Virtuous Man--How, with honorable approaches, to approach and win confrontations How to Interpret Your Mind--Insights into our mind's workings Words and Deeds of a Virtuous Man--Approaches and actions of a man seeking higher ground Strategy of the Mind--Best application of our cognitive instincts The Law of Anger and the Law of Snapping--How anger manifests and how to work with it How to Interpret Wavelengths--Insight into understanding others Strategy of Mu--How to build upon a very Eastern approach; the concept of emptiness The Pinnacle of Spiritual Attainment--Translations and interpretations of ancient writings The Heart of Sutra--Translations and interpretations of ancient writings
From the author of "Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body" comes a book that introduces martial arts practitioners to three "internal" arts and their subtle powers. Inner martial arts rely on internal energy for power rather than on muscles or tension. 15 photos.
In the volume 1, how to analyze a technique and three methods of study are discussed. They are the method of analysis, the method of practice and the method of technique. Five popular styles are studied as examples. They include Tai Chi, Ba Gua, Tong Bei, Ba Ji and Qin Na Shu (Iron Claw). In the present book, how to generate, transfer and express the power in a move and a posture is elucidated. We may practice the move and posture for a long time. However, if we do not know and practice how to generate power, the move is not effective and loses its purpose. How to listen to, interact with and absorb the opponents power is also explained in Part I. Some characteristic powers in Xing Yi Quan, Tai Chi Quan, Ba Gua Zhang, Ba Ji Quan and Tong Bei Quan are discussed in Part II. Each style focuses on a certain repertoire of powers to solve the fighting problems. Each has its unique way of developing these signature powers. Where the power is coming from, how to transfer the power within the body, and how to express the power are explained. For people that are practicing these styles, the information is very important to know. For people that are interested in knowing how everything works in a move or posture, this is a book that explains it. In actuality, the characteristic power is the primary consideration, and the move and posture is then designed for developing and expression of the power. In Part III, some general ways of developing power are discussed. How to do relaxation exercise before and after practice, how to practice standing postures, how to use equipments to develop powers, and how to train with a partner safely are discussed. This book reveals to you why and how the moves and postures are the way they are. This book also gives you some idea of training and developing the power specific for the purpose of fighting.