Vince Morris

Martial arts lore tells of masters who possesssed a mysterious ability to defeat an opponent with a single perfectly placed blow. The Secret Art of Pressure Point Fighting transforms the ancient legend into a modern reality-an anatomically based fighting and self-defense system that allows a smaller defender to defeat a larger attacker by striking at the key points on his body.

Straightforward and easy to understand, The Secret Art of Pressure Point Fighting provides a complete overview of the body's vulnerable points and teaches how to stop an attacker as quickly as possible using a minimal amount of physical strength.

Photographs by Bill Bly.

Contents

Foreword
Part 1
Introduction
The mythology
Pressure point physiology
The use of reflexive responsess in self-defense
The traditional significance of ki or chi
Debunking tradition
The kyusho (vital) points
Rules of combat and awareness
Safety in training
How should you train for optimum results
Part 2 Combat application
Low-level violence: Wrist and arm grabs
Low-level violence: Slaps
More-violent situatons: Grabbing and molestation
More-violent situations: Sudden attacks
Life-threatening situations: Abduction
Life-threatenng situations: strangling or choking
On the gound
Offensive techniques: Chokes and strangles
Defensive techniqeus: Headbutt
Part 3 Kata and applcations
The importance of kata
Kata bunkai and pressure points
Index
Recommended reading (bibliography)
About the author and photographer… (altro)

The basis of instruction in karate, as in all martial arts, is the practice of 'kata.' These formal sequences of karate techniques simulate defending and attacking one or more opponents and has been the method by which studens have learned and practiced for hundreds of years. A student advances in the study of karate by mastering progressively more difficult kata.

Fully illustrated with step-by-step photographs of each kate, this book teaches the techniques of the shotokan school of kata. Complete with the historical background and development of each kata, the text and illlustrations explain each sequence and, more important, the practical application of each. The repetition of practicing the kata is what enables the karate student to react in what seems a reflex way to an aggressor's attack.

After reading and working with this book, the karate student of any level will have a greater understanding of the physical conditioning, correct mental and spiritual attitude behind the basic karate moves.

Vince Morris was a senior studentof Shiro Asano and has been many times British Team Champion of Shotokan Karate Institute. Also a kata medalist, he was a member of the winning international squad at European level in both kumite and kata. Morris established the English Karate Federation and is a former Chairman of the Martial Arts Commission.

Aidan Trimble has trained with many of the finest teachers in both 'traditional' and 'sport' karate. While he was in the Shotokan Karate Institute he was three times British Champion, three times Kata Champion, twice European Team Champion, British All students Individual Champion, twice England All Styles Kata champion, and the first World Individual Kumite Champion, winning the title in Tokyo.

Morris and Trimble head the Federation of Shotokan Karate and teach throughout Britain and Europe.

Contents

Kata
How to practice
Heian shodan
Heian nidan
Heian sandan
Heian yondan
Heian godan
Tekki shodan
Bassai-dai
Kanku-dai
Empi
Sochin
Jion
Hangetsu
Nijushiho… (altro)

For the serious martial artist, Zanshin-calm, concentrated awareness-is a vital step toward the realization of personal potential. The author believes this is truly more important than mastering a martial art. A karate sensei, Morris discusses how to create harmony between mind and body, and the importance of utilizing the mind to improve the technical side of martial arts.

Morris, a longtime teacher and leading Western exponent of martial arts, cuts through the dogma and mysticism that surround thousand-year old traditions. With clarity and simplicity, the author discusses various types of meditation and how to combine them with physical exercise. He demonstrates how we can use Western Zen in our hectic modern world to diffuse stress and meet the challenges of life.

This breakthrough book is an important addition to the martial arts tradition, and one that no martial artist can afford to be without!

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 What is meditation and how does it work?
2 Types of meditation
3 The historical evidence
4 The contemporary evidence
5 How to meditate
6 'If'
7 Mental rehearsal and visualisation
8 How to combine meditation with physical practice
9 The technique
10 The first attempt-an analysis of stress
11 A final topic
About the author
Notes to the text
Recommended books and works consulted (bibliography)… (altro)