Relax into Stretch : Instant Flexibility Through Mastering Muscle Tension Review

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(More customer reviews)I almost didn't buy this book because some of the reviews are so negative...but I'm glad I did anyway. A few points:
1. This method absolutely works...I say this after studying karate for 4 years (hundreds of kicks, stretching that included pouring water on the floor and having someone push down on your back, staying in stretched positions for up to an hour, etc..) yoga, stretch machines, standard stretch routines. Through all this, my stretch increased very little. I couldn't even sit on the floor with crossed legs without discomfort. My karate instructor used to say I had the flexibility of a rock. Pavel's method works. Get the book! The concepts are simple, but revolutionary. A few more points:
2. There is enough information and stretching routines in the book to last for years. I don't understand the reviews that say there is not enough info in the book, too many pictures, etc...I appreciated the fact that I could quickly go throught the book and get right into the stretching.
3. There is another reviewer who outlines all of the potentially harmful stretches, based on his assessment as a doctor. However, all of the stretches he talks about are in the advanced stretching section of the book; they are extreme exercises, that Pavel clearly states are not for beginners.
4. Appearances can be deceiving...for example I was experiencing slight lower back pain from one routine and then I went back and read how to do the exercise, and realized I was overstretching, not controlling my breathing and tension as described in the book. In spite of the clear, "simple" format of the book, it is rich in information, that must be read carefully.
5. One last point: this book is for those who need to get to the next level. (I can't believe someone recommended Anderson's "granny" stretch book over this one; give me a break) Whether to reach top levels of fitness, martial arts study, rock climbing, etc...I'm thinking of someone who is into total fitness.)
On the other hand, it's also worth reading for the weekend athlete, only because the knowledge can help one prevent injuries and avoid harmful stretching methods.
Disclaimer: this is not a cheerleader review for Pavel. I have no connection with him whatsoever, just a very appreciative reader. Get the book!

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"Conventional stretching attempts to literally elongate your tissues, which is dangerous and ineffective. Relax into Stretch simply teaches your muscles to relax into a stretch.If you compare traditional training to a messy hardware reorganization, then Relax into Stretch is an efficient software upgrade.While stretching tissues may take years, changes in the nervous system are immediate! Your muscles will start noticeably elongating from your first Relax into Stretch practice-and within months you will have achieved a level of flexibility uncommon in our species."-Pavel Tsatsouline. Own an illustrated guide to the thirty-six most effective techniques for super-flexibility. How the secret of mastering your emotions can add immediate inches to your stretch.How to wait out your tension-the surprising key to greater mobility and a better stretch. How to fool your reflexes into giving you all the stretch you want. Why contract-relax stretching is 267% more effective than conventional relaxed stretching. How to breathe your way to greater flexibility. Using the Russian technique of Forced Relaxation as your ultimate stretching weapon. How to stretch when injured-faster, safer ways to heal. Young, old, male, female-learn what stretches are best for you and what stretches to avoid. Why excessive flexibility can be detrimental to athletic performance-and how to determine your real flexibility needs.Plateau-busting strategies for the chronically inflexible

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Taekwondo Self-defense: Taekwondo Hoshinsool Review

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(More customer reviews)The pure self defens aspect of Taekwon-Do is often taking a back-seat to formal techniques and competition (and in some extent even fitness)in modern training halls.
This book presents a good collection of what I consider to be traditional TKD self defense techniques. Many of them definitly require quite a lot of practice to be performed effectivly against a real attack and some of them may even be onsidered low percentage techniques. Wether this is a positive or a negative would probably depend on what you are lookking for. This is not a quick-guide to the simplest and most effective TKD self defens techniques. It is however a good introduction to both basic self defens theory and the application of a lot of techniques typhical to TKD - the kind of techniques I would teach as soon as my students had showed mastery of the simplest and safest) self defens strategies. I got quite a few new ideas an technical variations from the book.

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In Taekwondo Self-defense: Taekwondo Hoshinsool,Sang H. Kim adapts traditional Taekwondoskills for the modern day Taekwondo classroom.The self-defense techniques presented blendTaekwondo kicking, blocking and striking skillswith locks, throws and takedowns drawn fromother Korean self-defense arts.Learn how to use your Taekwondo skills todefend against a wide variety of common emptyhandattacks including holds, locks, chokespunches, kicks and pins. Plus, learn defensesagainst an attacker wielding a blunt weapon,knife or gun.Each defensive scenario is illustrated with highquality photos and explained in step-by-stepdetail that includes key points to successfullyapplying advanced techniques, multiple ways ofdefending against the most common attacks andalternative responses to help you prepare for thefl uid reality of a real-life self-defense situation. Taekwondo Self-defense is an invaluablereference for the dojang, promotion testing,demonstrations, and your personal protection.

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Tae Kwon Do: Secrets of Korean Karate Review

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(More customer reviews)Outstanding demonstration and explanation of this highly popular style of karate which,moreso than most places great emphasis on foot technique.The text is easy to understand and its' thoroughness of detail and display of skill in technique make it second only to Jordan Roth's masterwork Black Belt Karate.It must be said that this book would probably not serve a novice student too well as there are some moves which could prove difficult to master,like the front and side-limbering kicks and the flying roundhouse kick.This book should perhaps be best viewed as a companion piece to Roth's as there are several techniques not covered in that book,such as the hook kick and the rising heel kick.Great emphasis is placed on sparring so I would say that it is absolutely essential to work with a partner when referring to this book.As one who enjoys the kicking techniques of karate this book definitely comes highly recommended.Class cover shot of a perfectly executed side thrust kick enhances this book's already considerable appeal and usefulness.

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In this classic volume, illustrated with nearly 1,000 photographs, the author explains when, where, why, and how to best apply the deadly techniques of Tae Kwon Do.This book gives pinpoint explanations of the advantages and disadvantages of each move, analyzing them step by step from offensive, defensive, and counterattacking perspectives.The techniques presented are applicable to any martial arts system, making this book of interest not only to practitioners of Tae Kwon Do but also of karate and kung fu.

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Complete Kicking: The Ultimate Guide to Kicks for Martial Arts Self-defense & Combat Sports Review

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(More customer reviews)Sang H. Kim presents a well written and organized book on kicking. Mr. Kim covers the basic kicks found in most martial arts. His material is easy to follow with examples of correct and incorrect form. Mr. Kim incorporates sample target areas for the kicks presented and some may find it a little slanted towards Taekwondo. I thought the book was not only well written but an excellent resource for a dojang/dojo/kwoon library. Beginners will probably find this very helpful yet even the experienced instructor can apply the material presented to improve their own techniques. Mr. Kim has done it again!

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Tae Kwon Do: The Korean Martial Art Review

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(More customer reviews)To let you know up front I've been asked by YMAA Publication Center to review this book. Check my other reviews if you are concerned about bias. Honestly it takes a lot to ask me to review a book, because I will tell you exactly what I think. I have trained in the martial arts for over 25 years now primarily in aikido, jujitsu and boxing of various sorts. I have never been a big fan of striking in real combat. The idea of taking the smallest bones in my body and matching them up against, say your skull, doesn't seem like a real good idea to me. Bust you hand sometime and you'll see what I mean. Even with that bias I have to admitt that Master Chun's book is very impressive. It contains a ton of information especially about some basic things that a lot of the TKD people I've met should have studied. The section on learning falls is pretty good and if you do TKD do yourself a favor and learn this if you are not being taught. What makes this book so big is a lot of the space is devoted to providing decent photos of what is taught. The draw back here is that for someone like myself who has seen enough moves I know what is trying to be taught so my mind fills in any blanks. But if you look at some of the content with a beginners mind you can see where confusion could very easily set in. This is a good lesson in what a book in the martial arts is suppose to do....reinforce what you are already learning from your mat experience, so I don't consider any lapses to be a problem.
I do have some concerns about some of the practical applications especially the weapon disarms. The knife and firearm disarms are great ways to get killed. Don't even think about them.This is where kata is going to get you hurt. There are safer and better applications so I wouldn't try these in real training or a conflict. Often there are kicks or punches employed where they are in my opinion, high risk and of questionable yield. BUT keep in mind that they are being performed by someone who has done these things for a lifetime. For Master Chun these are as second nature to him as breathing. I've worked with people who are at this level in their striking and they feel very comfortable with these types of moves. It becomes a matter of your own level of practice and comfort. To get to that level thought you have to spend a lifetime working at it.
If you are studying TKD for a sport application, kata, or breaking boards this book is an exhaustive source.

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Inside you will find everything you need to reach the rank of Black Belt in most Taekwondo schools. With over 1400 illustrations, this reissued edition preserves the quality of the critically acclaimed cloth edition used by thousands of students over the last 30 years.

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Complete Taekwondo Poomsae: The Official Taegeuk, Palgwae and Black Belt Forms of Taekwondo Review

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(More customer reviews)This is THE Taekwondo textbook! The main author was the man who was charged with demonstrating TKD to the world, organizing the TKD demonstration at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He is now the head coach at the chief headquarters for WTF (the official South Korean) Taekwondo in Seoul, South Korea. You have in your hand THE book of Taekwondo. There is no higher authority!
This book actually has the ENTIRE syllabus of Taekwondo in it, not piecemeal. You can study ALL the forms and their contained techniques through this book. The explanations are crystal clear. There is no mystery. Every move's application is clearly explained for you! There are mnemonic diagrams at the start and end of each form so you can check quickly on things you forgot. I've never seen a better organized instructional book before in my life!
But the question begs itself - why Taekwondo? Why buy this book and learn this particular martial art? I think knowing what TKD is, through understanding where it comes from is crucial to understanding what you are purchasing:
Taekwondo had its birth during the Korean War (1950-53) when the leaders of South Korea's armed forces took notice of the desperate need for their troops to develop strong close quarters combat skills. Unexpectedly, the Korean War developed into a war of close quarters combat and trench fighting, more like World War One than the more recent and highly mobile Second World War. Training had focused on shooting, not on scrapping hand to hand. To remedy this problem, the president, Syngman Rhee, invited ten known martial arts experts to meet and devise a system of training for hand to hand combat to drill the troops in. Apparently these martial arts masters were teachers of variants on Karate, since during the Japanese occupation (1910-45) Koreans were able to travel to Japan to study. In some cases, Karate books read in Korea seem to have been the main inspiration for these masters to initially develop their skills. Karate was developed as the hand to hand combat skill of the royal guards of the king of Okinawa, who were banned from using weapons for hundreds of years by the occupying forces of the Japanese Satsuma clan. They had to arrest and police their own people and visiting sailors from other countries with their bare hands and sticks. Karate, out of necessity, had developed a uniquely effective unarmed fighting method because of this unique situation. The Koreans realized this and learned from it. The Koreans also shared the political situation of the Okinawans of the days of yore, since they too were a disarmed people, colonized by Japan.
Traditional martial arts in Korea had focused on weapon forms (for example, sword, spear, flail and halberd patterns/poomse/kata) done by soldiers on foot and horseback; archery was practiced by much of the upper classes as part of their Confucian cultural tradition of the warrior-gentleman. Ssirum, a kind of jacket wrestling, was a major sport, a staple event of fairs and celebrations, and hand to hand fighting method, basically identical to modern judo's standing phase, Kurash and other Eurasian jacket wrestling styles. There was one interesting sport called Taekkyon, popular around the capital city Seoul, which was a form of Ssirum wrestling but also allowed wins by either kicking gently to the head or push kicking so that your opponent had to step back at least three steps to stay up. Kicking someone down to the ground was of course a flat out victory. Korea, a very bookish and intellectual country, had codified many of its martial arts in a book called the Muye Dobo Tongji, which you can purchase in translation through Amazon, and it is a very interesting book too! This book contains a vast array of armed fighting methods, some unarmed ones, and instructions on how to use football games and polo as military training too! I should add that modern Korean soldiers are still made to practice a lot of soccer to develop their fighting skills, including full contact mountainside, in-the-depths-of-the-forest soccer! The South Korean flag depicts a yin-yang (um-yang in Korean) symbol representing perfect balance, surrounded by elemental symbols for earth, fire, water and air. From all these influences, Taekwondo was born. It has the no-nonsense techniques of the weapon-forbidden royal Karate guards of Okinawa, the intentions of the Muye Dobo Tongji for drilling an entire national armed force in hand to hand combat, and the balance and organization of the ying-yang national flag of Korea. It is a powerful, potent and emotional combination, brought about by a desperate situation in the middle of one of the world's most horrific and brutal civil wars, and you can feel it when you practice the forms in the book!
I really like some of the common sense and down to earth qualities the authors bring to bear on the subject. They are realistic about the limits of solo training in poomse, and also embrace each individual's personalization of the forms to suit their own needs, physical form and qualities. To explain it simply, poomse practice is excellent low-impact but high-yield exercise; it improves the circulation of the cardio-vascular system; develops a fearless spirit in fighting, since you ALWAYS WIN against your imaginary opponents and you soon begin to expect to always win against real opponents too; and of course, you develop a set of tactical moves to use against real opponents which in most cases either distract, entice or mislead your opponent into leaving an opening for you to exploit. A great many of the moves in this book are illegal in modern TKD competition. I'm actually primarily a judo practitioner, and I see more applications for the book's techniques in jacket wrestling situations (nearly every move involves a pull with the opposite hand to the one striking, on the opponent's sleeve or other part) and street-fighting (all the injury-producing moves) than in a modern TKD ring. The authors point this fact out for us, and let us know that the poomses contain a vastly more complete system of fighting than can sparring, with all its safety considerations. (In the military, however, TKD sparring and full-contact TKD football (soccer) is done full-contact, without safety equipment.) But the poomses cannot teach us distance and timing against real opponents, things that only sparring can teach us, in spite of its limited, watered-down nature.
One of the genius things about TKD is that it is designed to be practiced in a very limited space. I imagine the creators of the poomse devising them in their small traditional houses, or little courtyards in their houses, or even in their small apartments. But this is brilliant for a modern martial art. What I love about this book the most is that I can practice and hone my TKD skills in my own home, and not bother anyone or have to go out of doors somewhere to train, like a gym or something. I can do it all right where I live! This is why I think this book is among the very best BOOKS for martial arts. You can learn and do everything yourself, in your own house, in a small or moderately sized room! Get to it! I'm in great shape because of it! My judo fighting has improved tremendously. I'm much more healthy, alert, happy and feeling awake and alive! Also, my memory has improved tenfold from memorizing all the forms and drilling them. My mind is much sharper than it was before too!

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Taekwondo: The State of the Art Review

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(More customer reviews)Taekwondo The State of the Art
Authors:Masters Sung Chul Whang; Jun Chul Whang; Brandon Saltz; Foreword and contribution by Master is comprehensive and deals with History, Philosophy, Warm ups; Stances; Steps and Footwork; Blocks; Hand strikes; Kicks; Sparring; and Poomse. The authors have chosen to use illustrations rather than photographs and the results are quite good. Korean terms are used throughout as part of the titles. Headings for almost all sections in the book and all the stances, kicks, strikes, blocks, etc. are included. As always, since English sounds don't always match Korean, the spelling is a crap shoot. Of particular note is the use of G instead of K for a palatal consonant in such Korean words as (Gyoroogi) (sparring) here versus Kyorugi in some other books.
Of all the books I've read, I like this one the best-so far. There is more detail and supporting discussion. As I read the material, I felt like I was being coached by someone who was not only very competent, but also someone who understood the problems of junior belt level students such as myself.
This book will appeal to the serious Taekwondo students no matter what reasons they have for taking Taekwondo. It is only missing discussion of self defense. However, there is a frank discussion in the philosophy chapter that addresses the authors' feelings about the thought processes of people in the discipline about the merits of sportized Taekwondo versus martial art. This is an important discussion and should be read by young Taekwondoists as they determine why they are taking TKD. [For the dedicated student, The Martial Artist's Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi interpreted by Stephen F. Kaufman, Hanshi 10th Dan, has even more relevant discussion.]
The book deals with stances, hand strikes and kicks and stresses the rationale behind each. It is detailed in its discussion and maintains the importance of the proper stances and striking technique. The extensive section on steps and footwork is the most comprehensive I've see so far. They discuss transitions from position to position. With these sections the authors build you carefully towards the sections on sparring and poomse(forms) Because of the lengthy build up, only the Taeguk patterns are shown. The authors acknowledge other patterns such as the Palgwe, but focus on the current WTF authorized patterns. The discussion on the patterns is excellent. If read with the preceding material in their book, a student can greatly increase their understanding of why they are doing things and how they may improve. [Please understand that no-one should feel they can learn Taekwondo properly without the instruction of a Master such as Master Seung. No book replaces an experienced teacher, but it offers some insights and additional information that may not come up in the classes very often.]
What makes this book especially appealing to someone like me, is the information about the Taeguk series-the Taeguk is the circle containing the um/yang symbols within the 8 sets of 3 bars. For the first time as a Taekwondo student, I could start to understand the significance. The authors have given us a brief but important opening into the discipline.
In addition, they have advanced an image of the ultimate state to which patterns should aspire. It demonstrates the purpose of each motion.
As a beginning, but serious TKD student, if I could only buy one book on Taekwondo, I would buy this one.

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A comprehensive instructional guide to the world's most popular martial art. 16-pp. photo insert. 350 illustrations. Media attention.

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Competitive Taekwondo Review

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(More customer reviews)This book provides a lot of information on stepping and techniques for sparring. It covers a lot of specific stepping that isn't covered in class. A great book full of practical useful information.

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