Undoubtedly the most popular martial arts system in the world. Follow a pioneer of Taekwondo who helped to establish the art in America when nobody knew what it was.

Melanie Gibson was an independent woman with a good job, multiple college degrees, and a condo in the trendy part of town. She also had a few mental illnesses, a minor substance abuse problem, and rotten relationship skills. She was a high-functioning crazy who needed a good kick in the pants, literally and metaphorically. In early 2013, as a last desperate means to save her sanity, Melanie turned to a nearly forgotten childhood activity: the Korean martial art of taekwondo. As if the universe were listening, she discovered her West Texas childhood taekwondo instructors’ Grandmaster operated a taekwondo school a few miles from her home in Fort Worth, Texas—and she decided to start her training over as a white belt. In taekwondo, Melanie felt like she had a fresh start in more ways than one. She found an inner peace she’d never known before, a sense of community, a newfound confidence, and a positive outlook on life. The kicking and screaming she was doing in class quieted the long-term kicking and screaming in her mind. Funny and frank, Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts is the story of Melanie’s life-changing journey from troubled, lost soul to confident taekwondo black belt.

Martial Arts.

Although millions of people around the world practice this fascinating art, very few know the real story behind it.

In Taekwondo: A Technical Manual, renowned Master Gilles Savoie presents the art and science of the popular martial art, showing practitioners how to optimize both body and spirit. While other taekwondo books simply document traditional forms and exercises, this one goes further, providing an in-depth look at the body mechanics and physics of taekwondo movements. Armed with this information, says Master Savoie, the practitioner can improve control, optimize speed, increase power, and maintain balance. Taekwondo: A Technical Manual not only teaches optimal taekwondo technique but emphasizes visualization, balance, and overall wellbeing to enhance athletic abilities, fusing the physical and philosophical components of the art. Also included is an introduction to reflexology theory, teaching basic techniques to help taekwondo practitioners relax and self-treat common muscle aches and pains. Seventy black-and-white photographs and diagrams illustrate each of the movements and techniques described.

A general treatment of the Korean martial art, written by a master. Presenting an introduction to the Korean national sport, the book explores both the physical and the intellectual essence of the art.

"Endorsed [by] the World Taekwondo Federation."

According to the World Taekwondo Federation, there are over 90,000,000 taekwondo practitioners worldwide. Every level 1 black belt student is required to learn Poomsae Koryo. Yet few are familiar with the ancestral form known as 'Original Koryo'. Written specifically for black belt students, this book presents Original Koryo and Koryo, as well as the martial applications encoded in these forms.

The eagerly anticipated updated return of a bestselling martial arts classic The leaders of Tae Kwon Do, an Olympic sport and one of the worldÍs most popular martial arts, are fond of saying that their art is ancient and filled with old dynasties and superhuman feats. In fact, Tae Kwon Do is as full of lies as it is powerful techniques. Since its rough beginnings in the Korean military 60 years ago, the art empowered individuals and nations, but its leaders too often hid the painful truths that led to that empowerment „ the gangsters, secret-service agents, and dictators who encouraged cheating, corruption, and murder. A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do takes you into the cults, geisha houses, and crime syndicates that made Tae Kwon Do. It shows how, in the end, a few key leaders kept the art clean and turned it into an empowering art for tens of millions of people in more than 150 countries. A Killing Art is part history and part biography „ and a wild ride to enlightenment. This new and revised edition of the bestselling book contains previously unnamed sources and updated chapters.

Master the techniques and warrior spirit of karate with this illustrated martial arts guide. The true essence of karate-do is integrated training of the body, mind, and spirit to achieve human potential fully. Karate: Technique and Spirit describes in detail all the steps necessary to attain this goal. It is a book of Karate technique, a guideline for training, and a patient exposition of moral philosophy. Kaicho (grandmaster) Nakamura takes us from the basics--warmups, punches, blocks, and kicks--to the advanced practice of traditional weapons and kumite (sparring), all the while grounding the physical expression of this martial art in its rich history and philosophy. With over 700 photos, Karate: Technique and Spirit vividly conveys the essence of karate-do and how it can bring deeper meaning to our daily lives. Chapters include: Foundations of Karate; Basics of Karate-Do; Postures and Stances; Natural Weapons; Kata (Formal Exercises); Kumite (Fighting) and more!