Library's review
form dust jacket
In recent years the tremendous growth in popularity of the martial arts all over the world has resulted in the emergence of an extraordinary number of magazines and books, films, schools, and tournaments on the subject. With hardly an exception, however, they all concentrate on
Herman Kauz' exploration of The Marital Spirit is the first book to go beyond the conventional viewpoint of physical training and self-defense; Kauz places the primary emphasis on mental training and the psycohological and philosophical elements. He reveals the East-West inter-relationship few understand, even those physically skilled in the martial arts world.
Accompainied by Tetsu Okuhara's extraordinry photography The Martial Spirit compares the various martial arts systems and describes how students physically and spiritually develop skills on their own and then with a partner. One chapter deals with philosophical concepts and their relevance and application in training; another points out the mind-body problems encountered at the outset of student invovement. Aways present in The Martial Spirit are the student-teacher dynamics and spiritual aspects.
This thoughtful and inspiratonal work shows how serious martial arts study and training can: promote better physical and mental health, enhance the growth of self-understanding, increase the knowledge of others, and contribute to a feeling of personal worth.
Herman Kauz is a fourth-degree black belt in judo and a second-degree black belt in karate. He has abeen a teacher for over a quarter of a century and is the author of the best-selling Tai Chi Handbook.
'In a field crowded with charlatans and books which are little more than catalogs of swindles, Herman Kauz has written a comprehensive and sober guide to the Asian martial arts. Kauz is a real teacher, open, generous, and undogmatic. The Martial Spirit reflects these qualities.'--Robert W. Smith co-author of Asian Fighting Arts.
Contents
Foreword
Chapter I Introduction
Martial Arts as Self-defense; Martial Arts as Physical Exercise; Martial Arts as Meditation
Chapter II What Kind of Marital Art Should be Studied?
Class Procedure; Weapons Systems; Sport vs. Non-sport Systems; Internal vs. External Styles; Comparison of National Styles or Systems; Who Can Study?
Chapter III The Aim of Individual Form Practice
Developing skill; Kata Practice; Meditative Aspects of Individual Form Practice; Tan tien or tanden; Hara; Analytical and Intuitive Aspects of the Mind; Extensions of a More intuitive Approach to Life; Discipline
Chapter IV The Result of Training with a Partner
Developing Skill; Relating to Others; Assessing Character; Competition; Learning to Concentrate
Chapter V Philosophy: Its Relevance and Application
Philosophical Ideas in Martial Arts; Individual Differences in Students; Difficulty of Meeting Ideals
Chapter VI Problems Encountered at the Outset of Training
Mind Control; Selecting a Teacher
Chapter VII Summary and Conclusion
In recent years the tremendous growth in popularity of the martial arts all over the world has resulted in the emergence of an extraordinary number of magazines and books, films, schools, and tournaments on the subject. With hardly an exception, however, they all concentrate on
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'how-to' aspects, not on the spiritual underpinning.Herman Kauz' exploration of The Marital Spirit is the first book to go beyond the conventional viewpoint of physical training and self-defense; Kauz places the primary emphasis on mental training and the psycohological and philosophical elements. He reveals the East-West inter-relationship few understand, even those physically skilled in the martial arts world.
Accompainied by Tetsu Okuhara's extraordinry photography The Martial Spirit compares the various martial arts systems and describes how students physically and spiritually develop skills on their own and then with a partner. One chapter deals with philosophical concepts and their relevance and application in training; another points out the mind-body problems encountered at the outset of student invovement. Aways present in The Martial Spirit are the student-teacher dynamics and spiritual aspects.
This thoughtful and inspiratonal work shows how serious martial arts study and training can: promote better physical and mental health, enhance the growth of self-understanding, increase the knowledge of others, and contribute to a feeling of personal worth.
Herman Kauz is a fourth-degree black belt in judo and a second-degree black belt in karate. He has abeen a teacher for over a quarter of a century and is the author of the best-selling Tai Chi Handbook.
'In a field crowded with charlatans and books which are little more than catalogs of swindles, Herman Kauz has written a comprehensive and sober guide to the Asian martial arts. Kauz is a real teacher, open, generous, and undogmatic. The Martial Spirit reflects these qualities.'--Robert W. Smith co-author of Asian Fighting Arts.
Contents
Foreword
Chapter I Introduction
Martial Arts as Self-defense; Martial Arts as Physical Exercise; Martial Arts as Meditation
Chapter II What Kind of Marital Art Should be Studied?
Class Procedure; Weapons Systems; Sport vs. Non-sport Systems; Internal vs. External Styles; Comparison of National Styles or Systems; Who Can Study?
Chapter III The Aim of Individual Form Practice
Developing skill; Kata Practice; Meditative Aspects of Individual Form Practice; Tan tien or tanden; Hara; Analytical and Intuitive Aspects of the Mind; Extensions of a More intuitive Approach to Life; Discipline
Chapter IV The Result of Training with a Partner
Developing Skill; Relating to Others; Assessing Character; Competition; Learning to Concentrate
Chapter V Philosophy: Its Relevance and Application
Philosophical Ideas in Martial Arts; Individual Differences in Students; Difficulty of Meeting Ideals
Chapter VI Problems Encountered at the Outset of Training
Mind Control; Selecting a Teacher
Chapter VII Summary and Conclusion
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ISBN
879510676
Publication
The Overlook Press Woodstock, New York