J. D. Swanson holds a Ph.D. in integrative biosciences and a fifth-degree black belt from the International Shotokan Karate Federation. He is an official ISKF instructor, examiner, and judge, having studied under both Okazaki and Yaguchi sensei. Swanson began his martial studies in 1980 in his native New Zealand. He moved to the United States in 1998. He is a professor in the Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences at Salve Regina University and the head instructor of the Shotokan karate clubs at Brown and Salve Regina Universities. J. D. Swanson resides in Springfield, Virginia.

Foreword by Robin Rielly

Foreword by James Field

Acknowledgments

PART 1: The Techniques and How to Do Them

CHAPTER 1: An Introduction and How to Use This Book

CHAPTER 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of Martial Arts

CHAPTER 3: With What and How Do I Make a Hitting Surface?

CHAPTER 4: Stances, the Body Postures of Karate

CHAPTER 5: The Dynamics of Stances

CHAPTER 6: Tsuki: Thrusting Techniques

CHAPTER 7: Keri: Kicking Techniques

CHAPTER 8: Uchi: Striking Techniques

CHAPTER 9: Uke: Blocking Techniques

CHAPTER 10: Kuzushi: Techniques of Breaking Balance

PART 2: Principles of Karate Techniques

CHAPTER 11: How the Body Works: Joints and Muscles

CHAPTER 12: How the Body Works: Balance

CHAPTER 13: Biomechanics: How Do I Hit Something Hard?

PART 3: Internal Movement of Karate

CHAPTER 14: If I Jiggle My Hips, Do I Hit Someone Harder? Hip Vibration

CHAPTER 15: Hit Them Like a Steam Train: Using Body Shifting to Generate Translational Power

CHAPTER 16: Rockin’ and Rollin’: Rotation of the Body to Create Power, Coordination of Movement, and Superior Body Position

CHAPTER 17: Breathing: The Key to Coordination

CHAPTER 18: How Do I Hit Things and Not Fall Over? Keage, Kekomi, and Ate

CHAPTER 19: Is There Equipment That Can Help Me?

CHAPTER 20: Conclusion

Index

About the Author

About the Illustrator