Books, Blogs, And Videos (Oh My!): 14 SUPERB Martial Arts Resources
It’s the far out future, baby!
Right?
Ok, maybe not quite. But you’ve gotta admit: technology has gotten quite…techie.
Technologically, we have advanced a lot (maybe not so much in other areas though).
Remember the stone ages?
The internet, science, and lack of secrecy and life or death battles has really changed the Martial Artists, and so too, the Martial Arts.
Just like with most everything, these advances have their pros and cons. One of the great things is how much information is now open to everybody a la internet and library.
And that’s not good news. That is Gu Ru Zhang‘s great grandfather good!
Sure there is bound to be false, misleading, or straight up crappy information out there as well.
But yin and yang, y’know?
Balance.
There is crap and there is non-crap.
Your job is to try and “absorb what is useful and discard what is useless”.
My advice? Don’t absorb the crap. It’ll leave a bad taste in your mouth.
As far of non-crap, I’m pretty sure you have heard about a lot of Martial Arts classics like The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, Bubishi, and The Art of War.
And those are definitely excellent reads, for sure.
But my goal here is to try and give you different resources that are more unique than that.
Something new to read or watch.
Anyway, here are some of the things I have found that I feel you might be able to take something away from. Enjoy!
BOOKS
Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na by Yang Jwing-Ming
I’m not usually one for technique based books. That being said, this book covers techniques broad enough and effective enough to be utilized by just about any Martial Artist.
In a very small and quick nutshell, “Chin Na” (also know as chinna or qin na) means seizing and manipulation techniques.
It covers everything from training methods for strengthening and improving your Chin Na techniques to reversals out of the very locks you train.
Stretching: 30th Anniversary Edition by Bob Anderson
This book does an excellent job of describing many, many, many different stretches that you can and should try out. It has them spread throughout its pages but also segregated into stretches categorized per sport specific movement. If you do soccer, it has a section of stretches for that.
Ballet? Got it.
Golf? Heck yeah!
Martial Arts? Duh! (Because apparently Martial Arts are a “sport” and they all require the same stretches. That aside, it really does give an excellent guide to stretches for general Martial Arts performance and practice).
Facing Violence by Rory Miller
This is a self defense book that goes beyond punching and kicking. Rather, this book focus on the ethical, psychological, and flat out dirty details of fighting.
This isn’t a book about your favorite kata. Or tips for getting ready for your next tournament sparring match.
This is self defense, plain and simple. It goes into multiple concepts on the matter like Cooper’s Color Codes, the truth behind the fight or flight response, and tons more.
My question is: “What color are you in?” (read it and you’ll know what I mean).
Sword and Brush by Dave Lowry
What do you really mean? That is the driving question Dave Lowry presents in this great read.
It looks to the meaning, whether exact or symbolic, behind many Martial Art terms within the Japanese language.
Many are words you are likely familiar with however many may not be.
This book does a superb job at laying out a wide variety of terminology while also drawing parallels between the fighting arts and the writing arts.
You can read my full review of the book HERE!
The Book Of Five Rings: A Graphic Novel by Sean Micheal Wilson
I know I said I would try to give you new and unique reads earlier and this might not seem that…well, new, but trust me, that is exactly what this is.
Sean Micheal Wilson breathes new life into this martial strategy classic originally written by famed Samurai bad-butt Miyamoto Musashi.
It has stylized artwork and still keeps the original meanings well intact.
Even if you have read a translation of the original, try this graphic novel a try!
Acting: The First Six Lessons by Richard Boleslavsky
“WHAT?! Has all that tea gone to his mind?” is probably what you are thinking.
Don’t hurt yourself thinking too hard in trying to figure it out.
Let me start by saying I don’t act. I know people who can act. Heck, I have cousins who act. But, I ain’t an actor! That’s not to say I don’t appreciate a good performance though.
I originally came across this book because my martial arts teacher told me to embody an actor to perfect my Yì (or intent).
I researched the craft and lo and behold, found this book. You’ll likely find it paints vivid parallels between a quality actor and a high level Martial Artist.
Give it a shot!
Youtube Channels
Karate Culture
These guys do a wonderful job of helping give meaning to traditional movements
Whether your style is Karate or Kung Fu, classical or modern, you’ll be able to take something away from their videos
Aperture Fight Focused
Posts regular content on self defense, MMA, Filipino Martial Arts, Ground Fighting, and more
Features many different guest Martial Artists with varying backgrounds, each giving a different perspective on tactics and concepts
fightTIPS
Gives quick and easily digested videos on self defense, sparring, training, and more
Has a video on how to fight like Goku! (Yep, that super powered Super Saiyan Goku). Check it out!
Martial Club
Martial Artists who balance traditional arts with modern views
Regularly posts content
Posts extremely entertaining and often hilarious fight scenes with call backs to the days of cheesy Kung Fu movies
Tapp Brothers
Posts on health, training tips, exercise, and tricking
While a lot of their focus is on parkour, there is a lot of good info on flexibility, endurance, balance, and other goodie
Blogs
KARATEbyJesse
This website is top notch! It is written in a clear and concise yet quite humorous manner.
It covers everything related to Martial Arts (especially Karate). You’ll find articles about his experience in Japan and Okinawa, tips on refining your stances, strength and endurance exercise advice, and plenty more.
*Since posting, the blog isn’t nearly as active as it used to be. Instead, the focus has shifted to YouTube content. There is still quite a large collection of articles to choose from however.
Sensei Ando
Sensei Ando provides helpful advice on fighting, living, and everything in between. Again, this is a blog that any style can appreciate.
No discrimination here, that’s for sure!
In addition to the blog, Sensei Ando also provides Youtube videos and podcast episodes.
Cup of Kick
*cough cough* Hey, have you heard about this wonderful website?
They have articles that are mind-blowing, quotes that are inspirational, and a design that is straight gorgie!
They post about philosophy, fighting, teaching, living, training, and tons more.
And dang! Are some of their articles funny or what?
(Thank you! Thank you! I’ll be here all week.)
Write back in the comments below or shoot me an email at cupofkick.blog@gmail.com to let me (and everybody else) know about your favorite resource.
The more quality resources that are known, the better it is for the community of Martial Artists and growth of the Martial Arts themselves.
Don’t hold back!
