What do you think?
Rate this book
The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts: Exploring the Connections Between the Cognitive, Physical, and Spiritual Aspects of Martial Arts
Through the lenses of Shotokan Karate and biomedicine, sensei and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong shows readers how body, mind, and spirit can be developed through martial arts practice.
Through the practice of martial arts, a person can realize their full potential--not only in body, but in mind and spirit. The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts shows readers how. Author, sensei, and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong delves into the physical, mental, and spiritual components of martial arts and integrates contemporary sports psychology, kinesiology, and neuroscience into a nuanced and illuminating understanding of what martial arts practice can be.
Structured into three sections, Tong
Each section includes observations on martial arts origins, physiology, and tangible results on martial arts training. Blending traditional and contemporary approaches, knowledge, and research, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts builds a vision of practice that elevates physical performance, awareness, decisiveness, and strength of spirit.
Through the practice of martial arts, a person can realize their full potential--not only in body, but in mind and spirit. The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts shows readers how. Author, sensei, and biomedical scientist Alex W. Tong delves into the physical, mental, and spiritual components of martial arts and integrates contemporary sports psychology, kinesiology, and neuroscience into a nuanced and illuminating understanding of what martial arts practice can be.
Structured into three sections, Tong
Each section includes observations on martial arts origins, physiology, and tangible results on martial arts training. Blending traditional and contemporary approaches, knowledge, and research, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts builds a vision of practice that elevates physical performance, awareness, decisiveness, and strength of spirit.
- GenresMartial ArtsNonfiction
368 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2022
2 people are currently reading
1012 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 22, 2024
*3.9/5
I am not a martial artist. My friend Elliott, who I borrowed this from, is. He had the book with him when I tattooed him in January 2024, and told me some things about it while we talked about his practice. I have been practicing yoga since 2016, and the previous summer had taken a deeper dive into yoga's philosophy than ever before. I thought this book might add to that, after hearing him talk about it, so he let me borrow it.
A few fascinating things happened while I read this book. I tandem read it with The Body Keeps the Score, and was blown away by the link and similar explanations of mental structures in both books. While The Body Keeps the Score focuses solely on trauma and what we can do to heal from it with scientific support, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts looks at the same or similar structures/techniques to achieve heightened skill, life satisfaction, and peace. I was also pleased to discover how the concepts in this book not only added to my yoga practice, but my exercise regimen and my professional skill as a tattooer and artist. I began studying the Japanese languages around the same time as well, and was able to more deeply understand some concepts through translations.
As I said, I'm not a martial artist, so I can't say whether I agree with Tong's assessments of the forms (I just don't have the knowledge to) or found their specifics particularly interesting. But this book does contain information that I believe is applicable to all people, whether you practice the forms described in the book or not.
I am not a martial artist. My friend Elliott, who I borrowed this from, is. He had the book with him when I tattooed him in January 2024, and told me some things about it while we talked about his practice. I have been practicing yoga since 2016, and the previous summer had taken a deeper dive into yoga's philosophy than ever before. I thought this book might add to that, after hearing him talk about it, so he let me borrow it.
A few fascinating things happened while I read this book. I tandem read it with The Body Keeps the Score, and was blown away by the link and similar explanations of mental structures in both books. While The Body Keeps the Score focuses solely on trauma and what we can do to heal from it with scientific support, The Science and Philosophy of Martial Arts looks at the same or similar structures/techniques to achieve heightened skill, life satisfaction, and peace. I was also pleased to discover how the concepts in this book not only added to my yoga practice, but my exercise regimen and my professional skill as a tattooer and artist. I began studying the Japanese languages around the same time as well, and was able to more deeply understand some concepts through translations.
As I said, I'm not a martial artist, so I can't say whether I agree with Tong's assessments of the forms (I just don't have the knowledge to) or found their specifics particularly interesting. But this book does contain information that I believe is applicable to all people, whether you practice the forms described in the book or not.
Displaying 1 of 1 review