EHE Book Reviews

EEs/EHEs in General ,Techniques Record Type: Review ID: 323
Martial Dance: Total Fitness With Martial Arts Aerobics Wilson, Chaz
The author is the creator of martial dance, or "a form of dancing utilizing martial arts techniques" (p. 7). Even though it may make use of "kicks, strikes, punches, blocks, and stances," they are performed differently, "sometimes ... hard, fast and explosive, while at other times soft, slow and more fluid. From time to time the movements are performed slowly with muscle tensing, or frozen momentarily to hold a stance" (p. 7). As a martial art it can serve as an introduction to the metaphysical philosophy underlying the martial arts (Budo). Wilson points out that beyond its exercise and aesthetic function, martial dance can "act as a vehicle for meditation, a catalyst that brings the mind and the body into harmony. ... Martial dance is a way of saying—‘I am a fighting spirit’" (p. 7). "It is a way of life that helps the practitioner relate to the meaning of existence and the world around us. Martial dance is the way of peace" (p. 8). The book is in two parts: The first consists of 10 chapters describing the background of martial dance. The second part consists of martial dance routines. Thus, this book, like martial dance itself, provides both philosophy and a workbook of actual techniques.
Publisher Information:	Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, England: Aquarian Press, 1988. 176p. 2 figs; 343 illus

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Martial Dance: Total Fitness With Martial Arts Aerobics