About

Martial Arts for Your Mind and Body offers an immersive introduction to nine leading examples of martial arts. Hosted and brought together by tai chi Grandmaster David-Dorian Ross, these 25 interactive lessons (one more than a typical course) give you a solid grounding in the different philosophies, styles, and techniques of the major martial arts families.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Strengthen Your Mind, Balance Your Body

30m

Open with five-time world champion Kathy Long in a brief warm-up demonstration, after which David-Dorian Ross leads your first lesson, with an overview of martial arts and some fundamental moves. Although there are many styles, martial arts all rely on our hands and feet as weapons. Explore a few basic techniques and stances broadly common to all forms.

2. Karate: Fighting Stance and Mobility

30m

Step into what may seem like the quintessential Japanese martial art, with its emphasis on powerful physical techniques, from punches and chops to how to train your legs. Join U.S. Olymic team coach, Sensei Akira Fukuda in this introduction to karate and its history. Learn the fighting stance, the front kick, and a series of punches.

3. Karate: Anticipate but Never Strike First

30m

Reflect on karate's philosophy of "never strike first" and the implication that you must be able to anticipate and counter your opponent's move. After a survey of defense and counter-attack concepts, Sensei Fukuda teaches a class around the anticipatory skill levels of "Sen no Sen," "Go no Sen," and "Sen Sen no Sen."

4. Karate: End the Fight with a Single Blow

30m

Round out your study of karate's "empty hand" with an overview of a karate "kata." Find out how practicing the kata can help you perfect your techniques and strengthen your body and mind. Sensei Fukuda demonstrates the Shiho Zuki (punching in four directions), and Master Ross breaks down the techniques so you can participate.

5. Tai Chi Solo: Find Your Flow

30m

While many of the martial arts in this course are about speed, strength, and intensity, tai chi is known for the fundamental idea that "softness overcomes hardness." Here, Master Ross introduces you to the history and philosophy that underlies tai chi, as well as the importance and practice of "flow."

6. Tae Kwon Do: Power Is Speed plus Intensity

30m

Although it didn't officially emerge until the early 1950s, tae kwon do has already become one of the world's most popular and commercially successful combat sports. Known for lighting fast, head-high kicking style, there is much more to this fascinating martial art. Here, Grandmaster Dave Wheaton teaches the horse stance and introductory kicks.

7. Tae Kwon Do: Seeking Perfection of Form

30m

Like the karate kata, the tae kwon do forms - or "poomse" - are the key to practicing technique. After Master Ross introduces these patterns of attack and defense, Grandmaster Wheaton leads you through the first poomse, Chun-ji, which you can then try yourself.

8. Tae Kwon Do: One-Step Sparring, Breaking Boards

30m

Focus, speed, power: perhaps nothing demonstrates the tae kwon do way as vividly as gearing up and sparring with a partner. In this interactive lesson, Grandmaster Wheaton leads you through a number of kicking drills as well as an introduction to one-step sparring techniques. Bring a partner if you have one, who can also help if you want to break a board.

9. Qigong: Martial Meditation for Energy

30m

Qi is the Chinese word for "energy of life," and qigong is the science of understanding the flow of Qi. Because the ability to manipulate Qi is at the heart of many Asian martial arts, this lesson takes a break from the physical systems of martial arts and explores the history and mental practice of qigong. Learn a variety of meditation techniques that complement your physical study.

10. Kung Fu: Stances and Moving Drills

30m

Kung fu influenced almost all martial arts in China, including dozens of varieties of kung fu, and Chinese martial arts in turn formed the foundation for martial arts throughout Asia. Join Coach Johnny Chang as he provides an overview of the white crane style of kung fu and demonstrates the major stances and punches.

Extended Details

SeriesGreat Courses

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

David-Dorian RossWriter

David-Dorian RossActor