Karate Science: Dynamic Movement (Martial Science)

This is a book that any serious martial artist needs to read and read again. Instead of the usual outward positions and movements described in many karate books, the internal feel and bio-mechanics are presented with detailed descriptions, beautiful illustrations, and splashes of humor (who knew how often I said "diarrhea" in Japanese without realizing it?). Although Dr. Swanson is an advanced instructor in Shotokan, his Dan-level background in other martial arts shows through as he is able to connect the fundamental principles of physics and anatomy in a way that gets to the heart of all martial arts. No matter which art you are studying, the physics and the body work the same way and this book shows you how to take full advantage of that fact. The author is no keyboard budo-ka: I have trained with Dr. Swanson and the themes he addresses in "Karate Science" are always present in his seminars. Not only in his explanations, but also in his demonstrations... my ribs can attest that he is the real deal. By using the principles of momentum, energy transfer, efficient movement, and timing of muscle tension the author is able both to explain in his book how to improve your martial arts and show in real life how different ways of contacting a person has different effect. As a karate-ka with nearly 30 years of training, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is serious about his or her martial arts. There are so many take aways that one can continue refining the concepts contained in "Karate Science" for a lifetime.

I found this book to be a resource not unlike Masatoshi Nakayama’s Dynamic Karate, in that it is very dense and detail oriented. It explains how to use the body in karate and the feelings as you execute each move. I read this book on the commuter train and found myself putting it down every few minutes to examine how my elbow is connected to my arms or how clinching a fist effects different muscle groups and so forth. It is very transportive writing. This book succeeds at creating a body awareness of how to do karate. As a practitioner karate for almost 20 years and a relatively new teacher, this is a valuable resource to reference again and again. For instructors, this book is an invaluable for lesson planning while still remaining accessible for all levels of training. If you are a practitioner of traditional karate, I highly recommend this book.

Dr. Swanson makes an important contribution in his treatise on the underlying dynamics and principles that are foundational in the full development of Shotokan Karate-Do. Great Shotokan Karate teachers and writers have always put forward the scientific principles or physical and psychological principles of Karate science in texts. Consider the examples of such classical works as Nishiyama in Karate The Art of Empty-Hand Fighting and Nakayama in Dynamic Karate or his Best Karate series. Experienced practitioner's will recognized much in Dr. Swanson's written work dealing formally and systematically with the subject of Shotokan Karate, and will of course debate those areas they may not recognize and critique others. Although, I would have liked more of the classical works referenced, and for a physical art, many more photos or images, I believe the science of Karate moves forward in this work and it should encourage other leading practitioners to take up the challenge. Thank you. Walter Bera, PhD.

I have found this book to be a great addition to my karate library which would have been a great resource for me when writing my instructor training reports. This book is a great resource in that it provides a concise and clear explanation of the techniques and principles of Shotokan karate with descriptions of the body parts (including muscles and joints) needed to properly execute them. Additionally, the technical principles that are of utmost importance in executing the techniques are explained in a clear and understandable way. A couple of things I personally find notable are that the author covers Shiko dachi, virtually unused in Shotokan, and the excellent illustrations that clearly depict what is in the textual descriptions. I recommend this book for both students and instructors alike.

This is an incredible book! Too often we have martial art books that merely touch on the surface of what good technique is. This book goes into great detail about how techniques, stances, postures shoud *feel*, not just the way they should look. The author cites information from some karate greats such as Steve Ubl. A lot of the later chapteres may be dificult for a beginner to wrap their brain around but for an advanced practioner this is fantastic information.

Dr. Swanson makes a unique and important contribution with his treatise on the processes involved with karate practice. He unpacks what we feel as we harness our bodies' mechanics during the honing of our craft. Karate Science: Dynamic Movement shouldn't be on the bookshelf of every serious karate practitioner. It should be on a ledge next to the training floor, spine-cracked, dog-eared, sweat-stained. Bruce Costa, Godan Chief Instructor Granite Forest Dojo Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA

Very interesting and well thought out book. This book will help you enhance your mental attributes of any martial art that you have been studying. For me, it helped answer many questions I may have had and also ask more questions. It allows me to join science with my style of karate. Thanks Dr. Swanson

I did not look cover to cover, but since I prefer photos I flipped past a few pages. All had black and white drawings for illustration. Not sure why any modern books have anything but excellent color photos, but many do which is why I check (since they usually are not as helpful as a good color photo/photo sequence would be). The sample read well, so for less visual people this might be a good book.

Esperaba un pequeño tratado sobre anatomía o kinesiología aplicadas al karate y lo que me encuentro es un libro que describe superficialmente las técnicas, ni más ni menos. Nada recomendable ni para quien se inicie ni para el experto

Excellent book regarding how does Karate techniques should feel, any other books focus on how techniques should looks like, this one teaches you from within

I've read a number of scientific articles on karate before and was apprehensive about getting this book. I found those articles largely incomprehensible (unless you are a biologist, chiropractor, physiotherapist or something like that). This book is nothing like that! The only exception is one small chapter that lists the different muscles involved in certain movements (and no drawings). I can only recommend this book no matter how experienced a karateka you are.

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I have a selection of karate books and this one is worth having in your collection,it gives you an easy to understand to all the basics to make you better at your art