Martial Arts With Heart
First Steps in Martial Arts by Neil R. Hall is for novices about to embark on their martial art journey. It guides prospective students on all aspects: history, self defense, basics, sparring, etc. Martial Arts 101. With the proliferation of books delving into martial arts, this handbook is not about secret techniques, subtle strategies, or deep philosophy. Yet it inspired and humbled me. This modest work embodies the Evolving Martial Artist by bridging East and West, old and new, classical and contemporary with a new vision.
Neil Hall is a Scotsman and chief instructor of a thriving Tae Kwon Do school, London Chinatown TKD. This says a lot. His students reflect cultural diversity, male and female, young and old, students and professionals – all sharing a passion for kicking and punching. Ultimately, the persuasive power for the martial journey comes from the voices and photos of the students themselves. No grim samurai here. This is a community – no, it is a family – brimming with esprit de corp, supportive yet competitive fighters. By honoring his students above his own accomplishments, Sensei Hall’s book is refreshing.
The vision evoked by Hall’s First Steps in Martial Arts transcends the rigid old world warrior blood and guts discipline; it is a celebration of a new martial art spirit for the Evolving Martial Artist. It is a path of heart.
Lawrence Tan
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Thanks for the highlighting the book and unfortunately it is not available here in India. I will buy it as soon as it becomes available. I was wondering if you could post like this about some good quality book every 2 months. what do you think of Shaolin Chin Na books .
Yang’s books on Chin na and Chinese martial arts are scholarly, and he presents very deep analysis from a Western scientific perspective to traditional Chinese thought . He has made great contributions in spreading authentic Chinese martial arts world wide.
However, unless one has experience It is difficult to actually learn chin na from his books. Joint locks are difficult and require complex motor movement unlike striking. Only after one has become proficient in striking should one focus on joint locks for practical self defense.