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Product Description
Product Description
At the heart of this book lies a desire to re-introduce the traditional approach to karate training. It aims to accomplish this through introducing the concept of Shin Gi Tai, the harmonious fusion of the body, mind, and spirit. A book for adults, it looks behind the fighting techniques and the philosophies underpinning the violence; it makes sense of why people spend a lifetime fighting themselves, so they don t have to fight anyone else. Where most karate books deal with either physical techniques or philosophy, Shin Gi Tai links the two and clearly explains why no one aspect of studying karate can be neglected at the expense of the other. In straightforward language and simple terminology Shin Gi Tai delivers its message loud and clear: take responsibility for your thoughts, your words and your actions
About the Author
Michael Clarke, Kyoshi 7th dan, has trained in karate since 1973. He has written over three hundred articles for international martial arts magazines and authored four martial arts books. Michael Clarke teaches and resides in Tasmania Australia.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
I have been a big fan of Michael Clarke's writing ever since his first book `Roaring Silence'. Mike is one of the few writers in the world who seems to be able to capture the essence of karate in his writing, reflecting not just the practical aspects but also the meaning behind the art, and in a down-to-earth way that makes it very accessible. This is no doubt thanks to his passion for karate and years of dedicated training, and it all comes together in his new book Shin Gi Tai.
Mike writes on all aspects of karate - mind, body and spirit - and I find myself nodding and agreeing with everything he says, not only regarding basics but also some of the less popular `truths' about karate, for example the politics, charlatans and general misunderstandings that that are common in the art, for example the myth of `advanced' techniques.
This is not a book filled with techniques, rather it offers a commentary and insights into everything from finding the right dojo and teacher to physical training and the cultivation of the correct mental and spiritual approach in your training.
Towards the end Mike also offers an fascinating insight into Okinawa, the birthplace of karate and short biographies of three great masters. Mike references his own years in Okinawa, and while his principal training has been in Goju Ryu, he also references Shotokan, Kyokushinai and other style.
If had to recommend one book to a student setting out in karate I could think of none better than Shin Gi Tai. Mike's other works (Roaring Silence and Hojo Undo) are also highly recommended.
Mike writes on all aspects of karate - mind, body and spirit - and I find myself nodding and agreeing with everything he says, not only regarding basics but also some of the less popular `truths' about karate, for example the politics, charlatans and general misunderstandings that that are common in the art, for example the myth of `advanced' techniques.
This is not a book filled with techniques, rather it offers a commentary and insights into everything from finding the right dojo and teacher to physical training and the cultivation of the correct mental and spiritual approach in your training.
Towards the end Mike also offers an fascinating insight into Okinawa, the birthplace of karate and short biographies of three great masters. Mike references his own years in Okinawa, and while his principal training has been in Goju Ryu, he also references Shotokan, Kyokushinai and other style.
If had to recommend one book to a student setting out in karate I could think of none better than Shin Gi Tai. Mike's other works (Roaring Silence and Hojo Undo) are also highly recommended.
Like many others, I was eagerly awaiting the release of this work. Having been a regular reader of Mr Clarke's books and magazine articles since my early teens, his work to date has been a source of inspiration and encouragement.
What you will find here is a book of experiences. There is no theory inside, no techniques to make you a better fighter, and certainly no gimmicks. There are many other sources available for such distractions. This book is more about confronting you with various questions about what art you are actually practicing, and asks that you answer yourself with honesty. Despite Clarke sensei's often blunt writing style, he manages to do this here without claiming to have all of the answers himself, and the book is filled with the personal successes and failures of an ordinary man's journey through karate-do. It is this personal touch that makes the book so endearing.
What makes karate karate? As a collection of fighting techniques there is nothing unique about the art to separate it from any other, however; Okinawan Karate-Do has the ability to enable a person to realize the human potential residing within themselves if practiced correctly and honestly. This may appear a little 'new age', but the fact is, if karate is to have any real value in modern society, it is through human development and the building of good citizens, rather than good fighters. This book, in my opinion, addresses for the first time how this can be achieved through correct practice.
Many times I was made to laugh out loud, nod in agreement, screw my face up in disagreement, and smile to myself at the information presented. I can say in all honesty that this is one of the nicest books written about Okinawan karate, and is up there with Funakoshi sensei's 'karatedo my way of life' and Nagamine sensei's 'Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters' as one of the most important books that discusses the spirit of Okinawan Karate.
Whether new to Karate or an advanced practitioner, regardless of 'style', I would be very surprised and disappointed if you didn't find something of value in this text.
Congratulations to Clarke sensei, and thank you for the inspiration over the years.
Nifee Deebiru
What you will find here is a book of experiences. There is no theory inside, no techniques to make you a better fighter, and certainly no gimmicks. There are many other sources available for such distractions. This book is more about confronting you with various questions about what art you are actually practicing, and asks that you answer yourself with honesty. Despite Clarke sensei's often blunt writing style, he manages to do this here without claiming to have all of the answers himself, and the book is filled with the personal successes and failures of an ordinary man's journey through karate-do. It is this personal touch that makes the book so endearing.
What makes karate karate? As a collection of fighting techniques there is nothing unique about the art to separate it from any other, however; Okinawan Karate-Do has the ability to enable a person to realize the human potential residing within themselves if practiced correctly and honestly. This may appear a little 'new age', but the fact is, if karate is to have any real value in modern society, it is through human development and the building of good citizens, rather than good fighters. This book, in my opinion, addresses for the first time how this can be achieved through correct practice.
Many times I was made to laugh out loud, nod in agreement, screw my face up in disagreement, and smile to myself at the information presented. I can say in all honesty that this is one of the nicest books written about Okinawan karate, and is up there with Funakoshi sensei's 'karatedo my way of life' and Nagamine sensei's 'Tales of Okinawa's Great Masters' as one of the most important books that discusses the spirit of Okinawan Karate.
Whether new to Karate or an advanced practitioner, regardless of 'style', I would be very surprised and disappointed if you didn't find something of value in this text.
Congratulations to Clarke sensei, and thank you for the inspiration over the years.
Nifee Deebiru
Like many others in the world of Okinawan karate I have been looking forward to the release of this book. I was not disappointed. Over the course of eight well crafted and thought out chapters the author takes us on a journey through karate.
It is refreshing to read a martial arts book that is clearly aimed at adults and encourages not only reflection upon the wealth of knowledge and information presented here but also on one's own training and reasons for involvement in karate. In addition to the technical and historical section you might expect there is also information provided on Okinawan culture, music and language. For me an underlying current of the book was the differences that exist between Japanese and Okinawan culture and the effect that this has had on karate in the west, which for the most part was filtered through Japan rather than the original source.
The text is peppered with pertinent anecdotes from the author's time spent in Okinawa and Japan which gave the book a very personal feel.
This is not a book for a quick read, rather it will be something that is taken in piece by piece and re-read many times before the many lessons contained within can be fully appreciated and absorbed. This book goes way beyond the usual level of martial arts text books that usually tend to focus on the physical aspects of the art.
A highly recommended read for the serious martial artist who is interested in the experiences of someone with almost 40 years training in karate.
In short an excellent piece of work that deserves to be read thoroughly not once but many times.
It is refreshing to read a martial arts book that is clearly aimed at adults and encourages not only reflection upon the wealth of knowledge and information presented here but also on one's own training and reasons for involvement in karate. In addition to the technical and historical section you might expect there is also information provided on Okinawan culture, music and language. For me an underlying current of the book was the differences that exist between Japanese and Okinawan culture and the effect that this has had on karate in the west, which for the most part was filtered through Japan rather than the original source.
The text is peppered with pertinent anecdotes from the author's time spent in Okinawa and Japan which gave the book a very personal feel.
This is not a book for a quick read, rather it will be something that is taken in piece by piece and re-read many times before the many lessons contained within can be fully appreciated and absorbed. This book goes way beyond the usual level of martial arts text books that usually tend to focus on the physical aspects of the art.
A highly recommended read for the serious martial artist who is interested in the experiences of someone with almost 40 years training in karate.
In short an excellent piece of work that deserves to be read thoroughly not once but many times.
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