Karate Science

J.D. Swanson holds a PhD in Integrative Biosciences from The Pennsylvania State University and is a sixth-degree black belt in Shotokan Karate. A graduate of the official ISKF Instructor Trainee Program, he is qualified as an instructor, examiner, and judge, and has trained under Okazaki, Yaguchi, Rielly, and Ubl Sensei. He currently serves as Technical Director for Hombu Dojo Karate International–USA (HDKI-USA) and is regularly invited to teach karate both in the Unted States and internationally.Swanson began his martial arts training in 1980 in his native New Zealand and later moved to the United States. Alongside his martial career, he has built a distinguished professional life in higher education and public service. Professionally, Swanson is a Professorial Lecturer in the School of Public Affairs at American University, where he teaches executive leadership. Beyond the classroom, he is a scientist and organizational leader whose work focuses on building research and innovation capacity at the national level. He previously spent fifteen years as a tenured professor, teaching across the biological sciences and mentoring students in both academic and extracurricular settings. J.D. Swanson resides in Northern Virginia.

“Swanson’s debut is a scientific guide to the stances, movements, and techniques of karate.”“Swanson, a professor of biology and biomechanics at Salve Regina University, uses his scientific training to help teachers and students better understand the tenets of karate. The many illustrations (ably provided by Nigro) show everything from proper alignment of a striking surface (say, a fist or a foot) to how one’s body should move from the beginning to the end of a thrust.The first part of the book focuses on technique, with sections on stances, thrusting, kicking, striking, and blocking. The guide does more than demonstrate how positions should look; Swanson takes the time to explain how each should feel and which muscle groups should be engaged throughout the process. The second part explains the science behind how our joints and muscles work, as well as how the body keeps its balance. This section also includes a brief primer on ‘the application of kinesiological principles to karate,’ which outlines ways to get more force into moves by increasing mass, and, crucially, speed. The last section deals with the notion of ‘internal movement,’ essentially a system of muscle retraction and countermoves that aid in perfecting efficient and powerful techniques. While many students mistakenly think of this process as simply hip wiggling, Swanson shows that the process is more focused on intra-abdominal pressure, and he explains how the proper tensioning and contracting of certain muscles are key to quick and powerful movements. Swanson’s writing is clear and informative, and his pure love of the art shines through. This book is not for karate neophytes, and the terms used will be confusing to unfamiliar readers. But for teachers and students who want to not only perfect techniques, but also understand the biology behind them, the book will be an invaluable aid.”“An informative guide for those looking to enhance their karate training.” —Kirkus Reviews

• Foreword by Robin RiellyForeword by James FieldAcknowledgmentsPART 1: The Techniques and How to Do ThemCHAPTER 1: An Introduction and How to Use This BookCHAPTER 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of Martial ArtsCHAPTER 3: With What and How Do I Make a Hitting Surface?CHAPTER 4: Stances, the Body Postures of KarateCHAPTER 5: The Dynamics of StancesCHAPTER 6: Tsuki: Thrusting TechniquesCHAPTER 7: Keri: Kicking TechniquesCHAPTER 8: Uchi: Striking TechniquesCHAPTER 9: Uke: Blocking TechniquesCHAPTER 10: Kuzushi: Techniques of Breaking BalancePART 2: Principles of Karate TechniquesCHAPTER 11: How the Body Works: Joints and MusclesCHAPTER 12: How the Body Works: BalanceCHAPTER 13: Biomechanics: How Do I Hit Something Hard?PART 3: Internal Movement of KarateCHAPTER 14: If I Jiggle My Hips, Do I Hit Someone Harder? Hip VibrationCHAPTER 15: Hit Them Like a Steam Train: Using Body Shifting to Generate Translational PowerCHAPTER 16: Rockin’ and Rollin’: Rotation of the Body to Create Power, Coordination of Movement, and Superior Body PositionCHAPTER 17: Breathing: The Key to CoordinationCHAPTER 18: How Do I Hit Things and Not Fall Over? Keage, Kekomi, and AteCHAPTER 19: Is There Equipment That Can Help Me?CHAPTER 20: ConclusionIndexAbout the AuthorAbout the Illustrator