Body-Building and Self-Defense

This book presents methods for building muscular strength and an attractive masculine physique, for using strength and increasing skill and endurance in athletic performance or gymnastic competition, and for learning and applying the traditional methods of self-defense. Inherent in developing strength and the ability to defend oneself is the building of confidence, the calm, quiet confidence of the person trained in the Oriental arts of self-defense—by means of which one reacts to attack but never provokes physical reaction. The body-building programs are comprised of "muscle tension" exercises, setting-up exercises, tumbling, gymnastics, and weight-lifting. The fundamental rolls, stands, springs, bends, flips are presented before the basic throws and releases of the Oriental systems of self-defense, among them judo, jiu-jitsu, karate. The exercises and movements are illustrated by photographs of athletes in actual work-outs.