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Karate Science: Dynamic Movement
Dynamics, motion, and sensation are karate’s connective tissue—and they are the heart of this book.
As a lifelong student of martial arts, J. D. Swanson, PhD, had searched through piles of books on form and function. Stand here, they said. Step there. But where movement was concerned, not one of them went deep enough. No one discussed dynamics—the actual feeling of the moves.
Martial instruction, both in print and in person, tends to focus on stances and finishing positions. But dynamics, motion, sensation . . . they are karate’s connective tissue—and they are the heart of this book.
Karate Science: Dynamic Movement will help you understand the mechanics of the human body. Swanson describes these principles in incredible detail, drawing on examples from several styles of karate, as well as aikido, taekwondo, and judo. Whatever your martial background, applying this knowledge will make your techniques better, stronger, and faster.
� Understand the major types of techniques, including their outward appearances and internal feelings.
� Master the core principles behind these feelings.
� Learn the biomechanics and dynamics of core movement.
Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is filled with examples, anecdotes, and beautiful illustrations. Although Shotokan karate is the author’s frame of reference, the principles of human mechanics translate to all martial styles.
This book features
� Clear and insightful explanations of dynamic movement.
� Over 100 illustrations.
� Profound but accessible analysis of the kihon, or fundamentals of Shotokan karate.
�Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is rooted in the teachings of the masters,� Swanson says. “This book nucleates that knowledge, clarifying and distilling the key principles behind movement dynamics. This is the next evolution of karate books.�
As a lifelong student of martial arts, J. D. Swanson, PhD, had searched through piles of books on form and function. Stand here, they said. Step there. But where movement was concerned, not one of them went deep enough. No one discussed dynamics—the actual feeling of the moves.
Martial instruction, both in print and in person, tends to focus on stances and finishing positions. But dynamics, motion, sensation . . . they are karate’s connective tissue—and they are the heart of this book.
Karate Science: Dynamic Movement will help you understand the mechanics of the human body. Swanson describes these principles in incredible detail, drawing on examples from several styles of karate, as well as aikido, taekwondo, and judo. Whatever your martial background, applying this knowledge will make your techniques better, stronger, and faster.
� Understand the major types of techniques, including their outward appearances and internal feelings.
� Master the core principles behind these feelings.
� Learn the biomechanics and dynamics of core movement.
Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is filled with examples, anecdotes, and beautiful illustrations. Although Shotokan karate is the author’s frame of reference, the principles of human mechanics translate to all martial styles.
This book features
� Clear and insightful explanations of dynamic movement.
� Over 100 illustrations.
� Profound but accessible analysis of the kihon, or fundamentals of Shotokan karate.
�Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is rooted in the teachings of the masters,� Swanson says. “This book nucleates that knowledge, clarifying and distilling the key principles behind movement dynamics. This is the next evolution of karate books.�
- GenresMartial ArtsReference
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2017
42 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 19, 2017
This probably is the first encyclopedia of martial art techniques and principles. The author took times to dissect each basic posture from the stances to the fighting aspects in clear and concise explanations. Even though this book is focused on Karate, the information can be applied to martial artists of other styles of fighting to have deeper understanding. It will help them to understand the "why" in each move.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
January 28, 2021
Well thought out on the subject. Was exactly what I expected.
February 28, 2023
This is the perfect tool to use along side your Karate practice. It brought insight to my movements and wisdom to my practice.
March 18, 2017
Karate has acquired a whole host of myths and misunderstandings over the decades. We have historical myths; such as the idea karate was the art of the Okinawan resistance used to fight the invading Samurai overlords. We have philosophical myths; such as the alleged links to Zen Buddhism. We have practical myths; such as the idea that kata is a mock fight against eight imaginary opponents who are also trained in karate. And we have technical myths relating to things like the role of stances, hip movement, kime, power generation, etc. It is that last set of myths that this book focuses on. By washing the “mythological mud� off karate, we return karate to its most functional and most pristine state.
This book does a great job of using biology and biomechanics to explain, in an easy to follow way, why karate motions are as they are, and what can be done to improve individual performance of them. There’s no confusing pseudoscience here. No attempt to misuse scientific terms to hide lack of knowledge or justify impractical practises. What we have is solid science made very accessible through good wring and good illustrations. While the author is a highly-qualified academic, you don’t need to be in order to understand what is presented.
Reading this book will improve your understanding of karate movements and principles of movement; which will in turn help to improve your teaching as well as the function and even the aesthetics of your karate. This is a great book that should be read by all karate instructors and experienced students.
Iain Abernethy, 6th Dan Karate
This book does a great job of using biology and biomechanics to explain, in an easy to follow way, why karate motions are as they are, and what can be done to improve individual performance of them. There’s no confusing pseudoscience here. No attempt to misuse scientific terms to hide lack of knowledge or justify impractical practises. What we have is solid science made very accessible through good wring and good illustrations. While the author is a highly-qualified academic, you don’t need to be in order to understand what is presented.
Reading this book will improve your understanding of karate movements and principles of movement; which will in turn help to improve your teaching as well as the function and even the aesthetics of your karate. This is a great book that should be read by all karate instructors and experienced students.
Iain Abernethy, 6th Dan Karate
February 5, 2018
I don’t practice Karate but I love this book!
Karate science, dynamic movement, by JD Swanson is a wonderful book for anyone interested in martial arts. This is not a book just for those learning karate.
Swanson’s perspective in writing this book is that of a scientist which is fascinating in itself, and he has written this book in such a manner that it is insightful, refreshing, and contemplative.
I am not a karate martial artist so my review, 5 stars, is from the perspective of someone who practices internal and external Chinese martial arts.
Many of the stances and punches used in karate are very similar to that in Chinese martial arts. The fact that Swanson talks about how the stances and techniques should feel and it’s dynamic tension is quite fascinating. He also emphasizes biomechanical and anatomical principles that translate easily into other martial arts applications and techniques.
Swanson’s discussion of the hand and wrists containing 17 different striking points reinforces how and why I am using a particular strike, with my own weapons: my first, fingers and nuckles. His explanations are well presented and important for all grasshoppers in training. His illustrations are excellent.
I will definitely use alot of the detailed information provided in this book for my training in external types of wushu, Bagua, and teaching of internal styles such as Yang and Chen style tai chi. As a Tai chi enthusiast I would encourage others to buy this book.
Karate science, dynamic movement, by JD Swanson is a wonderful book for anyone interested in martial arts. This is not a book just for those learning karate.
Swanson’s perspective in writing this book is that of a scientist which is fascinating in itself, and he has written this book in such a manner that it is insightful, refreshing, and contemplative.
I am not a karate martial artist so my review, 5 stars, is from the perspective of someone who practices internal and external Chinese martial arts.
Many of the stances and punches used in karate are very similar to that in Chinese martial arts. The fact that Swanson talks about how the stances and techniques should feel and it’s dynamic tension is quite fascinating. He also emphasizes biomechanical and anatomical principles that translate easily into other martial arts applications and techniques.
Swanson’s discussion of the hand and wrists containing 17 different striking points reinforces how and why I am using a particular strike, with my own weapons: my first, fingers and nuckles. His explanations are well presented and important for all grasshoppers in training. His illustrations are excellent.
I will definitely use alot of the detailed information provided in this book for my training in external types of wushu, Bagua, and teaching of internal styles such as Yang and Chen style tai chi. As a Tai chi enthusiast I would encourage others to buy this book.
March 11, 2017
My review is in the context of being a practitioner of Shotokan karate for over 30 years, and a research biologist in the fields of neuroscience and physiology. This is superb book - a very valuable contribution to a scientific understanding of karate. The principles behind our traditional movements, and the correct biomechanics needed to optimize them for efficiency, power, and joint health are explained clearly and concisely. The illustrations are excellent and really help the reader understand what is being taught. This book will appeal to both beginners and experts - there's something here for everyone, both for intellectual stimulation and practical on-the-floor training. Overall, the application of critical analysis and modern knowledge about physics and physiology to traditional martial arts is necessary for our art to thrive and evolve. The author is an expert in this area, both an extremely accomplished practitioner and a scientist who has given these topics very deep attention. His own performance illustrates the remarkable benefits of training intelligently, with a focus on valid (not merely traditional) mechanical principles, all of which are laid out in this book. I recommend it most highly - if you care about understanding Karate and about improving your performance and that of your students, this book belongs on your shelf.
May 12, 2017
The author provides a good foundation in physics, kinesiology and biomechanics that is ideal for the lay-person. He couples this scientific foundation with the concepts and techniques of traditional Karate to better explain the nuances of the art and to shed some light on details that may be missed or misunderstood. Applicable to Japanese, Okinawan as well as Korean styles, the information contained here is invaluable to traditional students of all levels.
February 11, 2018
What book! A great read for martial artists or even for myself, whom I don't consider a real martial artist. Well written, easy to understand. Good material, good for your home library.
June 22, 2018
KARATE SCIENCE -Dynamic Movements. By J.D. Swanson, Ph. D. YMAA Publication Center, Wolfeboro NH. 2017. ISBN: 978-1-59439-459-1. Trade Paperback. $18.95, Kindle $7.99.
The martial arts is to some extent the study of the movement of human bodies. More specifically the study of human bodies moving in conjunction with one another as they fought? And, since it’s not like human bodies are a new thing, right? Wouldn’t it be great if someone somewhere wrote a scientific study of how human bodies moved? And wouldn’t it be better if someone somewhere wrote a book not just about how human bodies move when performing martial arts techniques but also the effects those techniques have on others who are targeted by these techniques? Well, if this is something that sounds good to you, well, you are in luck.
If you are a science nerd with an interest in karate or martial arts, this book is for you. A detailed study of the biomechanics and physics of karate and karate movement written by a fifth dan black belt with a PhD in integrative biosciences from Penn State University (no unaccredited Ph.D.s here it seems), this is book is full of diagrams and illustrations offering explanations of anatomical structures as well as physic principles. To a non-science nerd, or someone with little interest in karate the frequent use of technical words from the fields of both karate and anatomy might be overwhelming but the results are impressive and informative.
The book’s 18 chapters are divided into three sections, The Techniques and How to Do Them, Principles of Karate, and Internal Movement of Karate. Some sample chapter titles include
� Chapter 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of the Martial Arts
� Chapter 3: With What and How do I make a Hitting Surface
� Chapter 6: Tsuki Thrusting Techniques
� Chapter 9: Uke: Blocking Techniques
� Chapter 12: How the Body Works: Balance
� Chapter 16: Rockin� and Rollin�: Rotation of the Body to Create Power
Each is handled quite well and delivers what it promises.
Karate Science -Dynamic Movement is clearly a labor of love written by an intelligent, educated man who has combined two of his great passions in a single work. Those who are interested in karate and science should find it a work they will read, refer to, and treasure for a long time.
The martial arts is to some extent the study of the movement of human bodies. More specifically the study of human bodies moving in conjunction with one another as they fought? And, since it’s not like human bodies are a new thing, right? Wouldn’t it be great if someone somewhere wrote a scientific study of how human bodies moved? And wouldn’t it be better if someone somewhere wrote a book not just about how human bodies move when performing martial arts techniques but also the effects those techniques have on others who are targeted by these techniques? Well, if this is something that sounds good to you, well, you are in luck.
If you are a science nerd with an interest in karate or martial arts, this book is for you. A detailed study of the biomechanics and physics of karate and karate movement written by a fifth dan black belt with a PhD in integrative biosciences from Penn State University (no unaccredited Ph.D.s here it seems), this is book is full of diagrams and illustrations offering explanations of anatomical structures as well as physic principles. To a non-science nerd, or someone with little interest in karate the frequent use of technical words from the fields of both karate and anatomy might be overwhelming but the results are impressive and informative.
The book’s 18 chapters are divided into three sections, The Techniques and How to Do Them, Principles of Karate, and Internal Movement of Karate. Some sample chapter titles include
� Chapter 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of the Martial Arts
� Chapter 3: With What and How do I make a Hitting Surface
� Chapter 6: Tsuki Thrusting Techniques
� Chapter 9: Uke: Blocking Techniques
� Chapter 12: How the Body Works: Balance
� Chapter 16: Rockin� and Rollin�: Rotation of the Body to Create Power
Each is handled quite well and delivers what it promises.
Karate Science -Dynamic Movement is clearly a labor of love written by an intelligent, educated man who has combined two of his great passions in a single work. Those who are interested in karate and science should find it a work they will read, refer to, and treasure for a long time.
March 1, 2022
When I picked up this book, I did so with the hope that it would be to striking as Jiichi Watanabe’s excellent book “The Secrets of Judo� [now sold as “The Art and Science of Judo”] is to grappling. That didn’t turn out to be the case. If Watanabe’s book has a fifty / fifty split between science and judo, Swanson’s book is about 80 percent Karate manual and 20 percent science. It’s a fine book about karate techniques, but if you want to understand biomechanics and how to optimize your movement, I think you can do better (particularly, if you would like insights that apply beyond Okinawan Karate.)
The book had two failings, keeping it from living up to its potential. First, it didn’t use graphics as well as it could have to help the reader visualize what is being said, or to point out the subtleties under discussion. Second, it generally presents the science at a shallow level. I’d been pleased to see that there was a chapter on breath, because I think that’s one of the most important and under-discussed factors in any system of movement (martial or otherwise.) However, I was disappointed to see that there wasn’t much to it besides some philosophizing about ki-ai.
There were a few valuable tid-bits here and there, points about which the book adds to one’s scientific / bodily understanding. The best example of this is probably the discussion of Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP,) which is where the book most shines with respect to offering some food for thought.
If you study Okinawan Karate and are looking for discussions about the difference between how various schools perform techniques, this may be the book for you. However, if you’re expecting some science in a book entitled “Karate Science,� I suspect you can do better.
The book had two failings, keeping it from living up to its potential. First, it didn’t use graphics as well as it could have to help the reader visualize what is being said, or to point out the subtleties under discussion. Second, it generally presents the science at a shallow level. I’d been pleased to see that there was a chapter on breath, because I think that’s one of the most important and under-discussed factors in any system of movement (martial or otherwise.) However, I was disappointed to see that there wasn’t much to it besides some philosophizing about ki-ai.
There were a few valuable tid-bits here and there, points about which the book adds to one’s scientific / bodily understanding. The best example of this is probably the discussion of Intra-Abdominal Pressure (IAP,) which is where the book most shines with respect to offering some food for thought.
If you study Okinawan Karate and are looking for discussions about the difference between how various schools perform techniques, this may be the book for you. However, if you’re expecting some science in a book entitled “Karate Science,� I suspect you can do better.
January 16, 2019
Understanding how the body works offers a karate student (we are always students) multiple advantages: options for treating your body better during training, avoiding injury, and becoming more efficient.
Building a better mobile machine requires understanding the component parts. In this book, J.D. Swanson is offering up explanations of the association between the techniques we are attempting to master and the science behind the ways we produce them. His illustrations and examinations of Karate Techniques, the Principles of Karate Techniques, and Internal Movement, offers something for every level of karate practitioner.
Highly recommended.
Building a better mobile machine requires understanding the component parts. In this book, J.D. Swanson is offering up explanations of the association between the techniques we are attempting to master and the science behind the ways we produce them. His illustrations and examinations of Karate Techniques, the Principles of Karate Techniques, and Internal Movement, offers something for every level of karate practitioner.
Highly recommended.
August 7, 2017
Karate Science by J. D. Swanson, PHD
Dr. Swanson spells out in easy to understand and an applicable format. Even though I do not train in the author’s style of Shotokan, I found that I agreed with the science. It is amazing that if we teach our arts with the idea of coming from a scientific background, we find that our arts are more alike than different. I would hope that through science we would come together instead of splintering into factions. This book is required reading for my adult students.
By
John Bain
Kancho
Go Hou Kan Kenpo
Dr. Swanson spells out in easy to understand and an applicable format. Even though I do not train in the author’s style of Shotokan, I found that I agreed with the science. It is amazing that if we teach our arts with the idea of coming from a scientific background, we find that our arts are more alike than different. I would hope that through science we would come together instead of splintering into factions. This book is required reading for my adult students.
By
John Bain
Kancho
Go Hou Kan Kenpo
November 9, 2023
Interesting read for serious Karatekas. There is some basic information about other arts such as Judo and Aikido that martial artists, in general, may appreciate. It can be a bit "nerdy" in terms of biomechanics, but that's the concept of the book.
October 11, 2018
A good guide to understand some of the biomechanical functions. I really learned a lot of how I can correct my posture and apply the techniques.
April 8, 2017
Class after class instructors direct you to punch this way, kick that way, stand like this, and block over here. Sometimes there are explanations on the physical dynamics and how energy is developed and delivered; but those explanations, in my experience, are rare. The lack of guidance on body mechanics in much of martial arts teaching can be remedied by the new 240 paperback "Karate Science: Dynamic Movement" produced by Dr. J.D. Swanson, Associate professor in the Department of Biology and Biomedical Sciences at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI, and fifth dan with the International Shotokan Karate Federation. This fine manual has in mind both the newest and the more seasoned karateka, and is helpfully enhanced by the artful illustrations of Sam Nigro.
In a nutshell "Karate Science" is the application of Swanson's scientific background in physiology and kinesiology to the four martial arts fundamentals of "posture, structural alignment, body mechanics, and practical functionality" (12). The author covers hitting surfaces, stances, thrusting, kicking, striking, blocking and breaking balance. He also spends considerable time explaining how joints and muscles work, maintaining balance, and ways to hit with force and power. Finally, he ties his subject down with instruction on the hip vibration, using body shift and rotation to generate power, breathing and how to manipulate reaction force.
The material in the book is fairly scientific in giving the whys and wherefores, but it is simple enough that is doesn't lose the non-technical reader. Since the author is trained in Shotokan, the nomenclature of techniques derives from that tradition, but there is enough information that those from a different martial art stream will still be able to comfortably track with the author. The margin space in the book is plentiful enough that a reader can make notes on the pages for later recall and reference. The one item that would strengthen the book is if there were more directional illustrations showing the precise technique being described.
All told, "Karate Science" is a manageable read for anyone who has taken up one of the martial arts. If the reader will take pen-in-hand, mark it and scratch out notes on the page edges, they will have a valuable, usable resource that they can profitably return to for years to come. The cash spent on obtaining a copy will be easily repaid in the help gained. I highly recommend this volume!
Thanks to YMAA for providing, upon my request, the free copy of “Karate Science� used for this review. The assessments are mine given without restrictions or requirements (as per Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255).
In a nutshell "Karate Science" is the application of Swanson's scientific background in physiology and kinesiology to the four martial arts fundamentals of "posture, structural alignment, body mechanics, and practical functionality" (12). The author covers hitting surfaces, stances, thrusting, kicking, striking, blocking and breaking balance. He also spends considerable time explaining how joints and muscles work, maintaining balance, and ways to hit with force and power. Finally, he ties his subject down with instruction on the hip vibration, using body shift and rotation to generate power, breathing and how to manipulate reaction force.
The material in the book is fairly scientific in giving the whys and wherefores, but it is simple enough that is doesn't lose the non-technical reader. Since the author is trained in Shotokan, the nomenclature of techniques derives from that tradition, but there is enough information that those from a different martial art stream will still be able to comfortably track with the author. The margin space in the book is plentiful enough that a reader can make notes on the pages for later recall and reference. The one item that would strengthen the book is if there were more directional illustrations showing the precise technique being described.
All told, "Karate Science" is a manageable read for anyone who has taken up one of the martial arts. If the reader will take pen-in-hand, mark it and scratch out notes on the page edges, they will have a valuable, usable resource that they can profitably return to for years to come. The cash spent on obtaining a copy will be easily repaid in the help gained. I highly recommend this volume!
Thanks to YMAA for providing, upon my request, the free copy of “Karate Science� used for this review. The assessments are mine given without restrictions or requirements (as per Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255).
April 10, 2017
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, physics and the body are universal, 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.
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.
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