NEW BOOK: KENDO FOR FUN

Kendo for Fun

Americanized Eagle Kendo Handbook

Authors: Grandmaster Clifford Crandall and Master Nicholas Chuff

The American Martial Arts Institute is pleased to announce the release of a new book written by Master Nicholas Chuff and Grandmaster Crandall, which is now available through Amazon.Com and at the American Martial Arts Institute's main location in New Hartford, NY. Our school offers four distinct martial art styles, each with separately certified black belt instructors and class structures. We believe that one of our school's greatest strengths is our willingness to document our styles and programs through books, DVDs, videos, and Internet articles. This helps our instructors to maintain consistency in the perpetuation of each style. In addition, our instructors are re-certified annually, and in order to become certified, our instructors undergo a formal internship / apprenticeship process.

The four styles offered are:

1) American Eagle Style (traditional empty hand)

2) Takenouchi-Hangan-Ryu-Matsuno-Crandall Iaido/Batto (300-year old samurai sword lineage)

3) American Eagle Cane Style (traditional martial art utilizing a walking cane)

4) Americanized Eagle Kendo (workout class structure)

Anyone interested in learning more about Kendo will benefit from the information offered in this new handbook titled Kendo for Fun: Americanized Eagle Kendo.

From the Back Cover By Grandmaster Crandall:

Kendo for Fun” is exactly what the title states. In 1994, 1995 and 1996 I was studying kendo and training in it regularly; however, my commitment to my empty hand American Eagle Style and the growth of my students within that style took precedence. But I did not stop promoting kendo and the beauty and power that it teaches to my instructors and black belt students. Over the years we have had workout classes and seminars in kendo and its history. My number one student in this area has been Master Nicholas Chuff, one of my empty hand instructors. He was the overseer and instructor for my school’s kendo workouts and over the past two years has encouraged this book to be written for our workout class participants.

Kendo is truly a unique area of the traditions of the sword. We are not a traditional kendo school and our style of kendo is called “Americanized Eagle Kendo”. It has come about to meet the needs of my instructors and students in my empty hand and Iaido styles. Some of these individuals have serious knee challenges or lower back limitations, leaving them unable to execute some of the ceremonial traditions and demands of traditional kendo. Existing on the outside of the circle of traditional kendo, our style allows them to participate and enjoy this magnificent discipline.

This book includes traditional and slightly altered stances, body postures, basic strikes, basic blocks, four kumi tachi, two three point sparring exercises, and the kendo kata “Falcon Stoop”. The book also presents the kendo armor, how to put it on and take it off as well as maintenance. Reading this book also prepares individuals to participate in our classes, understand our stretching, and provides information on where to look for a traditional kendo school if they desire. The martial arts is all about enjoying life and taking in as much as possible. We have fun practicing kendo, which in turn gives us a terrific workout as it improves our balance, strength and focus.