Husband-Coached Childbirth (Fifth Edition): The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth

I read about the Bradley Method of Natural childbirth during my early months of pregnancy, was intrigued, and bought this book. I really found it helpful-I got my husband to read it too. While the book's complete lack of pictures tended to be frustrating at times, especially in the exercise section, I found that having to read the actual description made me pay more attention and helped me remember what to do. After I read and understood the description, I wasn't dependent on the picture to do it right. The breathing description Dr. Bradley gives is the best thing I did during my labor - before going into labor I found it also helps with headaches :) -and they did not teach it in my Bradley class. After finishing Husband Coached Childbirth, I ended up wanting a book with pictures, and bought Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way as well. Between these two books I had a very pleasant birth experience with no pain medications. And after reading them, the Bradley classes themselves were overkill.

I did like Husband Coached Childbirth quite a bit and got a lot of information from it, however, I do not think you need to own it. After reading it through once, I never felt compelled to go back and read it again. I would suggest checking this one out from your local library, reading it through, especially the breathing description, and purchasing Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way instead.

...who said that it's like taking your lower lip, stretching it over your head, and stapling it to the back of your neck, then you're thinking, like most women,

"Why on EARTH would I want a natural childbirth?"

Well, I've done it both ways now. After years of hearing horror stories from friends & Hollywood, but stubbornly deciding that since women had been doing it for eons, I could, too, I tried birth naturally with my first child, scared to death about it ... and failed miserably. I didn't know any alternative laboring positions, or to relax, or anything I just braced for each contraction for 36 hours until I hurt so much I asked my husband to kill me. The inevitable epidural left me hurting for a week.

Well, wasn't that fun?

Then I took a Bradley class. Instead of teaching fancy breathing techniques and how to be a convenient patient for the OB, they taught relaxation "You CAN do this; and fear only creates tension, which increases pain" and what a difference. Without me fighting the contractions (which tensed up the very muscle the contractions were trying to relax), the pain went from unbearable to manageable. Sure, it hurts to have a lineman stand on your foot, but who's going to take an epidural for it?

Bradley taught me that if you're thoroughly relaxed and labor feels excruciating, something needs to change position, environment, something. If it's still agonizing, something is dreadfully wrong but if I were under an epidural, I wouldn't know that. Bradley taught that if you've been doing everything great for hours and suddenly you feel you can't take it anymore that you're in transition and will soon be pushing and have a baby! (How true that has been!) The relaxation techniques I learned helped with the early labor (remember, you can't get an epidural before 4cm or after 10cm), the excruciating afterpains of a subsequent birth, and the discomfort of sitting on a sore bum, not to mention all of life's inevitable pains ever since.

Natural childbirth left me with so much more energy afterward that my 60-something in-laws are converts, too! They can't believe that the totally drained, beaten woman they saw after Birth #1 (who was afraid to use the bathroom and couldn't sit for a week) is the same who walked from the delivery room and immediately dressed and left at 24 hours for Births #2 and #3 (and suffered very little postpartum pain after the uterine-shrinking contractions ended).

Lastly, Bradley taught me better breathing (my trumpet-playing is vastly improved!), sitting, posture, and lifting techniques for the rest of my life. And gave me a few good laughs while he was at it. Love him!

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I had a drug-free childbirth, thanks in part to the Bradley Method. To prepare, I took Bradley classes and read both "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Susan McCutcheon and this book. The thing that disturbed me most about this book is that Dr. Bradley insinuates repeatedly that childbirth doesn't really hurt as long as you follow his instructions. Believe me, it hurts. I think Dr. Bradley has since passed away, but if he were alive, I'd really like to ask him how many times HE gave birth. I prefer to get my information from a more reliable source -a woman who has given birth herself. If you're only going to read one book, read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way." If you're an information junkie like myself, read this one too. There's certainly a lot of info and it makes for interesting reading.

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Being the dutiful book-worm that I am, I thought I should go to the "source" to understand the Bradley method. I would say that only 10-20% of this book was useful. It is hopelessly outdated, despite being a "revised edition"; Bradley spends the majority of the time railing/advocating against "standard" birth practices (heavy use of anaesthesia, no dads in the delivery room, etc.) that may have been the norm when he first began developing his method, but are no longer. In short, he's preaching to the choir. I read the whole thing and promised I would pick out the salient parts for my husband...those parts would comprise maybe 10 pages. So, my advice is: skip this and get McCutcheon's book instead, which is more up to date and more practical.

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My husband and I are now big believers in natural childbirth the Bradley way. My son is 8 months old, delivered completely naturally, and I am 4 weeks pregnant with our next child, who we also plan to deliver without drugs.

This book gave us confidence in our decision to deliver without drugs when all our friends were telling us, "You must be crazy!" Resting assured that for thousands of years, millions of women had gone before me and done the same thing, Dr. Bradley puts natural childbirth into perspective. Seriously, it does not take a super-woman to give birth without an epidural. If I can do it, any other woman can as well.

This book discusses WHY and SOME of the hows to giving birth naturally. YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE THE BRADLEY CLASSES ALONG WITH READING THIS BOOK. I did not know we would need to take a 13-week course on birth before I read it. "Husband-Coached Childbirth" is NOT a complete directive on how to give birth without drugs, it simply motivates you to do it. The class is designed to instruct you; the book is designed to motivate you. It really does have helpful information in it.

We encourage all our friends to read it and consider natural childbirth. It really did give us a "push" in the right direction. :)

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The Radical Reformission: Reaching Out without Selling Out

This is one of the most refreshing and engaging books on church/culture that I've read, and is probably THE best book I've read from a leader in the emerging church.

Driscoll contends that as believers we must be concerned about three things: the gospel, the church, and the culture. When we neglect one of these three elements, we fall into one of three errors:

The Church + The Culture The Gospel = Liberalism

The Church + The Gospel The Culture = Fundamentalism

The Gospel + The Culture The Church = Parachurch

I think this is slightly reductionistic, but it still provokes reflection. Driscoll's book is a plea for the church to be faithful to the gospel within the culture not by isolating itself from the culture. He says, of course, that faithfulness to the gospel involves some measure of separation. As Christians, we are different called out of darkness into light and this will affect our life-styles and ethics. But Driscoll also contends that Christian liberty must be maintained in areas where Scripture is silent and that our liberty should be used for the sake of reaching culture.

Of course, culture looks different in Seattle than it does in the Midwest, where I minister. Driscoll's church looks different than ours, with lots of tattooed, pierced, young Christians decked out in Gothic clothing and make-up! But Driscoll rightly argues that becoming a Christian doesn't necessitate a conversion to wearing business attire (like a middle-class, white suburban American Christian), but rather a conversion to Christ and His kingdom. As I said, this is a thought-provoking book.

Be warned, however: reading this book will probably provoke a variety of deep and intense emotional responses, including laughter (Driscoll is hilarious), shock (Driscoll breaks all the conventions that you would expect of a Christian author), and (hopefully) excitement, as you hear of what God has done in his life and through his life and ministry in the lives of others.

Started attending Mars Hill Church, where Mark Discoll is the head teaching elder, a little over a year ago. Only very serious problems can keep us away on Sunday. I'm twice the age of the average member/attendee, but Mark preaches old time religion applied to today's culture and I and about 2,500 others seem very comfortable with both. Mark is very real, sometimes shocking and shows real grace. Week after week my wife and I ask each other "Is that the best sermon we've ever heard AGAIN?"

What you get in RR is what I see happening at Mars Hill, along with Mark's humor and wisdom that's beyond his years. I've been a believer for 35 years and I'm as excited about Jesus as I've ever been and due in no small part to the vision you read about in this book. Would I feel the same way if I wasn't watching Mark practice what he preaches up close and personal? Maybe not, but when I read it, I could honestly say I saw RR being worked out and it's authentic.

Read RR, log on to the MHC web site, stream the sermons, praise God and have a blast.

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Driscoll's sense of humor is rather twisted. His willingness to say aloud what others forbid themselves to even think is refreshing. His views are thought provoking. His concepts in practice are enlightening. Some people "will" find parts of Radical Reformission offensive. My parents were offended by the copy I gave them. But they are now buying more copies and recommending it to everyone. RR will show you how to use your freedom to set others free. Thank you Jesus for Pastor Driscoll.

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Mark Driscoll's work on living on the balance of syncretism/sectarianism is critical to the church as we struggle between moralism and 'selling out'. His work has had a profound impact on his church and church pastors across the country. This book is a must read whether you are an 'emerging' pastor or if you have been in the ministry for decades. I pray it is a wake up call to a radical but necessary place of tension.

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Mark Driscoll wrote this book so that Christians will step out of our comfort zones and share the gospel with those outside our front door. Radical Reformission is "a radical call for Christians and Christian churches to recommit to living and speaking the gospel, and to do so regardless of the pressures to compromise the truth of the gospel or to conceal its power within the safety of the church" (pg 20) We Christians must repent of our lack of love for our fellow man when we have failed to share the truth of the Gospel just because people do not match our cultural preference. For this, I heartily appreciate and agree. However, I must say that I also have some concerns.

Some of Driscoll's helpful insights:

We Christians should be "building friendships for the purpose of showing and sharing the love of Jesus with lost people...evangelism is done by the whole church." (pg 66)

We Christians must repent of self-righteousness and cling to God's "power of the gospel of grace." (pg 77-78) We must be clear that we do not "impose man made rules in the name of achieving holiness", which is in effect Pharisaical (pg 140).

We Christians must be careful and attentive to our "church cultures" (pg 101). We must recognize that we may have "different personal convictions that are not necessarily sinful" according to biblical prescription (pg 103).

Like Jonah and the plant, we Christians cans love THINGS that God has provided "more than our great cities and the spiritually blind people who annoy us." (pg 106)

Addressing the need for heart transformation (versus mere behavioral change), Driscoll says, "...if we aspire to seek any change in our culture, we must resist the temptation to first change the culture. Instead, we Christians must begin by bringing the gospel to people so that they can be given a new heart out of which a Christian life flows. As more people live out of their new heart, new families, churches, businesses, and governments will result that together will transform culture." (pg 110)

For us Christians, "...too often the evangelistic task of speaking about Jesus is promoted as a work or something we must do, rather than as an overflowing of joy within us that explodes out of us because we have met God in Christ." (pg 143)

Finally, Driscoll provides a short but very helpful list of Biblical Principles for Cultural Decision making (pg 104). I would prefer to have seen an exposition and "fleshing out" of these texts instead of some of the extraneous stories that seem to serve as shock effect.

Some of my concerns on this work:

1.) Is it necessary that the Gospel must be "contextualized" to make it "accessible"? (pg 55-56) The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for both Jews and Greeks (Rom 1:16-17). In our sinful flesh, we Christians can so easily replace the power of the Gospel message itself with culturally-attractive gimmicks. "Do you dig Jesus?" is no replacement for explaining a sinner's dire predicament before a holy God and His provision in Jesus Christ's substitutionary atonement.

2.) To what degree do we immerse ourselves into culture to faithfully share the gospel? Is it necessary or advisable to listen to a "sexual talk program" or read "Cosmo Girl magazine" (pg 131) to successfully engage the culture with the gospel? Can we cross the line and speak in an inappropriate manner according to Scriptural standards in order to capture the attention of culture? The subtitle of this book is "reaching out without selling out." One way that we can "sell out" is by substituting the priority of Scriptural faithfulness with a desire to be culturally relevant. In one portion of the book, Driscoll appropriately chides churches that try to appease the preferences of different age groups. He makes the valid observation that people are highly complex and cannot be pinned down as a monolith according to particular age generalizations (pg 128). I would argue that we should extend Driscoll's conclusions to culture-at-large. Culture is complex and always changing and is, thus, a "moving target." I would argue that a Christian should engage but NOT be consumed with riding "the next wave of culture." Instead, the Christian's focus should be on Jesus Christ and His all-sufficient word which are always relevant.

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Caring for Somebody with Dementia

My husband has vascular dementia and every time I need encouragement I go to this book. It is a beautifully written and 'real' book with many tips for dealing with problems that may come and honest advice on avoiding pitfalls that carers inevitably face. I would say that we need this book. Most importantly to me, there is a lot on keeping momentum in the relationship with the person you care for. And that is one of the reasons it has been so invaluable to me. I have already recommended this book to other carers and will do so again.

This is an excellent book and one no dementia caregiver should be without ...You do not know what you don't know when you step into the Alice in wonderland of dementia caregiving. Psychologists call it unconcious incompetence. Until you have walked the walk you cannot believe how it will impact on your life. This book is warm thoughful and full of information gained first hand through experience. Friends fall by the wayside, trusted family members change. You need all the help you can get and this book although it does not have all the answers helps provide tools to help the caregiver deal with the emotional rollercoaster of dementia. As caregiver of two parents both of whom have dementia I congratulate Meredith on this book and thank her for her warm and caring insights.

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Fight Fat After Forty: The Revolutionary Three-Pronged Approach That Will Break Your Stress-Fat Cycl

To sum up this reviewjust go buy this book! If you found this book as part of a frantic search for another "diet miracle"...you may have just found itonly in a very different form! For me, the diet books and plans were part of my desperate search for the answers as to how I could manipulate the food, move my body and suddenly (and quickly) escape this burden of fat and unhealthiness.

I instinctively knew as I committed to each diet, exercised until I dropped and obsessed about food, something was very wrong with this entire drama. Was I just born with defective will-power? Was my metabolism so slow that a cookie meant no jeans for a week? I just could not find a medically sound explanation as what in the world was going on and why I kept failing. Being smart, well-educated and tenacious wasn't enough. Having tried so many plans and having purchased an entire library of books... nothing had changed and I was still lost as to how to fix it. The "fat experts" and medical community had let me down and I had no idea what to believe. Every Monday morning I would pledge a new insane plan of attack!

"Fight Fat After Forty" IS the answer to this dieting insanity and could be anyone's escape from "dieter's hell". Dr. Pamela Peeke has tackled this dilemma from a scientific"let's figure this mess out" approach. She actually used "women" in her studies and has based all of her findings on what she and her associates discovered regarding the vicious cycle and patterns of weight management. You will learn exactly what is really happening to you and why the "dieting game" is so destructive and unproductive! This book is really for any woman or man interested in a healthy lifestyle regardless of age.

For me, this book explains so thoroughly and accurately the "whys and hows" of my body and why I was compelled to participate in the crazy rituals around food and exercise.(It is so liberating to finally get it!) Dr. Peeke refuses to merely reproduce a diet plan and exercise sheet. The food alone was never really the problem. There is no magic food plan or exercise regime. It is simply a balancing act dealing with real food, specific exercise, hormonal balance and stress management coupled with positive thinking that makes up a solution that actually works.

The subtle key to this book lies in how it teaches you the paths to changing one's thinking, eating, body movements as well as how to recognize and CHANGE how one deals with STRESS. Dr. Peeke guides you through the science as well as each part of the plan helping you design a new "lifestyle" that will meet your needs. Your finished plan will be a practical one that you can adhere to indefintely and will stay realistic far into the future. NO MORE FADS!

Through these chapters, you will learn so much about yourself. How many of the past "diet books" cared about your specific needs or explained the science behind their plans? Some common questions Dr. Peeke addresses includewhy am I so tired all of the time? Why can't I stop eating after a meal? Why does food calm me down or keep me going? Dr. Peeke explains, for example, the complicated link between your chronically stressful day and that empty gaze into the fridge as one begins another evening "feeding frenzy". IS ANY OF THIS SOUNDING FAMILIAR?

The book goes into great depth regarding these links between stress, hormone changes and how we (especially women) cope with life's stressors. Can one really expect to be healthy, well fed and nurtured when many of us have put ourselves last on our priority list? We all need some sense of reward in our lives of a job "well done". For many of us that reward is food.

I caution you not to skip through the book and find the "diet plan and exercise regime". This is a packaged deal and without the UNDERSTANDING as to what is going onthis will become another diet book treating the symptoms without a diagnosis or solution. In fact, you will stay as stuck as before with no clue as to how to gain back your health and sanity permanently.

I sincerely thank Dr. Peeke for ending my "dieting nightmare" where I have been stuck for a very long time. I have already lost weight, have more energy, but most important, I have lost that insane panic driving me to decide what am I going to do next. I don't wake up every morning promising this time to stay on a new plan...for I now have one that works for me. Isn't that what we were all looking for?

It took me years of failed dieting and finally two years of therapy to discover that the root of my weight trouble was caused by low self-esteem which led to excessive spending. I wish I had read this book years ago along with the other book mentioned, "SIMPLE MONEY SOLUTIONS," by Nancy Lloyd. Each book has shown me unique ways to control the "excesses" in my life and slim down my debt and my waistline. My blood pressure has also dropped (without the use of medication) because I no longer feel stressed all the time and I am finally HAPPY!

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As a certified personal trainer specializing in women's health and lifestyle managment, I have found Dr. Peeke's book to be an invaluable resource. The information about the link between stress and weight and the three-part approach for leading a healthy lifestyle has been useful and applicable to all of my clients, not just those in the forty-and-over age catagory. I have recommended this book to several of my clients, co-workers and friends who have also found it to be extremely helpful in their efforts to develop more centered and healthy lifestyles.

In the first section, Peeke presents historical and scientific information about stress and its physiological impact on the human body in a manner that is interesting and easily understandable. Her humorous and sensitive approach and her use of real-life examples allow us to feel we are not alone in our stuggles with stress and weight managment. Furthermore, Peeke teaches us how to identify our personal stress profile, recognizing that, as individual human beings, a standard cookie-cutter approach does not work.

I was most impressed by the section of the book where Peeke talks about regrouping. Unlike other books I have read about fitness, weight loss and lifestyle management, FFAF includes a "back-up plan" for what to do when life throws a curve ball. Peeke recognizes that we WILL make mistakes along the way and fall of track. She explains that it is okay not to be perfect and we need to accept and embrace our imperfect selves.

Peek goes on to provide reasonable and manageable approaches to changing eating patterns and habits. Once again, her real-life examples help make this information more understandable and applicable to us as readers. As a personal trainer, I am appalled by how much misinformation there is about nutrition among my clients and even my colleagues. It is refreshing to see that FFAF includes accurate and appropriate guidelines for nutrition. I found the information on portion sizes and how to navigate the "Cortizone" to be particularly useful in addressing my clients' nutritional issues.

I applaud Peek for the chapter on weight lifting and exercise. Too often women who are forty and over are afraid to lift weights and don't realize the benefits of strength training. Peeke explains how weight lifting is important for increasing metabolic rate and preventing osteoporosis. I was also glad to see Peeke included information on flexibility training. Stretching is so important, particularly for injury prevention, and it is often left out of exercise regimens.

FFAF presents profound insight about the roots of our stress and how it is linked to eating and weight gain. It provides a "game plan" for dealing with stress and eating when the going gets tough and teaches us to be gentle with ourselves and accept that we are not perfect. I would highly recommend Peeke's book to any woman who is seeking an effective and reasonable approach to changing her life to make it more healthy and manageable.

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I would bet there are tons of women like me who have gained weight eating the way I did, not much food during the day and compulsive cravings at night. Duh, why didn't I figure this out. I'm smart. Heck, I've purchased and read every diet book out there. Dr. Peeke's book and approach to eating works and it works effortlessly without crazy diets. I've lost over 20 lbs in 2 months without dieting. I merely changed my eating schedule to get most of my calories in before 5pm, no starches after 5pm and no food after 8pm. I even cheat at night a bit by having a piece of fruit or an ice cream bar occasionally. The big surprise I'm not hungry at night no cravings. Why? Because I'm eating properly and often during the day, starting with breakfast. Like most people, I'm not always hungry in the morning, but I make it a point to eat a good balance of protein, fat and carbs every 3 hrs from breakfast on until 5pm and I feel wonderful, no hunger, no wild cravings. Normal eating, normal living, no dieting, no binges. This is so easy, so liveable and the weight is dropping steadily.

Buy this book, follow the advice and you will lose weight while eating well. Such a simple change, but what a difference. I can't imagine not eating like this now. It's so nice to feel satisfied and not experience the compulsive night cravings any longer. This is a lifestyle strategy I can live with forever; only wish I had bought her book sooner.

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Fight Fat After Forty, brings such understanding to so many questions I've had and some of the stories parallel my own situation. It's very interesting how the studies have come about to help find solutions to this "constant weight battle" and stress. Finally, so many things I've pondered are being confirmed. As a single parent I have been operating under extreme stress for several years. Though I've fought the yo-yo weight all my life, I am now 45 and I just don't have the strength to do it again. However, because my children as well as myself worry about a heart attack or other ailment I am establishing healthy practices for the rest of my life. I just recently purchased a treadmill and am eating different. But something I couldn't understand was why I kept so much weight around my waist! I use to lose all over fairly evenly and always had a waist. It's been very discouraging to work so hard with the results taking four times as long as it used to! There are so many "programs" out there and it wearies me to feel I am so far behind. I've always been the "show me" kind and this really makes sense! I thank the Lord for giving understanding, reminding me I am not alone and Pamela Peeke for bringing "Us" hope.

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The Speed Bag Bible

The speedbag has always been the most technically baffling devices for boxing for me. I could never figure out how to hit the bag, the timing, and how to control it. But after reading this book, I have alot more confidence in my speedbag training. Alan definitely breaks down the do's and dont's to speedbag training right down from equipment to proper punching technique. He gives little tips on the advantages/disadvantes of wall speedbag platforms and freestanding platforms, s-hook/chain link swivels, speedbag covers, etc. He also deals quite a bit on proper safety and common injuries associated with speed bag training. Definitely answers alot of questions for those wanting to buy their first speedbag set. In his techniques section, he goes over all the basic punch/elbow combinations, their rhythms, and how to flow from one technique to the next. Let me tell you, the first four chapters deal mostly with basics but the later chapters are filled with different punch combinations that everyone from beginner to advanced people will be challenged. And he really does create an interesting technique of blending music like reading to his speedbag sets. At first it might seem daunting, but if you really do spend time in his techniques section, which he recommends, you'll be able to read and follow his routines like second nature. Near the end of his book, he'll also include some applications for the martial artist as well as setups on different workout devices like a stationary bike to include speedbag training. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it as a must buy for the basic boxing fan to the regular fitness enthusiast.

Alan Kahn was a drummer, as in musician, and he has figured out a way to write speed-bag-hitting techniques in something akin to musical notation -but infinitely simpler! For example, FCP means "front circle punch." And he lays out the combinations with easy to follow notations like FCP, FSP....and takes the speed bag out of boxing-only applications and puts it into the realm of rhythm eye-hand coordination mastery. And by implication makes it relevant to everything from swinging a golf club to hitting a tennis ball. No, he does not mention these things per se, but the implication is that master the mind and the rhythm and relax and you'll learn the secret of excelling at sports because all sports are played in the head. And working out with the bag is simply great fun. One of the best how-to books I've ever used.

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I read the book and bought the video, the video is very effective at demonstrating the various techniques, but I couldn't take the video to the gym, so I used the book at the gym and studied the video at home. I recommend the video

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I bought the book and the DVD and I am thoroughly impressed with the level of detail Alan goes to in both. Anyone who has seen a demo of Alan hitting the speed bag knows he is exceptional at this skill, but what became clear to me after reading the book and watching the DVD is that he is equally skilled at teaching novices how to master the techniques and nuances of the speed bag.

I would recommend that you buy both book and DVD, as they support one another quite effectively. Watching the DVD took the mystery out of several techniques that I had been struggling with for a long time. I can honestly say that after watching the DVD once, my skill level at a couple of the more difficult techniques improved greatly.

One of the best benefits of buying this training course is that you can ask Alan questions on a forum he set up specifically for speed bag enthusiasts;

speedbagforum.com

Alan and others will answer all of your questions and I learned a lot simply by reading the older threads that contained many of the same questions or discussed some of the same problems I was having.

I think the combination of the book, DVD and the coaching you can get on the forum is superb and I commend all three to anyone who desires to become a highly skilled user of the speed bag.

Semper Fi,

Mike

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Now this is the way that any book proclaiming to the "Bible" on any subject should be written. This book is literally the definitive book to have concerning the subject of the speed bag.

I initially picked up this book a bit reluctantly simply because of the title. However, I relented and picked it up, and I am sure glad that I did. This book is simply the best book I have ever seen on the use of the speed bag. It is very well written and the layout for this book is superb. The only small drawback was the photographs, which were a bit blurry and quite dark for the most part, but don't let this small factor even enter into your decision to buy this book. The unique "code" (for lack of a better term) that the author uses to relay the striking sequences on the speed bag is very well done, and like a previous reviewer mentioned, it is like a series of musical notes, only easier to read and understand.

The author even included a small section on how to use kicks on the speed bag, and as an individual who likes kicking, I found this to be an added bonus.

If you are looking to improve your skills on the speed bag, then this is the book that you need to own. I can not recommend this book highly enough!

I would also highly recommend that you pick up this book as well.

Championship Fighting Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense

Shawn Kovacich

Martial Artist/Creator of numerous books and DVD's.

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YOU: Being Beautiful: The Owner's Manual to Inner and Outer Beauty

Real information presented in an understandable format and not too technical terms. It made me realize I had to take the time to take care of myself and enjoy my good health now.

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The Medicine Wheel Garden: Creating Sacred Space for Healing, Celebration, and Tranquillity

Creating Sacred Space means more to us today than every before. I feel that this suthor has really offered us bold new perspectives along with numerous alternatives for coming to balance in these trying times. This book is a valuable, in-depth gardening guide with far more sensitivities than are usual!

1. I find the resource guide in the back most valuable.

2. The herbal lexicon that is the central third of the book is amazingly detailed; here is the info I need to propagate native herbs & wildflowers.

3. Research on the medicine wheels as ancient landscape features is the best I've yet encountered, & offered with great respect & reverence for sacred space.

4. Part III in this book is filled with imaginative new ideas, recipes, & suggestions for gifts & projects to make from one's gardening success.

What a fine book!

The most unique book on this subject, likely to make other gardening books out dated...

Based primarily on Amerindian healing and spiritual practices, The Medicine Wheel Garden details using a circular garden design as a personal, sacred, reflective space for pleasure, renewal, and as a home for wildlife. While much of the book is given over to explanations of symbolism and ceremonies including the use of spiritual and ceremonial items in the garden and details for performing seasonal healing rituals, chapters are included on choosing a garden site, style and plants. 50 herbs are profiled with short sections on history, modern and traditional uses, cautions to use, growing tips, and a sketch. Additional chapters provide culinary recipes and craft ideas as well as many recipes for beauty aids such as skin scrubs, shampoos, lotions, and soaking teas. While mainly a guide to creating a sacred space, gardening information is sound and conservative and includes the importance of compost and mulch as well as the importance of selecting the right plant for the right site. The Medicine Wheel Garden takes the rejuvenating and healing properties of gardening a step beyond.

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Very thorough and informative. Lists many plants, uses of the plants, terrain differences in consideration with reference to locating and designing your garden I thoroughly enjoyed this book and like most other selfhelp books do not have to buy more titles to get the full picture.

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I built a Medicine Wheel in a garden area I wanted to re-do recently and then saw this book. I have experience in different herbs and plants and thought I could make a good one. In fact, I did. However, I bought this book thinking I could get more ideas. I was right. This is a book I refer to often. Daily, when I first received it. Very informative. I could not put it down and the book traveled with me everywhere for at the first 2 weeks. I remains a prominent part of my reference material.

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I think the paper in this book is beautiful and love the gardens it lays out. This is one of my most enlightening garden books, combining native american herbalism and spirituality with one of my favorite pasttimes. I really appreciate the author's writing style and obvious knowledge of her subject, and find it a very pleasurable book to read again and again.

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