Martial arts has always been described as both a science and an art. The art lies in expression, discipline, and spirit. The science lies in mechanics—the invisible framework of physical laws that governs every strike, block, and throw.
When I first began my journey in martial arts, I was taught how to move: where to place my feet, how to shift my weight, how to deliver force. Later, in my studies of mechanical engineering, I encountered the same ideas, though described in equations and diagrams: force equals mass times acceleration, torque equals force times distance, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred.
It was only when I brought these two worlds together that I truly began to understand martial arts at a deeper level. The kick is not just a kick; it is a moment of rotational dynamics. A block is not just a block; it is an application of force vectors. A throw is not just a throw; it is the redirection of momentum and balance.
This book is an exploration of how the principles of mechanical engineering—force, energy, motion, balance, leverage, efficiency—are woven into martial arts. My goal is not to reduce martial arts to equations but to enrich it with understanding. By seeing the mechanics behind the movement, martial artists can refine their techniques, conserve energy, and unlock hidden potential.
Martial arts is not only about strength or speed—it is about mastery of movement. And movement, at its heart, is mechanics.
