The Ultimate Athlete - Softcover

Leonard, George

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1556430760 ISBN 13: 9781556430763

Publisher: North Atlantic Books,U.S., 1990

Synopsis

We are born with the God-given right to move efficiently, gracefully, and joyfully. We lose this right only through society's mind-body split, faulty modes of physical education, and overemphasis on "winning." George Leonard's simple and radical notion is that within each of us, regardless of age, sex, or physical condition, there exists an ultimate athlete waiting to be born. With a poet's passion, fifth-degree aikido black belt Leonard evokes the transcendent moment in sport—the catch that defies gravity and chance, the play that makes time stand still—as emblematic of the Greater Game of embodiment itself, of life and death, a Game we all can play to depth and breadth of body and soul. The Ultimate Athlete helped create the participatory sports boom of the 1970s and 1980s. This revised edition is addressed to a new generation of ultimate athletes.

About this title

About the Author:

Geroge Leonard is author of a number of books on human possibilities and social change, including Education and Ecstasy. Leonard holds a fifth degree black belt in the martial art of aikido, and is co-owner of an aikido school in Mill Valley, California. He is married and has four daughters.

Synopsis:

Depicts the physical and spiritual aspects of the ideal athlete, introduces the Japanese concept of the energy body, and explores new games capturing the essence of sports.

About this edition

• Publisher: North Atlantic Books,U.S.
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 1556430760
• ISBN 13: 9781556430763
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 288