3 BOOK REVIEWS-

When we published this book I bought 300 to do as signed copies and have a few spare as gifts etc but surprisingly, nearly all have gone, so if you are in the U.K. and want one of the remaining copies, order it here on this link https://py.pl/1m5JAm

Here are a couple of reviews you might find interesting…..

Francis Briers – I got my copy of my long time teacher, Steve Rowe’s book and have started to read it today.

What strikes me is how vulnerable Steve has been in writing honestly about himself and his life. This is not someone sharing only the best version of themselves, the polished, social media philosopher. And because of that honesty, when Steve shares his insights, when he speaks about mindfulness and non-attachment, I get why it matters and what these things even are in a completely different way.

So if you want a different kind of insight, then do please get a copy and read for yourself.

Steve has always been totally honest that he came from a difficult background, owns having been violent and a bully when he was younger, and speaks openly about struggles with both physical and mental health in more recent years having dealt with and lived through incredible pain and difficulty.

This is hard won wisdom, shared with humility, grace and simplicity.

I’ve known Steve for almost 25 years and trained with him for many of those, and there is still lots I am learning from this book. It is a rich resource.

Thank you Sensei 🙏

Karim Belgacem – I received Steve Rowe’s latest book in the post this morning and have spent the whole afternoon reading it in one sitting.

This book is important. So much so that I am going to strongly suggest my students grading for black belt and subsequent dans in November read this. I would make it a requirement if not for knowing that Steve would not wish any financial burden of any type placed on people.

Having said that; the book is extremely well priced and for a martial artist of any style I would suggest it’s a must.

I’ll highlight a few of the sections that I found most interesting, helpful and enlightening. There’s just a wonderful section where Steve categorises students’ character and personality into the four elements of earth, wind, air and fire. Having previously described the composition of these elements it is a fantastic way of describing how these student can reach their potential by having components of the other elements brought in to create balance. This was one of these lightbulb moments that we instructor have. It’s obvious when you read this but I’ve never seen it laid out so clearly.

Mindfulness plays an important part in many sections of the book with Steve again offering important base knowledge on what it actually is but then bringing it to life with numerous actual uses and experiences drawn from his own life. It was an excellent thread running through the full book for me as I continue to try my best to incorporate this into my own life.

Steve’s life stories were my favourite parts of the book. He is held up by myself and many of the younger martial artists as a legitimate guru; a great sounding board and a really good example of where many of us want to get to. In many instances, seeing behind that mystique might have been a negative thing. In this book it is the complete opposite. The sections which cover Steve’s life only heightened the legitimacy of his teachings. They were both honest and entertaining for a number of different reasons.

The chapter on suffering was a hard read for me. I am – as you may have guessed – very fond of Steve and this section covering his years of Illness and most serious of injury are an essential but challenging part of the book. Again, seeing that someone in Steve’s position suffers the same fear, pain and suffering as we all do brought a real, authentic understanding for me to his teachings.

If you are an sort of serious martial artist I suggest you buy this.

There’s also some laughs in there too and I hope Steve doesn’t mind me sharing the following… in referencing how difficult life still is, even with all the martial arts and mindfulness we are meant to practise, he tells the story of the monk whose friends question how angry he is even though he meditates all the time…

The monk says ‘You should have seen me before I started meditating’!

Again, this struck a real chord with me and, rest assured, Steve highlights and describes the story much more entertainingly in the book than I do here.

Lastly, there is an excellent section towards the end of the book with well laid out and very practical advice for parents with children in the martial arts, adults and those who make their day to day living from the martial arts.

Go buy this book.

Nat Key – A review of my book posted today:

I have just finished reading my sifu’s book. Soft front, Strong back by Steve Rowe. I have been savouring my initial read (because there will be many more), and have now come to the end.

It’s difficult to put into words the impact that Steve’s teachings have had on me. I have trained at Shi Kon Martial Arts since I was 15 years old.

The dojo has always been a place of calm for me, a place where I feel truly comfortable and where I feel I have family. My journey with mindfulness and finding myself has been difficult and is a continuous one – without Steve and Shi Kon I’m not really sure who I’d be today but I’m pretty confident I wouldn’t be as happy or healthy.

This book solidifies those teachings in a clear and concise way and is a book to live by.

Such clarity, compassion and simplicity is so often missing from the world now, but as we say when training “simple doesn’t mean easy”.

For me, this book is invaluable for my personal development and my development within the Martial arts. It also allows me to hear Steve’s voice without him speaking. The words are written in a clear but conversational way making it a joyful experience to read.

I cannot recommend this book enough for everyone and anyone. If you are looking for a philosophy which will help you in every aspect of your life this is the place. Everyone will take something from this book and will take more each time they revisit it.

Thank you Steve for writing this. It’s truly a gift.

Link to buy in the U.K… https://py.pl/1m5JAm