This book, Black Belt Healing, is like water, when it needs to address your thirst, it is cool and satisfying,when you need the cold hard facts it is like ice, and when you need those silent moments, it is as gentle as a low lying mist...simply an extraordinary work.-Kris Wilder, Martial artist and Coauthor of The Way of Kata

'In his clinical practice, David Nelson, PhD helps many people suffering with chhronic pain. Afer years of experience, as a martial artist and psychotherapist, he wrote this outstanding book to share his healing secrets with you. I recommend this book to any martial artist who is interested in helping others.'-Daniel E. Andrews III, M.D. Founder of Pinewood Karate and Black Belt Healers

'Conversational, thoughtful text which proposes a sensible and 'martial-artist friendly' approach to the mind and healing. Recommend it to all thoughtful readers. A must read for all instructors especially those who train in the more vigorous martial arts styles'-Dr. Philip Sweet, M.D., psychiatirst and martial arts practitioner

'In my years as a clinical herbalist, I've seen the tremendous benefits hypnosis brought to my clients. I highly recommend Dr. Nelson's book.'-Miles Coleman, Master of Goh Family Kung Fu and Master Herbalist

The greatest opponent a martial artist will face is pain. This pain might manifest itself in the form of a traumatic injury or in the chronic aches and pains that come with such a highly physical activity. Whether a martial artist can continue his practice may be determined by his ability to cope with injuries and to heal quickly. In Black Belt Healing, David Nelson uses both his training as a martial artist and his years of incorporating hypnotism as therapy for dealing with painful injuries into a how-to guide for martial artists.

Using the layout of a dojo as a metaphor for the workings of the mind, Nelson explains how hypnotism can help a martial artist deal effectively with chronic or severe pain and the weapons that are readily available to anyone for fighting the negative energies of pain. Black Belt Healing also provides a series of self-guided trances that will help the martial artist invoke their own healing abilities, allowing them to return to the dojo and continue to practice their chosen martial arts discipline.

David Nelson, Ph.D. operates the Broken Bokken Dojo in Shawano, WI. Dr. Nelson holds a Ph.D. in Natural Health from the Clayton College of Natural Health and became lay-ordained in Soto Zen in 1992. Dr. Nelson conducts annual Zen and healing arts retreats for martial artists.

I'm an injured black belt and not a stranger to this situation. I could see any level student benefiting from this book and audio CD. The only critical comment I can make is that really nothing is particularly new here. There is a heavy reliance on self hypnosis, imagery, and meditation all of which are proven techniques not just in the Orient but mainstream psychology in the West as well. He does put these techniques together in a nice package using the martial arts metaphors which may be more accessible for whacky people such as myself. My version came with a CD which is very helpful in getting one started in this type of meditation. -Paul Linder

I use this book for my own personal relaxation techniques and pain management. I have also used portions/references in conjunction with my yoga and relaxation classes, and everyone who participates in these sessions is interested in getting the book. I have used it with older and younger(yes, as young as 10 yrs. old) students. In our current society, even learning to relax is helpful to the mind and body. I would whole heartily recommend this book for everyone. I can't think of a single instance where someone would not benefit from the techniques in the CD and the written explanation of the power of the mind. -Karrie Artfun

Contents

Acknowledgements
Foreword
Introduction
Part One
Chapter 1 The paradox of pain
Chapter 2 The Saimon-jutsu solution
Chapter 3 What about Mary?
Chapter 4 Kokoro kobe dojo
Chapter 5 The genkan
Chapter 6 Enter the gate
Chapter 7 Your mind's dojo
Chapter 8 Pure raw potential
Chapter 9 Please don't feed the bears!
Chapter 10 Barebones Zen
Part Two
Chapter 11 Anatomy of hypnosis
Chapter 12 Getting ready
Chapter 13 Bow in
Chapter 14 Mokuso
Chapter 15 Kengeki
Chapter 16 Bow out
Chapter 17 The debriefing
Part Three
Chapter 18 Mokuroku
Chapter 19 Weight loss
Chapter 20 The way home
Appendix
A Keeping it legal
B The truth about certification
C Resources and recommended reading (bibliography)