Billy Blanks wasn't always the master martial artist and superbuff fitness celebrity we know from his
Tae-Bo video workouts. He grew up poor in a family of 15 children, had his education stunted by undiagnosed dyslexia, and was a sports washout because of tight tendons. Martial arts made him see that there were no limits to what the body could do--except be haunted by the limitations the mind imposed.
In The Tae-Bo Way, Blanks shares not only his workout but his philosophy and his personal story. The book takes you behind the scenes to learn the background of the man and the workout. It is also a companion to the videos, coaching you to do the moves correctly, explaining which muscles you should feel working and how hard to work out, and teaching you the mental principles that glue it all together. About two-thirds of the book is the workout, with each move described and illustrated clearly and contrasted with incorrect technique, so you learn the difference.
There's also a troubleshooting guide--if you feel discomfort here, this might be what's wrong with your technique. Tae-Bo is more than just an exercise program, says Blanks: "I created it to challenge not only your body but your mind, your spirit, and your will." He encourages you to push your mental as well as physical limits. --Joan Price
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