Dr. Steven J. Pearlman is the author of The Book of Martial Power, now published in two languages, as well as two DVDs on open-handed combatives. Dr. PearlmanÕs expertise centers on universal principles of martial effectiveness, principles that can deepen the exploration and effectiveness of any style by explaining the forces that optimize its techniques. In teaching, he strives to help other practitioners gain insight into the power of their own arts, as well as to understand the forces transcend style, national origin, and type of technique.

Training since 1983, Dr. Pearlman has, to varying degrees, studied a range of martial arts from around the world. In 1997, Dr. Pearlman was contacted by The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. to coordinate and moderate the Spirit in Motion: Traditions in the Martial Arts lecture series for its associates. Dr. Pearlman has since published numerous articles on martial theory in Black Belt magazine and served as a columnist for Martial Arts Expert magazine. Dr. Pearlman was interviewed on The Self- Defense Show (2008), where he discussed his expertise on adrenaline- and stress-based defensive tactics and its relationship to principles of combat.

Also an authority on womenÕs self-defense, Dr. Pearlman designed and taught the countryÕs only full-credit course that integrated academic study of sexual assault with physical and psychological defensive tactics training. He also currently serves as the Content Director for nformd.net/Student Success, an internet-based company providing sexual assault prevention education to many colleges and universities, as well as the U.S. Army. In 2009, Dr. Pearlman gave a presentation on sexual assault prevention to senior members of the U.S. Army.

Dr. Pearlman teaches his personal "family style" to a small group of students in Avon, CT. The director of The Saratoga Martial Arts Festival (SMAF), Dr. Pearlman deeply believes in its bai liu ha yiÑ100 styles flow into oneÑmotto. In the final analysis, all martial artists should support one another in our exploration of the martial way.

Dr. Pearlman may be contacted at stevenpearlman@gmail.com.