Writings of Women Martial Arts Pioneers
Women in the Martial Arts is an anthology of essays originally published in trade paperback in 1992. In this book, 23 women, who averaged 15 years of experience in 12 different martial arts at the time of writing, share their experiences of training in the martial arts in the 1970s and 1980s, a time when women were often not welcome in traditional martial arts schools.
The essays explore topics ranging from oppression and empowerment to teaching martial arts to self-defense. The book is a record of the early years of women becoming extensively involved in martial arts training and offers both a historical and feminist perspective on martial arts training.
Quotes from this martial arts book:
"My practice has become my reflection, a mirror for me to see my life."
- Valerie Lee, Kung Fu and T'ai Chi Ch'uan, "A Mirror for Me to See My Life"
"Martial arts training helped me become more than just a survivor of a negligent and harsh upbringing. I became someone who could create choice in her life."
- Kathy Hopwood, Karate and Kung Fu, "Open to Change"
"If you don't feel good about yourself, if you're not confident within yourself... then no amount of technique is going to help, because you aren't going to react properly when push comes to shove."
- Lidia Wolanskyj, Aikido, "One Stage on the Road"
"Yes, martial arts out of a wheelchair are possible. Therefore, this story is about me... and about the approximately 250 other disabled people to who I have taught self-defense over the past 5-1/2 years."
- Lydia Zijdel, Shuri-ryu Karate and Aikido, "Martial Arts Out of a Wheelchair"
"In Aikido women can see the power of the Yin/Yang dance... To dance on that border between the two opposites and to accept both sides as valid is to accept ourselves for what we really are... empowered."
-Elizabeth Hendricks, Aikido, "Women, Power, and Empowerment"
Women in the Martial Arts is an anthology of essays originally published in trade paperback in 1992. In this book, 23 women, who averaged 15 years of experience in 12 different martial arts at the time of writing, share their experiences of training in the martial arts in the 1970s and 1980s, a time when women were often not welcome in traditional martial arts schools.
The essays explore topics ranging from oppression and empowerment to teaching martial arts to self-defense. The book is a record of the early years of women becoming extensively involved in martial arts training and offers both a historical and feminist perspective on martial arts training.
Quotes from this martial arts book:
"My practice has become my reflection, a mirror for me to see my life."
- Valerie Lee, Kung Fu and T'ai Chi Ch'uan, "A Mirror for Me to See My Life"
"Martial arts training helped me become more than just a survivor of a negligent and harsh upbringing. I became someone who could create choice in her life."
- Kathy Hopwood, Karate and Kung Fu, "Open to Change"
"If you don't feel good about yourself, if you're not confident within yourself... then no amount of technique is going to help, because you aren't going to react properly when push comes to shove."
- Lidia Wolanskyj, Aikido, "One Stage on the Road"
"Yes, martial arts out of a wheelchair are possible. Therefore, this story is about me... and about the approximately 250 other disabled people to who I have taught self-defense over the past 5-1/2 years."
- Lydia Zijdel, Shuri-ryu Karate and Aikido, "Martial Arts Out of a Wheelchair"
"In Aikido women can see the power of the Yin/Yang dance... To dance on that border between the two opposites and to accept both sides as valid is to accept ourselves for what we really are... empowered."
-Elizabeth Hendricks, Aikido, "Women, Power, and Empowerment"
