Women and martial arts. Do they make sense together? Who is the martial arts woman? Can you envision your mother, sister, daughter, sibling or friend participating in the fighting arts? Why would they choose a martial art of all the activities, sports, and options available? If they do choose to practice martial arts, do they compromise their femininity or their ability to soften the hard edges of the world if they learn to fight?
Let’s start with the basics, because to answer any of the questions posed above requires us to backtrack into the single most important question of all. What makes up the martial arts woman?
The martial arts woman unites two opposite ends of a spectrum, femininity and fight. On one side, she is a beautiful soul, mother, wife, daughter, sister, or friend. On the other side, she is a woman who methodically pumps out explosive punches and kicks, escapes the grip of an attacker, or knocks an aggressor to his knees.
These scenarios are the tip of the iceberg. Underneath it all rests the true meaning of the martial arts woman. Her layers run deep and cascade through experiences, stereotypes, misunderstandings, obstacles, concerns and disbeliefs. She must overcome, persevere, and push through to reach the deep martial art layer. Her motivation is not always fully recognized.
In writing my first book, The Martial Arts Woman, I was in disbelief and wonder when I read some of the chapters provided by other martial art women. I saw a single thread that connects all martial art women together and is woven so tightly that it can never be unwound. All martial art women face devastating times, pains, and heartaches, and all also use martial arts to bring them back to center. I thought I was the only one who used martial arts to give me balance in life, until I read their stories and realized that it is a critical part of practice for most martial art women.
What prompts the martial arts woman to train? For some, martial arts are an interesting ambition and pursuit of personal excellence. Others practice because they were in abusive situations in the past that they do not ever want to happen again. One woman escaped from her country to begin a new life in America and later became a martial art master. Other women use their martial art mindset to survive excruciating cancer journeys. All this sparked a clearer understanding of my own martial art journey. Whenever I face devastation, I turn to my training as a way to resolve and push through. It is true. The martial arts woman unites her practice with her life, almost seemlessly.
The martial arts woman recognizes that martial art training is critical, but it is her own inner strength that creates true empowerment. She fulfills her various roles in life while continually honing her ability to protect and defend. The martial arts woman faces barriers in life, and she also faces obstacles in her training. When I began training, the three most difficult obstacles that I had to overcome in martial arts were yelling, fighting, and breaking (boards). In fact, I was taught to never use these actions. Childhood boys had carte blanche on these behaviors, but the girls of my generation were taught that these were not acceptable. Our goals were to be loving, caring, and courteous. I will not say that martial arts changed those aspects of my womanhood, but I certainly learned that there are two sides to every coin, and two sides to every martial art woman, the feminine and the fighter. There is honor in losing the soft touch when it comes to personal safety and defense.
Becoming a martial arts woman is not easily mastered. It requires genuine patience, perseverence, and humility. Martial art training gives women the strength to push through and overcome their personal and sometimes traumatic experiences. The woman martial artist has an incredible indomitable spirit. Years before my training, I would have cowered at stepping up to volunteer for something or expressing my opinion for fear of rejection or criticism. I would not have the physical and mental strength and confidence that I have today or the spirit or courage to step out and continually share the vision of the martial arts woman.
The martial arts woman does not learn anything different than a man, but rather, she interprets it differently and has a different perspective. Women in the arts are a magnificent blend of past and future. They bring a unique set of experiences and roles to their practice of martial arts.
The martial arts woman has a vision that is larger than herself. She sacrifices and scrimps to find time to practice. She defines herself by overcoming obstacles that seem insurmountable. She does not back down when times get tough. She learns to push through when she is at her lowest, and to appreciate when she is at the top of her game. Every woman, even your mother, wife, sister, daughter or friend, deserves to know how to protect, defend, and fight back when necessary. The martial arts woman is a unique contributor to the fascinating realm of martial arts.
What exactly makes up the martial arts woman? This is difficult to pinpoint. Yes, she is a wife, mother, sister and friend. She is also a martial art student, instructor and practitioner. Suffice it to say that a woman who practices a martial art, no matter where, how, or what style, earns a coveted title.
She is a martial arts woman.
xoxo
Andrea
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**** Exciting News!***Check out my new podcast with interviews of inspiring martial art women: https://anchor.fm/andrea-harkins
Pick up one of my motivational books:
The Martial Arts Woman: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Arts-Woman-Moti…/…/1544916213
Martial Art Inspirations for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Martial-Inspirations-Ev…/…/150297830X
