Girl Power in the Martial Arts
I recall a class I taught a couple of years ago, here in Brantford when during the Mokuso, I opened my eyes and quickly looked down the line up of students and emotion overcame me. It was in that moment I realized that every single person in that particular class, from beginner to instructor was a female. My first thought was, “ wow, look at how far we have come in the martial arts!” it made me so proud that so many fellow females have embraced a life in the martial arts. I could remember when the majority of students in a class were male and very few females trained.
There was a time when most people thought that martial arts were for males. The old martial arts masters, movie stars, even the role of a ‘Sensei’ in a dojo, all were males. These were who we heard about the most.. What most people do not realize is that females have played a fundamental role in Martial Arts for centuries. From Samurai women such as Hangaku Gozen and Tomoe Gozen who were skilled in the art of the Naginata, to Lin Siniang who formed an all female army and trained them in martial arts to help rescue a king, to Mitamura Kengyo the headmistress in the 1800’s who trained women and girls in Tendo-Ryu, all were real Martial Artists. In fact in early Japan, females were often trained in Naginata and it was considered as important of a skill as knowing how to keep house or sew. They believed that training in the martial arts strengthen the spirit of the female, kept her strong should she ever have to defend her homestead. As time moved on, more and more females practiced different Martial Arts all over the world.
We have seen such a growth in females in the martial arts. From Keiko Fukuda a well known 10th Dan in Judo to Cynthia Rothrock an accomplished martial artist, action star in martial arts movies to Ronda Rousey a well known MMA fighter who has gained world popularity in recent years. There have been countless women in Martial Arts who have dedicated their lives to an art and have become accomplished martial artists. I can remember being a young girl and competing at many tournaments here in Ontario and one such female role model for me was Marion Manzo. I can remember her kata and thought to myself, I hope I can be that good one day! She had amazing technique and I always enjoyed watching her compete.
I think females training in martial arts are very important to a dojo. Traditionally, we were taught to be soft, feminine, passive. For some it is till this way. This isn’t good. Girls need to be able to recognize their inner power, their strength and gain confidence in how they carry themselves and project themselves in the world. We need to learn how to protect ourselves at the same time and the Martial Arts helps to develop all of this. Having the balance of male- female in a dojo is so important. It teaches our young males that females are just as capable as the males, that girls can fight and defend themselves every bit as good as a boy can. It shows both men and women that having a strong female role model is every bit as as important as having a strong male role model. This is one legacy we can leave for future generations of the martial arts.
To all the amazing women of the martial arts who came before, all of the incredible female role models in the martial arts who inspire us whether it is as our Sensei, instructor, action star, MMA fighter, to all of the future female martial artists, thank you! All I can say is look out boys, Girl Power in the martial arts is here to stay!
Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program.
tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com
http://www.warrenerentertainment.com/women-s-self-defense/
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