Women in the Martial Arts (Io Series, No 46) [Paperback]

Carol Wiley (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Io Series, No 46 | Publication Date: January 15, 1993

Many women learn of martial arts through a male companion's interest in kung-fu movies or a six-week self-defense course. Some venture beyond. This book contains the stories, in essay and poetry form, of a group of women who have trained for at least seven years in this demanding activity. Many speak of martial arts as an equalizer of power, with skill being more important than raw strength. Other benefits include endurance, confidence, and determination. There are a variety of viewpoints among this select group, which ranges from a physically disabled student to a Native American practitioner. This collection fills an important niche in a male-dominated sport.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Many women learn of martial arts through a male companion's interest in kung-fu movies or a six-week self-defense course. Some venture beyond. This book contains the stories, in essay and poetry form, of a group of women who have trained for at least seven years in this demanding activity. Many speak of martial arts as an equalizer of power, with skill being more important than raw strength. Other benefits include endurance, confidence, and determination. There are a variety of viewpoints among this select group, which ranges from a physically disabled student to a Native American practitioner. While some essays are better than others and a majority of women are aikido trained (a "softer" style), this collection fills an important niche in a male-dominated sport. For sports and women's studies collections.
- J. Sara Paulk, Concord
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Carol A. Wiley has been an engineer, an MBA student, and a technical writer. Since 1979 she has trained in the martial arts. Currently, she studies Aikido in Bellevue, Washington.

Product Details

• Paperback: 152 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books (January 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556431368
• ISBN-13: 978-1556431364
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #902,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carol Wiley studied martial arts (mostly Tae Kwon Do and Aikido) for almost 20 years. The anthologies "Women in the Martial Arts" and "Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching" are her contribution to the martial arts literature. Carol's background includes eight years as a technical writer/editor and almost 12 years as a Licensed Massage Practitioner. Carol is now a freelance writer offering a variety of services - you can learn more at www.clearconcisewriting.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Feminine Take on the Martial Arts, July 28, 2005

By 

Erik Olson "Seeker Reviews" (Ridgefield, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Women in the Martial Arts (Io Series, No 46) (Paperback)

As a Karate ShoDan, I'm responsible for instructing a diverse student body. I work with quite a few women and girls at the dojo, so I was looking for a book with insights into what makes them tick as martial artists. I ran across "Women in the Martial Arts," and it was helpful. Of course, I don't claim to have achieved a profound level of insight into the female condition. But I'd like to think I'm less ignorant now than I was before reading it.

This book is a collection of essays by high-ranking women from various styles. Some of them document their personal journey though the martial arts. It was disturbing that a few had experienced physical and emotional damage from abuse and other acts of violence. As a result, they were looking for a path to empowerment, and thus discovered Tai Chi, Aikido, or another fighting style. Just showing up to class was an act of courage for a couple of them. And even those women without a lot of baggage had to overcome a particular hang-up, such as body acceptance or dealing with men in a physical manner. But despite some struggles, they were able to heal and grow while gaining mastery in their particular art. I found these autobiographical segments to be inspirational.

Other writers focused on general aspects of the martial arts. For example, one instructor wrote about developing the senses in order to avoid surprise attack. Others expounded on the dynamics of women teaching women, the meaning of the black belt, and even martial arts for the disabled (written by a woman who practices and teaches Karate and Aikido out of a wheelchair). Regardless of their slant, I was fascinated by how they came to terms with a feminine perspective towards the martial arts. Some of the women had to overcome what they felt was a female predisposition towards passivity, especially when dealing with male students. Others believed that the only way to succeed was by imitating male rigidity and aggressiveness. Either way, once they discovered their power, they often became the terrors of their dojo! At that point, they had to abandon their preconceptions and achieve a uniquely feminine balance of flexibility and ferocity, both internally and externally.

Some readers, especially male ones, may struggle with the feminist vibe of "Women in the Martial Arts." Indeed, many of the authors began practicing martial arts as part of their participation in the Women's Movement during the 1970s (the book was published in 1992). So there's a definite "female power" thread throughout these essays. This made me wonder if the younger women in my class had different reasons for joining, along with post feminist attitudes towards their practice. Still, there are good insights within this book for any martial artist, regardless of gender.