Women in Aikido (Paperback)

by Andrea Siegel (Author) "CATHERINE: One time, to demonstrate the power of ki, they asked me to be very, very strong, like a board..." (more)
Key Phrases: doing aikido, chi chili, black belt test, Chiba Sensei, San Francisco, Bay Area (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Aikido is a different form of martial art. Aikido does not meet force with force, but instead teaches harmonizing and blending with an opponent. More than just a method of self-defense, it is an exacting and exciting art which has attracted many women to its discipline and practice. Women in Aikido is a collection of interviews with twelve women black belts. It is about women and power, women in their relationships with others and themselves, and women realizing the internal power that will enable them to change their lives.

About the Author
Aikido is a different form of martial art. Aikido does not meet force with force, but instead teaches harmonizing and blending with an opponent. More than just a method of self-defense, it is an exacting and exciting art which has attracted many women to its discipline and practice. Women in Aikido is a collection of interviews with twelve women black belts. It is about women and power, women in their relationships with others and themselves, and women realizing the internal power that will enable them to change their lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books; 2nd Print edition (May 25, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556431619
• ISBN-13: 978-1556431616
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,166,043 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biographies of some of the U.S.A.'s Premier Female Aikido-ka, February 9, 2003

By	C. J. Hardman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What makes this book valuable are the unique and candid insights offered by the women interviewed. All are interesting--and each differs markedly from the others in experience and interpretation of what Aikido is, what Aikido means. Because some people seem to be frightened by anything which includes women alone, I should probably mention that this is NOT a "man-bashing" book. It simply focuses upon the experiences of a unique subgroup of people--women Aikido-ka (Aikido Students). Nor would I categorize this as a "woman's book", as I think that ANY aikido practitioner, male or female, will appreciate and enjoy the recollections of the unique people featured here.

While it is popular (and conveniently pithy) to say that there is no difference between male and female in Aikido, the truth is that women often are treated differently by other Aikido people (or in certain organizations), sometimes because of the teacher's view of them as females, sometimes because they as individuals have different views, needs or goals. We are living in the real world, and unfortunately not the pleasant nirvana of ultimate Aikido ideals--people must still cope with fear and sorrow along with joy and power. The women in this book shy away from neither.

The author has put together a unique collection of experiences collected from interviews with a diverse range of women. If you enjoy reading about the personal experiences of people who delve inside the meaning of their martial art, people who love to practice and find meaning, you will enjoy reading this book. Included are: Catherine Tornbom, Lorraine DiAnne, Carol Sanoff, Cress Forester, Sue Ann McKean, Kathy Park, Diane Daffner, Cyndi Hayashi-Clark, Beth Hall, Sarah Wada, Peggy Berger, and Cheryl Reinhardt. I hope to see another expanded edition in the future, Andrea Siegel has done an excellent job here!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, March 13, 2000

By A Customer

Think [e-mail] is bitter much? No section on her, apparently, in this book. What there ARE sections on in this book are rich profiles of women of diverse backgrounds and personal accounts of how aikido affects their lives. Motivational, informational; I read it cover to cover as soon as I got it. A great read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for women aikidoka., April 15, 1999

By A Customer

I have owned this book for five years. I find myself returning to it over and over again as I ponder the gap between the ethos of aikido and the gender dynamics that too often are found in aikido dojos. Sure it is West Coast USA oriented, but unlike a recent reviewer I find it helpful and inspiring to read about the experience of (some) other women aikidoka. I recommend this book for women and men interested in the experience (rather than the theory) of aikido.