from cover

I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement that will transform it forever in a very deep way. The martial arts will never be the same again for this influence, and that's what my life is about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process.-Coleen Gragen, Fifth-degree black belt Kajukenbo instructor

Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror explores in depth how, why, and to what effect women in considerable numbers are dedicating themselves to the martial arts. The twent-four women interviewed heree, aged twelve to eighty-three, discuss the physical and spiritual challenges of martial arts training and how it helps to bring meaning and purpose to their lives. Their disciplines range form T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Aikido to Judo, Capoeira, Jujutsu, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Wing Chun, Kajukenbo, and Kung Fu, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. Some were accomplished athletes before beginnnig, while others had never been comfortable with their physical bodies until discovering the martial arts. All have received deep spiritual nourishment through their practice.

Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror is an inspiration for anyone concerned with enhancing the physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of life, as well as those interested in self-defense and physical safety. Students of women's issues will find a wonderful collection of contemporary Americaln women who speak articulately about the forces that have shaped their lives.

Stephanie T. Hoppe coedited a two-volume anthology on women's relationships with animals and the natural world. Her many stories and interviews have appeared in anthologies and magazines, and she has also written several science fiction novels. She lives in Ukia, California, where she teaches T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the White Cloud Women's T'ai Chi School.

Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Hefting the Spear That Has Been Offered to Me
1 Taking Responsibility for Ourselves Janet Seaforth T'ai Chi'uan
2 The Oneness of All Things Gayle Fillman Aikido
3 A Question Larger Than Resolving Conflict Kathy Park Aikido
4 Balance Doesn't Always Mean Being Cool, Gathered, Contained Karina Epperlein T'ai Chi Ckh'uan
5 Something in the Movements Was Like Coming Home Wendy Palmer Aikido
6 Defying the Limits of What the Body Can Do Karlon Kepcke Capoeira
7 You Just Have To Do It and Do It and Do It Jane Golden T'ai Chi Ch'uan,
8 Finding the Fighting Roots Michelle Dwyer T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and Hsing Yi
9 I Have a Path, a Spiritual Path Wasentha Young T'ai Chi Chi'uan
10 A Martial art Developed by a Woman for Women Sandy Wong Wing Chun
11 The Difference for Me is That I Am Myself Midge Marino Judo and Women's Self-Defense
12 Women Will Transform the Martial arts Coleen Gragen Kajukenbo
13 An Inner Sense of Freedom Saskia Kleineert Jujutsu and Kajukenbo
14 Our Family Has Always Done Weapons Malyne Chkiu Kendo and Naginata
15 What I Create Teaches Me Janet E. Aalfs Shuri-ryu Karate and Modern Arnis
16 A Chinese Master Wen Mei You Taijiquan and Qigong
17 The More You Do the Mkore Things Come Together Lloyda French Kenpo Karate
18 There's More to Fighting Than Smashing Things Didi Goodman Tae Kwon Do and Cuong Nhu
19 Sixty Years on the Mat Keiko Fukuda Judo
20 Talking to the Future Arlean Harris, LaShonda Wilson, Emma Alegria Wildflower Neumann, Dzifa E. Dugba, and Janine Dalon Bruno Kajukenbo and Kung Fu
Epilogue: Reflections in the Mirror of My Practice
Glossary
Resources