I asked powerful women in martial arts how training in their discipline helped them overcome issues, be stronger leaders and become more confident in themselves and less-self conscious of their bodies. I received so many replies from amazing women I decided to do a Martial Arts Mini Series. I hope you enjoy their stories of strength and endurance as much as I do.
Susan Harrow
Martial Arts for Women: Former Model Practices Self-Awareness in Daily Life
By Beverly Solomon
How has doing martial arts helped you in your business? Martial arts have given me more focus, discipline and confidence over the years in both sales and marketing for major fashion designers and now running my own art business.
Are you a better leader? I feel that I am a more confident leader. I also have learned through martial arts that you cannot B.S. yourself. Either you have what it takes to enter the fray, you develop what you need or you stay out of harm’s way.
How has training in martial arts has changed the way you feel about your body? Since I was a model for several years–including swim wear and lingerie–I have always had a good body image. However martial arts gave me an additional and fun way to stay in shape. And frankly, when you have a good body you need confidence to say “no” to a lot of people in a lot of situations.
I’d like to hear dramatic, moving, profound before and after stories. Where you started, what training has taught you, where you are now and how it’s affected your image of yourself. I first started training right after I married my husband artist Pablo Solomon. He had trained since childhood and was a master of several styles ( he even did classes for the Queen’s Guard in the Netherlands). However, he felt that I would benefit more if I had a teacher other than him. So he had me train with a Chinese master of Wing Chun literally in a room in the back of the guy’s restaurant–real movie stuff. The Wing Chun style was actually started by a female Buddhist monk several hundred years ago. It depends on slipping and deflecting attacks. I had never done anything like this before and it was both interesting and made me feel as if I could defend myself.
Actually, I never had to use my martial arts directly (although on our honeymoon in Mexico we were attacked on a moon light walk on the beach and Pablo kicked the crap out of three attackers using jujitsu throws). However, the alertness and confidence that I had gained saved my life at least once. I was working for Diane von Furstenberg in sales and marketing and was returning to my car on an open parking lot after a sales meeting. I could see a man stalking me and trying to circle me to approach me. I had an umbrella with me so I just dropped my briefcase and purse, took a strong stance and pointed my umbrella menacingly at the guy and shouted in a command voice “get away!” The guy was so shocked he actually left like a scared dog.
I’m also after concrete tips that would help other women become more calm, centered, confident.The best tip I can give is to use breathing, posture and focus at all times ( yoga is good for this also). The number one practical tip is to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Also, trust your instincts. If a situation feels wrong–get out. Do not worry about appearing paranoid, insensitive, etc. Just listen to that internal alarm and move. Also, always fight. It is better to be taken to the hospital from a parking lot after resisting and being shot or stabbed than to be kidnapped and raped and tortured to death over a long period of torment.
I’m particularly interested in Aikido because of the “way of harmony” philosophy and since I began training a year ago. Aikido is a hybrid of Japanese sword technique and jujitsu. Pablo is very good at Aikido as well as several other arts. His comment is that Aikido is very good but requires many years of training to reach a point where it will do you a lot of good on the street. His advice to me and most other women is to carry an ice pick. If you are too timid to rip out a rapist’s eyes, you probably don’t really value your life very much.
Please let me know the type of martial arts you do, how long you’ve been training, and your rank. I have trained formally and with Pablo for the 35 years of our marriage. Let’s just say that I can defend myself. As Pablo who has taught martial arts around the world says, ” A real master worries more about his belt holding up his pants than about its color impressing others.”
My name is Beverly Solomon and am currently Creative Director for musee-solomon. I was a model and then an account executive in sales and marketing for Diane von Furstenberg, Revlon and Ralph Lauren. I now live and work with my husband internationally recognized artist Pablo Solomon on our 1856 historic ranch in the Texas Hill Country north of Austin. I manage our art business and also provide expertise in the areas of art, fashion and beauty. I have been featured in books, newspapers, magazines and TV. You can see me at http://www.beverlysolomon.com/
