Susan Harrow

My Name Is Gabrielle Rubin And I Started Studying Martial Arts When I Was 12 Years Old. I Was A Skinny Kid With A Big Mouth And One Day Found Myself In Trouble Because Of It. I Hated Feeling Afraid, So I Asked My Mom To Enroll Me Into Martial Arts. It Is Now 23 Years Later And I Am Still Studying. Throughout My Training I Have practiced 3 Styles (Jujitsu, Kenpo, And Goju-ryu)…I Am A Black Belt.

I Always Say The Reason Why You Start Taking Martial Arts Is Always Different than Why you Continue To Take It. I Started For Self Defense And Continue With It Because It Is Now My Way Of Life. I Started As A Hyper, Obnoxious Kid And Transformed Into A Very Zen Person.

Martial Arts contribute To How I Handle And Perceive Things. People Always Say There Is Something About Me That Exudes A Strong Sense Of Self, Yet they Find Me Very Approachable. I Know That My Training Has Contributed To How I Carry Myself. I Am Calm, Yet Strong.

Martial Arts Has Always Played A Role In My Career As Well. Look At What My First Boss Wrote 8 Years After Knowing Me:

“When I First Met Gabi There Was Something Special And Unique Out Of All Her Qualifications On Her Resume That Jumped Out At Me – Her Black Belt In Karate. I Knew It Was Indicative Of Her Dedication, Confidence, Discipline, Mental Strength, And Strong Sense Of Self, And Would Be An Asset In Our Crazy, Ever-changing World Here. And They Were.” That Was Written By Christina Norman, Who Went On To Be The President Of MTV And Is Currently The CEO Of Oprah’s Network OWN.

So, Not Only Has Martial Arts Help Me Flourish In My Career, It Is The Backbone Of What I Am Doing Now.

I Felt Compelled To Share What I Have Learned Over The Years And To “pay It Forward”. I Decided To Take All My Training And I Started Female Awareness Self Defense In 2007. 

It Feels Amazing To Show People How To Use Their Body, Show Them How It Can Move/doesn’t Move. I Love Seeing Them Get Excited When They Discover Their Strength. There Is Always One Move They Love And Never Knew They’d Be Good At. There Is Usually A Technique They Can Attribute To Something In Their World. For Example: The Ones Who Have Played Tennis Are Great At Releasing From Someone Grabbing Their Arm. (The Move Is Swinging From The Back And “slapping” Their Other Thigh-similar To Tennis Serve)

The People In My Class Always Walk Away Feeling More Confident, Happy, Empowered And Excited. My Class Covers Much More Then Just The Physical, Which Is How I Separate Myself From The Pack. Knowing that Attacks Begin Before It’s Physical, I Show Women The Mental Component, How To See The Signs, How To Assess Situations, And How To Carry Themselves So They Can Avoid An Attack Altogether. Most People Think That Martial Arts Is All Physical. That Is Only A Small Part Of It…

If You Would Like To Speak With Me About Anything In Further Detail Or Ask Me Anything For Your Article, Please Feel Free To Reach Out To Me, I Would Be Delighted To Contribute More.

PS – I Love Aikido And Suggest That Style To Those Who Want To Further Their Studies. I Love The Idea Of Using Other People’s Energy And Going With It As Oppose To Trying To Fight Or Stop It. My Life Is Conducive To That Way Of Living. My Mantra: If You Fight The Rapids You Will Drown, Bob With Them Like A Cork And You Will Always Stay Above The Water.

Gabrielle Rubin is the founder and instructor of Female Awareness, Inc., a New York City based self defense company with the goal of teaching women how to Be Safe, Be Smart and Be Strong. A black belt with more than 20 years of martial arts training, Gabrielle has studied three styles of karate: Goju-ryu, Kenpo and Jujitsu. She has trained in Japan, taught in Nevis, and studied with sensei George Wells, a Martial Arts Hall of Fame Grand Master. In her NYC dojo, Gabi is not only the highest-ranking student; she’s the only woman to maintain her title.

“Since I believe that attacks begin before it becomes physical, preventing an attack altogether is the goal of Female Awareness. My students learn how to minimize the chance of being targeted and how to respond effectively through mental strategy, prevention tactics, and easy-to-remember defensive moves.”

For open enrollment classes, private group instruction, corporate seminars, school safety programs, please visit Gabrielle’s web site.

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Susan Harrow

I grew up surrounded by a family of Aikido experts.  My brother and father began training at NY Aikikai more than 40 years ago, and my Uncle and cousins in England all hold high level degree black belts in the art. I took a few classes in Aikido as well, for a short time when I was twelve years old. You can say that the Martial Arts are in my blood!

It wasn’t until six weeks after the birth of my second child, and at the age of 35, that I began MY ‘formal’ Martial Arts training.  Signing up for classes at Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts (a hybrid of Aikido, Jiu Jitsu and Karate) back in February of 2000 was the best move I ever made – it changed my life for the better! I lost more than 40 lbs and gained a tremendous amount of self-confidence and discipline. I earned my first degree black belt in November of 2003 – one of the highlights of my life.  Training has become a way of life for me!

In addition to my continued MMA training, and having been a huge Bruce Lee fan my entire life, I signed up for JKD (Jeet Kune Do) classes. Jeet Kune Do translates as “The way of the intercepting fist”.  I love Bruce’s philosophy of using ‘No Way as Way’, and that each individual has his or her own ‘style’.

When I turned 40 years old I was in the best shape of my life, both mentally AND physically.  I was in better shape than most 20 year olds!  I became a Certified Personal Trainer and started my own part time/in home personal training business – Tigress Personal Fitness.   In addition, I teach women’s self defense and safety awareness – of which I am extremely passionate!

In 2008, after my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer,  I founded the ‘Moms Who Kick’ – a non-profit organization – to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.  The monies raised are donated to the American Cancer Society. To date, the Moms Who Kick have raised more than $25,000!  The Moms Who Kick is a unique twist on a very important issue.  It began as an idea consisting of Martial Arts Moms, over 40 years old, ‘Kicking for the Cure’!

In a nutshell:  The Martial Arts help me in my business by giving me the tools and confidence to train others.

I am a strong, motivated and passionate leader.

At the age of 45, I am in the best physical and mental condition I have EVER been in, and as a result,  I LOVE my body!    I have a high level of self confidence, self discipline and self esteem.

I have a strong sense of empowerment and inner strength – and I attribute it all to my Martial Arts training!

Joanne Hutchins is a Certified Personal Trainer and a First Degree Black Belt in Karate.

She delivers powerful and motivational safety seminars to corporations and women’s groups.

Joanne is the Founder of the ‘Moms Who Kick’, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. More information can be found at http://www.MomsWhoKick.com and http://www.TigressPersonalFitness.com

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Susan Harrow

Training in Aikido has changed my life personally and professionally. For the past 15-plus years, I’ve been practicing Aikido both on and off the mat. I founded Portsmouth Aikido (Portsmouth, NH, USA) in 1995, and am currently a second degree black belt. I’m also the founder and owner of Power & Presence Training, offering programs on conflict and communication skills that use Aikido as a metaphor and teaching tool. In 2006, I wrote the book, Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict – stories and practices about Aikido applications in the real world. I happen to think the stories are dramatic and moving, and some are profound. You can read two chapters on my Web site.

Since you practice Aikido, you know how many ways the principles can be used in daily life. Personally, I’ve learned through Aikido how to be more assertive. As a natural accommodator and appeaser, my patterned response in conflict is to try to make everyone happy. Practicing Aikido has helped me find my power and my voice in difficult situations. When appropriate, I can now more easily say no, ask for what I want, and express a difference of opinion. Aikido’s emphasis on tanden or one-point has taught me how to center myself and that centering is a choice I can make at any time. When I’m centered, I’m calmer, more confident, and wiser. I’m able to connect with my best intentions and lead others by aligning with theirs.

Aikido’s emphasis on using the opponent’s energy has helped me (and helps my clients) transform conflict into opportunity and resistance into connection. Aikido helps with inner conflicts, too. The link below is a story from my monthly newsletter, Ki Moments, that applies to many women, I think.

Judy Ringer is the author of Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict. She provides conflict and communication training throughout North America with unique workshops based on mind/body principles from the martial art Aikido, in which she holds a second-degree black belt.

Judy is also the author of two CDs, Managing Conflict in the Workplace: An Aiki Approach, and Simple Gifts: Making the Most of Life’s Ki Moments, as well as the award-winning newsletter, Ki Moments.

Judy is founder of Portsmouth Aikido and sole owner of Power & Presence Training, in Portsmouth, NH.

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Susan Harrow

Martial Arts for Women: Presence and Intent Helps Resolve Conflict Quickly
By Ginny Breeland

Call me the reluctant aikidoka. I was a skeptic (not a cynic), a doubting Thomas (not a disbeliever), and a pragmatist (not a non-conformist). For a length of time Aikido was nothing to me but exercise. 30 years ago my sister dragged me into my first Aikido class. I was 18 ys old and knew nothing of the art, but such things happen for reasons for it was there that I met my future husband, #1 fan, and uke, Pete.  Regardless of how it all began, Aikido has had a profound impact on my life.

It may have been my size, 5′ 100 lbs that led me to question whether I could really do this art. The philosophy seemed too esoteric. But since I was a good student, I learned the techniques and my husband and I continued practicing. He, my mentor and my security blanket. We practiced for years and progressed.  When I got my black belt I was still insecure but felt I better attend to my studies more seriously because here I now stood with this great big black flag called a hakama.

How has it affected my business?  I have worked as a cytotechnologist in a pathology lab for the last 25 years. Doctors were my bosses and I had always done my job quietly and efficiently. I kept my good opinions to myself even when I disagreed with conclusions and diagnosis. Aikido gave me the confidence and foresight to be able to stand toe to toe with my superiors. Notice, toe to toe, not head to head (or headlong).

Aikido taught me how to approach indirectly and end up side by side. I was able to get my opinions heard and acknowledged. The model of conflict resolution that constructs Aikido physically had entered my interaction off the mat. I began to understand. Aikido allowed me to make my point with no threat, and with more certainty. It often left my superiors confused but not antagonized. In Aikido you make his intent your intent so your intent can be ‘heard’. It also taught me how to give respect and receive respect as well. It changed how people at work approached me and some were puzzled.

With my 2nd degree black belt I started to teach, again with reluctance, after all what could I teach a 6 foot tall man? But this was the greatest opportunity of growth.  Sometimes I messed up, so I understood what it meant to invest in loss, because I learned. At the time I only had begun to carry myself with confidence, thank goodness my Sensei knew more about me than I did. But I still felt not taken seriously as a woman, men walked past me to train with other men. I decided it was my presence. My brain had to be fixed.  here was nothing I could do about my size and gender, but a lot I could do about my Presence.

When I became 3rd degree black belt the growth continued. It was a very physical time of learning. I consumed every style and training I could while balancing a family and job. I practiced many styles but kept my Iwama core. The problem was it just a very good outer physical core. It was really not until I was a 4th degree black belt that I suddenly felt one with my sword and jo. What a surprising feeling. I had thought I had accomplished this long ago, when I knew all the katas and taught them. But not really, now this oneness was an epiphany. I learned the dimensions like words. The differences between attention, concentration, and focus. These words are not the same and yet I had treated them so. Once again I was humbled and decided to take some steps back and stop assuming I knew. Truth was, the more you know, the more you do not know.

It was at this time of immense growth that life collapsed when my son became seriously ill and permanently disabled. Sometimes it is through the randomness and the wanderings in life that the depth and severity of existence is revealed. Through trauma, life change, or the simple pursuit for deeper meaning do we discover the path for simple existence. What was complex was now easy. What was arduous was now a daily endeavor, and what was difficult has oddly a shown pathway of the coexistence of joy and pain. Since our bodies carry our histories, when I returned to Aikido, a couple of years later, I had totally changed and so had my Aikido. Techniques became more acute, basics were the advanced material. I dispensed with useless showy movement. The universe had shifted from me to now my uke being the center of the universe and I in the periphery. I also felt a responsibility to contribute in helping humanity.

O Sensei had a military position in WWII as it began and perhaps of what he witnessed caused him to retreat into the country and create Aikido. The art that resolves conflict preserving both attacker and defender. He manipulated limbs to their natural extent and immobilized his opponents with closed circles (arm locks) or open circles (throwing uke) limbs were manipulated to full extent but not broken. What was his motivation? The atrocities of war? Aikido is known as the art of peace.

In all martial arts there are more similarities then differences. Masters get past the physical and encourage avoidance of conflict as well. Better to move like a shadow, respond like an echo, rest like a mirror, conform like water.

In our daily lives how can this affect us? What are we able to do even though we do not practice any martial arts? And if we do, how do we past the physical? The physical in martial arts is necessary, though other work can lead toward understanding service and peace. Commitment and arduous work in one form or another is all that is required.  Some of what we can do is:

1. Do your best everyday.
   There are few perfect warriors, our goal is to try and be impeccable.
2. Live like and respect nature.
   Accept things as they are, follow the natural course of things and be patient, don’t always expect instant results.
3. Be aware.
   Look so you can really ‘see’. Hear so you can feel what is happening around you. Feel so you can sense.  Follow but be the first to move.
4. Have compassion with wisdom so limits are not exhausted.
   Care for every being not just those you can gain from but the disheartened and the lost.
5. Tend to your own fruitfulness.
   Claim your own space. Meditate, Laugh, be Brave. Be in the company of those who promote health.

Martial arts provides a physical meditation. Hard work, leaving your zone of comfort, willingness and open mindedness allow you to arrive at the door to be ready to be of service to others much sooner than simply wanting to look good. As we move along with life we realize that what we thought was our own learning should ultimately transfer into a desire to teach and care for others like nature with no discrimination and no expectations in return. There are many pitfalls along the way. Aikido has illuminated dimensions for me and still I know there is more. I continue to study as it never ends, it is a lifelong process.

Ginny Breeland, 5th Dan, studied Exfoliative Cytology at the UCSF Medical center and has worked in a Pathology lab for over 25 years as a Cytotechnologist. Ginny has combined studying the brain and the art and science of learning/teaching. She and her husband, Pete, have trained for over 30 years and teach at Cotati Aikido. Ginny has taught Aikido for over ten years, integrating ideas on brain science, the balance between the right and left, yin and yang, the body and logic, the unconscious and the conscious. Ginny uses all of this in her mission to make Aikido accessible to anyone and everyone.

Favorite Morihei Ueshiba (founder of Aikido) quote: “The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow…apply the Art to all that you encounter.”

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Susan Harrow

Martial Arts Background
I began my Aikido training in January 1982 at age thirty-three. I carry the rank of 6th degree black belt. I am the founder and director of Society of Aikido Centers since 2002.

How has martial arts helped you in your business?
Being an Aikido teacher has become my business career. It has helped me to focus on one thing at a time as we were taught in randori (freestyle). That being in a calm state helps us make better decisions. Whereas I was shy, I learned to be assertive.

Are you a better leader?
I continue to develop myself personally to be a better leader. The expansion of going through the personal transformation compelled me to write my first publication “The Martial Art of Life, The Art of Intentional Living” which is about the concepts that helped the self-actualization to take place.

How has training in martial arts has changed the way you feel about your body?
In 1982, at age 33 and being 5’1″ and 84 lbs, I studied martial arts for self-defense reasons. I was shy, reactive and took most things personally. My self-esteem was not very high. In the study of Aikido, you begin to learn about the mind, body, and spirit connection. As we learn to manage energy, we connect with our spirit. By connecting to our spirit, you can connect with intent. The whole basis behind Aikido is rooted in intent.

As I began to develop in the art, I learned how to use my body in a way which wasn’t based on physical strength. The mind and spirit have no size and I found the mental and spiritual aspects especially intriguing. Only when I saw myself in photos or videos, then I understood why others made such comments about my small stature. However, as I continued to train and focus on internal energy, the students on the receiving end began to feel the power of my movements. Something had changed and my perception of myself was transforming. What my size reflected was not my identity.

When you started what has the training taught you?
It has taught me that we create an image of ourselves and others are picking up the vibration of how we feel about ourselves. If we focus on our lack of, they feel it. If we focus on self-development, we will always be successful.

I went through a personal struggle in the beginning of my training since I couldn’t understand how my size could be effective. I was frustrated and from the student’s perspective it looked like I wouldn’t survive, but my spirit would not allow it.

Where you are now and how has it affected your image of yourself?
It is now twenty-eight years later. In 2002, in my twentieth year I created my own organization, Society of Aikido Centers. It also placed me in a position of being the first female to head an international Aikido organization in the U.S. I was discovering who I was being the “leader” which meant being the creator, innovator and learning how to manage the organization which consisted of 90% male students. Throughout my training because of my physical stature, my rank and being a female, I was consistently tested by the male students. I had to learn this art and learn it well. Now in my early sixties at 5’1″ and 96 lbs. with six grandchildren, I am still discovering the creativity of this profound art. When you make changes on the inside, the outside will change on its own. It is better to be the real you because when you root your movements in fear, it is always wrong.
What could help other women feel calm, centered and confident?
I teach using ‘soft gaze’ in my classes. Being in soft gaze allows a person to see the attackers in an unfocussed way, to look at them as part of a scene as opposed to looking at them directly. By doing this they can center very easily in the same way when someone walks behind them. By staying calm and feeling the situation, the field of energy, then you will know when to move. It’s that field of energy fluctuation that is the information necessary to move before you are touched. The way to be centered is not to focus. You can immediately feel the switch from being apprehensive, fearful and reactive to feeling calm, centered and being responsive in the moment. I encourage the students to use it as often as they can to heighten their awareness. This is one of the best tips I would give anyone.

I’d like to hear a dramatic, moving, profound before and after story.
Although I was making great strides in my profession as an Aikido instructor, there were challenges in my personal life that needed to be understood. I felt encumbered by past issues, issues in the present and fears that there was nothing I could change and the very fear of change. When I look back I could see that this encapsulated my life and showed in my appearance and in my beliefs.

Then a door opened and the concepts were through that door. The concepts which were given to me to write the book are profound and different from the traditional Aikido principles. High spiritual beings channeled through a medium instructed me on understanding of how the universe works. This is when things started to develop. I didn’t feel alone anymore and I became a little bit stronger. As I became stronger, I pushed away the negativities in my life. I wrote how these concepts of the universe work and I am now passionate about my life, my endeavors, my focus and my destiny. Once you begin on this path, there is no going back. I was actually teaching these concepts without applying them because I did not know they could be applied. I use these concepts more all the time and even when I begin to feel otherwise, I mentally say “I’m capable of handling this.” These concepts change your existence.

Lynn Fabia is an Aikido teacher (6th degree black belt), lecturer and author. She has always had a deep desire for higher understanding. Although she was making great strides in her profession as an Aikido instructor, there were challenges in her personal life that needed to be understood. My journey began as one who was shy, reactive and fearful of many things, causing me to be limited in my understanding of life. Then a door opened and the life concepts were through that door that took me to a place in my mind and spirit that changed my life forever. Her book “The Martial Art of Life, The Art of Intentional Living” is based on the teachings of high spiritual beings that have availed her the opportunity to learn some of the most powerful tools in mankind’s interactions. Read her personal transformation to self-actualization.

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Susan Harrow

It is now many years later.  Life has come full circle.  I am the instructor and I am recruiting blind and sighted members to my judo club. I want to give to my students what judo has given to me.
 
Unlike some martial arts, judo needs no adaptation for blind players. Blind players have been active in judo for many years, practicing with sighted players on an equal basis.  My students and I have attended many tournaments and clinics, both large and small and we have never been excluded or shown any favoritism.  For blind children, judo can provide an opportunity to be “just one of the kids” both at practice and when attending club activities.

This is as it should be, as it benefits both the blind and sighted players and embodies the philosophy of judo as well.
 
Judo is a full contact form of self-defense that includes throwing techniques, pins, chokes and joint-locks.  A basic principle of judo is that a small person can throw a larger person by using the motion of the larger person to throw himself.  In this way, if a person pushes you, then you pull them into a throw.
 
The physical benefits of judo practice include self-defense training, weight control, and physical fitness.  With regular practice there is a noticeable improvement in balance, coordination and orientation. Judo is enjoyed by men and women of all ages from small children to adults.  It is a great way to get back into shape and stay in shape while having a lot of fun too.  One aspect of judo that I enjoy is that it challenges your mind as well as your body. Other forms of exercise can be boring and it is easy to loose interest in them.
 
There is a philosophical benefit to judo training.  As you challenge yourself you gain a feeling of accomplishment that carries over to all aspects of life.  The knowledge that you can handle a physical conflict makes a verbal conflict much less threatening.  You will find that you develop a strength of mind to stand up for what you believe in, but also a strength of mind that will allow you to step back when it is wise.
 
As skills and attitudes develop, the school yard bully becomes less of a concern. The blind person walking down the deserted street isn’t as vulnerable as some might think. The person who attempts to be dominating, finds they are not successful.
 
I hope I have sparked an interest in you to learn judo.  It can change your life as it has changed mine.  Challenge yourself!

When I started studying the martial arts I had no idea of how completely it would change my life.  I met my husband in martial arts classes and our children grew up practicing with us. 
 
I carry a sense of calm confidence when working in our computer security business, advocating for and mentoring blind children, being politically active and of course teaching the martial arts.

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Susan Harrow

A friend taught me some Aikido moves back when I was in my 20s – I did not have the money to study it formally then, but showed the moves to my boyfriend who was delighted with how a small woman could move a much larger man with almost no effort.

Long story short, my boyfriend became my husband and we both started studying Tai chi chuan back in the 1980s. Why Tai Chi? Because my husband was throwing out his neck doing plastering and the chiropractor told him to do some kind of exercise that would balance out the sides of his body. I took it up just for health and to help handle stress. My husband, Rick, studied intensively with Master William CC Chen in Manhattan. I did it once in a while. 

Years went by, Master Chen told Rick to start teaching. At this point we had three children and a small construction company. When he started teaching, I started going to his class and really learning tai chi. The form was great for health and stress reduction, but I found that push hands was incredible for me. Push hands is a two person exercise where you try to throw your partner off balance. (and to maintain your own balance while doing so) There were not a lot of women in class, so I got to practice push hands with a lot of men. Since they were almost all bigger, stronger and more aggressive than I was, I leaned to neutralize incoming force by deflecting, by getting out of the way, by finding their weak spots and being faster then they were.

Not only did I get stronger and more balanced, but I became confident that I could at least confront incoming force. Tai chi also has martial applications and it was fun and empowering to know how to disengage from grabs easily, how to deflect force, etc. 

Years went by. The construction company hit rough times and went bust. I went back to work in an office to handle finances while Rick started to study Polarity Therapy while continuing to teach Tai Chi. Rick started teaching a yearly workshop in Sedona, Arizona called TaiChi Alchemy, bringing together Tai Chi students and teachers from around the country to share approaches, exercises, knowledge of internal martial arts. 

It was at this yearly workshop that I met incredible women from around the country. All of these women practice tai chi, some teach it, some are accomplished and some are beginners. They have various occupations, an artist in Florida, a poet in NY, a musician in Connecticut, a homeopathic physician in CA, etc.,etc. We have been doing this workshop once a year for the past 15 years. You can see some photos on my husbands website.

Years went by. Rick wrote a book about his approach to Tai Chi. My whole take on it changed. Learned to practice energetic coherence. Got more and more into internal energy and using least amount of effort to do the job. Realized that I was using these principals constantly in my life and work. Started seeing correlations between the tai chi practice and energy medicine. Realized that I was rarely ever sick these days. (not true 10 years ago) As one of Ricks senior students, I help to coach others. The past couple years, Rick has been teaching us a new approach to push hands, and I have seen women in particular blossom with this approach. Confronting incoming energy of any sort – physical, emotional, mental – is easier. Awareness is up. Reaction time is way up. Ability to deal with whatever comes up is now effortless.   Meanwhile, raised my kids, have been working in IT for the past 15 years. My daughter, who graduated from college last year, considers the TaiChi Alchemy workshop crowd to be her extended family. 

If you want tips for women to get centered, etc., let me know and I will get you info on energetic coherence. I do not have a business and am not a leader, so I probably wouldn’t be right for your article. However, I know lots of taichi women, so perhaps I can put you in touch with someone who would qualify. Tell me what you are looking for and Ill reach out to the tai chi community. 

I really think you need to consider writing about Tai Chi. Internal energy cultivation is possible for women of all ages. (I’m 60 now and better than I ever was at push hands and applications) Its a martial art that can be done at any age. It increases balance and overall health, and it can totally help you deal with life with equanimity.

Maria Barrett has been practicing tai chi chuan for almost 30 years. Tai chi works with internal energy rather than muscular force. Coherent energy can be incredibly strong, fast and effective. As a senior student of her husband, Rick Barrett, Maria especially enjoys helping students to be comfortable with incoming force and with their own power. She is a big fan of using taichi principles in life, to handle physical, mental, emotional energy, and to feel good in your own skin.

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Susan Harrow

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/

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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

Congratulations to you for practicing in the martial arts. It is really a calming approach to staying fit.

My main reason for staring MMA two years ago was medically based. I was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 35 and after my surgeries, my doctors at Sloan Kettering told me I had to log a minimum of five hours of exercise each week.

I grew up as a ballerina, but realized as an adult I really didn’t love it. I also went to the gym from time to time, but never got the warm and fuzzy from it. What I did find and has propelled me forward on so many levels is the practice of Mixed Martial Arts. It is such an intense workout and the fact that you partner with another person each time is very motivating. You then have the ability to build friendships and look forward not only to the workout, but the individuals who you will also see on the mat. The individuals I generally partner with understand my limitations and work with me.

I am currently a green belt and am more than half-way towards my black belt. I am still working on my body image. Looking at me, you would say what?!? However, I think each person has their own criticisms about their body.

My husband notices how my body has changed over the past two years and it for the better. It is more sculpted and having a strong core is very important for the function of your body. I have always been a confident person, but having MMA training adds and greater sense of confidence and centeredness. Plus there is a great amount of respect that we have for the individuals who teach the skill, our Sensei or Joshu’s (teacher’s). MMA also provides a release as you are encouraged to make noise such as a loud “ki-yah” on the mat during your training session.

The ranking is not what drives me, but rather the feeling, energy and sense of calm that I experience from MMA. Plus, each time I mention that I practice MMA in a networking environment, people are intrigued. The conversation takes an interesting path since most people I meet in the networking environment do not practice in MMA.

Laney Liner, Owner of Blue Thunder Creative Group, Inc., as more than 15 years of graphic design and marketing experience to support her clients and bring success to each engagement. She provides the tools to help clients generate more income. Over the years, Laney has worked with clients including American Express, Barnes & Noble, The New York Times, Eastman Kodak, US Navy, The Bank of New York and Verizon.

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