My First PAWMA Camp - 1991 (And Why You Should Join Me at Camp This Year) by Paula Smith

Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists

My First PAWMA Camp - 1991 (And Why You Should Join Me at Camp this Year) by Paula Smith

Editor’s Note: I love “first camp” stories (and hope you do, too) and encourage everyone interested to write theirs. Hard and Soft, Paula submitted hers with this note, “I don’t know if this is what you had in mind, but it’s what I felt like writing.” Paula mentions below a memorable class and demonstration by Michelle Dwyer. Come to Camp this Labor Day Working Together, weekend and experience Michelle yourself. For information on this year’s camp, see page 4.

Become Complete. My recollection of going a non-profit corporation to my first PAWMA Camp Vol. 32 No. 3 Summer 2009 in 1991 is similar to what you may have heard from your parents, “I walked to Inside This Newsletter school uphill both ways in My First PAWMA Camp...... 1 the snow.” So, when I hear Association Update...... 2 excuses such as “An hour’s Film on PAWMA and Camp...... 3 drive is too far,” “I only go to It’s Time for Camp...... 4 camps in my own style,” or The Kata of Healing...... 7 “I’m busy that weekend,” I Film about Keiko Fukuda Sensei...... 9 sometimes want to burst into Sunny Graff in Hall of Fame...... 9 laughter. Paula Smith (right) tries push hands for the first time. Camp Registration Form...... 11 I have lived in Salt Lake Master Su Zifang at FEMA...... 12 City (UT) since 1987. I have always had to plan, pay travel expenses, and take time off work Push Hands Camp...... 12 for trips. The journey to my first PAWMA Camp in 1991 started on a trip to Minneapolis (MN) around the winter of 1988 - 89. I went in the Amazon Bookstore Cooperative, a feminist bookstore unconnected to the online bookseller. There, covered in dust under a pile of something else, I found a stack of a women’s martial arts newsletters called “Fighting PAWMA‘s Mission Women’s News.” Since I had started training in Taekwon Do in Denver in 1985, I bought all the past issues and immediately subscribed. The publication changed hands, the issues Uniting and empowering became intermittent, but a couple of issues mentioned a women’s martial arts camp in California and listed a P.O. Box for PAWMA. a diverse community of I mailed a request for information to PAWMA. No one wrote back. I found a telephone number, but it had been disconnected. I contacted the organizers of Special women and girls in the Training [the annual training weekend for the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation martial arts. (NWMAF)], and got a newer phone number for PAWMA. I left a message on the answer- ing machine, but no one called. I persisted for several years and eventually someone called

Continued on page 6 ➤ Pacific Association 2 of Women Martial Artists

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Association Update Officers President: Keldyn West, Redwood City, CA President‘s Message Vice President: Susannah MacKaye, Oakland, CA Secretary: Kristen Pfendler, Vancouver, WA Dear PAWMA members, Treasurer: Marie Jackson, Eugene, OR I first learned about PAWMA from the bulletin board at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu in Seattle, WA, when I dropped in for a Members-at-Large Michelle McVadon (Elder Counsel), Seattle, WA class while on a business trip in 1991. A year or two later I went Aarin Burch, Oakland, CA to my first training camp. There I met a woman who found Joanne Factor, Seattle, WA out about camp when the only other woman in her school Elaine Powell-Ascroft, Portland, OR came into the dressing room, showed her a flyer, and whispered, Keta Tom, Corvallis, OR “Look what I found in the trash.” Contrary to her teacher’s fears, attending camp actually gave her the energy and support COMMITTEE/CONTACT that she needed to continue in her preparation for her black belt test. Recently, I got a call from someone who had found a Website Coordinator: Joanne Factor, Keldyn West postcard tucked in a magazine at a mixed martial arts event in Website Technical Support: Lori Berkowitz Sacramento. Last year’s youngest student attended because her father found our website Membership Coordinator: Joanne Factor when he was stationed in the south waiting to be deployed overseas. He immediately wrote Newsletter Liaison: Sue Leary to his wife to sign up their daughter. I would like to believe our work in modernizing the website and the new postcard REGIONAL REPS marketing plan has helped to move us forward. I would still like to encourage everyone to keep up the good work in spreading the word about camp and about PAWMA and help Canada keep the organization growing strong. Your enthusiasm and word of mouth endorsement is Bowen Island, BC: Jan Parker the power behind our success. 604/947-0888, [email protected] I get something from camp that I get nowhere else. It is from being among women California who are passionate about and excel at the martial arts and who are happy to share what Berkeley, CA: Jude Fox they have learned. Just watching the annual demo can change your whole world view. And 510/525-2963, [email protected] there is always that one person who extends a small kindness or a teaching that has a big Santa Rosa, CA: Ceylan Crow impact on my life. 707/578-5889, [email protected] The economy is putting a strain on everything around us. This year’s theme, Roots of Community…Seeds of Change is living up to its motto. A small number of members CONTACT INFO have volunteered hundred of hours in marketing, research and promotion. Many individuals have contributed to the scholarship fund making it possible for more women to attend For general information about PAWMA or to camp this year. Some instructors are declining payment for their teaching and some are contact anyone above: refusing travel costs. Our instructor’s instructors would be proud to see how their influence Website: www.pawma.org is still in motion as we continue to promote their power, their chi, their compassion and Email address: [email protected] their focus through our helping our members, our communities and our world through Mailing address: P.O. Box 23157 the strength of our martial arts lineages. These are our roots and this is what we draw on, Seattle, WA 98102 especially in insecure times. Contact Person: Keldyn West I encourage you all to remember all the positive things you have brought home from previous camps and to do what you can to attend camp this year. Scholarships are still available as of this writing. There are a limited number of tent sites available which can enable you to attend for a reduced rate. This year for the first time we have the Discussion Forum on the website that you can use to form or find a car pool to get to camp. That one act of kindness, that one lesson that is passed on to you may be the thing that will change your life. I hope to see you at camp for a wonderful weekend of friendship and training

Warm regards, Keldyn West, President PAWMA News 3

Help Campers Feel Welcome See It First at Camp: “Under One Sky,” A Film The Hospitality Committee is new this year. It came out of requests and suggestions during Made about PAWMA our Passion Table discussions at last year’s camp. Marty Springer is heading up this committee and is looking for volunteers who will help everyone feel welcome at camp. This is Camp especially good for first timers who can be introduced to long time members and instructors, making sure they have a friendly table to sit at during meals, and in general making “Under One Sky” was filmed on location sure no one feels isolated or unwelcomed. If you are interested in helping out on this com- in 1998 at Camp Elphinstone in Gibson’s, mittee, contact Marty ([email protected]). BC at the first PAWMA Camp held in Canada. The filmmakers are excited to Scholarship Fund and Raffle show the 25-minute film at Camp this September, reconnect with the women in This year’s economy is tough and next year will probably be the same. Your contributions the film, and provide “long overdue” copies are so important in assisting women who would not otherwise be able to afford Camp. to those who pre-ordered. Contribute to the Scholarship Fund through online donations or wait until camp to pur- The film’s synopsis says, “‘Under One chase raffle tickets as part of our annual fundraiser. Sky’ is a film unlike any martial arts film Marty Springer, Scholarship Raffle Coordinator thinks you will be delighted with this you have ever seen. In some ways it turns year’s prizes and is thrilled at the way it is coming together. If you would like to make dona- the whole genre on its head as it explores tions for the raffle, they can include mementos from your club, specialties proudly represent- the physical and spiritual nature of an ing your region or state, martial arts items or anything you yourself would like to win at a extraordinary range of martial arts when raffle. Please contact Marty ([email protected]) to give her an idea of what you they are practiced by women… As you will be donating to the raffle and so that we can be sure to include you in the list of thank watch women from all over North America you’s in the Camp book. working out, you see that through their Here is a huge “Thank You” to everyone who has contributed so far. discipline, strength, joyfulness, and sheer determination they are on a journey of self- Use Your PAWMA Website discovery. This film is a testament to every woman who has fought back.” • Register for Camp online! • Use the member forum to organize rides and carpools to Camp. • Donate to the Scholarship Fund. • Contact and network with members by using the directory in the members-only pages. Update your profile so others can contact you. • Post notices about upcoming events and find out about happenings involving PAWMA 32nd Annual PAWMA members in the member forum. Training Camp Nominations for the PAWMA Board of Directors Labor Day Weekend,

The PAWMA Board of Directors needs you. In the last PAWMA News issue, a call was September 4 - 7, 2009 made for nominations and more nominations are needed. The main requirements for being on the Board are a commitment to helping the organization, an ability to work well on a Stampfer Center, team, and communication skills. Organizational, project management, financial or technical Olympia, WA skills are a plus. Nominate yourself or someone you know. Someone from the Board will contact each nominee to explain the expectations for Board membership and to answer For more information and a list of any questions. instructors, see page 4 or visit www. To make a nomination, submit a statement that includes the nominee’s qualifications pawma.org. A registration form is on and why they want to join the Board by email to [email protected]. For more information, page 11. please contact Keldyn West ([email protected]) or email [email protected]. Pacific Association 4 of Women Martial Artists

It’s Time for Camp! 32nd Annual Training Camp Yael Arnon – Founder of the Shibumikai Dojo in Israel, Sensei Arnon holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in Jujitsu. “Roots of Community... Seeds of Change” She will explore with students at Camp the Labor Day Weekend, September 4 - 7, 2009 power of our minds, as well as maintaining total control while falling and Jujitsu’s heal- at Stampfer Center in Olympia, WA ing arts. Barbara Bones – Awarded PAWMA’s Women and girls from all martial 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, arts styles and skill levels are wel- Professor Bones began training in 1971. come to PAWMA’s annual train- Three prominent Kajukenbo schools ing camp. PAWMA unites and claim her in their lineage: Hand to Hand empowers a diverse community Kajukenbo Self Defense Center (Oakland, of women and girls in the mar- CA), Seattle Kajukenbo, and Seven Star tial arts. Beginning to advanced Women’s Kung Fu (Seattle, WA). She will students, young and old from all teach sparring and stick fighting. walks of life learn from master Karin Collins – Studying Taiji since instructors who generously share 2000, Karin recently completed a three- their knowledge. month Yang Style Taijiquan Intensive with “Roots of Community... Sam Masich and is certified in the breadth Seeds of Change” is this year’s of the Yang Style Taiji curriculum. In her 18 theme. It reflects the camp’s pur- Luohan Qigong class, she will challenge our pose: to support a community of women martial artists to develop strong roots that nour- lung capacity while in deep horse stances. ish and anchor its members both as martial artists and as seeds that grow to make a better She will also teach us to spar Taiji-style in a world. Rooted in and nourished by our communities, we receive the support needed to class co-taught with Erica Anderson. weather difficult times, including the tough economy we are now in. Restita DeJesus – Chief Instructor Camp will be at Stampfer Center (www.campschechter.org/facilitytourALT.html), a at the Seattle Wushu Center, Sifu DeJesus beautifully wooded, serene site with grassy training areas. In addition to the 10 workout has over 30 years of experience in martial sessions, campers can take time to enjoy the lake and woods, make friends, and relax with arts, with teaching credentials in Wushu, a massage from professional massage therapists. Evening activities include a demonstration Tai Chi, Qigong, Karate, Kajukenbo and that celebrates the talents and diversity of everyone participating, a bazaar, and a dance. Filipino martial arts. She will teach Tai Chi Stampfer Center is five miles off I-5, about an hour’s drive south of Seattle-Tacoma Broadsword, the beginner’s Yang style 10 International Airport and seven miles from the Olympia Amtrak station. Shuttles from the routine, and Kyudo (Japanese archery, also airport and train station will be available. called “Zen Archery.” Registration fees include all training, accommodations, food and fun. Scholarships are Michelle Dwyer – Sifu Dwyer has available. Information and online registration is on the Camp and Events page at www. studied Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and pawma.org or use the registration form on page 11. You won’t find a less expensive four- Tai Chi for 34 years and is experienced in day, all-inclusive vacation. Daoist meditation and Chinese health exer- cises. She has taught at many training camps Instructors and Styles in the U.S. and abroad, including Paula Master instructors from North America and beyond teach a wide range of hard and Smith’s first PAWMA Camp in 1991. Read soft martial arts styles. Below are the instructors for this year’s camp. about it on page 1. Erica Anderson – Studying Taiji since 2003, Erica focuses on the Yang Style tradi- Melinda Johnson – With a 5th tional curriculum with her teachers Jim Madras (Eugene, OR), Jan Parker (Bowen Island, degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo and a 1st BC), and Sam Masich (Berlin, Germany). At Camp, discover what a “Dojo Ball” is and degree Black Belt in Aikido, Sifu Johnson learn to spar Taiji-style in a class co-taught with Karin Collins. is Head Instructor and owner of Seattle PAWMA News 5

Kajukenbo and Kung Fu Kids. In her classes, practice close-range fighting in Kajukenbo street fighting combinations and empty-hand defense against a knife, then discover the exciting and fun world of mixed martial arts romping. Kristen Kleinsasser – Head Instructor for Kim’s Tae Kwon Do (Bothell, WA), Sensei Kleinsasser holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a 1st degree Black Belt in Seido Karate. Her classes will explore the principles of power, the art of breaking, and ways to teach younger students. Michelle Pleasant – Sifu Pleasant holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo and also trains in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Aikido and Chen style Tai Chi. As a first-time Camp instructor after having attended 14 Camps, this non-morning person finally gets an evening mediation class by teaching one. She will also explore the mind, body and spirit in our training and teach an introduction to fighting multiple attackers. PAWMA 2009 Elaine Raber – Sabumnin Raber holds a 4th degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, Roots of Community... Seeds of Change teaches in Salt Lake City, UT, experiments in a variety of martial arts including Yang Old Temple Style Tai Chi and Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and is experienced in police tactics. Make Camp Part of a Explore with her the theory of strength versus flexibility in kicking, learn a form for a Great Vacation Getaway short staff, and practice basic bo. Nearby Olympic and Mt. Rainier Sonya Richardson – Head Instructor of Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self-Defense National Parks feature spectacular Center (Oakland, CA), Sifu Richardson holds a 5th degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo locations for hiking, mountain biking, and a 3rd degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate. Speedy Sparring and Kata and camping. Olympia, Washington’s Transformation are her classes. She will draw on her 20 years as a physical therapist in a state capitol, is just a short drive from class on keeping our knees healthy. camp and features a waterfront with Sana Shanti – With study in Yang and Chen Style Taijiquan, as well as Qi Gong for a bustling farmers market, small shops over 20 years, Sana shares Taiji principles in a way that can be incorporated into any martial and galleries, historical sites, restaurants, art and integrated into everyday life. Her classes will explore our roots (in postures, our- a local coffee roaster, micro-breweries selves, and our communities), connection, and receiving and yielding. and wineries. For more information, Ann Stephens – A practitioner of Matsumura Kenpo for 14 years with a rank of check out these websites: 4th degree Black Belt, Ann will teach classes on changing hands during one-step sparring OlympicPeninsula.org and striking with power by practicing with focus mitts. OlympicPeninsulaWaterfallTrail.com Sue Pfendler – Sue holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate HohRainForest.com and is Chief Instructor and co-owner of Goju Ryu Karate-Do of Vancouver, WA. Always TheWhaleTrail.org wanted a body like armor? Try Sue’s conditioning techniques. She will also teach a Sai Kata Olympic PeninsulaWineries.org which defends against a bo or sword, and women’s self defense which addresses three steps OlympicDiscoveryTrail.com of attack — verbal, subduing, and on the ground. PeninsulaEvents.com Jen Resnick – Sifu Resnick holds a 5th degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo and is a ExplorePacificNWtribes.com Head Instructor of Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self-Defense Center (Oakland, CA). She is NPS.gov/archive/mora/home.htm a licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbalist, who specializes in the treatment VisitRainier.com/ of injuries and internal conditions. From a jammed finger to a sprained ankle or broken rib, VisitOlympia.com she will teach first aid for common martial arts injuries. Read about her journey from mar- VisitSeattle.org/visitors/default.asp tial arts to Chinese medicine to providing international aid on page 7. TravelPortland.com/visitors/ Pacific Association 6 of Women Martial Artists

Continued from page 1 me back. I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I was begging to join a secret society. PAWMA Camp is a jewel. I know not I talked a friend in Taekwon Do into signing up for the 1991 PAWMA Camp, which everyone can go every year. Things come was held at La Honda, CA that year. I told my friend, “What is the worst that can hap- up. Financial times are hard. Maybe your pen? We waste our money?” We flew into Oakland to visit friends for a few days, rented a focus is elsewhere. It can be difficult to car, and then drove for several hours into the hills south of San Francisco. It was a holiday go if you are going alone, so invite some weekend and the traffic on Friday afternoon was horrible. friends. If they don’t jump at the chance, Neither of us knew anyone else who was going or who had been to this camp. So volunteer to help out at camp and you’ll what did I find? The best thing imaginable: a bunch of women martial arts nuts just like me. make some friends. Try sitting at a table I did push hands for the first time at Michelle Dwyer’s class on Taiji Applications. I where you don’t know anyone and just remember several petite, older women who pushed hands with me, including a woman join in the conversation (or butt in, if nec- known as Taiji Tony. The next thing I knew, my face was getting slapped or punched essary). If you’ve been to camp for a few lightly, but I never saw the hand that did it, just a grin on the other person’s face. I years, drag yourself away for just a little remember Janet Gee pushing hands with me in the dining hall during lunch. She could while from those friends you haven’t seen push hands with me, hold a conversation with someone else at the same time, and grin for a year and welcome a couple of people with that energy only Janet has. you’ve never met who may be there for the first time. One of my favorite things I found that getting thrown by at PAWMA Camp now is bringing and an experienced Judo practitioner meeting first-timers. It’s like watching kids in their first candy shop. was the best carnival ride possible. PAWMA Camp is now on the Out on the deck in La Honda, I took a Judo Randori class for the first time, taught Internet. You can sign up online. You don’t by Kuniko Takeuchi. I found that getting thrown by an experienced Judo practitioner was have to beg. So, if you have a weak excuse, the best carnival ride possible. (As Britt Quinlan, Takeuchi’s student, would later tell me to me it’s like saying, “No, I don’t want that before she threw me at Camp in 1996 at Walker Creek Ranch, “Make your travel plans!”) exquisite meal you have prepared for me,” And when I pinned someone else and they had to tap out, or vice versa, there was none “No, I don’t want to try that last bottle of that sparring B.S. called “I really won, not you, and I just got robbed by the refs.” of luscious French wine you’ve been sav- I remember taking an Aikido class on joint locks taught by Pat Hendricks on that ing for me,” or “No, I’ll pass on having same covered, wooden deck. The blending and circular moves were mostly foreign to Itzak Perelman play the violin for me and me but I had a real incentive to learn to blend, catch that arm, and pivot. I got paired a handful of my friends.” I’ll see you in with Kim Geary and if I didn’t catch her hand, I would get hit. Not hard mind you, but September. enough to get my attention. Thank you, Kim, for helping my focus. Paula Smith was Head Instructor of Smith Taekwon Wang Jurong brought her wushu, Taijiquan, and weapons experience from China. It Do (Salt Lake City, UT) from 1989 to 2005 and was my first class with a martial artist trained in China and I found a whole new world of holds the rank of 3rd degree Black Belt. She now stud- weapons practice that I had not seen in Taekwon Do. Teachers such as Maria Doest were ies Yang Style Traditional Taijiquan with Jan Parker teaching martial arts to differently-abled women, something I had never thought of. (Bowen Island, BC) and yoga. She has served on The demonstration really blew my mind. I had never seen an all-women’s school. the PAWMA Board and is the 2007 Martial Artist One Kajukenbo women’s school demo had strikes, kicks, joint locks, and throws, and of the Year. At Camp, she particularly enjoys Judo, culminated in a sort of stacked human pyramid. I saw Miyako Tanaka do Naginata for Aikido, and Jujitsu classes. She likes skiing, traveling, the first time. Karlon Kepcke did a martial art with music — Capoeira. Finally, I’ll never eating, and wine, and does health and environmental forget Michelle Dwyer whipping her two Chinese sabres around both sides of her head, enforcement as a Salt Lake County Deputy District turning her head toward the audience, and saying while moving, “I’m blocking arrows.” Attorney. So maybe you are in a women’s school where it’s not a new thing to be surrounded by women martial artists. Maybe you are in the Bay Area or Seattle and there are plenty of eclectic martial artists to train with. But where are you going to find this much laughter, sweat, variety, and skill all in one place in one weekend? This opportunity to train with women, take classes in multiple styles, and play with someone new is a rare treat. As far as I can tell, camps for individual styles and with guys may be great, but nothing like PAWMA Camp. PAWMA News 7

ever do at home, I was forced to see each The KATA of Healing treatment as a sum of its parts. Just like when practicing a new kata or form, what by Jen Resnick had been discrete moves began to become all one move. Each patient became a pattern It’s not always easy to draw the lines from the west coast of the of points, and seeing this pattern allowed U.S. to its urban east, and then again to Indonesia, Singapore, me to be even more present and relaxed Nepal. Yet deep in my heart, I feel the connection, this conti- with each person I treated. nuity from my training as a martial artist to my work in devel- Reflecting on this experience has, in oping nations providing health care to communities in need. turn, informed my thinking about my mar- It was martial arts that led me to the study of Chinese tial arts training. Following the ebb and flow medicine. My qigong teacher insisted that I could never of training over the years, I see myself mov- grasp the complexities of the internal arts if I didn’t under- ing from trying to master a single move or stand physiology from a Chinese and Taoist perspective. So series of moves to learning to ride the ener- I trusted his advice and enrolled in acupuncture school. For getic wave of a life-long practice. The moves the next 10 years my training in medicine and martial arts and forms fall away to let me see the pat- were intricately intertwined. Life had a lot to teach me as terns underneath. And so, always, I continue well, taking me through deaths and births and fiery phoenix- to practice — whether at home, at a training like rebirths. I found myself Head Instructor of an amazing camp, or in the mountains of Nepal. community of martial artists; I discovered my mentor and teacher of medicine and internal training. Jen wrote, “My Facebook postings regarding my recent It’s simple to describe the path, though it felt more like hurtling through an asteroid belt trip to provide medical aid in Indonesia and Nepal from one galaxy to the next… drew the eye of the editor of NWMAF’s newsletter. She asked me to write something about my experiences. My instructors always urged me to follow my heart, and a little more than a year ago my My thanks for the invitation to share my experiences training community at Hand To Hand Kajukenbo (Oakland, CA) supported me in taking a doing aid work abroad. I know many of us are fueled leave from teaching so that I could immerse myself in my medical training. I moved back to by the inspiration of our training to bring our work to New York, leaving the school in the capable hands of my co-Head Instructor. As fate would the world — this is just one example of many.” For have it, my mentor in Chinese medicine had just returned from a year’s sabbatical and was more information on her work abroad visit www.you- starting up an international aid agency to bring Chinese medicine to remote locations around canchangetheworldnow.com the world to treat communities who had no access to health care of any kind. So on my way to New York, I met him and a small team of other practitioners in Bali, Indonesia to treat over Sifu Jen Resnick holds the rank of 5th degree Black 2,000 people in 20 days! Belt in Kajukenbo and has been training in the mar- My martial arts training taught me to be fearless and greet the world openly — to be tial arts since 1983. She has been a Head Instructor of prepared for anything. Truly, that training has kept me steady through many challenging situa- Hand To Hand Kajukenbo and Self Defense Center tions. This year we opened new sites in Nepal. One team was located in Kathmandu, another, (Oakland, CA) since 2002. Together with Sifu Sonya Richardson, she helped develop programming to reflect a smaller team (mine), went to a remote Tibetan community in the Himalayas, in the kingdom her interest in health and the internal martial arts. As of Mustang. The high altitude of this site demanded all team members to train in preparation. a licensed acupuncturist and nationally certified herbal- Memories of my black belt test regimen kept me on track, including the intense Tobata HIT ist, she specializes in the treatment of sports injuries, training we affectionately dubbed “vomit training,” since by the end you felt like, well, puking. as well as internal conditions. She will be attending Our training paid off, as did daily meditation and Kidney Breathing once we arrived at PAWMA Camp this year as Camp Medic and will 11,500 feet. Not to mention squats and stance training since our patient beds were thin mats be teaching a class on martial arts first aid. For more on the floor. I guess I did many hundred one-legged squats, and got very comfortable in what information on this year’s camp, see page 4. we in Kajukenbo call 3-point stance, or simply put, kneeling. We treated hundreds of villag- ers, most of whom had never seen a doctor of any kind before. For “Ani”s (Buddhist nuns), monks, farmers, and goatherders, we were a mobile hospital of three practitioners. Word got out through the local “phone” system (women standing on the flat roofs of their hundreds- year-old homes shouting to their neighbors), “Come to the village community hall to see the American Amchis (doctors)!” And it was here, in Kagbeni, Jharkot, and Kathmandu that I really understood the subtlety of mapping one art onto another. Just as in my martial arts practice, I became aware of a flow of time, of energy and form. Probably because I was treating far more people in a day than I Pacific Association 8 of Women Martial Artists

The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors ‘Teaching the Teacher Conference’ is going Cruising!!! January 4 - 8, 2010 Four night Bahamas Cruise

Ship Name: Majesty of the Seas Port of Departure: Miami, FL Ports of Call: Miami, Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; Cococay, Bahamas; Key West, Florida; Miami, Florida

AWMAI Conference Registration only $300 until October 1, 2009 for AWMAI Members $350 until October 1, 2009 for Non-Members (includes $50 2010 Membership Fee) For Conference Registration only, go to www.awmai.org

Special Group Cruise Rates from $170 for Interior Stateroom, plus taxes $50 and Port Charges $99. Rates are per person, double occupancy. Trip insurance is available, including job loss insurance! Each cabin booked thru AWMAI also receives $50 in onboard ship credits for drinks, photos, spa, you name it! $100 Cruise Deposit, no later than July 15, will secure your group rate. Contact our cruise specialist, Caryn Graham, at (727) 741-1438, [email protected] to reserve your cabin today!

Some Conference Highlights: Sifu Debbie Leung – How to Add Elements of Push Hands into non-Taiji Classes Practical Qigong – Applying its Principles Start the Day with Liangong Morning Workouts Dr. Kerry Kilburn – Martial Arts Pedagogy: Principles & Methods of Instruction Beach Workout in the Shade on Cococay private Royal Caribbean Island

For more information and updates, go to www.awmai.org PAWMA News 9

“Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful” Sunny Graff in a Film About 96-Year-Old Keiko Fukuda Sensei Taekwondo Hall of — Donations Needed Fame

Adapted from promotional materials by filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer Master Sunny Graff was inducted into the official Taekwondo Hall of Fame in April, The inspirational journey of Keiko Fukuda 2009 and given the prestigious Lifetime Sensei is being documented in “Be Strong, Achievement Award, its highest honor. The Be Gentle, Be Beautiful,” an hour-long former World, Pan American, and four-time documentary film for public television U.S. National Champion, and two-time broadcast. Fundraising is underway to fin- winner of the AAU Athlete of the Year ish the film and an urgency exists due Award was honored not only for her fight- to Sensei Fukuda’s age. The U.S. Judo ing ability, but also for her years of teaching Federation recently donated $10,000 but Taekwondo, self-defense for women and $280,000 is still needed. A martial arts girls, and violence prevention for children. demonstration and fundraising event is After receiving a law degree at planned for this fall in the San Francisco Columbia University 25 years ago, Sunny Bay Area. moved to Frankfurt, Germany for what was To make tax deductible donations meant to be a one-year stay. She founded through sponsorship with the Center Women in Movement there and has been for Independent Documentary (www. teaching full-time ever since. The school has documentaries.org), go to the donation 280 members training in Taekwondo and website (https://secure.groundspring. Lapunti Arnis de Abanico. Hundreds more org/dn/index.php?aid=10065) and select participate in the school’s courses on self- “Be Strong, Be Gentle” on the drop-down defense and violence prevention for chil- menu. 5% of the donation goes toward dren in elementary schools, as well as Being a sponsorship fee. If a tax deduction is in Balance!,® a functional exercise program. not necessary, the entire donation can go Master Graff is accomplished in toward the film if it is made directly to filmmaker Yuriko Gamo Romer (www.flyingcarp. many martial arts and has written numer- net, 4235 25th St., San Francisco, CA 94114, [email protected], 415/641-4232). ous books on self-defense and violence A Link to Judo History against women and girls. She is a Posture Keiko Fukuda Sensei, the recipient of PAWMA’s 1997 Lifetime Achievement Alignment Specialist in the Egoscue Award and the 1986 NWMAF Award of Excellence, is the last living link to Judo’s Method and credits the success of her over original history. In 1934, 21-year-old Keiko Fukuda embarked on a long journey with 35-year martial arts career on an early inter- Judo as her vehicle. This path meant giving up marriage, family, and her Japanese citi- est in functional exercise which keeps the zenship. She has endured war and discrimination, and crossed oceans to become the body aligned, fit, and flexible. highest ranking woman in Judo history with a 9th dan (degree). Today, 96 years old with Parkinson’s Disease and arthritis in every joint, she still teaches Judo three times a week near San Francisco, CA. Through her gentle soul, she exudes wisdom and inspiration to all who come in contact with her. Keiko’s grandfather was a samurai and Jujitsu master. One of his best students was Jigoro Kano, who transformed Jujitsu into what is now known as Judo. When Fukuda was invited by Kano to study Judo, it was the beginning of a lifelong passion. She has fought for equality in a male-dominated world, and has played an important role in helping Americans, especially Japanese Americans, connect with the cultural traditions of her native Japan. To stay up-to-date on the movie, be a fan at its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ pages/Be-Strong-Be-Gentle-Be-Beautiful/107798235619?ref=ts). Pacific Association 10 of Women Martial Artists

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PAWMA 2009 Registration Form Register online at www.pawma.org. Or, send this registration form and check or money order made payable to PAWMA to: PAWMA • P.O. Box 23157 • Seattle, WA 98102. Please use one form per person.

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PAWMA depends on the dedica- Master Su Zifang Seminars at FEMA tion of its members to carry out Master Su Zifang, 2006 Recipient of PAWMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award will return its mission. Membership dues help to FEMA (Feminist Eclectic Martial Arts, Minneapolis, MN) to teach seminars September 28 - 30. She will teach Sun Style Taiji and Sword, Yang Style Taiji Basics, Wushu Basics, support that work. Dues are $40 - and the ancient qigong form Ba Duan Jing (Eight Pieces of Brocade). Master Su is a $60 (sliding scale, $50 suggested) per highly respected Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang practitioner in China and abroad. year. Lifetime memberships can be Everyone is invited to participate. For more information, contact FEMA (612/306-7788, purchased for a one-time payment 612/729-7233, online registration at www.femamartialarts.org). of $600. Members receive a quar- terly newsletter, notice of upcoming Push Hands Camp on Bowen Island, BC events, access to Member pages on The 4th Annual Push Hands Camp will be August 14 - 17 and is open to all Tai Chi PAWMA’s website, information and players. Taught by Jan Parker, the four days will be devoted to the continuum of energies referral, and discounts on PAWMA- that appears during our ability to “rest in” and “support” connection. Jan says, “We will shine a light on our habits and improve sensing hands, clarify footwork, deepen core sponsored events including its principles and have fun, too,” while practicing traditional drills and in free play. For more annual training weekend (Camp), information, contact Jan ([email protected], www.janparkerarts.com). T-shirts, and equipment.

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