Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror: Martial Arts in Women's Lives

by Stephanie T. Hoppe

Overview

• Twenty-four women martial artists discuss the physical and spiritual challenges of martial arts training and how it helps bring meaning and purpose to their lives

• Women aged 12 to 83 are interviewed on the importance and meaning of martial arts in their lives.

• Explores in-depth why many women are dedicating themselves to the martial arts.

• An inspiration for anyone concerned with enhancing the physical, spiritual, and social dimensions of life, and for those interested in women's self-defense and safety.

Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror explores in depth how, why, and to what effect considerable numbers of women are dedicating themselves to the martial arts. The twenty-four women interviewed here discuss the physical and spiritual challenges of martial arts training and how it helps to bring meaning and purpose to their lives. Their disciplines include T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Aikido, Capoeira, Wing Chun, Judo, Kajukenbo, Jujutsu, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kung Fu, and their backgrounds are equally diverse. Some were accomplished athletes before beginning, while others had never been comfortable with their physical bodies until discovering the martial arts. All have received deep spiritual nourishment through their practice, integrating and healing their bodies and minds as well as enriching community bonds. Those interested in women's studies will find a wonderful sample of contemporary American women who speak articulately about the forces that have shaped their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620550571
Publisher:	Inner Traditions/Bear & Company
Publication date:	03/01/1998
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Stephanie T. Hoppe coedited a two-volume anthology on women's relationships with animals and the natural world entitled With a Fly's Eye, Whale's Wit and Woman's Heart and And a Deer's Ear, Eagle's Song, and Bear's Grace. Her many stories and interviews have been widely published, and she has written several science fiction novels. She lives in Ukiah, California, where she teaches T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the White Cloud Women's T'ai Chi School.
Stephanie T. Hoppe coedited a two-volume anthology on women's relationships with animals and the natural world entitled With a Fly's Eye, Whale's Wit and Woman's Heart and And a Deer's Ear, Eagle's Song, and Bear's Grace. Her many stories and interviews have been widely published, and she has written several science fiction novels. She lives in Ukiah, California, where she teaches T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the White Cloud women's T'ai Chi School.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Hefting the Spear that has Been Offered Me

1 Taking Responsibility for Ourselves
2 The Oneness of All Things
3 A Question Larger than Resolving Conflict
4 Balance Doesn't Always Mean Being Cool
5 Something in the Movements was Like Coming Home
6 Defying the Limits of What the Body Can Do
7 You Just Have to Do It and Do It and Do It
8 Finding the Fighting Roots
9 I Have a Path, a Spiritual Path
10 A Martial Art Developed by a Woman for Women
11 The Difference for Me is that I Am Myself
12 Women Will Transform the Martial Arts
13 An Inner Sense of Freedom
14 Our Family has Always Done Weapons
15 What I Create Teaches Me
16 A Chinese Master
17 The More You Do the More Things Come Together
18 There's More to Fighting than Smashing Things
19 Sixty Years on the Mat
20 Talking to the Future

Epilogue: Reflections in the Mirror of My Practice

Glossary

Resources

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"In interviews with women ages 12 to 83, we find these arts well integrated into a sustaining feminine identity and holistic spiritual outlook."

"I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement, a new growth in the martial arts 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 been what my life has been about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process."

"In Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror, seasoned writer Stephanie T. Hoppe conducts interviews with over 20 remarkable women who have not only excelled in martial arts but have adopted them (or been adopted by them) as a particular path to self-transformation. Sharing their experiences, we learn how martial arts can transform a person and how martial artists can begin to transform society through leadership and self-development training."

"In simple terms, this book is about 'Women Warriors on the Integration of the Body, Mind and Spirit,' as stated by the author on the front cover. But it is much more. The interviewing technique-relevant questions appropriate to the person being interviewed, recorded on tape-give an immediacy to the chapters. The discussions seem very real, very pertinent. It is a valuable book for any woman who trains, to encourage thinking and feeling about that training."

Coleen Gragen

I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement, a new growth in the martial arts 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 been what my life has been about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process. (Coleen Gragen, fifth-degree black belt Kajukenbo instructor)

Editorial Reviews

An intriguing gracefully written book of interviews . . . Hoppe knows what questions to ask in order to help herself—and us—probe the discoveries and mysteries that come with the serious pursuit of a martial art on all its levels. This is a book about training the mind, body, and spirit, and has something to offer anyone striving for excellence in any field. . . . Women are influencing the face and direction of the martial arts. . . . Sharp Spear Crystal Mirror is an important contribution to this movement. It recognizes the work of a number of outstanding women and is helping to spread their knowledge and wisdom. Anyone engaged in martial arts—male or female, student or teacher—can deepen and reinforce their experience with this book. And those considering taking up the study will be inspired to do so.

Journal of ... Eastern Health & Fitness

"I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement, a new growth in the martial arts 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 been what my life has been about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process."

fifth-degree black belt Kajukenbo instructor Coleen Gragen

"In simple terms, this book is about 'Women Warriors on the Integration of the Body, Mind and Spirit,' as stated by the author on the front cover. But it is much more. The interviewing technique-relevant questions appropriate to the person being interviewed, recorded on tape-give an immediacy to the chapters. The discussions seem very real, very pertinent. It is a valuable book for any woman who trains, to encourage thinking and feeling about that training."

Women in the Martial Arts Cassie Bosley

"I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement, a new growth in the martial arts 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 been what my life has been about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process."

"In Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror, seasoned writer Stephanie T. Hoppe conducts interviews with over 20 remarkable women who have not only excelled in martial arts but have adopted them (or been adopted by them) as a particular path to self-transformation. Sharing their experiences, we learn how martial arts can transform a person and how martial artists can begin to transform society through leadership and self-development training."

"In simple terms, this book is about 'Women Warriors on the Integration of the Body, Mind and Spirit,' as stated by the author on the front cover. But it is much more. The interviewing technique-relevant questions appropriate to the person being interviewed, recorded on tape-give an immediacy to the chapters. The discussions seem very real, very pertinent. It is a valuable book for any woman who trains, to encourage thinking and feeling about that training."

"In interviews with women ages 12 to 83, we find these arts well integrated into a sustaining feminine identity and holistic spiritual outlook."

From the Publisher

"In simple terms, this book is about 'Women Warriors on the Integration of the Body, Mind and Spirit,' as stated by the author on the front cover. But it is much more. The interviewing technique-relevant questions appropriate to the person being interviewed, recorded on tape-give an immediacy to the chapters. The discussions seem very real, very pertinent. It is a valuable book for any woman who trains, to encourage thinking and feeling about that training."

Cassie Bosley

"In Sharp Spear, Crystal Mirror, seasoned writer Stephanie T. Hoppe conducts interviews with over 20 remarkable women who have not only excelled in martial arts but have adopted them (or been adopted by them) as a particular path to self-transformation. Sharing their experiences, we learn how martial arts can transform a person and how martial artists can begin to transform society through leadership and self-development training."

Brian Bruya

"I see women coming to the martial arts as a young movement, a new growth in the martial arts 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 been what my life has been about, sitting right on that cusp and being engaged in that process."

Coleen Gragen