Woman's Guide to Martial Arts: How to Choose Discipline and Get Started

This is an excellent book with great advice on what general types of martial arts exist, how to choose a discipline that fits with your interests, and how to select a good instructor. It's easy to read and understand (no technical terms). I wish I'd had this book when I first started martial arts, since the first instructor I had was not very good. Unfortunately, since I didn't know what I should be looking for, it took me a little while to realize that I was not getting as good of a learning experience as I could. Once I read this book, it confirmed my suspicions and gave me the incentive to find an excellent instructor. I've recommended this book to several people already; anyone, man or woman, who is interested in the martial arts, or who is thinking of enrolling their children in martial arts, would benefit from the advice in this book. Highly recommended.

As a male, who has participated in and instructed martial arts, I bought this book for my wife who also happens to be in the arts. After a couple of weeks, I began to read the book one afternoon (my wife and I enjoy reading each others books for coffee table discussions). This book gave me a better understanding how to approach female students and aid them in learning the arts more effectively, without compromising my objective in teaching karate. The book wasn't written for that purpose, but because she addresses the material from the perspective as a women, I was able to get a better glimps into the female mind instead of just getting my ideas from my little world of expeirence. My wife enjoyed the book as well, even though she had already been in karate for some time.The book does what it is supposed to do; help a women in the beggining stages of the martial arts. Many topics are discussed such as picking the right school, sparring, and equipment (uniforms, etc.). Her tips are helpful. She doesn't over burden the reader (who more than likely because of the title of the book will be a women looking into or is interested in the martial arts) with too much informatiom. Yet, the material is thorough enough to get someone started in the right direction. I applaude this book and its author. Great job!

I looked through a copy of this book in a local store and wish I had had it back in February when I was searching for a martial art. She assumes a woman (or even a man) knows absolutely nothing about the types of martial arts and divides them in nine categories - ie: judo, kung fu, tae kwon do, jiu jitsu, aikido, hapkido..and gives a very general description of the syles such as aikido does a lot of throwing, judo does pressure points and throwing, tae kwon do is a lot of kicks and punches instead of mostly throws, kung fu is a low stance with punches...when I joined my martial art all I knew is that I didn't want to be slammed into the floor and that I was very unathletic and scared of martial arts in general..after reading the chapter on choosing an instructor I realized I got very lucky in the one that I chose. He answered questions I didn't even know to ask (which the author covers in the book). Although it's too late for me to use this book to choose a martial art I am glad I saw it because I now know I am completely satisfied with the art I chose and the instructor I have because nearly every bit of advice the author gives in the book fits what I have...both men and women work together and are both encouraged to do their best...individual help is given...instructor's rates are average, the length of time to black belt falls in the 3-5 yr range the author says it should take, he gives a 2 month trial period w/ no contract...these are questions I never thought to ask but should have been had my instructor not beat me to it! This author pretty much covers everything a complete novice would need to know to feel comfortable searching for a martial art. I especially like how she mentions that the 9 types she lists are not the only types but how most will fall in one of the 9 categories..my instructor told me that our art was similar to tae kwon do, so if I'd had this book and knew what that was I'd know what I'd be looking at. Overall, this is a great book and I'm seriously thinking of purchasing a copy anyways just to have in my personal library in case someone I know needs it for reference!

This is an excellent guide for anyone wishing to start studying the martial arts. Although it focuses on the concerns women might have, 95% of the material would be good for parents wanting to enroll their children in martial arts classes or any adult. I have been studying kung fu for almost 4 years and I think much of her advice would have been helpful for me. I have loaned my copy to my instructor because he was very interested in a woman's point of view because he likes to have his work critiqued so he can improve. (He's always done a great job with his women students.) The book covers a large range of topics from the history of women over the centuries in the martial arts, an overview of various styles, how to pick a good school, what success really means, and pointers for feeling comfortable at a first class. Great book.