Women in Aikido

I found this book very useful. I discovered it at a time when I was finding the gendered dynamics of the dojo very challenging. Although O Sensei attempted to create a martial art for all, he did not have the ability to shift peoples' perceptions of men and women in the dojo; neither did he have the ability to shift the greater social differences that do follow us onto the mats. I also found that this book challenged me to think of some of the more hypocritical things I was seeing in the aikido community - something that was difficult at the time. Now, years later, I find myself going back to the stories in that book.This book relates both the empowering and disempowering aspects of aikido practice from these women's perspectives and is a must read for aikido ka who are interesting in something other than the usual perspectives on aikido.

What makes this book valuable are the unique and candid insights offered by the women interviewed. All are interesting--and each differs markedly from the others in experience and interpretation of what Aikido is, what Aikido means. Because some people seem to be frightened by anything which includes women alone, I should probably mention that this is NOT a "man-bashing" book. It simply focuses upon the experiences of a unique subgroup of people--women Aikido-ka (Aikido Students). Nor would I categorize this as a "woman's book", as I think that ANY aikido practitioner, male or female, will appreciate and enjoy the recollections of the unique people featured here. While it is popular (and conveniently pithy) to say that there is no difference between male and female in Aikido, the truth is that women often are treated differently by other Aikido people (or in certain organizations), sometimes because of the teacher's view of them as females, sometimes because they as individuals have different views, needs or goals. We are living in the real world, and unfortunately not the pleasant nirvana of ultimate Aikido ideals--people must still cope with fear and sorrow along with joy and power. The women in this book shy away from neither.The author has put together a unique collection of experiences collected from interviews with a diverse range of women. If you enjoy reading about the personal experiences of people who delve inside the meaning of their martial art, people who love to practice and find meaning, you will enjoy reading this book. Included are: Catherine Tornbom, Lorraine DiAnne, Carol Sanoff, Cress Forester, Sue Ann McKean, Kathy Park, Diane Daffner, Cyndi Hayashi-Clark, Beth Hall, Sarah Wada, Peggy Berger, and Cheryl Reinhardt. I hope to see another expanded edition in the future, Andrea Siegel has done an excellent job here!

Think [email protected] is bitter much? No section on her, apparently, in this book. What there ARE sections on in this book are rich profiles of women of diverse backgrounds and personal accounts of how aikido affects their lives. Motivational, informational; I read it cover to cover as soon as I got it. A great read!

I have owned this book for five years. I find myself returning to it over and over again as I ponder the gap between the ethos of aikido and the gender dynamics that too often are found in aikido dojos. Sure it is West Coast USA oriented, but unlike a recent reviewer I find it helpful and inspiring to read about the experience of (some) other women aikidoka. I recommend this book for women and men interested in the experience (rather than the theory) of aikido.