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AWMAI News | Fall 2024 |
AWMAI Founders at the first AWMAI conference in 2000
Photo by Melanie Fine
Left to Right: Dara Masi, Jamie Zimron, Suzanne Pinnette, Barbara Dickens
Front: Wasentha Young
In This Issue:From AWMAI Board of Directors: Highlights
SAVE THE DATE! The next Teachers' Lounge is Sunday, Oct. 27. 1 pm Pacific 2 pm Mountain 3 pm Central 4 pm Eastern 10 pm Central Europe 8 am Australia Central This is a members only gathering. You will receive a Zoom link two days before we gather. Amanda Piepgras
Amanda has a black belt in Kyokushin Karate, is unranked in Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu and MMA and lives in San Diego. She teaches a simplified mix of styles, specially tailored to be accesible to anyone, regardless of unique abilities. Amanda’s favorite part of teaching is watching people gain more confidence in their abilities. She is inspired by the stories of the AWMAI members. Amanda is a certified occupational therapy assistant since 2002. She has been working with children with special needs since 1999, beginning her career as a assistant preschool teacher at the school her sister attended as a child of spina bifida. For more information visit Amanda’s website. Lauren Taylor It’s the one-year anniversary of Get Empowered: A Practical Guide to Thrive, Heal, and Embrace Your Confidence in a Sexist World, a groundbreaking book to come out of the decades of empowerment self-defense work by members of AWMAI, NWMAF and PAWMA. It can help you make powerful changes in your own life, bolster your teaching and be a resource for your students and others in your life. To mark this special occasion, we're hosting a free event:
Whether you've read Get Empowered before, or this is your first time, you'll gain access to ongoing support, expert guidance, and practical tools to help you integrate the book's teachings into your life. Tell us what days and times work best for you, and we’ll let you know the final schedule. To find out more and sign up, go to our website or follow this QR code.
Sarah Sponzo
Things are Getting Exciting… We are thrilled to be putting all the plans in place for an amazing conference in April 2025. This year will mark a very special milestone for the organization, our 25th anniversary! We are looking forward to celebrating this momentous occasion all year and in several ways. The highlight will surely be the Conference which promises to be a fabulous event, featuring an array of exciting class sessions led by renowned martial artists, engaging workshops, insightful seminars, and dynamic demonstrations, all designed to enhance your skills, expand your knowledge and motivate you and your business to excel. We are very pleased to be returning to the Columbus, OH area for 2025. It’s an accessible destination with great options for dining, entertainment and leisure activities. We’ve chosen the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center as our venue, and it’s been an absolute pleasure working with the team there. The venue’s spacious layout will accommodate all activities seamlessly. The entire facility is a 15-acre setting that’s beautifully landscaped and adjacent to a very large city park. The hotel rooms are generously sized and can accommodate singles, double, triples and more. They are equipped with refrigerators, microwaves and coffee makers for those who like to keep snacks on hand. We are very happy to let you know that we have negotiated a room rate that includes breakfast! The meeting space is located close by in an adjacent building and there is plenty of room for us to spread out and mingle. The food and beverage team are creating menus that will offer a range of delicious options to suit all tastes and dietary preferences. From nutritious breakfasts to an elegant banquet, no one will go hungry. A highlight of the event will be our Hall of Fame Banquet, a glamorous affair celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in martial arts. This special evening will not only honor the achievements of our distinguished members but also celebrate our history and offer a wonderful opportunity for networking and camaraderie. Of course, one of the most anticipated aspects of the conference is the chance to see everyone in person. It’s always a pleasure to reconnect face-to-face, share experiences, and celebrate our shared passion for martial arts. As we approach our 25th anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible support from this community. This conference is a testament to the strength and unity of women martial artists, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you all. Mark your calendars for April 4-6, 2025, and join us in Columbus for what promises to be an unforgettable event! Registration is open. Rooms are available to reserve. Stay tuned for more details and as we continue to prepare for this landmark celebration. See you in Columbus! | Join us for our 25th Anniversary! 2025 Conference
We will be celebrating AWMAI’s 25th Anniversary April 4-6, 2025 at: Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center 100 Green Meadows Drive South Lewis Center, OH 43035 Conference registration is open Saturday, November 30 Mid-December 2024 Accepted teachers notified by Administrative Director Parnee Poet Tues, December 31 Last day to apply for Hall of Fame recognition Friday, January 31 Last day for Early Bird registration $429 Members - save $50 $489 Non-Members - save $50 Last day to apply for a scholarship Tuesday, March 4 Last day to reserve your hotel room at Nationwide with our group rate Tuesday, April 1 Last day for online registration Thursday, April 3 Early check in Pre-Conference Reception at Nationwide Hotel, 5-6:30 pm Conference Schedule At-A-Glance Thursday, April 3 5:00 - 6:30 pm Early Arrivals Welcome Reception Friday, April 4 9:00 am Teacher Introductions and Conference Begins! Saturday, April 5 Classes All Day, Demos, Awards and Banquet Saturday, April 6 Classes All Morning, Conference Ends at Noon Jennie Trower
Hello, esteemed AWMAI members and friends! With my only child off at his first year of college, the sale of my home of the past 20 years, and a move to a new state, I have been reflecting on transitions, new chapters and new beginnings, while also learning about my new community of Tulsa, OK. Last week my partner and I attended the 50th anniversary celebration of a woman-owned business, Wanda J’s. In 1974, Wanda opened the restaurant as a Black, single mother in a time when business was predominantly male-dominated. She was not expected to succeed. Over the next five decades, she broke barriers and built a business that not only provided amazing food, but that was a cornerstone of the North Tulsa community. One by one, Wanda’s family, lifelong customers and staff took to the microphone to honor her and tell the 350 people in attendance about how Wanda gave them a job, fed them when they were down on their luck, taught them how to cook, or sent home plates of food for sick family members. I was impressed by Wanda’s resilience, her business acumen, her investment in the city, her generosity and the clear love she had for everyone in the room – a deep admiration that was reciprocated tenfold. As instructors and business owners, I know that so many of us in AWMAI have also faced challenges, overcome adversity, and built successful careers and schools that have enhanced our communities. And as our organization continues to grow, and we continue to support each other, our impact is amplified. This mutual support, commitment to excellence and professional development is evident at our flagship event, the annual AWMAI Teaching the Teacher Conference. We have recently announced that we will be returning to the Columbus area for the 2025 conference, which is also our 25th anniversary! We would love for you to join us April 4-6, 2025, at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center for what is sure to be an inspirational, educational and memorable weekend of connection, networking, sharing and learning. Registration is now open, and the application to teach is available. Stay tuned to the website and our social media platforms for more details, including information about scholarship opportunities. If you are reading this newsletter but not yet a member of AWMAI, we welcome you to check us out and see if our organization is a good fit for you.Be safe, be well and hope to see you soon. Dr. Amelia Jones, L.Ac
Where does the time go? Our joyful memories of the 2024 Teaching the Teacher conference have barely receded in the rear view mirror and it’s already time to recruit for 2025. The year 2025 is marking the 25th anniversary of our esteemed organization. Herstory is in the making, and we are it. We have foreseen the future and we are the future. Twenty-five years ago Shihan Dara Masi had a dream. We are the realization of that dream, of the dreams of the multitude of women warriors upon whose shoulders we stand. AWMAI Hall of Fame In my role as Certification Director, I reflect on the Hall of Fame. In 2016, at the historic Tri-Alliance gathering of AWMAI, NWMAF and PAWMA in Naperville, IL, I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was a moment unlike any in my previous experience. How many years have you been practicing, training, leading by example? Have you been inducted previously and reached another milestone? You are a part of history whether you are recognized or not. There’s something to be said for receiving one’s flowers while still able to appreciate their fragrance. The youth who are our future will only be able to gain inspiration from the artifacts we leave them to discover. The Hall of Fame honors instructors with 30 or more years in martial arts. Join this elite group of martial artists honored by their colleagues and peers. We value and honor women. photo of Dr. Amelia by Tih Penfil |
Tih Penfil
After volunteering for fourteen years as one of three heads of security for the (Ferndale) Woodward Dream Cruise, my two colleagues; Sean, Ken, and I retired after this year's Dream Cruise.
As one of the heads of security for the Ferndale Woodward Dream Cruise, we monitored the streets to help keep all safe and having a good time. We worked with the Ferndale Police and Fire Departments. We handled situations that didn't require their interventions and notified them when they were needed: ie. medical emergencies, children that wandered off... We interacted with the vendors and all the presenters. For the Friday emergency vehicle parade, we each had our own assignments: I stayed with the dignitaries and was in charge of the ribbon cutting scissors. Sean worked the front of the parade and Ken, the back. We then went to our positions to direct traffic until the parade was over. After the parade, we went back to our other duties for 10-14 days.
At 71 years of age, the fourteen hour days on pavement were not enjoyable anymore. I enjoyed the experience, the dignitaries and performers that I got to interact with and my time with my team. We will get together for other projects in the future.
Martial arts training gave me the motor memory, mind and critical thinking skills that assisted my performance working the cruise. I was able to do this all these years without having to physically interact during situations, ie., someone drunk, being rude or scared... I started doing security thirty six years ago for Detroit's Motor City Pride. I started as security at the vendor/performer entrance. Through the years, I was the head of security for the main stage performers as well as other duties, plus I was the cruise ship photographer. I retired from that in 2023.
For almost forty years, I was a special educator of severely, emotionally impaired children, alternative education and gifted students, as well as being a registered art therapist. I retired from that 9 years ago.
I started to take photographs at age ten, taught by my dad who was a detective of special investigations (one of the first to introduce photography into court proceedings). Now I enjoy doing the photography, doing volunteer work twice a week at a food pantry (9 years now) and studying two nights/week at Mejishi Martial Arts.
photo (Left to Right): Captains Ken W., Tih P. and Chief Sean R.
Cheryl Rock
On August 17, 2024, I am honored to have been inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame (UMAHOF) alongside my AWMAI sisters. Thanks to Shihan Diane Wallander for acknowledging our unique contributions to the martial arts as female practitioners.
Since earning my 1st degree black belt in Hapkido under the mentorship of Master Louis Kim (NHC Martial Arts & Fitness), I have been dedicated to empowering women against sexual, gender as well as power-based violence. I also invented a new technology “The Bagua Plate” in promoting health and wellness within the martial arts arena using the principles of Hapkido which simply means “the coordination of energy”, as well as the BaGua energy map. In addition to earning my black belt in Hapkido, I am also a practitioner of Brazilian Jujitsu under my wonderful coach, Professor John Thomas (Blue Collar Grappling). Through his mentorship, I plan to specialize in calisthenics for the aging female martial artist for strengthening and conditioning and using ground techniques for self defense….
I am also so happy to be active member of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI), where I have deliberated on topics at the annual conference, “Teaching the Teacher” that amalgamated my research and scholarly activity (RSCA) as a Food Scientist by profession with martial arts/martial science.
Additionally, myself and Grandmaster Sidagoo Odette Russell collaborated on Aug 3, 2024, for a health and wellness webinar with 35 registrants! The emphasis of the webinar was to promote the autonomy as martial artists to focus on self care by being aware that we are not immune to disease and illness if we are not taking care of ourselves.
We also demonstrated the martial arts tool "The Bagua Plate”, which I created to understand the frequency of food in adopting better eating practices to enhance our overall well being as martial artists.
Janet E. Aalfs to spell the duel : : duet nipa leaves resound her absent name through drought and rain these sinawali rhythms ta ta ta-tung through smoke and flame no hand can quell tata-tung tung tung Alin Ed Purowa her até spirit's weave rattan stalks ignite constellations within tata-tung tung tung no hand can quell through smoke and flame ta ta ta-tung these sinawali rhythms through drought and rain her absent name nipa leaves resound to spell the duel : : duet Note from Poet: This figure-eight poem, also a palindrome, is in memory of Alin Ed Purowa, aka Princess Urduja, civic leader and renowned martial artist, 14th century Philippines. Copyright © 2022 by Janet E. Aalfs What the Dead Want Me to Know, Human Error Publishing |
Katie Murphy Stevens
People are intriguing!
People have so many different ways of looking at things, understanding nuances, finding solutions, figuring out puzzles.
When I talk with others, I learn new ways.
When I collaborate with others, I find better ways.
When I strive alongside others, I continue along the path toward my best self.
Make your plans now to join us at the 25th Anniversary AWMAI Conference in Columbus, Ohio, April 4 - 6, 2025.
Be part of a group of elite instructors who have come together to learn, share and grow their knowledge and skills.
Imagine the interesting conversations you will have, imagine the mentors (or mentees) you will meet, imagine the serene feeling of martial arts movement.
Here are some things you can do right now. Choose one or more!
I hope to see you in Columbus in April!
Zosia Gorbaty
One of the most invaluable, practical techniques a person can learn during martial arts training is how to fall correctly, without sustaining injury. In the late '70s when I was a brown belt in Kyokushin Karate, my teacher never taught us any falling skills. Sparring on wood floors became unnecessarily painful when I would execute a high roundhouse kick and be subsequently swept resulting in me crashing down to the floor. Most times I would land on my back or coccyx vertebrae. Fortunately, I was young and able to avoid serious injury, but it was always painful. When I finally changed dojos and began training with Sensei Chaka Zulu in 1981, I was thrilled to discover the techniques that allowed falling without injury or pain! Front falls, back falls, side falls, and forward rolls. They became my main focus of practice, practice, practice, until they became part of my muscle memory. That is the key, because when you are falling there is no time to think about correct form. These techniques must be ingrained in your motor memory.
Ukemi is a Japanese word that means "break your fall”. It's a technique used in martial arts to safely fall without injury, often by dissipating impact with your arms and legs or rolling out of a throw. Ukemi is an essential part of learning judo and aikido, and is often one of the first movements taught in classes.
I have personally had several of these injury escaping experiences. The most recent one occurred just a few days ago when I was taking my dog, Sifu, out for a walk. It was late on a hot afternoon, and my energy level was low. As we were walking he sees a squirrel, pulls me, and my toe gets caught in a crack in the sidewalk. I let go of the leash and began to fall forward. I ended up in a modified side fall with my arm stretched out over my head. I could feel my palm stinging as it slapped down on the concrete. Sifu just sat down looking at me like, “What are you doing on the ground, mom?” LOL. I was not experiencing any body pain, so after a quick body scan I got up and we finished our walk. Amazing! Not even a bruise to show the next morning! The power of learning how to fall safely. Any other 75 yr old would have a busted hip and wrist. This was not my first incident too!
Before Covid, my husband and I would frequent a local Indian restaurant that had a great lunch buffet. On one occasion, as we were walking back to our car in the parking lot, I was looking at my phone. Not paying attention to where I was stepping, I neglected to notice the parking block barrier that is often placed at the end of parking spaces to help drivers park. This time, as I hurled forward I turned my motion into a forward roll and continued walking at the end of the roll. My husband couldn’t help but laugh, as he had seen me do this before, many years ago while walking on the streets of New York City.
These kind of experiences have also been shared by many of my martial arts students and friends. One very notable one was shared by one of our black belts, George. He was up high on a ladder with a chain saw attempting to cut a limb. Somehow he began to lose his balance. As he began falling he tossed the chain saw, hit the ground, and executed three forward rolls. He then called my husband, his Sensei, profusely thanking him over and over. This experience is definitely one for the history books.
Many of these incidents fortunately end up in laughter. This was the case in 2006, when I organized an all remale teachers martial arts seminar in St. Thomas, USVI. Some of my high ranking female black belt friends gathered to teach a large group of our male students. The line up included Gaby Roloff, Arnis; Sandie Benevides, Tae Kwon Do; Anne Nepsky, Kempo; Priscilla Horton, Self Massage; Janice Okamoto, Small Circle/Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, and me, Zujitsu. Everyone was staying in a condo where we lived at Sapphire Village. Well, St. Thomas is known for its hilly terrain, and it did not disappoint. As we were all walking down the hill towards the beach, out of nowhere, Janice Okamoto does a quick forward roll and continues walking. Startled, we all began to laugh. Apparently she had lost her footing and naturally, a forward roll was most appropriate.
As my friend, Delina Fuchs, a Danzan Ryu Professor says, “Falling safely is one of the best skills a person can have. I took a front/face fall last year at the mall because I didn’t see the steps. Landed perfectly without a scratch or bruise. It was the best.”
For many years, falling skills were restricted to being taught only in Aikido, Judo, or Jujitsu classes. As martial arts have evolved and become more eclectic, falling skills are now being taught as part of the curriculum in many other arts. If you are training in a school that still does not teach falling skills, please consider either convincing your teacher to incorporate them, or find another school. Your body will thank you, especially as you age!
Parnee Poet
As we fall into cooler temperatures, perhaps we can hibernate with ideas to share at our 25th anniversary! Let’s also reminisce about the past and how we can continue to learn and shape our future for the better. The contributions in this newsletter may inspire you more creatively to strengthen our connections, our love for AWMAI, self defense, martial arts and the community we grow together. I hope to see you in April 2025 at our new venue, Nationwide!
photo taken by Sensei Howard Hannon, of my black belt promotion, 2010
AWMAI 2024 Logo designed by Dr. Amelia Jones, L. Ac., AWMAI Certification Director
photo by Tih Penfil
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| Join theMartial Arts Movement!AWMAI, our community, and our website are here to support you as an instructor, and allow you to offer support to others.
Thank youto our Sponsors!Sponsorships help support AWMAI and our Conference. To see more sponsors, or become one, click here!
| AWMAIBoard of Directors
Executive Director Certification Director Amelia Jones Events Director Financial Director Administrative Director Parnee Poet newsletter@awmai.org
Our Mission: We provide high-quality education, training, and support, as well as opportunities for networking, advancement, and professional recognition, to women instructors and business owners in the fields of martial arts and self-defense. Our VisionWe strive to be leaders in the communities we serve; to be partners in helping each other achieve recognition and excellence in our respective pursuits; and to take pride in elevating the performance and reputation of all our members’ schools and classes.
Our Values
These values are at the heart of our organization. Integrity - We maintain the highest standards of personal and business ethics in all our interactions, continually strengthening relationships through honesty, trustworthiness and reliability.
Respect - We respect the unique contributions of every teacher and student, valuing the diversity of their experiences, ideas and initiatives. We ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn and contribute in a way that enriches their personal development.
Inclusivity - We welcome all women, including individuals who are transgender, non-binary or self-identify as women and who believe a space reserved for women martial artists is a home.
The Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors welcomes female martial arts instructors, assistant instructors, and aspiring instructors of all martial arts styles hard and soft to become Members. As a Member you will have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other women who have trail-blazed the path you are now pursuing. Tangible membership benefits include an Association patch for new members, an E-Link for your school to our website plus posting of your upcoming events, E-Newsletter, and unlimited networking possibilities. |
