Women martial artists gather for annual training camp

Each year women martial artists from mostly the western United States and Canada gather together at the annual training camp for the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA). We come from a myriad of styles, from Arnis to Zujitsu, to train together and participate in a camaraderie known only to those who share a unique passion.

PAWMA, whose mission it is to unite and empower a diverse community of women and girls in the martial arts, gathered for the first time in 1978 in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. At the time, only a few women trained in the martial arts and only the hardiest of them succeeded in what was then a difficult, male-dominated environment. These women have now become the revered elders of the organization. They watch over us today, as more and more women reap the rewards of martial arts training for its spiritual, mental and physical benefits. As a result, PAWMA has grown into an inclusive organization that represents diverse abilities, backgrounds and martial arts styles, and its training camp has become an annual event.

This year, we concluded our annual pilgrimage at Camp Solomon Schecter in Olympia, Washington. The setting was idyllic. Surrounded by trees, the lake that graces the center of the camp is partly covered by water lilies that add an eye-pleasing effect for kayaking, swimming and paddle-boating. Approximately 120 of us gathered at this year’s camp to teach, train, dance and play together over the Labor Day weekend. Guest instructors, some of whom have trained in the martial arts for over 30 years, came from as far away as Jerusalem, Israel, and Brooklyn, New York.

“Roots of Community, Seeds of Change” was this year’s theme, and teachers were asked to incorporate it into their classes. For example, Sana Shanti (pictured performing a tai chi form on the dock at right) of British Columbia who has been studying and teaching Taiji and Qi Gong for over 20 years offered “Finding our Root in Postures, in Self, and in the Community,” the focus of which was “on the principles required to find the proper alignment that facilitates optimum connection to the earth,” which Shanti calls “rooting.” Shanti also facilitated Taiji classes in connection, and in yielding and receiving, but there were also classes in tai chi broadsword and kyudo (archery) by Restita DeJesus (pictured below with the broadsword with the yellow and red sashes), in addition to the standard morning Qigong and Tai Chi for early risers.

Hand to Hand Kajukenbo from Oakland, California, and Feminist Karate Union and Seven Star Kung Fu out of Seattle, Washington, came from their schools in large numbers. Black belts from both schools represented their arts by teaching classes in street fighting and other aspects of self-defense, as well as weapons and forms. Hard styles like Taekwondo and Goju-Ryu karate were also included with classes in breaking, women’s self-defense, kicking and the principles of generating power.

After reworking the organization’s mission and vision last year, this year’s camp also included some classes in injury prevention, first aid, healing, meditation and workshops titled “Teaching Younger Children” and “Be the Change You Hope to See: Starting a Grass Roots Effort."

Though the focus was on training, each day closed with an opportunity for socializing and camaraderie. We were inspired by the short film “Under One Sky” on Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon we were treated to demonstrations in breaking, and empty-hand, weapons and group forms by many of the teachers and schools present. It was then that this year’s Martial Artist of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award winners were revealed. Nadia Telsey, author of Self Defense from the Inside Out, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement award for her anti-violence and self-defense work. Debbie Leung, a practitioner of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Taijiquan, was presented as the Martial Artist of the Year.

Sunday was capped off with a dance and bazaar and Monday, after two more sessions, we said our goodbyes in a closing ceremony by the lake before going home.

Next year, our annual training camp will be held at Menlo College in Atherton, California, from July 30 – August 2. For more information about PAWMA membership and next year’s training camp, please visit www.pawma.org.