Martial Arts: Men vs. Women or The Same Team?

Only one woman on social media has ever chastised me for showing what the woman martial artist is all about. She said we are all students and I should not make any attempt to make women seem any different than men, when it comes to martial arts.

I understand her point of view. We are all trained the same way. We take the same classes, have the same instructors, and wear the same uniforms. Men and women are all "students." There is no difference there.

I don't think women are better than men in martial arts. And, I don't think women are superior in training. In fact, I believe we all have the same opportunities to become better at who we are.

The differences arise in how we apply the martial art mindset to who we are in our daily living, not in martial art training. No man has carried a child or experienced what it means to be a woman in society, just as no women can fully perceive a man's perspective. We must apply the mindset differently based on circumstances.

So, I am not a proponent of just women in martial arts. I am a proponent of martial arts, overall. I also want women to realize that they are as capable as any man when it comes to anything that they do. Still, we are all different, and men and women have different strengths and weaknesses from each other. That is neither good nor bad. In many ways, both in martial arts and in life, women and men complement each other.

Whether you are a man or a woman in martial arts does not matter to me as much as whether you strive to become the best that you can be, and that you let your training push you further than you think you can go, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Discover who you are, but never make it a competition between men and women.

The way I see it, we are all on the same team.

xoxo

Andrea

_______________________________________________________________________

My new book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available. Purchase through my e-commerce store: http://themartialartswoman.storenvy.com.

The Martial Arts Woman shares the stories and insights of more than twenty-five women in the martial arts, and how they apply martial arts to their lives. Unlike most other martial art books, the reader will catch a glimpse into the brave and empowered woman who dares to be all that she can be. Many of these women had to overcome great societal or personal challenges to break into the men’s world of martial arts. This book will motivate and inspire you to go after your goals in life and to fight through every challenge and defeat every obstacle. The Martial Arts Woman will open your eyes to the power of the human spirit and the martial art mindset that dwells in each of us!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea F. Harkins is a writer, motivator, life coach, martial artist, and public speaker. Her book, The Martial Arts Woman, is now available at themartialartswoman.storenvy.com or on Amazon!

Andrea is Internationally known for her positivity through martial arts efforts and outreach, and her writing. She is currently a contributor for Think Positive Magazine, as well as a columnist for Martial Arts Illustrated UK, The Martial Arts Guardian (UK), the World Martial Arts Magazine, MASUCCESS, Conflict Manager, Martial Arts Business (Australia), The Parrish Village News, and her blog, The Martial Arts Woman. Contact her for information on public speaking, autographs, and life coaching.