NEW FRONTIERS

WITH THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA, WOMEN ARE LEVERAGING NEW POWER, AUTONOMY AND IDENTITY IN THE MARTIAL ARTS. WITH THOSE, THEY'RE CREATING MORE PLATFORMS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEMSELVES THAN EVER EXISTED EVEN A GENERATION AGO. TODAY'S WOMEN ARE EXPLORING NEW TERRITORIES AND BREAKING THROUGH OLD GLASS CEILINGS TO DEFINE THEIR OWN REALITIES. LISTED BELOW ARE A FEW EXAMPLES.

- GERRY CHISOLM

Women's Martial Arts Network

When we created the Women's Martial Arts Network in 2018, I knew that one of the things social media would allow us to do was mentor and support others in real time - as opposed to gather once a year and then dissipate. The organization also uses social media to engage the public in celebrating and learning about the accomplishments and contributions of both the ordinary and extraordinary girls and women of the martial arts. Their collective achievements at all levels no doubt will inspire others to train in the arts.

Virtual Training Opportunities

Technology created a bridge across the pandemic in the form of an explosion of virtual training and online events. For better or worse, it presented new possibilities and opportunities to increase the pool of prospects that previously might have been limited to foot traffic or in-person experiences.

For some women, online learning was perceived as more convenient and less risky. Many women who feel intimidated and would never walk into a traditional martial arts school are more comfortable taking a self-defense class and experimenting with techniques in the comfort of their home with a family member or friend. There's no travel time or associated expenses, and they can get back to managing their lives with minimal hassle.

Social media and virtual classes also gave women a chance to develop themselves as independent instructors, an opportunity that some women still never get.

"The Java Buzz" Podcast