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Serenity in Strength: Exploring Martial Arts
by Eileen Nicol

Cue the cinematic low cello note, dramatic and foreboding, as a woman walks alone at night down a dark, empty street. A shadowy figure skulks along behind her, but the woman’s gait is confident and sure. The figure overtakes her and makes a grab for her purse, only to be repelled by a swift, high kick to the jaw, after which he sinks to the ground, moaning. The stuff of fantasy, of cheesy action flicks? Not in Seattle, sister, not if Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu and the Feminist Karate Union have their way.

The TV show Kung Fu with David Carradine sparked Aleeta Van Petten’s interest in the martial arts as a girl, and when she came to Seattle in the late 1970s she was ready to investigate further. She was drawn to the Feminist Karate Union because she was intimidated by the idea of training with men. Impressed at how much she learned in the first few classes, Aleeta put the blocks to use right away with a guy she was dating. “I didn’t even have to use them like I was blocking a punch, but he couldn’t put his hands on me,” she says. Now a black belt in shito-ryu, a traditional form of Japanese karate, Aleeta is the head instructor at the Feminist Karate Union and is proud to be a third generation woman-trained karate sensei, or teacher.

FKU grew from a self-defense class originally taught at the University of Washington in 1971. Located in the International District, its mission is to use karate as a means for women and children to develop physical fitness, confidence, and pride in their bodies. Self-defense is emphasized, but FKU also wants to offer opportunities for women to compete in the sport. FKU trains children of both sexes between the ages of six and 12, and women of any age, and offers sliding scale fees.

Michelle McVadon arrived at Seven Star Women’s Kung Fu in the early 1980s also curious about the martial arts. “The movement drew me to it — watching people move their bodies in ways I wanted to move my body,” she says. After one class, she was hooked, and now Michelle holds a fourth degree black belt. She has been head instructor at Seven Star since 1995 and was honored in 2003 by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists, which named her their Martial Artist of the Year.

At Seven Star, located near Garfield High School, students practice kung fu in the Kajukenbo system, which incorporates elements of karate, judo, jujitsu, kenpo and kung fu. They learn self-defense against physical and verbal attacks, as well as the more traditional sparring and forms. Michelle values the emphasis on respect in martial arts, but says Seven Star is less hierarchical than many martial arts schools. “For instance, we make a circle to start a class, whereas most schools line up by rank, with the instructor in the front facing the class.” The school further honors feminist principles by extending the concept of respect to the space itself. “We bow to the space when we enter, because we’re so grateful we have a space to train in, and a floor to use.” As a nonprofit organization, Seven Star strives to serve all interested women by offering free child care and class fees on a sliding scale.

Recognizing that many women come to martial arts after a history of abuse by men, both of these schools provide a place where women can learn in an all-female environment. Even if fear of men is not a factor, often just the presence of men can make women students self-conscious. However, Seven Star does offer a monthly co-ed sparring session for women who desire to train with men.

Karate and kajukenbo have highly structured belt systems, culminating in black belt status, that give students a way to measure their progress, as well as something to strive for. Progress depends on how often the student trains, as well as her natural aptitude and desire. It may take five to 10 years of regular and frequent training to reach black belt, but benefits accrue to the student along the way, whether she reaches that level or not. Most students feel safer right away, and stories abound of women with only a few lessons successfully defending themselves against an attack. Fitness, discipline and mental fortitude are cultivated, as well as a deep sense of community. “Students care tremendously about each other,” says Van Petten. “People really develop strong relationships and friendships.” McVadon stresses the spiritual aspect of martial arts. “The more you train in the martial arts, the more you realize that what you’re learning is how never to have to use those techniques,” she says. “That’s the highest level of spirituality, when you realize you can rise above all those base emotions and intentions, and oddly enough, get to that place through the study of martial arts.”

Curious? Both schools make it easy to observe or even try a beginning class. Check out their Web sites or give them a call for particulars. “I think a lot of women let themselves be intimidated by the idea of walking through the door of a martial arts school, and I don’t think they should,” says Aleeta. “I think they should take the first step and try a class and give it a go.”

Eileen Nicol is a frequent contributor to Seattle Woman.

©2007 Caliope Publishing Company