Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching, by Carol A. Wiley

he author of "Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching", Carol A. Wiley, has also written the book: "Women in the Martial Arts". While the subject of "Women in the Martial Arts" is about how women look at, cope with and benefit from martial arts training, "Martial Arts Teachers on Teaching" on the other hand is about teaching martial arts (duh...) - as seen through the eyes of 26 male and female martial arts instructors. This is indeed a different, new and exciting angle, giving us a varied and at times very interesting book.

It seems that each of the 26 contributers have been given free hands to write about any subject - as long as it is related to teaching the arts of course. The end result is that there is no common thread, apart from teaching and studying. But the variety does ensure that a lot of interesting subjects are discussed and presented - proving that there is more to teaching martial arts than showing people how throw a punch!

Throughout the book you are presented with various angles of focus, such as different methods of teaching, the very function and subject of teaching and learning, what brings people to the arts, and what it is that keep people on the martial arts track.

Here you have anything from practical ways to teach kids and adults of both genders, how to teach on courses and seminars for people who have been victims of sexual violence, how to keep people interested in training for a longer time, the role of the teacher and much more. You'll also find many more theoretical thoughts and ideas concerning martial arts in general, as well as discussions about the moral and philosophical sides to the fighting arts.

Some of the contributers are presenting the subject of how martial arts training can affect students - children, youths and adults. All in all this is a very interesting and useful books, to the teachers of course, but also the serious martial arts student. One example is the presentation of how we learn our art/s through the senses of sight, hearing and movement/kinetic sensation.

This book is hereby recommended to anyone interested in knowing more about teaching others from a technical, methodical as well as philosophical perspective. Let's not forget that a book like this may serve as a huge source of inspiration for women in the fighting arts - students or teachers alike. Carol A. Wiley should be applauded for bringing so many able, experienced and outspoken female teachers to the spotlight.

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