2010 Teaching the Teacher Conference - meet the teachers
AWMAI Conference 2010 -Teachers & Class TitlesSifu Debbie Leung
Master Wen Mei Yu, who she continues to see for corrections and training in Liangong, qigong, and Wu Style Taijiquan. Debbie now uses these Chinese movement arts to help people through their health issues, especially as they age. From 1979-1994, Debbie taught self-defense classes to women and teens in Olympia and beyond. She is the author of SELF-DEFENSE: The Womanly Art of Self-Care, Intuition, and Choice (R&M Press, 1991) and has started teaching self-defense again. The physical and mental challenges of competitive figure skating for over 10 years have added new dimensions that enhance and reinforce Debbie's martial arts foundation. Debbie is also a writer and editor, editing the quarterly newsletter of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA) since 2000. She has a food garden that is too large for her own good and is pursuing photography more seriously.
Push hands concepts can enhance any martial art and even translate into non-martial, day-to-day applications. This class will explore ways to introduce and teach basic concepts of listening and developing sensitivity to a partner and ourselves through touch. What we learn from connection with others can then direct our next moves, which might follow, redirect, circle, spiral, advance or protect while maintaining a strong, yet relaxed body structure. Try out general, playful exercises that progress in steps to ones that apply these ideas to sparring. Practical Qigong – Applying its Principles (Moving Classroom) Beneath the martial movements we see are the qigong principles that make the action more than athletics. These principles blend the external with the internal, and give the movements deeper meaning and enjoyment. By using some of the exercises from Liangong as an example, explore how qigong’s principles of alignment, continuous movement, and relaxation of mind and body can be applied to other arts through a variety of visualizations, metaphors and types of focus that might be used to enhance any class. Start the Day with Liangong (Morning Workout) Liangong combines China’s ancient therapeutic movement therapies (qigong) with current medical theory from the east and west. It involves breathing, stretching, strengthening and spreading of the limbs in slow dynamic movements, like a simple form of yoga. The exercise can prevent and heal pain in muscles and joints, gently develop fitness, relieve stress, increase range of motion and promote general health – a great way to relax, focus and energize the mind and body at the beginning of a new day. Jamie Zimron Sensei
Martial Arts: Making Worlds of Difference in Today’s World (Lecture/Discussion) Shihan Janice Okamoto
Healing Massage – Moving Classroom Students may bring their own oils or lotions. For those oil or lotion sensitive, baby powder is a good alternative. Please bring a towel. _____________________ Panel Discussion - “Girl Talk: Women’s Issues in Teaching and Training Part 2.” Facilitated by Heather Turnbull.. Our discussion topic is “Girl Talk: Women’s Issues in Teaching and Training.” This will include a potpourri of items to discuss from menstruation to pregnancy to menopause; from training and sparring with men to teaching men; from bad hair days to jock straps to long finger nails! It promises to be a lively discussion, with some great information and classic stories. Be ready to share your story
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Debbie Leung has been teaching movement arts in the Olympia, WA area since 1979. She has also taught various workshops and seminars in California, Oregon, and Washington. She has been a member of the teaching staff at eleven annual women's training weekends organized by the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA). Debbie Leung started her martial arts practice in 1978 with Shito-ryu karate. In 1981, training began in Northern Shaolin kung-fu in Olympia, WA, where she learned about herself and nature as well as the art. Its traditional foundation carried over to advanced Taiji and qigong training in 1994 with 
Jamie Leno Zimron holds a 5th Degree Black Belt in Aikido and is an original co-founder of AWMAI. She began training at Stanford University in 1975, established the Aikido Arts Center of San Francisco (1980-1994), and helped introduce Aikido to the Soviet Union (1987-1991). Jamie Sensei is a senior trainer for the National Women's Martial Arts Federation and Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists, and is known for her work in sharing Aikido principles in a variety of settings with other martial artists, athletes and the general public. 
Janice Okamoto was promoted by Professor Wally Jay to the ranks of Sichidan in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, Rokudan in Small Circle Jujitsu, and Nidan in Kodokan Judo. She was awarded her Kaidensho (teaching license) in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu with the title of Shihan. She received her Seifukujitsu (Japanese restoration therapy) training and certification in 1988 and is a Certified Massage Therapist. She received the Master of Massage certificate from Jujitsu America.