Dana, the force to be reckoned with.....

We decided to do a feature story on Dana, because she is a woman of inspiration. Read on and we believe you will agree!


 Dana is a woman that you'd never want to mess with, but you'd never know it just from looking at her kind face. As a teenager taking college classes, Dana discovered the Martial Art form of Shorin Ryu. Dana found the class a bit restrictive in the sense that you couldn't talk or ask questions. She also found it rigid and repetitive. What she did like, however, was the fact that it gave her discipline. She loved the forms that came with learning this new art. And, let's face it- it's just plain cool for a woman to be able to defend herself without fear.
After an eight year hiatus from studying Martial Arts, Dana was helping out with a local silent auction, where she currently resides. One of the auction items was for bidding on a partial fee towards a Martial Arts school. Dana bid on the item and won it. Already having a college loan to pay for, as well as her husbands school loan, Dana made up the difference by assisting and helping out at her new Martial Arts school. After one year of assisting, Dana worked her way up to becoming an instructor for all of the kids programs. She enjoyed this immensely, and found it especially rewarding.
From her white belt to attaining her black belt, 1st degree that is- the process took her approximately four years. She now holds a 1st degree black belt in Hapkido.
"Aside from the exercise benefit, Hapkido or the whole Martial Arts experience has given me a confidence boost. I am more aware of my surroundings, without being nervous or paranoid about it", Dana says. Dana goes on, "Martial Arts is intellectually challenging, it's never boring. You never feel as if you 'arrive' because there is always a goal to work toward. I'm grateful that I've never been put into a position where I've had to use it though. Women in general are brought up believing that they always have to be polite. It's actually okay to not feel obligated to be polite to someone who may be in a position to cause you harm. It's okay to be vocal about standing your ground. Everyone has to discover what form of Martial Arts works for them. I happen to enjoy Hapkido because you have to stay with it or you will lose your skill level."