Testimonials
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Re-Awakening The Female Warrior Spirit!
at these practices and became notable warriors. As is popularly known, Wing Chun was developed by a woman, practiced by women, and became the style of choice amongst many men, including Bruce Lee for a period of his life. In the early part of the tenth to the eighteenth century in feudal Japan, the battlefield was shared by men and women alike, and women warriors continued to fight up until one of the last civil wars in Japan. In 1199, Itagaki, a female general in charge of 3000 warriors, displayed skill, knowledge and bravery that apparently inspired her troops and put her enemies to shame. Females born into a ninja family were also often taught alongside their male siblings.
Despite this belief, some women continued to train in private. The warrior is still strong in modern women, and many train martial arts today. However, even with knowledge of the long history of their involvement in the arts, women still face barriers in martial arts gyms. Through my experiences in a variety of martial arts schools, I have come to believe that a shift is needed in how women are accepted and trained in martial arts, and changes need to happen to the values and beliefs in regards to women training in these gyms.
One obstacle that I believe is faced by a woman in martial arts is that she is often made to feel as though she has no place even training in your everyday gym. This belief comes to life in one of my earliest experiences training in martial arts.
I began training as a young teenager, and started out in a traditional martial arts school. There were a few women in the class, but it was still predominantly male. A part of the class included practicing patterns and forms, and then the class would spar. I was nervous immediately about sparring, but knew that it played an important role in developing my skills and confidence. One night during sparring, the timer went off and everybody rotated partners. One of the male students was paired with me, to which he responded by declaring loudly that he “did not want to spar HER”. The instructor made him spar me. The student’s reaction was to circle me towards the wall, and drop me with a body kick. It was considered acceptable for him to do that to me, a beginner, because he was a ring fighter, and I had a lot to learn. And obviously I didn’t say or do anything in response, because if I couldn’t handle it, I had no place being there. And I was young, I wanted to learn, and I wanted to fit in. At the same school, another student blatantly told me that he felt that women had no place in sparring classes as it was unfair to the men.
jitsu and martial arts. However, the gym where I trained placed value solely on the outcome of training, and not at all on the process or the journey. By this, I mean you were only worthwhile if you tapped someone out, and you were worthless if you tapped during a session. In a hypercompetitive and ego driven environment such as this, the skills of a less physically strong or smaller martial artist are completely underestimated and not given the optimal chance to develop. I learnt countless techniques that either wouldn’t work in the sparring session because they were not functional given my attributes, or I would not feel comfortable to attempt them during sparring for fear of failure, or I was too nervous during sparring to be capable of performing the moves. To say I felt apprehensive before sparring class would be understatement. Looking back, I would find any excuse to avoid a sparring class. At the time I convinced myself that I was just too busy, or not feeling 100%, and therefore shouldn’t train that night.
This apprehension and lack of confidence grew when I was pressured to compete after only one month of training Brazilian jiu jitsu. I declined several times, but was telephoned by my coach and by my co students until I eventually agreed and competed against my better judgement. I received the same treatment several months later when I was once again pressured to compete, this time in a national competition. Unfortunately I did not win my bout, but in the light of how much work it took for me to even step out there and compete, I felt it was an achievement in some way, and looking back today the competition was still a learning experience. When my coach, my team mates and I all got together after our matches, my loss was met with public dissatisfaction and disapproval from my coach. I haven’t competed since.
I continue to be passionate about training martial arts and acknowledge that these experiences have been a part of my journey, and have led me to where I am today. Needless to say, however, these experiences did not help to build my confidence with training and particularly not with sparring. They didn’t teach me functional skills, and they definitely didn’t teach me the physical or mental skills required to effectively defend or protect myself. I continued to train various martial arts despite these early experiences because I have always believed in what they potentially have to offer in the right environment. Anyway, what other options were available? The choices for a woman were to join a class which did not involve any physical contact or sparring however did not teach functional skills. Alternatively she could participate in a competition driven sparring class, which does not accommodate the everyday woman or allow her to progressively develop her confidence and skills.
in regardless of their gender or physical attributes. The motivation in a CMD class is not the fear of failure, but rather being comfortable in being creative, co operating with one another, gradually building your tolerance to the physical and mental stress of sparring, whilst still practicing completely functional skills. For the first time, I look forward to sparring class. I feel willing and able to try new techniques when training whether they work the first time or not. I have a set of functional techniques within my capabilities that I am able to practice during sparring against a variety of opponents. I leave the gym feeling better than I did when I walked in. I never leave feeling like I want to burn my gi, or quit because I can’t do something perfectly, or feel like I’m not good enough to be there. I have now learnt that it is the journey that is important, and when you only focus on winning, or avoiding a loss, you forget to enjoy the ride. And this applies to life in the gym, at home, at work, and all other arenas in life.
Women have trained in martial arts for centuries, but it is clear that big changes need to happen in martial arts gyms of today, and to the underlying beliefs and values in these clubs. This change comes in the form of the Crazy Monkey Defense Program. Obviously the experiences and beliefs discussed are mine only, and I am sure they are different to those of many other women. I strongly believe it is important for women, as it is for men, to learn martial arts, for self preservation if for nothing else. I am
confident that many women would at least agree with that. With CMD they can do this safely, comfortably and functionally.
Michele Easson Kachinski
BA Psych, BPsych, Registered Psychologist
CMD Trainer in Training, CM Australia
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"As a neurosurgeon I treat people who have sustained head and spine injury. I am particularly concerned about activities that can put someone at risk for either injury to occur. It is for this reason that I have personally chosen Crazy Monkey Defence for my own fitness and self-defence program."
"As the name suggests, Rodney has designed a martial art that has at its centre the goal of defence – not aggression and attack. The techniques are mouldable to my needs and functional ability whilst providing me with a superb level of safety. I appreciate how the program grows with me – the more knowledgeable and skilled I become, the more complex and experimental I can make my responses. My learning is helped considerably by having James at CMD Australia – a great coach and facilitator."
"I also like how CMD deliberately and actively embraces a holistic approach to training and performance. CMD is just one part of the me - but as it allows me explore options, think about new techniques, and plan and execute moves in real time it actually replicates and reinforces the surgical decision making part of my life, where I must have the confidence and clarity to make the right decision in an emergency setting."
Quentin MALONE
Neurosurgeon
Perth Australia
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James - Thanks for the great workouts as I prepared for Brazil.
Having great training partners is the key to continued success.
Justin Boylan
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As a train driver I spend a lot of time sitting down and wanted to find a form of exercise that would be fun, something I could share with my wife and learn some valuable self preservation skills along the way, I feel very fortunate to have found both an awesome self defense program and an outstanding instructor like James but I did.
I would admit to not being the most natural and coordinated in any aspects of self defense, but with James’s limitless patience and exceptional knowledge and teaching skills I have increased not only my self defense skills but my confidence in myself as well.”
Simon
Train Driver
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Ian Poulter
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James (Head Coach Australia) is passionate about CMD and has the unique ability to tune into each client and tailor each session specifically to his or her needs. Unlike other arts I have experienced, I never once felt pressured into getting something right. Often after a swing working away in the mines I show up to class feeling tired and lethargic. Soon enough the lesson begins, the time flies and by the end of it I am feeling elated.
Where else can you go and learn, have fun, and play in a positive and supportive environment.
CMD is an art with heart that is applicable to anyone interested in self-improvement, self-defense, or self-empowerment. For me Crazy Monkey Defense is a very wise investment of my time, energy and money and James is more than a coach, he is a friend.
Testimonial by John Andros
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Being a woman and working in an office in the city I was not interested in joining a self defense program that would leave me feeling and looking battered and bruised. The Crazy Monkey Defense Program is all about learning safe and effective self defense skills without the need for aggression or competiveness.
As a former riding instructor and personal trainer I understand the importance of customer service, building client rapport and teaching techniques. On day one I found James to be an outstanding instructor whose unwavering enthusiasm, positive and fun outlook on life and friendly professionalism makes Crazy Monkey Australia the ultimate place to learn the Crazy Monkey Defense Program.
After starting with half hour private lessons with James, I soon moved onto hour lessons and from time to time I have the extra pleasure of training with my husband as well. We all always have great fun and come away feeling we have not only learnt a great deal but also that we’ve had an awesome workout.
I would recommend the Crazy Monkey Defense Program to anyone and everyone, I love it!”
Tonia
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The CMD programme is a very practical system that does work. After trying different martial arts systems over the years, CMD Training by James is by far the best system i have done. Training with James in CM has greatly improved my physical fitness, given me a much better mind set and above all else, the ability of SELF PRESERVATION. I only wish that the sort of training i have received from James was offered to me while i was serving in the Defence Force. I believe it would have greatly improved my skills as an Infantry soldier mentally and physically and feel that any individual, company or profession looking for that edge should look no further than James and the CMD programme.
I very much look forward to training under James in the CMD programme for many years to come and i am very thankful to James for what he has given me so far.
K
"It’s been almost
3 months since I began
training with James in
Crazy monkey, starting
with private one-on-one
tuition before combining
this with his group
classes. Working in the
finance profession, I’m
not looking to make a
career in MMA but believe
it is incredibly important
to know some form of
self-defense and having
had very little experience
in any martial arts
previously, I’ve developed
skills and techniques that
almost immediately gave me
confidence in my ability
to protect myself.
CMD is truly a program
adapted for anyone,
whether you’re doing it
because of your line of
work (security), for
fitness, for self defense
or for the prospect of
competing, you choose the
“game” you play."
Greg
"Working in the
Security industry can at
a lot of times put me in
positions where I have
to deal with very
aggressive patrons and
dangerous situations.
Although I have dabbled
in different kinds of
martial arts and self
defence systems over the
years none of them even
come close to the
training I have received
in the CMD from James.
CMD It is the most
effective and practical
system I have ever come
across and in just a
short time has prepared
me both physically and
mentally to deal with
any situation that may
occur. I feel a lot more
confident in my
abilities due to the CMD
training, and the
private coaching from
James is absolutely
second to none."
Karl
______________________________________________________________________________________________________Through this alliance I have had the pleasure of meeting many great martial artists, coaches and people. However,there's been a new guy on the block. His name is James Woodfield-Jones and he is taking engagement and participation in the trainiers program to a higher level. I have found James to be very sincere and passionate about martial arts, conscious business practices and providing an A1 service for his clientele. He brings alot of experience to the program and this is noted in our discussions between coaches. James really stands out from the pack, and CMD Australia is lucky to have him there and pushing things down under.
Chris BISHOP
CMD Certified Advanced Trainer
Monkey Jitz Blue belt (2 stripes)
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