by Silvia Smart | Aug 21, 2022 | About Naga, self-defense
Soccer Teams can be dynamic spaces where girls’ empowerment comes into focus. One such club here in Portland is The Saints Girls Academy. I was privileged to teach two of their age groups (the 15/16 year-olds and the 11, 12 & 13 year-olds). Their... 
by Silvia Smart | Feb 22, 2021 | About Naga, Poekoelan
The symbol of the art that I train, Poekoelan, is a rose. We are told that each of us is unique and beautiful, but if you grab us, we have thorns. I’ve always loved this imagery. There are the sweet little buds holding infinite hope and promise, the young blossoms... 
by Silvia Smart | Feb 6, 2021 | About Naga, Child Safety, Poekoelan
Short version: Send your kids here. Especially if they’re girls. Medium version: The school is not competitive, there’s no lockstep testing schedule, no tournaments; it’s just all about inner and outer strength, what each person can achieve, and being the best you... 
by Silvia Smart | Sep 9, 2020 | About Naga, Child Safety, Health and Wellness, Poekoelan, self-defense
Listen Up! This is a piece by National Public Radio about our sister school, Studio Naga in Oakland, CA, first published in 2006 but still relevant today. We teach our students how to hit – and hit hard! And with that ability to protect oneself comes an imense... 
by Silvia Smart | Sep 19, 2020 | About Naga, Health and Wellness
Because of the hierarchical system, the power dynamics, and the focus on loyalty and obedience, martial arts schools have the potential to create cultures with ethics violations, dubious behaviors, and questionable principles. Martial arts schools are not alone in... 
by Silvia Smart | Sep 16, 2020 | About Naga, Health and Wellness, self-defense
What is the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation? The NWMAF is dedicated to promoting the involvement and empowerment of women and girls—cis and trans/non-binary/gender non-conforming person—who are active in martial arts, self-defense, and healing arts....
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