Danielle Smith
Encyclopedia
Danielle Molles Smith is one of five martial artists who developed the women's self-defense
system known as "Model Mugging
" and is the current head teacher dojo cho of Aikido of Monterey
in California
."
She has trained in Aikido
since 1973 in the United States
and Japan
and was awarded the rank of rokudan
in 2006. She has also studied T'ai chi ch'uan, is a sandan in Hakko Ryu
Jujutsu
, a yondan in Seibukan Jujutsu and a shodan
in Iaido
. Smith is also a certified Pilates
instructor.
The "Model Mugging" program was founded by Matt Thomas and later developed by Danielle Smith along with Julio Toribio, Sheryl Doran and Mark Morrison. In addition to teaching how to be effective physically in dealing with violent attacks, Smith introduced psychological growth and change as a means of breaking the "victim cycle" of abuse.
She is currently serving a two-year term of office as president of the California Aikido Association, a position she has held since 2002.
Self-defense
Self-defense, self-defence or private defense is a countermeasure that involves defending oneself, one's property or the well-being of another from physical harm. The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many...
system known as "Model Mugging
Model Mugging
Model Mugging is a form of self-defense training that uses padded trainers or Model Muggers to simulate assaults. It was founded by Matt Thomas, co-author of the book Defend Yourself!: Every Woman's Guide to Safeguarding Her Life. Its inspiration was the 1971 rape and beating of a karate black belt...
" and is the current head teacher dojo cho of Aikido of Monterey
Monterey, California
The City of Monterey in Monterey County is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in Central California. Monterey lies at an elevation of 26 feet above sea level. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,810. Monterey is of historical importance because it was the capital of...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
."
She has trained in Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
since 1973 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and was awarded the rank of rokudan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
in 2006. She has also studied T'ai chi ch'uan, is a sandan in Hakko Ryu
Hakko Ryu
Hakkō-ryū or Hakkō-ryū Jujutsu is a school or 'style' of jujutsu related to Daito-ryu founded in 1941 by Okuyama Ryuho a student of Sokaku Takeda and a practitioner of shiatsu. Many techniques of this school are very similar to those of the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.The school is now headed by his...
Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
, a yondan in Seibukan Jujutsu and a shodan
Shodan
, literally meaning "beginning degree," is the lowest black belt rank in Japanese martial arts and the game of Go. The 2nd dan is higher than Shodan, but the 1st dan is called Shodan traditionally and the 1st dan is not called "Ichidan"...
in Iaido
Iaido
is a modern Japanese martial art associated with the smooth, controlled movements of drawing the sword from its scabbard, striking or cutting an opponent, removing blood from the blade, and then replacing the sword in the scabbard...
. Smith is also a certified Pilates
Pilates
Pilates is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates in Germany, the UK and the USA. As of 2005, there were 11 million people practicing the discipline regularly and 14,000 instructors in the United States....
instructor.
The "Model Mugging" program was founded by Matt Thomas and later developed by Danielle Smith along with Julio Toribio, Sheryl Doran and Mark Morrison. In addition to teaching how to be effective physically in dealing with violent attacks, Smith introduced psychological growth and change as a means of breaking the "victim cycle" of abuse.
She is currently serving a two-year term of office as president of the California Aikido Association, a position she has held since 2002.
External links
- Aikido of Monterey
- California Aikido Association
- Aikido Journal Interview: California Women Instructors - Part 1 - Pat Hendricks, Bernice Tom and Danielle Evans [Molles Smith]
- Aikido Journal Interview: California Women Instructors - Part 2