Meet Danielle McGrath

by Katherine White

When you see Danielle McGrath teaching a group of kids it is hard to tell who is having more fun, she or the kids.  "Kids are so open to the beauty of the world.  There is no limit to the possibilities for them."

Danielle began training at One with Heart in 1996 in a Women's Self-Defense class.  She was surprised at how much it changed her life.  "The class gave me a lot of freedom to be out in the world in a stronger way.  I thought self-defense training was going to be about getting tougher, putting up walls to stay safe and protected.  I realized it is the opposite.  The training allowed me to take the walls down.  I got to be more open."

This experience turned her life in a new direction.  "I looked up to the self-defense instructors who were Poekoelan practitioners.  They were so grounded and confident.  I was committed to learning more."  Today Danielle is a 3rd degree Black Belt, a certified Tulen Self-Defense instructor and the Kids Program Director at One with Heart.

Of the many things she has accomplished since that first self-defense class, she attributes much of her personal growth to her Tulen training and the work she does each day with kids.  "I feel a very deep responsibility when I work with children.  Whatever you reflect on your students, they will reflect on you.  They do what you do.  I am responsible to be the best I can be when I teach.  That makes me a better person every day."