A little more about my path so far…
As mentioned on my home page, my name is Joelle Nañawa, and I am a certified personal trainer via the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a nutrition coach via the Nutritional Therapy Association, and a long time student to many amazing martial arts practitioners. I am also a humble teacher, coach, and the proud founder of Warrior Healing Arts - an online and in-person platform dedicated to harmonizing the world and its citizens with martial arts, inclusive fitness, mindfulness, and holistic lifestyle choices.
As with many people who find themselves in the healing arts, my journey started with my own challenges and obstacles. Through out much of my life, I have felt ruthlessly tugged between extremes and have strived to define what balance means to me, or if it’s even attainable. From struggles with overeating, under-eating, intense weight fluctuations, and the pervasive influence of diet culture, to enduring a hyper-sedentary lifestyle, then adhering to strict fitness regimens - It was in navigating these polarized experiences that I sought to reconcile these disparate parts of myself. Through the sometimes arduous process of self observation, time, therapy, mentorship, and making enough space for complexity and nuance, I discovered the profound power of creating my own dynamic balance.
In my pursuit of equilibrium, I found that the antidotes to self criticism and perfectionism were compassion and curiosity. These qualities have become my guiding light, enabling me to help others find their own paths to wellness and harmony. Through my personal odyssey, I've learned that balance isn't about eliminating extremes but embracing them, understanding their place, and finding the sometimes fluid or changing middle ground where true well-being resides.
My journey into martial arts
As I grappled with life's extremes, particularly in my early 20’s, I stumbled upon a lifeline—martial arts and mindfulness. These practices that started as tugs of curiosity, became anchor points in helping me conquer fitness addiction, disordered eating patterns, and the tumultuous journey of body image and self love. Martial arts rekindled my passion for fitness with purpose, and taught me to focus on inner strength, while mindfulness offered introspection and acceptance during moments of inner chaos. Together, they led me to self-discovery, resilience, and a newfound sense of balance. My quest for knowledge has taken me across the globe, learning from a diverse array of teachers. As I explore what it means to live a mindful martial arts lifestyle, whether it's practicing Kung Fu, Capoeira, T'ai Chi, Kali, Pencak Silat, or Kempo, I've unearthed a common thread: balance, focus, consistency, and compassion are the fundamental principles that I value the most and love sharing with others. While practicing martial arts can certainly encompass ultimate fitness and practical self-defense, many wisdom traditions underscore the seeking and refinement of one's true nature as a worthwhile goal of a deep martial arts practice. Having found my footing on this path and within this passion, I've come to realize that the warrior spirit can be harnessed not only for personal growth but also as a force for activism and positive social impact.
The Warrior Spirit as a pathway towards restorative justice
As a bi-racial, first-generation immigrant on my father's side (Philippines, represent!), I've grown up with varying experiences of privilege and accessibility. For that reason, I believe it's crucial to examine both my proximity to power along with the systems of oppression that have negatively impacted both myself, my ancestors, and my community. Through continuous learning and unlearning, I've come to understand that my experiences and knowledge allow me to bring a unique perspective to the often privileged world of wellness. My goal is to help open doors, making wellness accessible to everyone. I recognize that while individuals have the power to enact change on a personal level, it's at the community and systemic levels that we can create a world where all of us can thrive in health and longevity. The spirit and intentional energy that can be cultivated in martial arts training can be harnessed not for war, but for the numerous social causes we all believe in, yet often lack the focus, energy, or support to pursue.
My vision and values
My philosophy is based on reinforcing the basic foundations of health and tapping into the innate wisdom already present in each human body. Once that personal inner harmony is achieved by many, I want to live in a world where nourishing food and clean water are accessible to everyone, where movement is inclusive and encouraged for all body types, and where creative and healing energy can be cultivated by all beings. If you feel resonance in what I have shared thus far and need someone to be in your corner to offer support and guidance, please feel free to contact me and take the next steps to embody your radiant warrior spirit. I offer 1:1 personalized training in the realms of fitness, nutrition, martial arts and mindfulness. I also teach community classes in Los Angeles, and will continue building digital offers to reach larger communities through out the world.