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Brenda Bates, M.A. CH.t began riding at the age of eight
when she was given her first mini-bike. Currently, Brenda rides a BMW
R1100R, an Aprilia Pegaso for dual-purpose adventures, and a YZ250. Brenda
also has a certificate in Brenda began her higher education at Villanova university
where she was a philosophy and library science major. Brenda has an impressive home library which includes rare books on human consciousness, philosophy, psychology as well as many other works of esoteric historical interest. Brenda has put all of her knowledge to use not only in her private practice in California, but also into free-lance writing endeavors. Brenda has published articles dating back nearly twenty years. Brenda entered the world of moto-journalism after she had been treating post-accident riders for some years. The culmination of this rare psychological speciality led Brenda to develop her own theory on how to best treat post-accident motorcyclists as well as the development of her theories, as drawn from various branches of psychology and hypnosis, on the psychology of motorcyclists. Brenda treats various therapeutic issues but her work in the area of motorcycling is a indeed groundbreaking. Therefore, all other works after Back in the Saddle Again will be theories based on Brenda’s seminal work. Currently, Brenda writes on a semi-regular basis for Motorcycle Consumer News and Woman Rider® magazine.. All of her articles for these magazines are about psychology and motorcycling. Brenda also give seminars for DM Sports (see link) on how to enhance sports performance for motorcyclists by using sport psychology and hypnotic techniques. Moreover, Brenda is a frequent lecturer for various motorcycle clubs. While Brenda rides with groups and friends from time to time, she most enjoys motorcycling solo, “I grew up riding solo. When I was in my twenties I didn’t even know any other women who rode. For me, riding alone is a sort of meditative time…it’s just me, my bike and the open air”. Through much research into the psychological collective unconscious and symbolism, Brenda has come to regard the motorcycle as “ …a metaphor for life. Motorcycling is very much like living. One has to have a passion, motivation, skills, a direction and courage. Those who are attracted to motorcycles tend to have personality traits that coincide with the archetypal symbols of the Centaur and the Wheel. Many riders have an deep need to feel a release from the boundaries of the human body and to express the self as something powerful and independent, almost animal-like. On a bike one becomes like a Centaur : half human, half animal. This is not too surprising to me as our brains still have a reptilian component that is located near the base of the skull. Its interesting to note that many customized bikes have reptiles or other animals painted on them. People who have a passion for bikes also tend to relate to the collective unconscious symbolism of the Wheel. Historically, the Wheel has represented the psychological or spiritual attainment of feeling centered while simultaneously being in motion. This explains why riders often report feeling that motorcycling is a sort of Zen experience for them. Interestingly, there are at least several motorcycle books that speak to the Zen of the ride.” By |
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Sasha
Mullins
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motorcycle
engine repair which she earned so that she could understand the mechanics
her own motorcycles and maintain them. Brenda has a passion for understanding
the inner-workings of all things. It is little wonder that Brenda came
to combine two of her most treasured interests : psychology and motorcycling.
Brenda
received a certificate in library science which helps her to do scholarly
research. From Villanova, Brenda went to Richmond college in London, England.
Upon returning to America, she changed her major to psychology and was
awarded her master’s degree in 1994. Along the way, Brenda has received
certificates in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Death and Dying issues
( among others) and a certification as a professional hypnotherapist.
