Cross training. A word that has become more and more popular since the 1990s, but something that has been happening for centuries. Sometimes, instructors are alright with their students doing so, others, not so much. If one goes to a martial arts’ social media enclave, they will find that many practitioners are training in multiple … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Cross Training
Month: February 2021
An Interview with a Police Officer
In this anonymous interview with a local police officer conducted in the latter half of 2020, we discussed the effects of martial arts training in the overall police training regimen and some hot topics brought up against the American Police Force in the summer of that year. Given the many varieties of standards in police … Continue reading An Interview with a Police Officer
Martial Arts in Man in the High Castle
I thought it proper, after finishing Man in the High Castle, to share some thoughts on how the series portrayed aikido and, to a lesser extent, jodo through two of its characters. All plot points and plot holes aside, it was interesting that the series’ producers chose those arts, as both of them do not … Continue reading Martial Arts in Man in the High Castle
Interview with Californian Aikidoka Robert Noha: Aikido’s Spiritual Aspect
Robert Noha began his aikido journey in 1966 and never looked back after finding a lifelong teacher and friend in Robert Nadeau. Under Nadeau’s guidance, Noha began to experience something more than the technical aspects of aikido – he began to see that the spiritual message left by O-Sensei would influence him for the rest … Continue reading Interview with Californian Aikidoka Robert Noha: Aikido’s Spiritual Aspect
The Sensei Conundrum: Shodan to Nidan by George Kirby
The following editorial was submitted by George Kirby. It originally appeared in the January 2015 issue of his monthly newsletter, Kokoro. When a jujitsu student becomes a black belt, it means that they are a “sensei,” a teacher. That is one of the main reasons I will promote a student to shodan: because I feel … Continue reading The Sensei Conundrum: Shodan to Nidan by George Kirby
Some Thoughts on Aikido and Budo by Walther von Krenner
Every time I look at an Aikido dojo webpage or dojo advertising, I see O-Sensei’s sayings and ideas quoted, in most cases, out of context and without understanding of the real meaning. Since I was there and had sixty years to train and practice in this art, I feel entitled to an opinion and would … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Aikido and Budo by Walther von Krenner
Four Principles of Aikido
The following is an excerpt from my recent book, Aikido Comes to America. This originally appeared on Tambuli Media here. At the heart of aikido lies something more than just martial technique or a peaceful and harmonizing philosophy. What lies beneath the surface of normal and routine aikido training is budo – the martial way. … Continue reading Four Principles of Aikido
Interview with Noble Science Academy Founder Michael-Forest Meservy: All About HEMA
Michael-Forest Meservy began training in HEMA in 2001, later founding the Noble Science Academy in 2007, and cofounding the Wiktenauer two years after that. Today, Meservy discusses the fragmented history of HEMA, the scholarship involved in interpreting the sources, and the movement’s future. All images provided by Michael-Forest Meservy. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and … Continue reading Interview with Noble Science Academy Founder Michael-Forest Meservy: All About HEMA