Month: September 2023

Interview with Aikido of Park Slope Founder Hal Lehrman: Time with Yoshimitsu Yamada

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Between judo and ballet, Hal Lehrman was content until judo’s footsweeps interfered with dance training. Ironically, his judo instructor told him about aikido, leading Lehrman to Yoshimitsu Yamada and the New York Aikikai. Immediately, he was hooked and quit judo. Lehrman slowly began teaching, soon having his own class at the New York Aikikai and … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Park Slope Founder Hal Lehrman: Time with Yoshimitsu Yamada

Interview with Devner Historical Fencing Academy Co-founder Jason Barrons: Diversity in Sword Fighting

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Jason Barrons began training in historical fencing in 2014 at the New York Historical Fencing Association. He later found himself in Denver, Colorado with Aaron Karnuta and Sam Ross where the three of them founded the Denver Historical Fencing Academy. Since then, Barrons remains as the sole founder of the school but is joined by … Continue reading Interview with Devner Historical Fencing Academy Co-founder Jason Barrons: Diversity in Sword Fighting

Interview with Chushin Aikido Founder Erik DiVietro: Tomiki Aikido and Aiki

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Erik DiVietro has a different take on Tomiki Aikido. He had a chance to participate in three different Tomiki Aikido organizations and has studied other styles of aikido to explore the root of the art – aiki. DiVietro currently teaches what he has discovered about aiki at his Chūshin Aikido. Today, DiVietro discusses his time … Continue reading Interview with Chushin Aikido Founder Erik DiVietro: Tomiki Aikido and Aiki

Interview with 417 HEMA Founder José Ortiz-Inchausty: Fencing From Puerto Rico to Missouri

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Like many historical fencers before the explosion of the internet, YouTube, and other platforms, José Ortiz-Inchausty early training was composed of pieces of information coupled with his background in previous martial arts. His interest in historical fencing became more apparent while he was in college and a few of his friends helped him and each … Continue reading Interview with 417 HEMA Founder José Ortiz-Inchausty: Fencing From Puerto Rico to Missouri

Interview with Buddhist Priest Kanyu Kroll: A Connection Between Buddhism and Aikido

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Kenyu Kroll first started aikido as a physical education credit during college in 1997. From then, he was hooked, training almost anywhere and any day, participating in a multitude of aikido styles and teachers. According to him, Aikijujutsu pioneer Bernie Lau found Kroll and they continued training. In 2015, Kroll and Kanjin Cederman established Jisso-Kai … Continue reading Interview with Buddhist Priest Kanyu Kroll: A Connection Between Buddhism and Aikido

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part II

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After being told that people who train aikido could use their spiritual ability to stop people from hitting them with sticks, Christopher Hein was intrigued, but could not find a dojo until 1998. He threw himself into the training, becoming uchi deshi at Aikido of Fresno and a black belt. With a history of fighting, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After being told that people who train aikido could use their spiritual ability to stop people from hitting them with sticks, Christopher Hein was intrigued, but could not find a dojo until 1998. He threw himself into the training, becoming uchi deshi at Aikido of Fresno and a black belt. With a history of fighting, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part I