Month: October 2023

Interview with Star Temple Lead Instructor Dakota Eggert: Culture in a Fast Fencing League

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Lightspeed Saber appealed to Dakota Eggert differently than other sports like boxing and karate. He cites that the culture of Lightspeed Saber keeps him coming back to continue training and teaching. In 2019, Eggert founded his Star Temple school and has seen the Lightspeed Saber League grow since he joined. Today, Eggert discusses the culture … Continue reading Interview with Star Temple Lead Instructor Dakota Eggert: Culture in a Fast Fencing League

Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part V

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This is the fifth part of a five part article. Read the fourth part here. Cascade Kendo Kai Cascade Kendo Kai’s (CKK) story actually begins in the 1970s with Gary Imanishi, grandson of Umajiro Imanishi, the famous kantoku of prewar Seattle Kendo Kai (SKK). Before taking part in the family’s kendo legacy, the “prospect of … Continue reading Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part V

Interview with Chicago Aikikai Chief Instructor Marsha Turner: Reminiscing About Aikido

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Marsha Turner began aikido in 1986 under Kevin Choate after experiencing ballet, gymnastics, and foil fencing. Her reasons for trying and for her continued stay changed and evolved over the course of her tenure in aikido. She currently heads Chicago Aikikai and took some time today to discuss her early years of training, the late … Continue reading Interview with Chicago Aikikai Chief Instructor Marsha Turner: Reminiscing About Aikido

Building Trust on the Mat by Michael Aloia

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Trust is the glue that holds most things together. Trust is the distinction between what is perceived to be real and what's not. The idea of “being real” often invokes a mental and emotional picture or feeling that defines our state of belief; making things authentic and logical, and therefore trustworthy. In any relationship, trust … Continue reading Building Trust on the Mat by Michael Aloia

Interview with Daito-ryu NJ Founder Manny Jimenez: The Essence of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu

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Though starting Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu in 1994 under Roy Goldberg, Manny Jimenez has experienced martial arts since 1973. But Daito-ryu was different to where his previous training did not overly prepare him for what was Daito-ryu. Currently, Jimenez heads his Daito-ryu NJ school, teaching to all who enter. Today, Jimenez took some time to talk about … Continue reading Interview with Daito-ryu NJ Founder Manny Jimenez: The Essence of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu

Interview with Tomiki Aikido of the Americas’ Tournament Director Tiffany Doan: Teaching and Competing in Tomiki Aikido

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Tiffany Doan first started in the striking arts and never thought about aikido until a colleague introduced her to the art. After taking a few classes, she was hooked, showing up three times a week for three hours a day. From there, she competed in many events and headed three different schools in three different … Continue reading Interview with Tomiki Aikido of the Americas’ Tournament Director Tiffany Doan: Teaching and Competing in Tomiki Aikido