Month: July 2024

Interview with New Aikido West Chief Instructor Cyndy Hayashi: Leadership and the Future

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Cyndy Hayashi began her training at Aikido of San Francisco in 1977. She trained there under Frank Doran, Robert Nadeau, and Bill Witt. She traveled to Iwama, Japan to train with Morihiro Saito where she received her shodan. After returning to the United States, she trained and taught at the Aikido Institute of Oakland and … Continue reading Interview with New Aikido West Chief Instructor Cyndy Hayashi: Leadership and the Future

Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Charley Cummings joined The Saber Legion’s founders Josh Linden and Terry Birnbaum in the first six months of the organization’s existence. From there, it was nowhere but up, becoming the owner and president in 2021. Today, Cummings talks about how The Saber Legion approaches it curriculum, scoring, martial ethos, and its community. Martial Arts of … Continue reading Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars

Interview with Memphis Kendo and Iaido Club Chief Instructor Jodi Hilton: Kendo and Iaido

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After watching a demonstration in college, Jodi Hilton liked what he saw and sought out kendo. He joined the university’s club and indirectly helped create a more structured beginner’s class. From there, Hilton has yet to look back on anything he has done in both kendo and iaido. Today, Hilton joins us to speak on … Continue reading Interview with Memphis Kendo and Iaido Club Chief Instructor Jodi Hilton: Kendo and Iaido

Interview with Lawman Trainer JW Bode: Aikido and Tactical Correctness

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

JW Bode found Karl Geis in 1978 and was enamored with the effectiveness of Tomiki Aikido. He took what he already knew and brought the Tomiki Aikido foundations into teaching and training law enforcement and security personnel in Texas, Oklahoma, and all around the Southeast of the United States. In his quest for tactical correctness, … Continue reading Interview with Lawman Trainer JW Bode: Aikido and Tactical Correctness