John Lepore first entered aikido in Pittsburgh for graduate school. When he returned to Philadelphia, he found Donovan Waite. From the first moment learning from him, Lepore had found his teacher. Today, Lepore took some time to talk about what made Waite stand out from other instructors, what impacted him the most from Waite, and … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka John Lepore: The Impact of Donovan Waite
The inception of modern Mixed Martial Arts in the early 90s threw a massive curveball at the fighting world. Not only did the beginnings of the UFC and Pride Fighting Championship introduce Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the larger combat sports community, but it was also the first time that different martial arts were pitted against … Continue reading What MMA Can Learn from Traditional Martial Arts by Andy Salazar
Ron Breines began learning Kakuto-ryu, a strip down and straightforward martial art, from his uncle and his friend Bob in 1970. Stressing combat readiness, Breines found that his training assisted him in acquiring and internalizing many different martial arts and military combatives. Framing Kakuto-ryu in the similar fashion of Ryukyute, Breines emphasizes the combative elements … Continue reading Interview with Kakuto-Ryu Pioneer Ron Breines: Ryukyute, Jujutsu, and Combatives, Part II
Ron Breines began learning Kakuto-ryu, a strip down and straightforward martial art, from his uncle and his friend Bob in 1970. Stressing combat readiness, Breines found that his training assisted him in acquiring and internalizing many different martial arts and military combatives. Framing Kakuto-ryu in the similar fashion of Ryukyute, Breines emphasizes the combative elements … Continue reading Interview with Kakuto-Ryu Pioneer Ron Breines: Ryukyute, Jujutsu, and Combatives, Part I
Coming from a family who always trained kendo, Roxy Kubo entered the training hall at the age of four and has not left the community since. Under the tutelage of her stepfather, Arnold Fukutomi, Kubo trained and ultimately received two kantocho at two different World Kendo Championships. Today, Kubo took some time to talk about … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Roxy Kubo: Competing at the World Kendo Championships
Martial arts, with their deep roots in ancient combat training, have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into diverse and multifaceted practices that extend beyond the battlefield into modern sports, recreational activities, and a variety of professional careers. From their origins in ancient cultures such as China, Japan, Korea, and Greece, where martial arts were developed … Continue reading Uncovering Diverse Career Pathways for Martial Arts Enthusiasts by Michael Martin
Dai Andrews has always been interested in the sword, beginning with classical fencing as a teenager. After getting himself into Kung Fu, he found himself studying Chinese swordsmanship, eventually finding his current teacher Scott Rodell. Such background prepared him for entering the Historical European Martial Arts community, taking one fight book and learning from it. … Continue reading Interview with Chinese and American Historical Fencer Dai Andrews: Diving into Historical Swordsmanship, Part II
Dai Andrews has always been interested in the sword, beginning with classical fencing as a teenager. After getting himself into Kung Fu, he found himself studying Chinese swordsmanship, eventually finding his current teacher Scott Rodell. Such background prepared him for entering the Historical European Martial Arts community, taking one fight book and learning from it. … Continue reading Interview with Chinese and American Historical Fencer Dai Andrews: Diving into Historical Swordsmanship, Part I
In a recent editorial, we discussed some of the possibilities that can develop after rote kata and renshu training – more specifically, scenario training. Scenario training, in short, is an expanded approach that works to help aikidoka apply what they have learned in kata and renshu training: the basic movements, techniques, and principles of aikido. … Continue reading Implementing Competition-Like Exercises in Aikido Training
Siegel, Charlie. To Become a Living Art: The Life Story of Roy Shingen Goldberg Sensei. 2023. There is not much material on Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, here in the united states. Outside of the instructional books and videos, there are not many history-based or instructor-focused works. Besides Stanley Pranin’s book with conversations with prominent Daito-ryu teachers from … Continue reading Reflecting on To Become a Living Art
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 