Category: Interviews

Interview with Tenshin Aikidoka John Araujo: The Balance Between Tenshin and Traditional

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

After starting Shotokan Karate and judo at a young age, John Araujo found aikido, feeling that it was time to explore this new art. He trained in traditional aikido for a decade until he sought out something more. Araujo searched and found Luis Santos in Florida. After participating in a grueling initiation and relearning process, … Continue reading Interview with Tenshin Aikidoka John Araujo: The Balance Between Tenshin and Traditional

Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Rodrigo Kong had experienced aiki-based arts before but nothing like he felt when he trained with Shogen Okabayashi during a seminar in New York City. Totally enamored, Kong traveled to Japan to learn more about Daito-ryu and its aiki. Since returning from Japan, he has established his Yushinkan NYC and continued to train and teach … Continue reading Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part II

Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Rodrigo Kong had experienced aiki-based arts before but nothing like he felt when he trained with Shogen Okabayashi during a seminar in New York City. Totally enamored, Kong traveled to Japan to learn more about Daito-ryu and its aiki. Since returning from Japan, he has established his Yushinkan NYC and continued to train and teach … Continue reading Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part I

Interview with University of Chicago Ki-Aikido Club Instructor Kağan Arık: The Similarities and Differences, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Kagan Arik began learning Ki-Aikido while attending the University of Pennsylvania almost by accident. There, he trained under Hal Abramson Sensei, from whom he learned fundamentals. When he moved to Seattle, Washington, Arik started training with Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei and was exposed to different approaches that opened him to the different possibilities of Ki-Aikido. Arik … Continue reading Interview with University of Chicago Ki-Aikido Club Instructor Kağan Arık: The Similarities and Differences, Part II

Interview with University of Chicago Ki-Aikido Club Instructor Kağan Arık: The Similarities and Differences, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Kagan Arik began learning Ki-Aikido while attending the University of Pennsylvania almost by accident. There, he trained under Hal Abramson Sensei, from whom he learned fundamentals. When he moved to Seattle, Washington, Arik started training with Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei and was exposed to different approaches that opened him to the different possibilities of Ki-Aikido. Arik … Continue reading Interview with University of Chicago Ki-Aikido Club Instructor Kağan Arık: The Similarities and Differences, Part I

Interview with Daito-ryu Practitioner Nicholas Mayer: Just Practice

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Nicholas Mayer found Daito-ryu in 2018 through Andrew Thorburn. He trains under Antonino Certa of Italy in his Daitokai International Group. Today, Mayer took some time to discuss his time in Daito-ryu. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Thank you for joining, Mayer Sensei! Nicholas Mayer: It is good to be here. MAYTT: How … Continue reading Interview with Daito-ryu Practitioner Nicholas Mayer: Just Practice

Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In the spirit of finding an activity to further connect with his Japanese ancestry, Andrew Sato found aikido through the help of two community members. After trying out a single class with Fumio Toyoda, Sato was hooked and proceeded to train relentlessly with Toyoda until the latter’s passing. In the aftermath, Sato, under the direction … Continue reading Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part II

Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In the spirit of finding an activity to further connect with his Japanese ancestry, Andrew Sato found aikido through the help of two community members. After trying out a single class with Fumio Toyoda, Sato was hooked and proceeded to train relentlessly with Toyoda until the latter’s passing. In the aftermath, Sato, under the direction … Continue reading Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part I

Interview with Aikido Kokikai Pittsburgh Founder Barbara Litt: Kokikai in America, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

For Barbara Litt, aikido was not on her mind until one of her friends invited her to try a class; and that class was led by Shuji Maruyama, Kokikai Aikido’s founder. That first class and how the community welcomed her on the mat convinced her to train. Since she has joined the Kokikai Aikido community, … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Kokikai Pittsburgh Founder Barbara Litt: Kokikai in America, Part II