Category: Interviews

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part II

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During a time of anti-violent movements, George Ledyard stumbled upon an aikido demonstration while living in Washington DC. After watching the demonstration and talking with the leader of the group, Mitsugi Saotome, Ledyard was convinced to try out a class. From that moment, he was hooked. As the years went by, Ledyard trained in other … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

During a time of anti-violent movements, George Ledyard stumbled upon an aikido demonstration while living in Washington DC. After watching the demonstration and talking with the leader of the group, Mitsugi Saotome, Ledyard was convinced to try out a class. From that moment, he was hooked. As the years went by, Ledyard trained in other … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part I

Interview with Mountain Stream Budo Founder Noah Mitchell: Cross Training and Teaching

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Noah Mitchell began karate in 1983, experiencing a strict training approach to the art. A decade later, Mitchell began learning kobudo and after another decade, he began learning battodo and Toyama-ryu. In 2006, Mitchell opened his Mountain Stream Budo, offering many different martial arts and allowing his students to cross train like he has. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Mountain Stream Budo Founder Noah Mitchell: Cross Training and Teaching

Interview with New York Aikikai Chief Instructor Steve Pimsler: Yoshimitsu Yamada and the Future of Aikido

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Steve Pimsler first came to New York Aikikai to help improve his stunt skills. What he found, after taking a class with Yoshimitsu Yamada, was something that felt like it fit him perfectly. As time passed and his training became more intense, Yamada chose Pimsler as his otomo, traveling with Yamada for out-of-town seminars. In … Continue reading Interview with New York Aikikai Chief Instructor Steve Pimsler: Yoshimitsu Yamada and the Future of Aikido

Interview with Tokoshi Kempo Founder RD Lawrence: Find the Similarities

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RD Lawrence's first introduction to the martial arts was through a retired Second World War veteran who taught a combination of Japanese jujutsu and kempo, and magic. Additionally, Lawrence moved from place to place, following his father’s pastoral duties, and experienced many different martial arts along the way. While in Ohio, he learned a police-oriented … Continue reading Interview with Tokoshi Kempo Founder RD Lawrence: Find the Similarities

Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Juan Hernandez: Learning and Growth Under Helen Nakano

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Juan Hernandez first heard of naginata in a local newspaper and planned to find a local dojo. Unfortunately, he was offered a job and had to relocate. Years later, he moved back to Long Beach, California and finally searched for a naginata class and found one under Helen Nakano. Hernandez has studied diligently under Nakano, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Juan Hernandez: Learning and Growth Under Helen Nakano

Interview with Yobushin Dojo Founder Paul Smith: Tomiki Aikido and the Jiyushinkai

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Paul Smith began training in aikido at the Indiana University Club in 1986, learning Tomiki Aikido. He and the club had an affiliation with a group of Tomiki practitioners in Chicago where Bob Dziubla originated. In 1998, he joined and began following the teachings of the Jiyushinkai under the direction of Chuck Clark, being captivated … Continue reading Interview with Yobushin Dojo Founder Paul Smith: Tomiki Aikido and the Jiyushinkai

Interview with Longtime Iaidoka Geoff Underhill: Teaching Under David Yang

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After attending a Renaissance Faire and his son acquiring shinai, Geoff Underhill wanted to make sure that his son was safely swinging the sword. Inadvertently, Underhill found that the kendo classes offered by David Yang was something he wanted to do and joined the Princeton Kendo Dojo in 2006. During his time under Yang, he … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Iaidoka Geoff Underhill: Teaching Under David Yang

Interview with Longtime Shin-Budo Kai Practitioner Bob Tullman: Finding Shizuo Imaizumi

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Always interested in the martial arts, Bob Tullman always kept an eye out for possible training opportunities. After training in Sanuces-ryu jujutsu and Goju-ryu Karate, he heard about this mystical martial art called aikido. He could not find a program near him immediately but while working on his graduate school in Kansas, he found aikido … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Shin-Budo Kai Practitioner Bob Tullman: Finding Shizuo Imaizumi

Interview with Longtime Martial Artists Jesse Cahn: Family, Violence, and Aikido, Part II

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Jesse Cahn was first introduced to the martial arts through his father, Rolf, however, his first official introduction into the martial arts was judo. As Cahn grew, he experienced situations and problems associated with the street and shady establishments that helped create his perspective on violence. In 2003, he joined Windsong Dojo for their aikido … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Martial Artists Jesse Cahn: Family, Violence, and Aikido, Part II