Category: Interviews

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

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

Interview with Washinkan Kendo Instructor Christie Eickhoff: Virginia Tech Kendo School and Beyond

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Christie Eickhoff first saw kendo while attending a Sakura Matsuri Festival in Washington, DC. Captivated by the art, she promised herself that she would try kendo out when the opportunity presented itself. Eickhoff found a club at Virginia Tech and has practiced kendo ever since. After her time at Virginia Tech, she joined the Washinkan … Continue reading Interview with Washinkan Kendo Instructor Christie Eickhoff: Virginia Tech Kendo School and Beyond

Interview with Kaze Uta Budo Kai Founder Nick Lowry: Karl Geis and Striking Out on His Own, Part I

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After spending his teenage years participating in competitive stick fighting, Nick Lowry found aikido by reading a magazine and finding a local dojo. Upon his first watch, he was hooked and quickly became uchi deshi to Chuck Caldwell. He later learned from Caldwell’s instructor, Karl Geis not only aikido but judo and jodo as well. … Continue reading Interview with Kaze Uta Budo Kai Founder Nick Lowry: Karl Geis and Striking Out on His Own, Part I

Interview with Aikido of Park Slope Founder Hal Lehrman: Time with Yoshimitsu Yamada

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Between judo and ballet, Hal Lehrman was content until judo’s footsweeps interfered with dance training. Ironically, his judo instructor told him about aikido, leading Lehrman to Yoshimitsu Yamada and the New York Aikikai. Immediately, he was hooked and quit judo. Lehrman slowly began teaching, soon having his own class at the New York Aikikai and … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Park Slope Founder Hal Lehrman: Time with Yoshimitsu Yamada

Interview with 417 HEMA Founder José Ortiz-Inchausty: Fencing From Puerto Rico to Missouri

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Like many historical fencers before the explosion of the internet, YouTube, and other platforms, José Ortiz-Inchausty early training was composed of pieces of information coupled with his background in previous martial arts. His interest in historical fencing became more apparent while he was in college and a few of his friends helped him and each … Continue reading Interview with 417 HEMA Founder José Ortiz-Inchausty: Fencing From Puerto Rico to Missouri

Interview with Buddhist Priest Kanyu Kroll: A Connection Between Buddhism and Aikido

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Kenyu Kroll first started aikido as a physical education credit during college in 1997. From then, he was hooked, training almost anywhere and any day, participating in a multitude of aikido styles and teachers. According to him, Aikijujutsu pioneer Bernie Lau found Kroll and they continued training. In 2015, Kroll and Kanjin Cederman established Jisso-Kai … Continue reading Interview with Buddhist Priest Kanyu Kroll: A Connection Between Buddhism and Aikido

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part II

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After being told that people who train aikido could use their spiritual ability to stop people from hitting them with sticks, Christopher Hein was intrigued, but could not find a dojo until 1998. He threw himself into the training, becoming uchi deshi at Aikido of Fresno and a black belt. With a history of fighting, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After being told that people who train aikido could use their spiritual ability to stop people from hitting them with sticks, Christopher Hein was intrigued, but could not find a dojo until 1998. He threw himself into the training, becoming uchi deshi at Aikido of Fresno and a black belt. With a history of fighting, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Christopher Hein: Looking at Aikido From the Outside In, Part I