Category: Interviews

Interview with Order of Selohaar Cofounder Christian Tobler: Bringing the Medieval Era to the Present, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Christian Tolber was introduced to swordplay in the late 1970s. It was not until the 1990s that he discovered historical fencing manuscripts, taking to the study. Since 2001, Tobler has been publishing, translating, and interpreting various historical sources, becoming one of the first to publish academic works and a prolific practitioner within the historical fencing … Continue reading Interview with Order of Selohaar Cofounder Christian Tobler: Bringing the Medieval Era to the Present, Part II

Interview with Order of Selohaar Cofounder Christian Tobler: Bringing the Medieval Era to the Present, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Christian Tolber was introduced to swordplay in the late 1970s. It was not until the 1990s that he discovered historical fencing manuscripts, taking to the study. Since 2001, Tobler has been publishing, translating, and interpreting various historical sources, becoming one of the first to publish academic works and a prolific practitioner within the historical fencing … Continue reading Interview with Order of Selohaar Cofounder Christian Tobler: Bringing the Medieval Era to the Present, Part I

Interview with Star Temple Lead Instructor Dakota Eggert: Culture in a Fast Fencing League

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Lightspeed Saber appealed to Dakota Eggert differently than other sports like boxing and karate. He cites that the culture of Lightspeed Saber keeps him coming back to continue training and teaching. In 2019, Eggert founded his Star Temple school and has seen the Lightspeed Saber League grow since he joined. Today, Eggert discusses the culture … Continue reading Interview with Star Temple Lead Instructor Dakota Eggert: Culture in a Fast Fencing League

Interview with Chicago Aikikai Chief Instructor Marsha Turner: Reminiscing About Aikido

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

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

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

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

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

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

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

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

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

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