Category: Interviews

Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Heather Gawlick: Exploring Aikido and Karl Geis’ Legacy

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Between volleyball and aikido – something she had never heard of before – Heather Gawlick chose aikido and has not looked back since. Over the years, she has learned from Nick Lowry of Kaze Uta Budo Kai and Karl Geis of Fugakukai. At Geis’ suggestion, she opened her first school in 1999 in Albuquerque, New … Continue reading Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Heather Gawlick: Exploring Aikido and Karl Geis’ Legacy

Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Aikidoka Roy Gawlick: Karl Geis, Nick Lowry, and a Lifelong Study

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After a friend described to him what aikido is, Roy Gawlick quickly searched for a dojo to find out more. He came across Karl Geis’ school in Houston, Texas and never left the art. In 2001, Gawlick opened his first school in Vancouver, British Columbia then, in 2018, helped his wife Heather establish Shinju Dojo. … Continue reading Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Aikidoka Roy Gawlick: Karl Geis, Nick Lowry, and a Lifelong Study

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka John Bieszk: Fumio Toyoda in the Midwest, Part II

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John Bieszk first started judo after going through not the nicest part of Chicago. After finding some time between schooling, he arrived at the Illinois Aikido Club under Akira Tohei. After taking a leave of absence due to college work, he found Fumio Toyoda in 1980 and he never stopped. Once he earned his shodan … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka John Bieszk: Fumio Toyoda in the Midwest, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka John Bieszk: Fumio Toyoda in the Midwest, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

John Bieszk first started judo after going through not the nicest part of Chicago. After finding some time between schooling, he arrived at the Illinois Aikido Club under Akira Tohei. After taking a leave of absence due to college work, he found Fumio Toyoda in 1980 and he never stopped. Once he earned his shodan … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka John Bieszk: Fumio Toyoda in the Midwest, Part I

Interview with Judo Olympian Jason Morris: A Career in Review

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Jason Morris began his judo journey at the young age of eight, when he saw judoka flying through the air. He ultimately represented the United States five times at the Olympic Games, four times as a competitor and once as a coach. In 1999, Morris established his school in New York, where he continues to … Continue reading Interview with Judo Olympian Jason Morris: A Career in Review

Interview with Lua Instructor Michelle Manu: The Hidden History of Lua

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By her own admission, Michelle Manu found Lua and ‘Ōlohe Solomon Kaihewalu under the Martial Arts section of the phone book. When she arrived, Manu spent the better part of two and a half years of intensive training under ‘Ōlohe Kaihewalu before she was able to join his Black Belt class. Since then, Manu has … Continue reading Interview with Lua Instructor Michelle Manu: The Hidden History of Lua

Interview with Aikido of Kohala Founders Rikko and Kristina Varjan: Aikido, Hawaii, and Kazuo Chiba Legacy, Part II

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Kristina Varjan found aikido after watching Koichi Tohei Sensei at a Manhattan high school while Rikko assumed the role as uke during his first-ever aikido demonstration. By the late 1980s, they found Kazuo Chiba Sensei, and enrolled in his Kenshusei teacher program. After four intensive years of aikido, iaido, and zazen, the couple emerged as … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Kohala Founders Rikko and Kristina Varjan: Aikido, Hawaii, and Kazuo Chiba Legacy, Part II

Interview with Aikido of Kohala Founders Rikko and Kristina Varjan: Aikido, Hawaii, and Kazuo Chiba Legacy, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Kristina Varjan found aikido after watching Koichi Tohei Sensei at a Manhattan high school while Rikko assumed the role as uke during his first-ever aikido demonstration. By the late 1980s, they found Kazuo Chiba Sensei, and enrolled in his Kenshusei teacher program. After four intensive years of aikido, iaido, and zazen, the couple emerged as … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Kohala Founders Rikko and Kristina Varjan: Aikido, Hawaii, and Kazuo Chiba Legacy, Part I

Interview with Olympic Judo Coach Willy Cahill: A Career in Review

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Born in 1935 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Willy Cahill’s mother, Abbie, started him in judo at five years old, under his father, John Cahill’s, tutelage. Willy’s family moved to South San Francisco, California in 1947, opening a judo dojo there in 1948. After John Cahill’s death in 1962, the dojo moved to San Bruno, CA, in … Continue reading Interview with Olympic Judo Coach Willy Cahill: A Career in Review

Interview with Ken-Zen Founder and Kenshi Daniel Ebihara: The Beginning of the Journey

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Daniel Ebihara first started kendo while he was a youngster in Japan but did not show much interest in it until he moved to New York and sparred a European fencer at a party. Spurred by his new friend and student, Ebihara searched for a certified kendo instructor, finding a Buddhist minister Rev. Shunshin Kan … Continue reading Interview with Ken-Zen Founder and Kenshi Daniel Ebihara: The Beginning of the Journey