Category: Interviews

Interview with North County Aikikai Founder Coryl Crane: Kazuo Chiba and Changes in Aikido

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Coryl Crane was first introduced to aikido through Tai Chi, beginning her training with Ki Society. By 1981, she heard of Kazuo Chiba’s arrival in San Diego and decided to see what the commotion was all about. She never looked back afterwards. Ten years later, she opened her own dojo, North County Aikikai and has … Continue reading Interview with North County Aikikai Founder Coryl Crane: Kazuo Chiba and Changes in Aikido

Joe and Becky Condello: Takahiko Ishikawa in Virginia Beach

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

The following is an excerpt of an interview conducted for the upcoming Takahiko Ishikawa: Judo’s Quiet Master, which recounts the life, times, and impact of Ishikawa on East Coast Judo in the United States. Joe and Becky Condello retells some of their memories learning from Ishikawa while in Virginia Beach. Joe Condello began training judo … Continue reading Joe and Becky Condello: Takahiko Ishikawa in Virginia Beach

Interview with Takemusu Aikido Association Founder Bill Witt: A Future for Aikido

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Bill Witt began training in aikido in 1967, under Morihei Ueshiba– O-Sensei – at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. After O-Sensei passed away in 1969, Witt began training under Morihiro Saito in Iwama, Japan. He cofounded the Takemusu Aikido Association in 2002, based in California, and currently has been teaching at Aikido of Silicon Valley since … Continue reading Interview with Takemusu Aikido Association Founder Bill Witt: A Future for Aikido

Interview with NOVA Ki-Aikido Instructor Steven Wolf: The Uniqueness of Ki-Aikido

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Steven Wolf found himself in aikido by 1980, after training in judo and jujutsu as a child. By the next year, Wolf had joined Geroge Simcox’s dojo and attending summer camps with other Ki-Aikidoka. During that time, he learned much from Simcox until his death in 2000. Wolf assumed the role of head instructor of … Continue reading Interview with NOVA Ki-Aikido Instructor Steven Wolf: The Uniqueness of Ki-Aikido

Interview with Richmond KDF Founder Michael Croke: Fencing in Virginia

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Michael Croke first heard about historical fencing in the late 2000s but it was not until 2013 that he found a fencing club near him. He joined one, becoming one of the top fencers there and Jake Norwood suggested he form his own club when the former fell apart. Since then, Croke has been heading … Continue reading Interview with Richmond KDF Founder Michael Croke: Fencing in Virginia

Lou Moyerman: Liberty Bell Judo and Ishikawa

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

The following is an excerpt of an interview conducted for the upcoming Takahiko Ishikawa: Judo’s Quiet Master, which recounts the life, times, and impact of Ishikawa on East Coast Judo in the United States. Lou Moyerman retells some of his memories establishing the Liberty Bell Judo Classic and a visit from Ishikawa. Lou Moyerman began … Continue reading Lou Moyerman: Liberty Bell Judo and Ishikawa

Interview with Longtime Ki-Aikido Joe DeCapua: Ki-Aikido Curriculums

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Joe DeCapua’s introduction to aikido was in the mid-1970s, watching an old, black and white film of Morihei Ueshiba. It was not until he relocated to Maryland, near Washington, D.C., that he attended his first aikido class in 1982. The class was part of the Eastern Ki Society, one of the groups belonging to Shin … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Ki-Aikido Joe DeCapua: Ki-Aikido Curriculums

Interview with Longtime Ninjutsu Practitioner Jeffery Prather: From Special Forces to Everyday Life

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Jeffery Prather first began karate before finding ninjutsu from the Bujinkan. After earning a shodan in karate and an epic fight later, Prather found ninjutsu and started to study under Stephen Hayes, traveling long distances to learn this new art. When Hayes brought over Masaaki Hatsumi from Japan, Prather’s interest soared. Staying under the tutelage … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Ninjutsu Practitioner Jeffery Prather: From Special Forces to Everyday Life

Interview with New Aikido West Chief Instructor Cyndy Hayashi: Leadership and the Future

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Cyndy Hayashi began her training at Aikido of San Francisco in 1977. She trained there under Frank Doran, Robert Nadeau, and Bill Witt. She traveled to Iwama, Japan to train with Morihiro Saito where she received her shodan. After returning to the United States, she trained and taught at the Aikido Institute of Oakland and … Continue reading Interview with New Aikido West Chief Instructor Cyndy Hayashi: Leadership and the Future

Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Charley Cummings joined The Saber Legion’s founders Josh Linden and Terry Birnbaum in the first six months of the organization’s existence. From there, it was nowhere but up, becoming the owner and president in 2021. Today, Cummings talks about how The Saber Legion approaches it curriculum, scoring, martial ethos, and its community. Martial Arts of … Continue reading Interview with The Saber Legion President Charley Cummings: Playing Star Wars