Over the last several months, MAYTT has been conducting a large number of aiki-based interviews as well as working on similar related editorial content for the chronicle.Due to such a high volume of newly populated material, we here at MAYTT are officially declaring June to be Aiki Month! In addition to all the new content … Continue reading Aiki Month June 2024
Nathan Himes began training Kihara Aikido in Fort Worth, Texas after a schoolteacher told his father about aikido after a school altercation. Later on. it was through Windsong Dojo that he discovered Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, finding teachers and friends in Howard Popkins, Roy Goldberg, Eric Pearson, and Jack Bieler. He has since continued his research into … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aiki Practitioner Nathan Himes: Aiki in Aikido and Daito-ryu
Even during its formation, Aikido has taken on many permutations and multiple interpretations. In brief, its origins are a mixture of physical movements, battlefield ideologies, cultural philosophies, and religious beliefs. More than 80 years after its coining, Aikido continues to take on many forms and interpretations. With the art now moving into a new era … Continue reading A Distinctive Dilemma: How Aikido Struggles to Find an Identity in the Modern World by Michael Aloia
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
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
Eric Pearson first stared into the window at the practicing aikidoka during his smoke break at a local pizza shop, convincing himself that his kung fu skills would take out all of them. Then something inspired him to walk in for practice, and he never looked back. He began training under Russell Waddell and Chuck … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part II
Eric Pearson first stared into the window at the practicing aikidoka during his smoke break at a local pizza shop, convincing himself that his kung fu skills would take out all of them. Then something inspired him to walk in for practice, and he never looked back. He began training under Russell Waddell and Chuck … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I
Jack Bieler has a seventh dan in aikido and a sixth dan in jodo from the Fugakukai and Kaze Uta Budo Kai. He received Gomokuroku in Shindo Muso-ryu Jodo from Osato Kohei, Menkyo Kaiden of the Nihon Jodokai. He is eighth dan Kyoshi in the Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu Iaido Seitokai under Fukui Masato Soke. In … Continue reading Interview with Multi-Martial Artist Jack Bieler: Daito-ryu, Aikido, and Weapons
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
Erik DiVietro has a different take on Tomiki Aikido. He had a chance to participate in three different Tomiki Aikido organizations and has studied other styles of aikido to explore the root of the art – aiki. DiVietro currently teaches what he has discovered about aiki at his Chūshin Aikido. Today, DiVietro discusses his time … Continue reading Interview with Chushin Aikido Founder Erik DiVietro: Tomiki Aikido and Aiki
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 