Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: His Time With Midwest Pioneer Akira Tohei

17 Nov 20215 Nov 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Kiyoshi Yasutake was Akira Tohei’s first student to go from white belt to black belt under him. Beginning in 1973, Yasutake took to aikido with much vigor, learning from and supporting Tohei in his many endeavors through the Midwest Aikido Center and the Midwest Aikido Federation. Today, Yasutake took some time to discuss his time … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: His Time With Midwest Pioneer Akira Tohei

Interview with Aikido Shihan Darrell Tangman: Aikido with Akira Tohei and Rodney Grantham

15 Sep 202123 Sep 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Darrell Tangman began aikido while a student at the University of Illinois, unknowing that the art would become a lifelong pursuit. In 1975, he helped establish Twin Cities Aikido Center, and later Augusta Aikido Club in 1985. Throughout his journey, he has trained with pioneers like Akira Tohei and Rodney Grantham. Today, Tangman discusses training … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Darrell Tangman: Aikido with Akira Tohei and Rodney Grantham

Aikido Now by Walther von Krenner

27 May 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Just by way of introduction for those who do not know me and question my privilege to an opinion on this subject: after four years of judo, I started aikido in 1962, with Ueshiba Kisshomaru, Tohei Koichi, and Takahshi Isao Senseis. From early 1967, while O-Sensei was still alive, I trained at Hombu until his death. I … Continue reading Aikido Now by Walther von Krenner

Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: Internal Martial Arts in Hawaii

24 Mar 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Aikido Sangenkai chief instructor Christopher Li began training aikido in the early 1980s under Mitsugi Saotome and Yoshimitsu Yamada, later traveling with the latter to Japan to train at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. By the 1990s, Li began to explore the internal power side of both aikido and the martial arts, ultimately affiliating with Dan Harden. … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: Internal Martial Arts in Hawaii

Some Thoughts on Aikido and Budo by Walther von Krenner

8 Feb 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Every time I look at an Aikido dojo webpage or dojo advertising, I see O-Sensei’s sayings and ideas quoted, in most cases, out of context and without understanding of the real meaning. Since I was there and had sixty years to train and practice in this art, I feel entitled to an opinion and would … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Aikido and Budo by Walther von Krenner

The Traditional Dojo by Walther von Krenner

29 Jan 202120 Dec 2020 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In O-Sensei’s lectures, as many have seen in my previous writings, the circle is an important component. I remember the old Hombu Dojo in Shinjuku having a bronze mirror in the Tokonoma of the Kamiza. The round mirror represents the circle on the outside and the great void on its surface. It is present in … Continue reading The Traditional Dojo by Walther von Krenner

Interview with Aikido Author Walther von Krenner: His Time in Kendo

4 Dec 202019 Oct 2020 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Beginning his martial arts journey in Germany in 1957 with Judo, Walther von Krenner spent the next sixty years training in various martial arts, from aikido to kendo. Today, Krenner took some time to talk about his kendo training, which started with Hiroji Miyahara, his son, Maki, and the famous Torao Mori. All images provided … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Author Walther von Krenner: His Time in Kendo

Aikido Solstice Seminar Meeting: Aikido and COVID – What Now?

22 Jul 202021 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Over sixty participants gathered on a Saturday afternoon to discuss the future of aikido amidst the COVID pandemic. A panel of six aikidoka with which included medical and business backgrounds, facilitated the discussion on how the aikido community should move forward, looking at both the scientific and the business aspects of this global crisis. … Continue reading Aikido Solstice Seminar Meeting: Aikido and COVID – What Now?