Tag: Barbara Klein

Interview with Aikido of Hilo Cofounder Robert Klein: Starting From Scratch and Friendship

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Robert Klein began aikido while at Stonybrook University, after some of his friends brought him to one of the classes. Immediately, he was hooked, even meeting his wife, Barbara, during training. He soon started travelling to Long Island Aikikai, studying under Eddie Hagihara. In 1980, he and Barbara moved to Hilo, Hawaii. There, the couple … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Hilo Cofounder Robert Klein: Starting From Scratch and Friendship

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