Tag: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Interview with Vermont Aikido Chief Instructor Aaron Ward: Vermont Aikido, Ken Nisson, and Terry Dobson, Part III

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Aaron Ward had an interesting event occur during his aikido journey: he got to know Terry Dobson on a personal level during his time at Vermont Aikido. Taking the role of chief instructor since 2001, Ward took some time to talk about his aikido journey, his relationship with Terry Dobson and Ken Nisson, and how … Continue reading Interview with Vermont Aikido Chief Instructor Aaron Ward: Vermont Aikido, Ken Nisson, and Terry Dobson, Part III

Interview with Bay Area Shodokan Aikido Chief Instructor Warren Pottebaum: Tomiki Aikido From Japan to America, Part II

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Warren Pottebaum began training aikido in 1993, at the University of Southern California, under the tutelage of Robert Dziubla, the current shihan of the Tomiki Aikido of the Americas. After moving to Berkeley and spending ten months at Shodokan Hombu Dojo in Osaka, Japan, he returned with a new set of skills and knowledge and … Continue reading Interview with Bay Area Shodokan Aikido Chief Instructor Warren Pottebaum: Tomiki Aikido From Japan to America, Part II

Interview with Sanbukan Dojo: Mits Yamashita, In Memoriam

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Mits Yamashita was a powerful force for Yoshinkan Aikido in California. In this special interview, eleven of his black belts and senior students came together to issue a few words of remembrance and memorial for Yamashita. In it, they narrate important parts of their teacher’s life, how they began training under him, and what kind … Continue reading Interview with Sanbukan Dojo: Mits Yamashita, In Memoriam

Interview with Tri-State Historical Fencing founder Alex Meloi: Mounted Combat Within Fiore dei Librei’s Manuscript

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Alex Meloi first started aikido after getting the wind knocked out of him by a karate friend. After that, it opened him up to the world of martial arts, eventually coming the Historical European Martial Arts in 2015. Over the years, he has honed and refined his knowledge of Fiore dei Librei’s manuscript, later establishing … Continue reading Interview with Tri-State Historical Fencing founder Alex Meloi: Mounted Combat Within Fiore dei Librei’s Manuscript

Interview with Keystone Kokikai Founder Todd Kupper: An Intimate Look Into Shuji Maruyama, Part II

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Todd Kupper began aikido in the early 1990s, with Steven Seagal’s popularity reaching a high point in the United States. He did not find Seagal, but rather Shuji Maruyama, founder of Kokikai Aikido. From his teenage years until now, Kupper experienced many things under Maruyama, including a very close, almost father-son type of relationship. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Keystone Kokikai Founder Todd Kupper: An Intimate Look Into Shuji Maruyama, Part II

Interview with Berk Fencing Club Member Zachary Sturgis: The Excitement of the Sport

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 2 Comments

Beginning to fence was like a dream come true for Zachary Sturgis. Starting at the young age of twelve, Sturgis has taken to the sport and its history, constantly honing his craft. At the time of the interview, he lives in Italy, training under Marco Vannini and Dario Finetti. Today, Sturgis took some time to … Continue reading Interview with Berk Fencing Club Member Zachary Sturgis: The Excitement of the Sport

Interview with Progressive Era Historian Wendy Rouse: The Beginnings of the Women’s Self-Defense and Empowerment Movements

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Dr. Wendy Rouse took her first step into the world of martial arts at the age of ten after watching The Karate Kid. She took to history when in college, focusing on the Progressive Era of the United States, eventually earning her doctorate. During her research for her dissertation, she found something that later inspired … Continue reading Interview with Progressive Era Historian Wendy Rouse: The Beginnings of the Women’s Self-Defense and Empowerment Movements

Interview with Viñas Arnis System Inheritor Russell T. Mackler: Arnis and HEMA

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The Viñas Arnis System followed the old tradition of hiding different aspects of the art from students. That all changed with Nonong Viñas and the current head of the System, Russell T. Mackler. Here, Mackler discusses how he is pushing the boundaries of the Viñas Arnis System and how the Historical European Martial Arts community … Continue reading Interview with Viñas Arnis System Inheritor Russell T. Mackler: Arnis and HEMA

Does Tradition Create An Obstacle and Prevent An Art From Growing? By Michael Aloia

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It is not uncommon to hear the sentiment expressed, "training for the sake of tradition." Such a comment is often professed when there may not be a clear-cut answer or reason as to why things are as they are. More often, in response to a question from a student as to why we are doing … Continue reading Does Tradition Create An Obstacle and Prevent An Art From Growing? By Michael Aloia