In preparation of a test, I was tasked to write my thoughts on one of the types of training found in aikido. Below are some of my thoughts on the concept of shugyo. Shugyo, by rough translation, means “determined training that fosters enlightenment.” To me, shugyo is in other words, a very intense and rigorous … Continue reading What is Shugyo?
Bruce Costa began training in Shotokan Karate under Teruyuki Okazaki in 1980 while at Temple University. What made him stay was the depth of content as represented by Okazaki himself, as opposed to what Costa had seen in popular culture. Since then, he opened Granite Forest Dojo in 2002 and has been a consistent and … Continue reading Interview with Granite Forest Dojo Founder Bruce Costa: The Impact of Karate Training, Part II
James Nakayama first started training judo at the age of seven. Years later, an uncle told him about aikido. He soon enrolled into Orange County Aiki Kai, and has not stopped practicing since. In the 1970s, he met Fumio Toyoda and was captivated by his style and approach. It was not until the 1990s, after … Continue reading Interview with Chushinkan Dojo Founder James Nakayama: Fumio Toyoda and His Legacy
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 