Scott Langley first started jujutsu at the age of five. After a move to North Yorkshire, he started karate. During that time, he found an interview with Frank Brennan relating his decision to become a full-time karate instructor. In reading that interview, Langley knew that was what he wanted to do and set himself on … Continue reading Interview with HDKI Founder Scott Langley: Getting on with Karate, Part I
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 I
Noah Mitchell began karate in 1983, experiencing a strict training approach to the art. A decade later, Mitchell began learning kobudo and after another decade, he began learning battodo and Toyama-ryu. In 2006, Mitchell opened his Mountain Stream Budo, offering many different martial arts and allowing his students to cross train like he has. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Mountain Stream Budo Founder Noah Mitchell: Cross Training and Teaching
RD Lawrence's first introduction to the martial arts was through a retired Second World War veteran who taught a combination of Japanese jujutsu and kempo, and magic. Additionally, Lawrence moved from place to place, following his father’s pastoral duties, and experienced many different martial arts along the way. While in Ohio, he learned a police-oriented … Continue reading Interview with Tokoshi Kempo Founder RD Lawrence: Find the Similarities
Juan Hernandez first heard of naginata in a local newspaper and planned to find a local dojo. Unfortunately, he was offered a job and had to relocate. Years later, he moved back to Long Beach, California and finally searched for a naginata class and found one under Helen Nakano. Hernandez has studied diligently under Nakano, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Juan Hernandez: Learning and Growth Under Helen Nakano
Jesse Cahn was first introduced to the martial arts through his father, Rolf, however, his first official introduction into the martial arts was judo. As Cahn grew, he experienced situations and problems associated with the street and shady establishments that helped create his perspective on violence. In 2003, he joined Windsong Dojo for their aikido … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Martial Artists Jesse Cahn: Family, Violence, and Aikido Part I
Mark Kerstein first started training in Taekwondo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when he was 15 years old in 1970. He later moved to Houston, Texas in 1983, and after spending some time searching for an instructor, he found Darrell Craig at the Houston Budokan. After observing a Kendo practice, Kerstein was hooked and has spent over … Continue reading Interview with Southern United States Kendo & Iaido Federation President Mark Kerstein: The Development of Kendo in Texas
What is the point of doing weapons work, especially what some may perceive as outdated weapons work? Not many people carry swords, sticks, staves, clubs, shields, bucklers, polearms, or even daggers. Not in 2024. Not in the developed world. While the practical applications of such weapons are not the most socially acceptable (or the easiest … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: Weapons, Distance, and Application
An avid Star Wars fan, it did not take a lot of convincing for Kat Laurange to try out light-based fencing with the now-defunct Kyber Combat. At the same time, she was training winged sabre with Russ Mitchell, who headed Starbird Saber Academy. In 2023, Laurange took over instructional responsibilities and, just like training in … Continue reading Interview with Starbird Academy Instructor Kat Laurange: All the Things!
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 