Tag: Karl Geis

Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Heather Gawlick: Exploring Aikido and Karl Geis’ Legacy

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Between volleyball and aikido – something she had never heard of before – Heather Gawlick chose aikido and has not looked back since. Over the years, she has learned from Nick Lowry of Kaze Uta Budo Kai and Karl Geis of Fugakukai. At Geis’ suggestion, she opened her first school in 1999 in Albuquerque, New … Continue reading Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Heather Gawlick: Exploring Aikido and Karl Geis’ Legacy

Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Aikidoka Roy Gawlick: Karl Geis, Nick Lowry, and a Lifelong Study

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After a friend described to him what aikido is, Roy Gawlick quickly searched for a dojo to find out more. He came across Karl Geis’ school in Houston, Texas and never left the art. In 2001, Gawlick opened his first school in Vancouver, British Columbia then, in 2018, opened Shinju Dojo with his wife Heather. … Continue reading Interview with Shinju Dojo Cofounder Aikidoka Roy Gawlick: Karl Geis, Nick Lowry, and a Lifelong Study

Interview with Longtime Karl Geis Student David Russell: His Time with Geis

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David Russell first started in Isshin-ryu Karate until he found a book on aikido, quickly dismissing it. It was not until later that he met a friend proficient in the art, leaving him surprised. This initial shock led him to seek instruction from Karl Geis. Today, Russell joins us to discuss that time under Geis … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Karl Geis Student David Russell: His Time with Geis

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

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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 I

Interview with Kihara Aikido Instructor Timothy Larson: A Personal Look at Karl Geis

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Timothy Larson walked in on one of Karl Geis’ weekend-long seminars in Oklahoma City and was quickly impressed by what was happening on the mat, training for six days a week. Today, Larson takes some time to talk about that journey and Geis’ legacy. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Hello and welcome Larson … Continue reading Interview with Kihara Aikido Instructor Timothy Larson: A Personal Look at Karl Geis

Interview with Southwinds Aikido Founder Jimmie Villarreal: Karl Geis and Kihara Aikido

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It happened almost by accident. Jimmie Villarreal was on vacation when he saw aikido in action and was completely enamored with what he saw. Unfortunately, he had to wait until 1990 to find a school and that is where he found Karl Geis. Today, Villarreal talks about first meeting and later training under Geis, in … Continue reading Interview with Southwinds Aikido Founder Jimmie Villarreal: Karl Geis and Kihara Aikido

Interview with Tomiki Aikido of the Americas Cofounder Robert Dziubla: Tomiki Aikido on the International Stage, Part III

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Robert Dziubla entered the martial arts out of necessity, studying both aikido and karate as a teenager. In an effort to earn his black belt, he traveled to Japan in the early 1970s, training directly under Tomiki aikido founder Kenji Tomiki. Later, Tomiki tasked Dziubla with spreading Tomiki Aikido and the ensuing interview is his … Continue reading Interview with Tomiki Aikido of the Americas Cofounder Robert Dziubla: Tomiki Aikido on the International Stage, Part III

Interview with David Witt: Judo, Aikido, and Karl Geis

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Karl Geis became a martial arts force in the Houston, Texas area, training and producing national and international judo champions, and competent aikidoka in the Shodokan variety after studying judo at the Kodokan and aikido under Shodokan founder, Kenji Tomiki. Today, longtime student of Geis, David Witt, talks to Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and … Continue reading Interview with David Witt: Judo, Aikido, and Karl Geis