Tag: Koichi Tohei

Interview with Coalition Founder Lynne Morrison: Her Experience with the Independent Coalition of USAF Women

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With a background in dance and a love for movement, Lynne Morrison found herself drawn to Aikido when she saw it for the first time in 1972 with Yoshimitsu Yamada leading a class at the New York Aikikai. Immediately, she signed up and trained intensely when, in 1978, she began teaching classes at New York … Continue reading Interview with Coalition Founder Lynne Morrison: Her Experience with the Independent Coalition of USAF Women

John Eley: Aikido in Chicago, Through His Eyes, Part II

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In 2023, I was in conversations with an intermediary to scheduling an interview with John Eley, one of the longest American students of Koichi Tohei and active member within the Ki Society. Unfortunately, the interview never materialized, however I was offered a previous interview Eley did in 2008. The quality is not the greatest, however, … Continue reading John Eley: Aikido in Chicago, Through His Eyes, Part II

John Eley: Aikido in Chicago, Through His Eyes, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In 2023, I was in conversations with an intermediary to scheduling an interview with John Eley, one of the longest American students of Koichi Tohei and active member within the Ki Society. Unfortunately, the interview never materialized, however I was offered a previous interview Eley did in 2008. The quality is not the greatest, however, … Continue reading John Eley: Aikido in Chicago, Through His Eyes, Part I

Interview with Shinken-ryu Founder Prince Gharios: Attempting to Save Modern Aikido, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Prince Gharios began aikido in Brazil in 1986 and during the rise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he was forced to look to other sources for a more direct aikido. By the mid-1990s, Prince Gharios found Steven Seagal and Tenshin Aikido, which gave him the tools and foundations to establish his own Shinken-ryu Aiki-Budo. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Shinken-ryu Founder Prince Gharios: Attempting to Save Modern Aikido, Part I

Interview with Korinji Founder Meido Moore: Being the Uchi Deshi of Fumio Toyoda, Part II

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Meido Moore began aikido as a way to complement his Buddhist studies in college. After training at an Indian monastery and returning to New Jersey, he met Fumio Toyoda at a seminar. There, Moore was enamored with Toyoda’s approach to both aikido and Zen and found himself quickly moving to Chicago, Illinois to be Toyoda’s … Continue reading Interview with Korinji Founder Meido Moore: Being the Uchi Deshi of Fumio Toyoda, Part II

Interview with Korinji Founder Meido Moore: Being the Uchi Deshi of Fumio Toyoda, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Meido Moore began aikido as a way to complement his Buddhist studies in college. After training at an Indian monastery and returning to New Jersey, he met Fumio Toyoda at a seminar. There, Moore was enamored with Toyoda’s approach to both aikido and Zen and found himself quickly moving to Chicago, Illinois to be Toyoda’s … Continue reading Interview with Korinji Founder Meido Moore: Being the Uchi Deshi of Fumio Toyoda, Part I

Interview with Aikido Authors Bob Noha and Laurin Herr: Robert Nadeau and the Art of Transformation, Part I

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Laurin Herr found himself training under Robert Nadeau after a company merger and spending time in Japan training under Michio Hikitsuchi in Shingu. Bob Noha, on the other hand, trained with Nadeau since he was a teenager. Herr, Noha, and four other students of Nadeau came together during the Covid Pandemic to co-author what is … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Authors Bob Noha and Laurin Herr: Robert Nadeau and the Art of Transformation, Part I

A Layman’s Observation: Who Really has Authority in the Martial Arts?

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Part of this editorial was inspired by a chapter from my 2020 book, Aikido Comes to America, and my 2024 book, Takahiko Ishikawa, bringing two related ideas together and pairing them with a third. Authority is something people look for, whether it is to wield it or to seek those who are in similar positions. … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: Who Really has Authority in the Martial Arts?

Interview with Longtime Kokikai Aikidoka Matt Shomo: Kokikai and Shuji Maruyama’s Legacy

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With him and his brother being interested in Steven Seagal films, Matt Shomo joined the Penn State University Aikido Club shortly after his brother. There he practiced diligently until meeting Shuji Maruyama at a Winter Camp. After a surprising experience with Kokikai Aikido’s founder, Shomo had more zeal to train. Today, Shomo took some time … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kokikai Aikidoka Matt Shomo: Kokikai and Shuji Maruyama’s Legacy

Interview with Flemington Aikido Founder Rick Goodman: Finding Shuji Maruyama and Staying True to the Essence

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Rick Goodman, a dedicated martial artist and five decades long practitioner of Kokikai Aikido, reflects on the future of the art following the changes instilled by founder Shuji Maruyama Sensei. Goodman Sensei  discusses the challenges of maintaining unity within the Kokikai community, the diverse perspectives among senior practitioners, and the importance of preserving the core … Continue reading Interview with Flemington Aikido Founder Rick Goodman: Finding Shuji Maruyama and Staying True to the Essence