Tag: Lisa Tomoleoni

Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In the spirit of finding an activity to further connect with his Japanese ancestry, Andrew Sato found aikido through the help of two community members. After trying out a single class with Fumio Toyoda, Sato was hooked and proceeded to train relentlessly with Toyoda until the latter’s passing. In the aftermath, Sato, under the direction … Continue reading Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part II

Interview with Boulder Aikikai Founder Hiroshi Ikeda: A Journey with Mitsugi Saotome

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Hiroshi Ikeda first trained judo in his high school years before finding aikido at Kokugakuin University, in 1969. There, he began studying directly under Mitsugi Saotome, and soon enrolled in his Reimei Juku Dojo the next year. When an American aikidoka (Bill McIntyre) invited Saotome to teach in Florida in 1976, Ikeda followed him to … Continue reading Interview with Boulder Aikikai Founder Hiroshi Ikeda: A Journey with Mitsugi Saotome

Interview with Aikido of Madison Cofounders Robin Cooper and John Stone: Their Journey Through Aikido and Beyond, Part I

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Both Robin Cooper and John Stone started aikido at the same time, beginning their study in a dojo affiliated with Akira Tohei. After moving to California in the late 1970s, both of them trained with a variety of aikidoka and schools, ranging from Frank Doran, Bob Bryner, Bob Nadeau, and Bill Witt, to LA Aikikai … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Madison Cofounders Robin Cooper and John Stone: Their Journey Through Aikido and Beyond, Part I

Interview with Aikido Shimbokukai Founder Lisa Tomoleoni: Aikido Training and Future

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Lisa Tomoleoni, founder of Aikido Shimbokukai, began her aikido training in the early 1990s and traveled to Japan shortly after. In her time there, she trained under both Second Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and Third Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba. Upon returning America, she co-published Along the Way with Michelle Tate. In this interview, we discuss her initial … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shimbokukai Founder Lisa Tomoleoni: Aikido Training and Future