Interview with Athens Ohio Ki-Aikido Founder Stan Haehl: Ki-Aikido from Kansas to Ohio, Part I

Stan Haehl heard of aikido before, but it was not until 1978 that he found a class in his small town in Kansas. He first learned the art under Barbra Bloom, then traveled to Boulder, Colorado to train under the Midland Ki Federation head Koichi Kashiwaya, and lastly, under Andrew T. Tsubaki. In 2008, his … Continue reading Interview with Athens Ohio Ki-Aikido Founder Stan Haehl: Ki-Aikido from Kansas to Ohio, Part I

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

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 III

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 III

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

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 II

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

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 Southwinds Aikido Founder Jimmie Villarreal: Karl Geis and Kihara Aikido

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 David Witt: Judo, Aikido, and Karl Geis

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