Tag: Zoom

Interview with DoyleStick Instructor John Borter: An Insider’s Look at Irish Stick Fighting, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After training in many martial arts, John Borter stumbled onto Irish stick fighting by accident. Once he found out more, he was hooked and continues to teach and learn today. In this interview, Borter covers the world of Doyle Irish stick, sharing the techniques, traditions, and history that make it both a battle-tested martial art … Continue reading Interview with DoyleStick Instructor John Borter: An Insider’s Look at Irish Stick Fighting, Part II

Interview with DoyleStick Instructor John Borter: An Insider’s Look at Irish Stick Fighting, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After training in many martial arts, John Borter stumbled onto Irish stick fighting by accident. Once he found out more, he was hooked and continues to teach and learn today. In this interview, Borter covers the world of Doyle Irish stick, sharing the techniques, traditions, and history that make it both a battle-tested martial art … Continue reading Interview with DoyleStick Instructor John Borter: An Insider’s Look at Irish Stick Fighting, Part I

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Roxy Kubo: Competing at the World Kendo Championships

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Coming from a family who always trained kendo, Roxy Kubo entered the training hall at the age of four and has not left the community since. Under the tutelage of her stepfather, Arnold Fukutomi, Kubo trained and ultimately received two kantocho at two different World Kendo Championships. Today, Kubo took some time to talk about … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Roxy Kubo: Competing at the World Kendo Championships

Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Eric Montes: Naginata in the United States and Japan

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Eric Montes first became aware of naginata when he was training in karate but did not have a chance to start the weapon’s work until returning to San Francisco Bay Area in 1990. He entered the dojo under Miyako Tanaka, learning Tendo Ryu. Montes had the opportunity to study naginata in Japan at the Shubukan … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Eric Montes: Naginata in the United States and Japan

Interview with Athen Ohio Ki-Aikido Founder Stan Haehl: Changing for the Future

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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 Athen Ohio Ki-Aikido Founder Stan Haehl: Changing for the Future

Interview with North County Aikikai Founder Coryl Crane: Kazuo Chiba and Changes in Aikido

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Coryl Crane was first introduced to aikido through Tai Chi, beginning her training with Ki Society. By 1981, she heard of Kazuo Chiba’s arrival in San Diego and decided to see what the commotion was all about. She never looked back afterwards. Ten years later, she opened her own dojo, North County Aikikai and has … Continue reading Interview with North County Aikikai Founder Coryl Crane: Kazuo Chiba and Changes in Aikido

Interview with Aikido Kokikai Pittsburgh Founder Barbara Litt: Kokikai in America, Part I

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For Barbara Litt, aikido was not on her mind until one of her friends invited her to try a class; and that class was led by Shuji Maruyama, Kokikai Aikido’s founder. That first class and how the community welcomed her on the mat convinced her to train. Since she has joined the Kokikai Aikido community, … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Kokikai Pittsburgh Founder Barbara Litt: Kokikai in America, Part I

Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part II

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Katie Roche wanted to find out what naginata was as a child after hearing her grandmother talk about her time in the art. After some time and breaking up with her high school boyfriend, she enrolled herself into naginata, studying first under Sachiko Yamauchi. When she relocated for undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College and … Continue reading Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kirk Scott: Aikido of Tamalpais

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This interview was originally conducted in the fall of 2020, as the first of many planned interviewed within an organizational project. Kirk Scott first started out in Koei Kan karate-do until he needed a break from training after the injuries he sustained. He later found aikido and has continued with it ever since. Today, Scott … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kirk Scott: Aikido of Tamalpais

Interview with Sunday Morning Keiko Founder Rick Hotton: Karate, Aikido, and Body Intelligence, Part III

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Rick Hotton began training Shotokan Karate in the early 1970s, being one of the youngest practitioners to join the dojo. After taking responsibility for the dojo he once trained in, curiosity led him to aikido pioneer Mitsugi Saotome, who, to Hotton, is his best karate teacher. Today, Hotton discusses his karate journey, how Saotome influenced … Continue reading Interview with Sunday Morning Keiko Founder Rick Hotton: Karate, Aikido, and Body Intelligence, Part III