I remember my brother and my father going to karate practice wearing their karate dogi. 

First, it was curiosity and then I wanted to do what my brother was doing. 

I remember doing my first punches in my parents' bedroom with my father. He said, “If you really want to start, I will take you to the dojo, but once you start you can not quit until you get your black belt.” I started Karate at the age of 5, and my father has always been a great sensei to me (Mark F. Waterhouse – 7th Dan JKA).
I am today 4th Dan with the Japan Karate Association (JKA) for Shotokan Karate.
I have 2 daughters who are also practicing Karate – the story continues…

"Jason Pfohl Sensei began studying Aikido at age twelve with Paul Sylvain Sensei and Lorraine Diane Sensei in Massachusetts, USA; he subsequently studied two years as an uchi-deshi in San Diego, California with Shihan Kazuo Chiba. In 2004 he moved to Oaxaca, Mexico.
Atziri Servin Sensei began her study of Aikido in 2012 under the teaching of Yesid Sierra Sensei at CDMX; her complementing her training with the practice of Iaido and Jodo. In 2018 she moved to Oaxaca Mexico
In October 2016 we inaugurated the Oaxaca Aikido dojo, for 4 consecutive years seminars were organized with Sensei Juba Nour. In August 2020 we closed the dojo in the historic center due to the COVID-19 pandemic but we continued with weapons practice and planning the construction of our new dojo."

Pablo was born and raised in Badalona, Spain. He began practicing Aikido regularly in 1999 at a dojo near home with Ricard Coll Sensei.

Afterwards, he established Aikido Musubi in 2008, a not-for-profit association, in order to experience the depth and enjoyment of aikido through daily training in an appropriate environment shared by students and other fellow aikidoka.

Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous courses and seminars by renowned teachers such as: Yamada Y. Shihan, Sugano S. Shihan, Shibata I. Shihan, M. Flynn Shihan, D. Waite Shihan, P. Bernath Shihan, among others. He has also traveled to Japan to train at the Aikido World Headquarters, the Hombu Dojo, under the teachings of: Ueshiba Moriteru Doshu, Miyamoto T. Shihan, Yokota Y. Shihan, Osawa Hayato Shihan, Kuribayashi T. Shihan, Kanazawa T. Shihan, Suzuki T. Shihan, among others.

Currently, he holds a 3rd dan degree, awarded by Aikido Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru and recognized worldwide by the Aikikai Foundation and the International Aikido Federation.

Patrick started Iaido (currently 5-Dan), together with his twin brother, in the fall of 2004 after graduating from the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering.

He met his future wife in 2007, when she started Iaido, and together they started Kyudo in 2008. Patrick achieved the rank of 3-Dan (2013) before pausing for the birth of his daughter in 2014. Patrick and his wife continue to practice Iaido as a family under the patronage of Atsumi Hatakenaka Sensei (Kyoshi 8-Dan Iaido) in Tokyo.

Patrick has been a lead-organizer of numerous Iaido events in Canada, including the Ontario Open, Canadian Open, and Mu Mon Kai Open; is founding member of the Canadian National Iaido Championships, Pan-American Iaido Championships, North American Partnership Grading, Team Canada Iaido, CKF Women’s Iaido Seminar, and the Tokushikai Iaido Dojo

Patrick served as president of the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) Iaido Club from 2012-2013 and 2016-2017; and has been a member of the Canadian Kendo Federation’s (CKF) board of directors since 2014.

In 2019, Patrick organized a Women in Budo Exhibition at the JCCC, where practitioners from Iaido, Kendo, Naginata, Kenjutsu, Jodo, and Karate demonstrated their arts and spoke about the impact budo has had on their lives, culminating in many of them competing as members of the Canadian National Team (Kendo, Naginata, Karate) in the World Championships. This effort subsequently led him to founding the Tokushikai Inside Look Podcast, a showcase of budo practitioners around the world — currently representing over 20 countries in the Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe.

Patrick worked as a Project Engineer in Software QA until 2013, when he decided to switch careers, earning a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in 2015 and worked as an Innovation & Design Strategy Consultant to small and large businesses, and most recently at an Artificial Intelligence startup before COVID hit.

Sabastian has been a student of Budo since 1984. He is a former U.S. Army Military Policeman and graduate from Old Dominion University- Advanced Post-Graduate program. He has administered the International Military Education and Training to the Japanese Self Defense Forces and for several years and was the Security Administrator for a large US city. He has competed in various Budo Arts and placed in both the U.S. and in Japan. He is dedicated to protecting, preserving and expanding traditional Budo Arts and Culture while cultivating character and fostering well-disciplined and capable individuals through participation in physical, mental and spiritual training.

I was born and raised in Kanagawa Japan and moved to BC Canada about 25 years ago.

I learned basic calligraphy when I was a child from a couple of teachers in the neighborhood. Learning Shodo was quite common for Japanese kids.

As for martial arts experiences, I used to practice Kendo at highschool. Since 2003 I have been a student of Robert Mustard Shihan from Yoshinkan Aikido.

After graduating from a university in Tokyo, I started teaching Japanese language. in 1992, I first came to Canada on my own and taught Japanese to Canadian for a year. After that experience, I worked as a language teacher, an overseas study coordinator in Japan and a marketing coordinator at a language school in Canada.

I opened my calligraphy shop in 2016 and Origami paper crane shop, Orizuru Cobo, in 2019.

Born of a Japanese father, and a French/Croatian mother, Leo Tamaki started martial arts with Judo at the age of 6. After practicing Kung-Fu, Karate and Full contact for a while, he discovered Aikido at the age of 21. He went to study martial arts in Japan for six years, and keep going there twice a year.

The main influences on his practice are Tamura Nobuyoshi in Aikido, Hino Akira in Hino Budo, Kuroda Tetsuzan in Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu, and Kono Yoshinori in Kobujutsu.

Leo Tamaki is the founder of the Kishinkai Aikido, a school that gather now 35 dojos in 12 countries.

I am Tomás Miranda, I am 33 years old and 20 years of Kendo. I was born in Chile, and from the age of 12 I have been without any pause on this Path, becoming national team member and also instructor at Providencia Club in Santiago city, which led me to the International Budo University in Japan, when I was 18 until 20 years old. After coming back to Chile I continued cultivating myself on this art learning and teaching at the Dojo, preparing for the national and international competitions and obtaining the corresponding grades, actually 6th Dan.

In the year 2019 I moved to Japan as a regular employee for a Budo gear manufacture company, since then I have been carry on my practice and meeting many wonderful Budokas, but with the pandemic situation, this the cancelation of many events, the adaptability and creativity to continue polishing myself has leveled up for sure.

The training never stopped for me, however it may have taken different forms such as reading and watching Budo related materials, home physical training, etc. At the moment we are practicing kind of normal in Japan, but always following the regulatory steps for avoiding contagious and spreading of the virus, which in Kendo can be summarized in using an inner-mask and mouth, eye or face-shield while training, and always be aware of hygiene. In some events such as tournaments, the rules changed to protect the referees and athletes, and generally speaking, Kendo and probably all the Budo are finding new ways to maintain the path alive, even when this means cancelling a practice or a big event, the online practices and individual or home training are often a great alternative in these times.

Josh Paul is the head instructor of Aikido of South Brooklyn. He and his wife, Courtney Paul, started the dojo in 2011. Josh is a direct student of Andrew Sato Shihan, the head instructor of the Aikido World Alliance (AWA).

In addition to the dojo, Josh has taught aikido in NYC public schools and elsewhere, working with at-risk students and students with autism and other unique needs. He frequently teaches at aikido seminars, and he is a member of the AWA's Technical and Testing Committees.

Josh is a godan in aikido, a shodan in shindo muso ryu jodo, and a 200-hour certified yoga instructor.

After graduating a Masters in Town Planning from The University of Auckland in New Zealand Jessica moved to Tokyo, Japan to work as an English teacher. She has been living in Japan for over 17 years.

Jessica has been a tv personality and working in Japanese and NZ media for more than 14 years. She is regularly on Japanese tv and occasionally in commercials and tv in New Zealand.

She started practicing kyudo just under 3 years ago and is currently 2nd dan. She practices in Urawa, Saitama.

Mitchell ratchik holds the rank of godan renshi (柳風) – shidōin (指導員) in ryushin shouchi-ryu under Kunikazu Yahagi sensei as well as shodan in muso shinden-ryu. He joined New York Budokai in 2005 and has helped transform the dojo into New York Budo Association, a 501(c)-3 not-for-profit organization. He is one of the senior instructors and is also the president of the board.

Mitch was born and raised in New York. He received a BFA from Pratt institute and has worked in advertising for 25 years at agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather, Jwt, Bbdo, Bbh, Tbwa Chiat Day, etc. His past work has won several awards from including awards from Cannes, One show, D&ad, Addy, Ad week, Clio, London int. Ad, Effies, & communication arts. Currently he works as a freelance creative director and lives with his family in Brooklyn, NY.

Born 1981 in France.

Tankendo Renshi 6-dan Jukendo 5-dan Naginata 4-dan Battodo 2-dan
Moved to Japan in 2006. Studied and trained 7 years at the International Budo University in Katsuura. Practice also Tendo-ryu.

Used to practice Tatsumi-ryu, Isshin-ryu naginata and Yagyu Shinkage-ryu.

Chairman of the international department at the All Japan Jukendo Federation.

Published "35 articles sur la stratégie" (French) and "Jukendo - Tankendo Kata"

Work regularly with NHK, Kendo World magazine, Yashima magazine and the International Naginata Federation.
He’s an artist (fine arts and music) and translator

Katie was born and raised in New York City where she started martial arts since the age of 6.

Currently she holds 5th dan in Naginata and is the head coach at Columbia University.

In her tournament history, she has won in several times the United States Naginata championships and captured 2nd place in 2007 and 2011 at the world Naginata Championships

She has two masters degrees from Columbia University: Master of Education in Motor Learning & Control, Master of Arts in Physical Education.

Was born in São Paulo, Brazil, with an abnormal formation of the right leg, similar to an amputation bellow the knee, reason why he makes the use of a prosthetic leg.
Currently assigned to the Embassy of Brazil in Tokyo, Leandro is graduated in Law, working as a civil servant of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil since 2002.
Always encouraged by his parents, his first steps in Japanese Budo started already at his childhood, with Kyokushin Karate, for about two years. In 2001, after a long pause and inspired by a Kyudo book, Leandro finds his way back to the Martial Arts, through the practice of Aikido and Tai Chi Chuan (Yang family style) with emphasis on Jian (sword).In 2011 his path finally meets Kyudo, back in Brasilia, where he was living at that time.
Living in Tokyo since 2015, Leandro has been studying Heki Ryu Inzai Ha (kyujutsu), at Urakami Dojo, and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu at Yuishinkan - Sugino Dojo, besides deepening his studies in Aikido and Kyudo.

Leandro is a member of the Nippon Budo Gakkai and holds currently 4° dan both in Aikido and Kyudo.

Stephanie Ando was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. After graduating from the University of Stellenbosch, she came to Japan on a gap year in 2002 where she was introduced to Tsuneo Ando Shihan and Yoshinkan Aikido. Since then, she has trained exclusively with Ando Shihan at Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu in Urayasu, Japan. She is currently ranked 4th Dan in Yoshinkan Aikido and works as an instructor at Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu where she is also the Head of International Affairs. In that role, her focus is on empowerment; diversity and development.

Nicolas was born in 1991 in Bogota, Colombia. Taking after his father’s passion for martial arts and all things Japanese, he began practicing Karate regularly in 2009 at a Dojo close to his home. In April 2017, he had the opportunity to travel to Okinawa and stay there for 6 months with the sole purpose of training Karate at its source. During that time, he was able to meet and learn martial arts directly under his current master Maeshiro Morinobu, who is 10th Dan in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate. As of today, and since the 20th of January 2018, he has been living in Okinawa, set on a journey of self-development through the daily research and practice of traditional Okinawan Karate under the guidance of his sensei. On October 2018, he was awarded 3rd Dan by the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do Association. He also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota, Colombia.

Olivier Le Guen is a research and a professor in Mexico, working on Mayan indigenous languages. He was raised into Budo and acquainted early with Asian philosophies but stopped when he went to the university. He is now a beginner in Iaido, Kendo and Naginata. He trained in Mexico but went to Japan for intensive practices and can’t wait to go back…

I'm Nicolás Diaz from Chile, Kendo renshi 6 Dan, and Iaido 5 dan (I do Seitei and Musoshinden ryu), founder of http//:www.santiagobudokan.cl dojo, graduated from international budo university's budo specialization course, and nowadays President of the Chilean Kendo federation.

I also practice Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu Kenjutsu under Takanori Kajiya Soke, and have Experience in Meifushinkage ryu shurikenjutsu under Otsuka Soke, I also during the Budo Specialization course in Japan got my Judo Shodan.

My first approach to Budo was when I was a child doing Gojyu Ryu Karate, and later on Aikikai Aikido, after practicing aikiken for the first time I realized my interest in the japanese sword so I search for some budo related to it, after a long search I found kendo and fall in love with it, so I have continued that beautiful path until now (already 22 years), and I'm very glad to be able to pass all my experience to whoever want to walk this pass, and on it I was able to find my ikigai.

Ed Lin learned Aikido at the New York Aikikai and Ryushin Shouchi Ryu (Iaijutsu) at the New York Budokai. He was Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei's uchi-deshi for a short period of time and learned under his top students as well. At the New York Budo Association he learned under Phil Ortiz, Valiant Yeung, and Mitchell Ratchik. He's also received direct instruction from Kunikazu Yahagi, Soke of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu, several times in New York, Japan, and Taiwan. He moved to Taiwan in 2017 to start his own dojo in Taipei city.