Instructors
Kristina Varjan, 7th Dan, Shihan-Chief Instructor
Kristina Varjan started Aikido training in 1975 at New York Aikikai with Y.Yamada Shihan. From 1989-1992 she was a kenshusei with T.K. Chiba Shihan at San Diego Aikikai in the advanced teacher training program. She is a member of the Senior Council in Birankai North America, an international Aikido organization founded by T.K. Chiba Shihan in 2000. Varjan Sensei established Kohala Aikikai - Aikido of Kohala with Rikko Varjan Sensei, on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1995, and New Mexico Aikikai from 2005-2008 in Placitas, New Mexico. She is currently Chief Instructor for Kohala Aikikai, and Sewanin-Advisor for the Kohala Koboji Shingon Buddhist Temple in Kapaau, Hawaii. In addition to her Aikido teaching, Varjan Sensei teaches Awareness Through Movement classes and maintains a private practice as a practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method. She also teaches Aikido and the Feldenkrais Method in Europe.
Rikko Varjan, Ph.D., 6th Dan, Shidoin-Chief Instructor
Rikko Varjan began practicing martial arts in the mid 1960's and in 1972 received his first Aikido instruction from M. Nakazono Shihan in Santa Fe, New Mexico. From 1989-1992 he was a kenshusei with T.K. Chiba Shihan at San Diego Aikikai in the advanced teacher training program. He is President Emeritus of Birankai North America and USAF-Western Region. Currently, he is the President of Birankai International, an Aikido organization founded by T.K. Chiba Shihan in 2000. Varjan Sensei established Kohala Aikikai - Aikido of Kohala with Kristina Varjan Shihan, on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1995, and New Mexico Aikikai from 2005-2008 in Placitas, New Mexico. He is currently Chief Instructor for Kohala Aikikai, and Sewanin-Advisor for the Kohala Koboji Shingon Buddhist Temple in Kapaau, Hawaii. In addition to his Aikido teaching, Varjan Sensei maintains a private practice as a consultant in health & wellness counseling with a focus on brain fitness training and stress reduction. He utilizes alpha-theta & synchrony neurofeedback training for optimal performance & creativity. He also teaches Aikido and provides consultation and training in Europe.