Our Instructors

Chief Aikido instructor at Ikigai is Dave Donohoe, 6th Dan Aikikai Shidoin. Dave has studied Aikido under Sean MacRuairi Sensei (7th Dan) in Ireland for the past 30 years. In 2000 Dave opened the first Aikido dojo in Vratza. Since 2008 the Vratza Aikido club has been a member of the National Aikido Union of Bulgaria with official recognition by the Aikido Hombu Dojo (World Aikido Headquarters in Japan).

Senior Aikido instructor and main trainer for all Children’s Aikido classes at Ikigai is Krasimir Ninov, 4th Dan Aikikai. Krasi has been studying and teaching Aikido in Vratza since 2000 when the first Aikido dojo opened here. Krasi successfully achieved 4th dan black belt level (yondan) in 2022.

Aikido Instructors

Qigong Instructor

Our Qigong classes are lead by Yuliya who has been practising for several years under the direction of Master Shi Heng Yi, senior master at the Shaolin Temple Europe. Yuliya regularly attends seminars and workshops in Germany, Romania, and Bulgaria with Shi Heng Yi and other senior masters from Shaolin Temple Europe to develop her Qigong understanding and practise.