Stephi Varjan Sensei Began Aikido studies in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1980.
She was a member of the Iwama Style Aikido Dojo for 5 1/2 years, under Morihiro Saito Sensei.
Encountered Shoji Nishio Shihan, 8th Dan, in Aarhus, Denmark while studying at WaldorfTeacherCollege, in 1984. Became a full time student under Shoji Nishio Sensei in 1985.
Varjan Sensei is certified 5th Dan Aikido by The World Aikikai Organization, Hombu Dojo of Tokyo, Japan. She is ranked, 6th Dan Aikido To-Ho (Iaido), and 5th Dan Aikido Weapons.
Varjan Sensei ran her own Dojo in Denver, Colorado for 17 years before returning to Denmark, and then being invited to come to Los Angeles, CA.
She regularly assists / instructs along side of Yoshida Sensei, 7th Dan student of Nishio Sensei, at anually scheduled seminars here in the L.A. area.
She is the author of two volumes of technical manuals on the work and Aikido style of Shoji Nishio, “The Nishio Sensei Aikido Notebook (s)”. Varjan Sensei is one of only a handful of Nishio instructors in the L.A. area, and the U.S. in general, carrying on the heritage of Shoji Nishio Sensei. She lives and teaches by a simple axiom, many times expressed by Nishio Sensei, “Take the Initiative".
Varjan Sensei is also a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) and has taught and practiced the ancient arts of Anma and Shiatsu Massage Therapy for over 25 yrs.
