Sensei, Shidoin Victor M. Merea Ortega

Victor Manuel Merea Ortega, 5^th dan - born and raised in Perú - is the Dojo-cho (headmaster) and chief instructor of Reishin Dojo. Victor Sensei has been practicing Aikido for 25 years, having spent 5 of those years as an uchi-deshi in Brazil with his own Sensei, Shihan Reishin Kawai. He holds an M.Sc.(Econ.), is a trained medium risk level bodyguard (WBF), and has many years of experience as a bouncer.

• 1981-1985: Karate studies at the Japanese-Peruvian Cultural Centre (Centro Cultural Peruano Japonés - Lima, Perú).
• 1983-1986: Kendo studies (also at the Japanese-Peruvian Cultural Centre).
• 1986-1991: Aikido studies at the Colegio San Antonio de Padua (Lima, Perú). Graded 1^st dan in 1991, simultaneously joining the Peruvian Aikido Federation.
• 1991-1993: Began teaching Aikido at the Spanish Cultural Centre (Centro Cultural de España - Lima, Perú).
• 1993-1998: Graded 2^nd dan and awarded a scholarship to study at the University of São Paulo - and an invitation to live and study with Shihan Reishin Kawai (8^th dan), the representative of Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Brazil and South America. Spent five years with Kawai Sensei as a live-in student (uchi-deshi), studying and teaching Aikido at the Dojo Central (continental Hombu Dojo) of the Confederación Sudamericana del Arte de Aikido. Studied shiatsu and acupuncture with his Sensei.
• 1997: Graded 3^rd dan and was subsequently invited to stay in Japan for a month at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo to study with the Founder's grandson, (then) Waka-Sensei Moriteru Ueshiba - as well as with Fujita Sensei and with Kitahira Sensei in Hiroshima. Returned to Brazil and graduated from college as an M.Sc.(Econ.). Was given the mission by Kawai Sensei to return to Perú and open a Dojo in the city of Arequipa.
• 1998-2001: Returned to Perú to found a Dojo. In 1999 the first Reishin Dojo opened its doors, named in honour of Shihan Reishin Kawai. Victor Sensei taught Aikido at the Police Academy of Arequipa, Perú, from 1999 to 2001.
• 2001: Aikido sojourn in Brazil; graded 4^th dan as well as receiving the Shidoin (certification as a teacher at chief instructor's level, officially recognized as such by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Japan) diploma from Kawai Sensei - including the right to grade students at dan (black belt) level. Victor Sensei passed on the responsiblity for Reishin Dojo in Arequipa to his senior students in November, 2001, when he moved to Denmark - a responsibility that is being honoured to this day.
• 2002 - : After six months of integration in Denmark, Victor Sensei and his wife founded Reishin Dojo in the city of Odense.
• 2006 - : Teaches Aikido at the Dept. of Sports and Athletics at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU).
• 2007: Aikido sojourn in Brazil; graded 5^th dan by Kawai Sensei.
• 2010 - : Aikido sojourn every year in Japan (Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo); studies with (now) Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba.