Sifu Rossen Raykov

In my teens I was competing on national level in Judo and Sambo in Bulgaria, but a post tournament injury ended my career.

Years later, chronic back pain led me to the gentle yet profound practice of Cheng Man Ching Tai Chi in 2015. Through it, I rediscovered balance, resilience, and inner calm. By 2016, I was once again ready to expand my practice through Kokikai Aikido, blending softness and centered power.

Since 2017, I have had the honor of studying Tai Chi and Wing Chun under Grand Master Norman Smith, and in 2021 I began training in Beikoku Shidokan Okinawa Karate. For a brief time in 2023 I was introduced to the White Crane by Grandmaster S. L. Martin.

I’m inspired by the idea that martial arts are not about fighting others but about refining oneself. I strive to help students move with awareness, avoid the mistakes that once held me back, and discover the quiet strength within.

My favorite forms are Traditional Yang Style 108, the Cheng Man Ching 37 and The Wing Chun Dummy, Tai Chi continues to remind me that true power lies in softness and simplicity.