In Ethan's words.....

I started studying Taiji in 2005 after wanting to learn for many years.  My previous experience in theater training at Cornish College of the Arts had meant a good amount of study in physical theatre and stage combat and  I was looking for a way to get back into a physical discipline.    After just a short time of learning Yang basics and qigong, I knew would continue to pursue learning in the Taiji discipline for many years.

Over the course of my training I have had the great opportunity to learn so much from the Sifu DeJesus and the many great coaches and instructors at Seattle Wushu.  I have followed the school to three different locations and moved from beginner classes in Yang style open hand to intermediate/advanced Yang open hand and weapons classes.  In addition, I began taking the Chen style class over a year ago and have had a great time meeting the challenges this “mother-style” presents.  Over the years I have taken advantage of the multiple workshop opportunities that Seattle Wushu offers from knife and fan form workshops to seminars with Master Hong and  Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei.

I consider myself lucky to have these opportunities and felt privileged to take over a fan form class offered by Margret Chen at the International District/Chinatown Community Center in 2009.  In a class comprised mostly of seniors, my previous experience at Seattle Wushu was a great asset.  I very soon went from student to assistant to teacher after the class concluded.  I was able to support the students interest to learning after the class’ scheduled run completed even though Margret was unable to continue due to travel.  When I performed the fan form Margret taught us with my class during the Old Timer Picnic at Woodland Park Zoo I was proud to have my classmate Brian and Sifu DeJesus in the audience cheering on my group.

I love to share experience and knowledge I have gained at Seattle Wushu with others and look forward to helping them with the ever increasing challenges Taiji presents.  Look for me in the Taiji and fan demo team at one of the events Seattle Wushu attends.  On the weekends I am also known to announce Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby under the name Le Grand Mort.  I find a warm up of some quick qigong exercises to be invaluable before stepping in front of a crowd of six thousand screaming roller derby fans.