John P. Painter (Ph.D in Naturopathic Medicine) is one of the pioneers of Chinese internal martial arts in the United States. He has been learning and practicing Jiulong Baguazhang, Taijiquan and Xingyiquan from the Li family's system since 1956.

Born in East Texas, John P. Painter was a sickly child, unable to participate in many of the sports enjoyed by his peers. At the age of thirteen he was introduced to an elderly Chinese gentleman who had moved in next door. John spent many hours keeping the old man company. Mr. Li took an interest in the sickly young boy and soon began to teach him a special game called Stand Like a Tree or Quiet Standing. John was told that if he mastered the exercise Mr. Li would teach him the Daoqiquan boxing art just as if he were one of his sons. The training was effective and John's chronic illness diminished. Mr. Li was impressed with the boy's dedication and began to teach John, and a close family friend, his 400-year-old martial art of Daoqiquan.

With Master Li, Dr. Painter had the opportunity to study the following arts of Daoqiquan:

Dr. Yang has been involved in Chinese Kung Fu since 1961. He has spent 13 years learning Shaolin White Crane and Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu, and Tai Chi Chuan, as well as massage and herbal treatments. YMAA has developed into an international organization of over 55 schools in 18 countries.

As a child, Jwing-Ming Yang learned patience and endurance throughout nine years of Japanese occupation of Taiwan, during which his family of 9 often went without food for days.

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming started his Kung Fu training at the age of fifteen under the Shaolin White Crane Master Cheng, Gin-Gsao. In thirteen years of study (1961-1974) under Master Cheng, Dr. Yang became an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts, which includes both barehand techniques and the use of various weapons such as saber, staff, spear, trident, two short rods, and many others. With the same master he also studied White Crane Chin Na grappling, Tui Na and Dian Xue massage techniques, and herbal treatment.

At the age of sixteen, Dr. Yang also began the study of Yang style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) under Master Kao Tao. After learning from Master Kao, Dr. Yang continued his study and research of Taijiquan with several masters and senior practitioners such as Master Li, Mao-Ching, and Mr. Wilson Chen in Taipei. Master Li learned his Taijiquan from the well-known Master Han, Ching-Tang, and Mr. Chen learned his Taijiquan from Master Chang, Xiang-San. Dr. Yang has mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, pushing hands, the two-man fighting sequence, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong.

When Dr. Yang was eighteen years old he entered Tamkang College in Taipei Xian to study Physics and also began the study of traditional Shaolin Long Fist with Master Li, Mao-Ching at the Tamkang College Guoshu (Kung Fu) Club (1964-1968). He eventually became an assistant instructor under Master Li. In 1971 he completed his M.S. degree in Physics at the National Taiwan University and then served in the Chinese Air Force from 1971 to 1972. In the service, Dr. Yang taught Physics at the Junior Academy of the Chinese Air Force while also teaching Wushu. He returned to Tamkang College to teach Physics and resumed study under Master Li, Mao-Ching. From Master Li, Dr. Yang learned Northern style Kung fu, which includes both barehand (especially kicking) techniques and numerous weapons.

In 1974, Dr. Yang came to the United States to study Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University. At the request of a few students, Dr. Yang began to teach Kung Fu, which resulted in the foundation of the Purdue University Chinese Kung Fu Research Club in the spring of 1975. While at Purdue, Dr. Yang also taught college-credited courses in Taijiquan. In May, 1978 he was awarded a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering by Purdue.

In 1982, Dr. Yang began teaching martial arts in Boston, MA, and founded the Yang's Martial Arts Association (YMAA). Shortly thereafter, he resigned from his engineering career in order to pursue his dream full-time of conveying the benefits of Chinese culture and Chinese martial arts to the West. In 1983, Dr. Yang founded YMAA Publication Center, through which he has published 32 books and over 75 videos on the martial arts and Qigong.

YMAA school has developed into an international organization of over 55 martial arts schools in 18 countries. Dr. Yang has also been invited to offer seminars around the world to share his knowledge of Chinese martial arts and Qigong, including Canada, Mexico, France, Italy, Poland, England, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Iran, Chile, Venezuela, Morocco, South Africa, Holland, Hungary, Spain, Egypt, Brazil, Austria and Germany.

In short, Dr. Yang has been involved in Chinese martial arts since 1961. Between teaching at YMAA Headquarters in Boston, traveling to teach at International schools, and offering additional lectures and seminars, Dr. Yang has taught tens of thousands of students.

In 2005, Dr. Yang founded the nonprofit YMAA CA Retreat Center and the nonprofit Qigong Public Research Foundation (QPRF) with the goal of stepping up his efforts to bridge the knowledge of the East and West for the rest of his life.

Rich teaching a Taiji Qinna seminar in NYC.

Joshua Craig is the founder of Artemis Seminars and is dedicated to the preservation of the traditional Chinese martial and health arts. Joshua began his martial arts training at the age of 14, after being introduced to the art of Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. Two years later he moved and began the study of Japanese Goju-ryu Karate and Ninjitsu. Over the next few years he explored a variety of Japanese and Filipino arts via private lessons and seminars.

In his early 20s, Joshua studied Yang style Taijiquan, but quit the practice after a single year - after realizing that he had joined a "factory school". Gaining certificates in Yang 24, Yang Saber, Yang Spear, and Yang 48, he realized that his understanding of the art was shallow and that his teacher, reputed to be one of the best in the area, used an external art for self-defense and Qigong for health...relegating Taijiquan to develop relaxation. Disillusioned with the "Grand Ultimate Fist", Joshua began to study Yoga, Qigong, and Massage, leaving behind the martial arts to focus on both the healing and spiritual aspects of life.

In 2000, Joshua was run over by a car, leaving him unable to work or function normally. During the accident itself, Joshua experienced a state often written about in the martial classics and, after a long recovery, he began again to explore the martial arts. Having lost a lot of muscle mass, he found that his once reliable martial arts no longer functioned and he began to look for systems and teachers that did not rely on being better conditioned than the oppponent. After traveling extensively to find a teacher and an art, this search was satisfied by the study of Qinna with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and Jiulong Baguazhang with Dr. John Painter.

While studying with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and Dr. John P. Painter, Joshua assisted them in the teaching of their seminars. People soon began to request that he return to teach on his own, sharing the arts taught him by by Dr. Painter (Jiulong Baguazhang) and Dr. Yang (Taiji Ball Qigong, Taiji Symbol Qigong and Qinna). Joshua's understanding of the principles at work and his knack for teaching with both humor and clarity have made him a popular teacher in his own right.

In April 2008 Joshua invited Mike Martello to teach at his school in NYC. This experience changed his whole outlook on the internal arts specifically, and gongfu in general. Mike began to help Joshua to rebuild his internal engine, refocusing his training and leading him to search out a local teacher to supplement his seminar learning with Mike. This search led Joshua to Steve Arboleda and the practice of Iliqchuan.

Today Joshua specializes in the practice and teaching of Internal Arts 101 and Taiji Ball Qigong while continuing his personal exploration of internal principles through the art of Iliqchuan.

Statement from Joshua: I am a student of the arts and will always be one. At first I resisted becoming a teacher, but people kept asking. I soon realized that these students were able to use what I taught them to significantly improve their practices and their lives. Today I share a close relationship with our seminar participants around the country and look forward to seeing them throughout the year.

Joshua (right) teaching at a Baguazhang Earth Palm seminar in NJ.

Mike is a teacher who is able to physically express the principles the Chinese Martial Arts are famous for. What's more, he can explain these principles and aid you in manifesting these skills yourself.

Relaxed power. Supple root. Clear communication. Sense of humor. All good things in a martial artist.

A disciple under the tutelage of Master Su Yu-Chang, Mike spent years studying and investigating Tanglang (Praying Mantis), Bajiquan, Baguazhang, Piguazhang, Xingyiquan, Taijiquan and Weapons. Today he is the head of Wutan Belgium and also teaches at the Wutan Headquarters in Taiwan.

Mike continues his training in the Chinese Martial Arts in Taiwan with Wang Chieh. Wang Laoshi specializes in the arts of Yuejia (Yue Family) Sanshou, Ba Bu Tanglang (Eight Step Praying Mantis), Baihequan (White Crane), Taiji Tuishou (Push Hands), Shuaijiao (Chinese Wrestling), and Qinna. At age 81 (in 2008), Wang Laoshi's skills are sharp and he provides Mike with the inspiration and instruction necessary to continue developing his skills.

As Wang Laoshi puts it "One must enjoy the practice of Chinese martial arts and be humble, as we are not Masters but students forever practicing." - wise words.