Five Willow Tai Chi Association Seattle
Renata Chung
Mark Baclawski
Five Willow Instructor Biographies
Five Willow is a group of friends who have studied Tai Chi Chuan together since the 1970's. Each instructor's knowledge is varied and diverse. If you wish to get to know one of our instructors please come to one of our Saturday morning practice sessions.
I am the master of the universe, as are we all. Trained by the formidable Hsu Shan-tung. President for Life of Five Willow Tai Chi Association. I have been a Tai Chi instructor for 43 years in Seattle. Tai Chi is relative to everything else. If you do it every day, it may give you a better quality of life. People get together and play Tai Chi. You benefit if you keep showing up.
Mark began his studies of Tai Chi Chuan in 1972. He continued his studies with his formative instructors Hsu Shan-tung and his teacher Tao Ping-Siang. Mark has moved to Port Townsend. Mark is maintaining his roots to Five Willow Seattle and is available to help you explore the depths of Tai Chi Chuan and related philosophies.
Richard Aries
Renata teaches Tai Chi and is also an acupuncturist.
Frank began his Tai Chi practice while living in India in 1978. He has studied with a number of teachers over the years and most recently with Master Tao (starting in 1994) at which time he became a lifelong member of Five Willow Tai Chi Association. He has been teaching at the Phinney Neighborhood Center in Seattle since 1996 and at North Seattle Community College since 1998. Frank has taught a number of different forms over the years which include Yang Style Short and Long Form, Tai Chi Yang style Sword Form and Water Style (Liuhebafa). His daily practice includes all of the above forms, Wu style, two person separate hands form and Hsing Yi two person sword form. Frank believes that a daily practice of Tai Chi can help us connect on a deeper level with our physical and spiritual essence.
As I was walking past a park, early in the morning over forty-five years ago, I saw a group of people doing slow, meditative movements. I joined in and Tai Chi has been a part of my life ever since. I have studied with two noted teachers: Mr. Ping Siang Tao and Madame Gao Fu. I have had the fortune of not only learning from many other excellent Tai Chi teachers, but also of sharing that knowledge through teaching and demonstrations. I practice traditional Yang and Chen style solo forms, animal, sword, as well as two person forms (push hands and separate hands). For me, Tai Chi is a skill, an art and a pleasure.
Paul started his training in the martial arts around 1982. Since then, he has devoted 100s of hours towards the study of Tai Chi, the martial arts, and how to enhance the body's performance through strength, endurance, and flexibility training. He currently teaches Tai Chi while maintaining his own practice in Tai Chi, the martial arts, and fitness in general.
Mary began Tai Chi in 1973 and primary teachers include: Hsu Shan-Tung, Tao Ping-Siang, Gao Fu, Gao Li-Ting, Fred Hao. She also studied several energy healing arts using meridians and chi, including work with Dr Kam Yuen. Classes emphasize alignment, meditation and energy awareness.
Cosette LeCiel
Paul Pal
Mary Newbill
Frank Deering
