SIFU SETH DAVIS

CHIEF TEACHER

Sifu Davis is a senior disciple and lineage holder under Master Kaneiki Iwao of Kagawa, Japan. He holds the rank of 4th Dan Black Belt, Shihan (Full Teaching Licensure) for Gu style Taijiquan, Wu Ying Quan Shaolin Quan, and Musoryu Budo as well as additional techniques and teachings of the Kenjutsu Do Athletic Association. 

Sifu Davis has trained in martial arts both here and in Japan since 1990. He began with Okinawan GoJu Ryu Karate, and has learned Shaolin Gongfu, Kendo (Japanese fencing), kali, Aikido, Aiki-Jujitsu and other disciplines. From 1999-2002 he had the good fortune to study Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Chuan) and other martial arts intensively as an apprentice student of Kaneiki, Iwao Sensei in Kagawa, Japan. In 2002, Sifu Davis was awarded black sash and Instructor grade for Taiji-Gongfu. He founded Ziran Martial Arts in January, 2004 in Highland Park, New Jersey. He continues to study with Kaneiki Sensei during summer visits to Japan. 

Sifu Davis's goal is to share taijiquan, gongfu and the martial arts with students so that they meet their personal goals, gain mastery, and achieve their maximum potential. He continuously strives to provide the best possible instruction in a safe and enjoyable environment. 

Sifu Davis holds a BS in Ecology and East Asian Studies and an MA in Asian Studies. He is a NJ Certified Teacher of Japanese, which he teaches full time in a public high school. He also farms, writes, and enjoys hiking and birdwatching.

Sifu Davis continues to study with these and other notable teachers:

Kaneiki Iwao Sensei - Gu Branch Yang Style Taijiquan, Shaolinquan, Ogoshi Musoryu Jujitsu

Greg Pinney Sifu - Chen Style Taijiquan

Sifu Davis wishes to honor the memory of his naginata teacher who passed away in 2012:

Mrs. Sachiko Yamauchi-Prough Sensei - Naginata (atarashii naginata) and her husband

Mr. John Prough Sensei - Passed away in 2013.

Sifu Davis would also like to acknowledge and thank his first martial arts teacher who forged his foundation of all martial skills and who continues to have a major influence on the way he thinks about and practices martial arts:
Rick Rhorman Sensei - Okinawan Gojuryu Karate

THOMAS POSEY

RESIDENT TEACHER

nThomas Posey is a gongfu disciple and lineage holder under Master Kaneiki Iwao of Kagawa, Japan and the senior disciple of Sifu Davis. He holds the rank of 3rd Dan Black Belt, Shidoin (Teaching Licensure) for Gu style Taijiquan, and Wu Ying Quan Shaolin Quan, in the Kenjutsu Do Athletic Association.

Thomas has practiced martial arts with great dedication since his childhood. He became an apprentice at Ziran Martial Arts in 2007 and now serves as Resident Teacher, (he is at the school everyday!) sharing his unique experience in a wide range of empty hands self-defense skills and adaptive combat methods. He is a NJ licensed personal trainer through the NPTI 500 hour certification. He also holds additional certification by Sifu J. L. Williams to teach Yitsung Shaolin Chuanfa and is a certified Oriental Sports Trainer through the National Certification Commision of Acupunture and Oriental Medicine(NCCAOM). Thomas has studied Taichi for arthritis. He has taught classes in Taichi for health at RWJ Health and Wellness Center in Scotch Plains and at other facilities for rehabilitation and for senior citizens. Thomas was previously an chief executive chef for a major hotel and combines his knowledge of cooking and healthy eating into planning personal training programs. Thomas is available for personal instruction in both Shaolin Kungfu and Taijiquan as well as for personal training in a complete program of personal fitness. Click personal training to find out more. 

NEIL CUTHBERT

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Neil Cuthbert has studied Taijiquan (T’ai Chi Chuan), Pushhands, Weapons, Bagua and Qigong at Ziran Martial Arts since 2012.  He holds lineage in Gu Style Taijiquan and is a first dan black belt. Prior to joining our school, he studied Yang form taiji and qigong with Peter Asco in Los Angeles.  While mostly focused on the fitness and internal aspects of the art, he very much appreciates and enjoys how understanding the martial application of the forms deepens his practice both physically and spiritually.  He frequently assists with instruction during adult evening classes, sharing his (highly refined) sense of humor and a fair bit of T’ai Chi skill with his classmates. When not "repulsing the monkey", sealing his kwa (inguinal crease), or slashing his dao (saber), he is a professional screenwriter and playwright.  Although he has never written a script for a kung fu movie, with Sifu's persistent encouragement, he will probably have to come up with one (in the not too distant future!..)

BRIAN SZURA

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

Brian began his practice of Taijiquan in 1993 while he was a student at Rutgers. He has been practicing diligently ever since. He joined Ziran Martial Arts in 2004. Shortly thereafter he became an apprentice student and assistant instructor. Brian has traveled and represented the school at demonstrations, tournaments and trainings both in the USA and in Europe and has excelled both in swordplay and in his taijiquan studies. Brian is also an accomplished musician and a full time ecologist for the state of NJ. He holds lineage in Gu Style Taijiquan and is a first dan black belt.