Seth Davis - Director, Chief Instructor 
Seth Davis has trained in
martial arts both here and in Japan since 1990.
He began with Okinawan GoJu Ryu Karate, and during the course of his studies, he has learned Shaolin Gongfu, Kendo (Japanese fencing), kali, Aikido, and other disciplines. While in college, he developed a deep interest in internal martial arts. From 1999-2002 he had the good fortune to study Kuo Yu Cheung's Yang Style Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Chuan) intensively as a disciple student of Kaneiki, Iwao Sensei in Kagawa,
Japan. Seth was awarded a black sash and teacher's grade for Taiji-Gongfu prior to returning to the USA in 2002. Seth continues to visit and study with Master Kaneiki during summer trips to Japan. Seth founded Ziran Martial Arts in January, 2004
in
Highland Park,
New Jersey. Since then he has met and studied with many wonderful training partners, students, and teachers. It is Seth's goal to train students how to explore taijiquan and the martial arts inquisitively in order to meet their personal goals and to aid in the growth of the art as a whole. He continuously strives to provide the best possible instruction in a safe and enjoyable environment. Seth holds a BS in Ecology and East Asian Studies. He is a NJ Certified Teacher of Japanese, which he teaches full time in the public schools.
As of July 2009, Seth was granted Full Teaching Licensure for Gu style Taijiquan, with advanced black sash status, and was officially entered into the lineage of Master Kaneiki Iwao as a first tier disciple in the Mueimon Organization.
Seth continues to study with these and other notable teachers:
Kaneiki Iwao Sensei- Taijiquan - Gu Branch Yang Style
Greg Pinney Sifu- Chen Style Taijiquan
Scott M. Rodel
Laoshi- Yang Michuan Branch Chinese Swordsmanship
Jerry Zimmerman Sensei - Aikido (aikikai)
Sachiko Yamauchi-Prough Sensei- Naginata (atarashii naginata)
Seth would also like to acknowledge and thank his first martial arts teacher:
Rick Rhorman Sensei - Okinawan Gojuryu Karate
Brian Szura - Assistant Instructor/ Apprentice
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 assists with instruction in adult classes. He 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.
Thomas Posey- Assistant Instructor/ Apprentice
Thomas has practiced martial arts religiously since his childhood. He became an apprentice at Ziran Martial Arts in 2007 and assists with instruction, sharing his unique experience in a wide range of empty hands self -defense skills and adaptive combat methods. He is certified by Sifu J. L. Williams to teach Yitsung Shaolin Chuanfa and is also a certified Oriental Sports Trainer through the National Certification Commision of Acupunture and Oriental Medicine(NCCAOM). Thomas is qualified to teach Arthritis Taichi as established by Dr. Paul Lam. 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 is available for personal instruction in both Shaolin Chuan Fa and Taijiquan.
At Right:Thomas Posey plays at push hands with his teacher, Seth Davis.
