Dennis Mace LMT, Holistic Martial Arts Instructor, Massage Therapist, Author and Illustrator
Holistic Bagua Zhang Instructor at Mace Martial Arts, Illustrator & Author at Vajra Visions, and Licensed Massage Therapist (MA 60155511) dedicated to the inspiration, healing and growth of my students and clients.
I strive to continue learning, and inspire my students to cultivate authentic skills and connect with their essential vitality — thereby enhancing their health, confidence, awareness and well-being.
My immersive path in the martial arts began in 1982 – starting with Judo, continuing with Aikido and other styles to my core training in Xingyiquan, Taijiquan — and my specialty, BaguaZhang (“8 Trigrams Palm”). I am a 5th generation disciple of Cheng style Bagua Zhang, and I am focused on passing this art on to the next generation.
You can learn about Our Bagua Zhang Lineage here.
As my instructors included Chinese medicine in their curriculum, I view Healthcare and Martial Arts as flip sides of the same coin, and believe that martial arts is more than just a hobby or sport — it is a holistic lifestyle that tempers the body, mind and spirit of the practitioner. Chivalry is my way of life.
I have enjoyed teaching martial arts with thorough, hands on detail to children and adults since 1991, emphasizing courtesy and ethics, the rich heritage that spawned these arts, and cultivating authentic skills with each of my students to improve their overall health and empowerment.
Available for workshops, private lessons and online training Worldwide
Available for workshops, private lessons and online training on
💠 Bagua Zhang (“8 Trigrams Palm”),
💠 weapons training,
💠 self-defense,
💠 Qi-Gong, Taoist Yoga and meditation.
I am also deeply inspired by the collaborative process of bringing a vision to life — I have helped create murals, concept art for books, ads, logos and storyboards for film — if you are seeking an artist to help manifest your dreams, let’s get started!
email: dennis@macemartialarts.com
In addition to being the Bagua Zhang Instructor at Mace Martial Arts, I am also a Licensed Massage Therapist (MA 60155511), available by request in my Private Practice in Everett, WA.
Over the years, I have discovered how incorporating Bagua Zhang principles into my massage therapy practice has helped enhance effective treatment work, as well as having a more rejuvenating experience both for my clients and myself.
If you need to relax and ease some pain, you can schedule your appointment at my private practice in Everett, WA, at
To schedule an appointment for a massage with me, please call or text at +1 (206)440-9187.
Dennis Mace – Martial Arts Background and Training
Cheng style Bagua Zhang (程式八卦掌) instructor Dennis Mace has been passionately involved in martial arts since 1983, when at the age of 13, he started training in Judo and Jujutsu in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska under Sensei Delo Lee. Dr Lee’s enthusiasm and humorous teaching style, balanced with the subtle strategies and practical, hands-on approach at the core of Judo, left an indelible impression on Dennis’s life in the martial arts.
In 1985, Dennis enrolled at the “Omaha Kung-Fu Institute”. There, Dennis enjoyed the rigorous training, family atmosphere, and structured curriculum of Sifu Phillip Starr’s classes, where he was introduced to Shaolin-Quan, Xing Yi Quan,Taiji Quan and Bagua Zhang, all taught within the framework of Yi Li Quan, 一 理 拳 “One Principle Boxing”, the cohesive martial art founded by Sifu Starr. Eventually, Dennis earned Black Sash rank in Yi Li Quan, and values the practical strategies of this art.
In 1992, Dennis moved to Melbourne/Palm Bay, Florida, where he was introduced to Aikido under Sensei Grady Lane. After returning to Omaha in 1994, Dennis continued both Yili Quan with Sifu Starr, and Aikido training with Sensei Ron Christenham, while recognizing the similarities between Bagua Zhang and Aikido.
Seeking to further his education and career, Dennis relocated to Seattle in 1999. After surveying the martial arts scene, Dennis felt blessed to find Cheng style Bagua Zhang (程式八卦掌) Shifu Yang, Guo Tai (Born July 1928 – Deceased November 2012) in Vancouver, BC. Yang, Guo Tai had learned from Xu Zhen Biao, who was a student of Liu Shi Kui (Liu Bin’s son) and Wang Wen Kui, one of Liu Bin’s top students, who in turn was one of Cheng Ting Hua’s first disciples. Dennis became a devoted disciple, commuting regularly to Vancouver to continue his training with Yang Shifu, and Yang Shifu’s senior student, David Meikle.
You can learn about Our Bagua Zhang Lineage here.
While in Seattle, Dennis also briefly studied Cheng shi Bagua Zhang with Zhang Jie, and principles of applications and partner drills with Dave Harris (1939-2008), from 2002-2004.
Dennis is committed to the preservation and promotion of authentic, practical martial arts. In November 2002, he established the Cheng shi Bagua Zhang Hui (程式八卦掌會 Cheng style Bagua Zhang Association Yahoo Group ) online to build a community between practitioners of Cheng Ting Hua’s Bagua Zhang, in an effort to compare and preserve the art through coordinating shared training. Dennis created this outreach in the spirit of Cheng Ting Hua, who openly accepted several expert students and exchanged training with them as well.
Dennis later updated the online group for the Cheng style Bagua Zhang Association on Facebook (程式八卦掌會) in July 2010, to preserve and promote this profound martial art.
Yang Shifu encouraged Dennis to start teaching Cheng shi Bagua Zhang in Seattle in 2003, and Dennis brought Yang Shifu to conduct 2 seminars to the United States, first in Omaha, NE in 2002, and later in Seattle, WA in 2004.
Later in 2004, Dennis moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he taught English and Martial Arts, before returning to Seattle in 2006. While residing in Indonesia, Dennis befriended and briefly trained with the inspiring Aikido Sensei Imanul Hakim, founder of Aiki Kenkyukai.
Dennis is also First Aid and CPR Certified, and a became a Licensed Massage Therapist in 2010, specializing in Sports Massage, Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue, and Injury Treatment. Viewing Health care and martial arts as flip sides of the same coin, he believes that a complete martial artist follows a Fourfold Path: that of a Warrior, Scholar, Sage, and Healer. Becoming a professional healthcare provider was a rewarding step in fulfilling this Fourfold Cycle.
Dennis has enjoyed teaching martial arts to children and adults since 1991. He teaches with thorough, hands on detail, emphasizes courtesy and ethics, as well as the rich cultural heritage of these arts, and is committed to cultivating authentic skills in each of his students to improve their overall health and empowerment.
Dennis Mace is available for combat oriented Bagua Zhang and self defense workshops and welcomes all inquiries.
Please contact Shifu Dennis Mace via email: dennis@macemartialarts.com to Schedule your free introductory 30 minute private lesson so he can customize your training needs here at Mace Martial Arts ~ The Other MMA!
At Mace Martial Arts, we value the sanctity of all life, celebrate diversity, cultivate peace and justice, and accept students who are interested in learning how to improve and protect themselves. We have a zero-tolerance policy for bigotry and will reject any potential or current student who bullies or discriminates against others based on ethnicity, religious beliefs, or gender/orientation.
Tetana Adkins-Mace LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Reiki Practitioner
I am a holistic mental health therapist committed to providing quality care for adults via online therapy at Phoenix Rising Therapy PLLC to meet you wherever you are at!
“The key to the seeker’s quest is not in finding just the right piece of holy real estate on which to stand, but rather in so preparing his or her awareness that any space he or she occupies can become thin through faith.”
― Steven Charleston, Choctaw Elder
“If you want to feel healthy, you have to be willing to let go of what is making you sick.”
—Teachings of the Tao
Life is a journey consisting of so many wonderous experiences. At the same time, we are challenged often along the path in ways that creates in us this sense of struggle and hardship, of failures and heart pain. Suffering, however, is not what we’re meant to do, and any challenges in our wellness are signals that something needs to be addressed. It is not a personal defect to falter, to lose our way at times, but an opportunity for growing and understanding who we are – who we truly ARE.
Mental health is health – it is from a holistic point of view an important part of how we process and experience our world. It is just as important as the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellness, and the concept of the Medicine Wheel teaches us that these parts of us are interconnected. When any of these parts of us are not in balance, the other parts will indeed suffer. For example, think about chronic pain. When we are in pain, it’s hard to feel happy, to feel full in our emotional wellness. Our mental wellness will also decline when dealing with chronic pain, because we may constantly worry about how the pain impacts our day to day lives, such as being able to move about comfortably, engaging in our activities of daily living; maybe also performing tasks of a job. We may then notice increased anxiety around the pain experiences, and then the pain increases as we think about it. This is just one example of the interconnected nature of our life experiences and how the challenges can compound, creating difficulties for us to feel content and in balance.
My life’s work has been called to a healing path. The vision I had for myself as a healer when I started is not what actually showed up, and I have embraced that, and even at times struggled with accepting that. Sometimes our expectations of ourselves and what our life will look like may not show up in that original vision – and that is ok! I have traversed an interesting path of personal, educational, and professional life experiences to get here today and be an honored part of your own healing journey. There have been many challenges, roadblocks, detours, and the like along the way, but I have learned and am continuing to learn that these experiences are for my own personal growth, in understanding myself, and getting to where I am today.
I describe myself as a lifelong learner, striving to stay curious and open to wonder, as well as being an observer of patterns – in myself and in others – that I believe help me guide you the client into recognizing your own patterns, increasing self-acceptance and understanding of who you are as a perfectly imperfect individual.
My professional therapy practice draws from a holistic model of wellness that balances the mind, body, and spirit, honoring the interconnectedness of all aspects of an individual from an empowerment, strengths-based focus. My working hours for therapy services are Monday through Friday, from 10am to noon; 1pm to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time. My practice is closed on evenings and weekends to maintain a work-life balance that allows me to successfully provide therapy services.
Via a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, I assist clients in exploring the power and impact of the mind on thoughts, beliefs, behaviors, habits and understanding their wellness from a holistic approach. I support clients in identifying ways to harness their emotions/reactions to be constructive and not destructive, increasing awareness and greater understanding of themselves as the unique individuals they are. I focus on collaborating closely with the client’s unique needs and experiences within a safe, non-judgmental space so that the client can get the most out of their therapeutic sessions. I view clients as the true experts in their lives, and my role as a mental health therapist is to serve as a guide in the process of their recovery and discovery. I have experience working with clients who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and Elders (55+).
My initial session with clients involves getting to know their unique needs as well as completion of a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of their challenging symptoms so that we can begin the process of establishing appropriate diagnosis/es. The following session may involve additional assessments, treatment planning, and safety planning. My focus during these initial two sessions is to make the clients feel comfortable with beginning therapy, as well as helping them understand how the therapeutic process will work. At all times, my goal is to ensure that clients feel heard and validated in this process – it is a true team effort.
Additionally, I am a Reiki practitioner, crystal healer, and energy worker. I believe in the power of our five senses in the physical and our five senses in the non-physical. I like to integrate the Medicine Wheel and holistic model in my work with clients, as well as explore the power of the mind on our body and spirit through mindfulness and somatic connections. I believe spirituality is an important part of who we are and can support the client’s exploration of the spiritual side of the self, if the client is curious about that. I tailor my therapeutic healing work according to a client’s identified needs, and work collaboratively in all of my approaches, so clients feel empowered in making decisions around their wellness.
Please note: I do not prescribe any particular spiritual path, religious faith, or impose any views of the like on anyone, including my own views and practices! Spirituality is very personal and can be represented in a vast myriad of ways.
In my personal life, I like to practice yoga, mindfulness, Qi Gong, and Cheng-style Bagua Zhang – a powerful form of martial arts that integrates mind, body, and spirit wellness. My favorite hobbies are spending time with family, hiking, reading, camping, traveling, dancing, attending pow wows, and cuddling my two rescue kitties. My personal interests include exploring mindfulness, Taoism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and my own healing journey of understanding myself as the unique individual I am.
I hope that what I share here resonates in some way with you, opens your own curiosity to who you are as a unique being, and feels like what you are looking for in your own personal journey of healing exploration. It will be my honor to serve as a guide to your wellness, and I look forward to meeting you should you find me to be a good fit for what you need in therapy.
To your wellness!
Please note, I work with adult individuals only, 18+, sorry no teens or children.
To schedule an initial intake with me, please contact the Mindful Therapy Group admin team, or phone (425) 640-7009. I look forward to meeting you.
Testimonials for Mace Martial Arts Instructor Dennis Mace
“Dennis is a very highly skilled and conscientious teacher. His commitment to deep practice and understanding of the applied principles of these arts allow benefits to novice and experienced practitioners. I HIGHLY recommend his classes!” — Derryl Willis, Chief Instructor at Seattle School of Chen Style Taijiquan
“Dennis is an excellent martial arts instructor who teaches practical techniques for the street as well as the rich history behind the art.” — Jason MacCoy, 3D Animation Instructor
“Dennis Mace is one of the top martial arts instructors in Seattle. If you are looking to gain realistic combat skills (both standing and on the ground), internal power, and a more healthy lifestyle then this is the man you need to learn from.” — Thomas Fox, US Navy
“Dennis Mace is one of the finest practitioners of Bagua Zhang in the Seattle area. His technique and teaching prove his passion for the art. Giving real life insight and methodology… Dennis Mace has given me invaluable techniques for improving both my mind and body. I highly recommend this class.” — Wilho Heikkinen, Ex US Navy
“I booked a couple of private lessons with Dennis, since I practice Cheng style Baguazhang, and heard he was good. I was most definitely impressed with every single aspect of the lessons! First of all he customized them for me in particular at my current level of training, and he also took a couple of injuries I have in mind. He gave me specific exercises to help my injuries heal well, as well as to increase flexibility where it is needed. What I enjoyed most about Dennis’ lessons is that he taught principals, not just application after application, but more about why you are doing each one, and what you are searching for with your body and breath when doing them. I was amazed at how much information he has about Cheng Bagua, and could tell we were only touching the tip of the iceberg. Dennis also helped me improve my circle walking, as well as added some things to my fuju gonfa. I can safely say that Dennis gave me 3-6 months of stuff to work on. Fortunately I took notes ;). The lessons were a mixture of bringing what I already knew deeper, as well as introducing some new concepts. I will most definitely be returning for a lesson everytime I am in Seattle!” — Athena Wallinder
“As someone who has practiced a range of martial arts for 30 years, I have to say Mr Mace is a top notch instructor. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable and, more importantly, is able to convey that knowledge effectively.” — Michael Hasse
“Dear Energy Workers, Our Bagua Zhang, introductory workshop was a huge success. We did theory and warm-ups At the Healing Arts Center then practiced our newly learned skills outside in the village gardens. It was so much fun, I forgot to take pictures! We plan to hold many more of these workshops & classes. Bagua Zhang is rooted in Taoism, Chinese Yoga and martial arts. It helps you to increase and work with energy, become more rooted, and build self-confidence, through spiral movement. Dennis Mace, LMP and Martial Arts Instructor offers “Highly effective training for real-life situations.” He has studied many martial art forms. However, His core training is in Xingyiquan, Taijiquan, and Bagua Zhang. Dennis is committed to empowering and cultivating authentic skills in each of his students while improving their overall health. His classes are prefect for all ages. ” — Nancy Merrifield, RN, Reiki Master Teacher, Life Solutions Healing Arts Center
“I had heard great things about Dennis for years before actually meeting him, and last Fall when we finally connected I can testify that it was all true! He is a very knowledgeable martial artist and his depth and breadth of information about the internal arts is spectacular. I attended a Bagua workshop with him this month and walked away with a lot of ideas of how to make my martial arts training better. In particular, I got to experience “sticky body” in a very thought provoking way that will improve my training, and I learned some things about how the hips can open and close to improve power generation. I highly encourage folks to train with Dennis, you won’t be disappointed!” — Daniel Cashman, EAMP, MS(AOM), NCCAOM Dipl. Ac, General Manager Seattle Asian Medicine and Martial Arts
“After 2 years Karate, 2 years TaiChi/Qigong, 2 years BoaBom/SeammJasani, yet in 8 months of Bagua Zhang, I feel I’ve learned more than I did in those 6 years. This is for 3 reasons from my perspective:
a.) I’ve practiced so many years of yoga and advanced training that I’ve received both in yoga and Massage therapy that have made more intuitive/open to learning movement arts. In other words, I’m more “receiving” than in my previous early adulthood.
b.) Those 6 years of martial arts total was too focused on “Forms” We were pushed to memorize steps/movements/dances with very little practice of application or explanation of how to utilize them, let alone even what was supposed to be going on internally. There were always excuses on why our questions were not be answered, with false promises of “later later later”
c.) You! You’re teaching method is friendly, understanding and giving. You’re enthusiasm shines through. You emphasize the importance of knowing the how/why and not getting hung up on the fluffy image stuff. In some ways you are an evolution of modern teaching that’s effective and not stuck in an outdated model of delivery.
So thanks again for all you share!” — Michael Aquino, Yoga Instructor and Licensed Massage Therapist
“Dennis is a skilled Kung Fu practition
“Today was a very good day. Martial arts all day! I had my first workshop in using the staff with Dennis P. Mace of Mace Martial Arts and held at Seattle Asian medicine and martial arts (SAMMA) in Lake city. I’m looking forward to more training with the staff and any of the weapons classes he will have in the future . It’s an exciting addition to my weekly Bagua Zhang classes. If ever you were interested in Martial arts check Dennis and SAMMA out. They have amazing instructors , and Healing arts. This has long been an interest of mine and now a big part of my life. Your never too old to follow your dreams, you just have to start :)” — Erica Keshvadian, Illustrator and Graphic Artist
“I have had around 17 different instructors over the past 50 years including being a private student of Wu Mui Pai head of system Grandmaster Wai Ming Chow; Bok Shaolin Eagle Claw head of system Grandmaster Fu Leung and a student of Tai Chi Praying Master Huy “The Dragon” Chiang to name a few. In the past few weeks I have learned more applications than I had learned in all those other schools put together! Dennis has very deep knowledge of martial arts and he has the ability to actually use and teach it. In most schools all you will ever see is some type of kickboxing as soon as they go to fight, even a well known Tiger Claw school in New York does this. The style taught here is Cheng style Bagua which is based off of Chinese wrestling and has a whole bunch of Dragon thrown in for good measure. Tons of throws; joint locks and wicked strikes. If you like Japanese styles like judo; Jiu Jitsu and Aikido you will LOVE Cheng Bagua. Dennis is also a great guy and there is zero attitude in this school. I came in with two herniated disks, bone spurs and spinal stenosis and in just a few weeks my pain is almost gone! Come here for expert Kung Fu instructon; physical therapy; stress relief; longevity exercises and the list goes on forever. Can’t say enough good things!” — Chris Perkins, retired US Navy
“Dennis is a great teacher and I love his style. He was so easy to follow and I felt amazing after the workout.” — Theresa Soucy, owner at Frank’s Bakery and Catering Service
”Dennis is an incredible teacher. He does such a great job breaking down the concepts and principles of Bagua Zhang. I’ve found it difficult to find a teacher in Chinese martial arts over the years who has both depth of knowledge and the ability to effectively teach. This place is a true gem and Dennis is a great teacher, so glad to have found it!” — Martin Reyes, US Air Force
“Martial Arts basics: Facilities are clean. Not a cult.
Friendly and knowledgeable, skilled instructor who is able to teach (rarer than you think!)
Why go there and not somewhere else?
Aside from the reasons above, the martial arts taught here are both practical, philosophical, and immensely positive.
Something that can add value to your quality of life (beyond simple fitness) and without compromising other lifestyle choices.
Would thoroughly recommend.” — Terry Neil
“I’ve known Dennis for 20 years and had the privilege of training not only with Dennis, but also his baguazhang teacher, the late Yang Guotai. Yang sifu was an old-school teacher of real integrity and authentic martial skill who did not suffer fools gladly. For Yang sifu to take on Dennis as a disciple meant that he saw Dennis as a person of integrity and perseverance with great potential to carry on the baguazhang lineage. If he were alive today, Yang Guotai would be proud of how Dennis has maintained the skills and painstaking teaching of real baguazhang. I travel and have the opportunity to train with teachers in a wide variety of martial arts. I’ve worked with Dennis both privately and in group settings. He is among the handful of martial arts teachers I return to, among the very best I’ve encountered. Plus Dennis is just a great, down-to-earth guy with authentic personal values and an easygoing, humble demeanor that reflects the Dao. Learning with Dennis is a great opportunity–take it.” — Tom Campbell
“Some say the master appears when the student is ready. That’s how I felt when I met Shifu Dennis Mace. I wanted to learn more internal martial arts and my searches led me to Dennis. His Baguazhang lineage is very impressive and real. It is a direct route to the founders of modern Bagua, when it was first publicly made known to us mere mortals (Dennis Mace, Yang Guotai, Xu Zhenbiao, Wang Wenkui/Liu Shikui, Liu Bin, Cheng Tinghua, Dong Haichuan, Bi Cheng Xia, …). What that means is that the Cheng Bagua you will learn is authentic and uncorrupted by faulty transmission. Before meeting Shifu Yang, he had also been a student for years with Shifu Starr in Omaha. Dennis has also trained in many other martial arts, including Aikido, and often compares Bagua to some of the styles he’s practiced. So, you get to learn multiple styles. I have been training for about a year now. He is a really good teacher, and a superb martial artist. His knowledge of massage therapy and anatomy, including fasciae, also contributes to his teaching. Class focus is usually on fundamentals and practical self-defense. Applications from forms are always emphasized. Shifu Mace works well with people from all ages and diverse backgrounds, you don’t have to have previous martial arts experience or flexibility. He’ll start from scratch, and work with you at your own pace. There are benefits of stretching, increased flexibility, and full body coordination to achieve internal power. You’ll also learn Neigong and Daoyin exercises. He provides a very friendly relaxed environment and a progressive prejudice-free space. He’s dedicated to martial arts, and really deserves a large school of dedicated students, but right now there’s few of us, so it’s almost like taking private lessons.” — Rey Ramirez
Massage Reviews & Testimonials for Dennis Mace, LMT
The following reviews are from Be Well Massage Spa
Mace Massage Therapy Rates 👐🏼
Massage Enhancements – $10 Each
Enhance your treatment by adding your choice of any the following to your massage therapy session (you can choose to add one, 2, 3, or all 4 to your session):
💠 EO Aromatherapy – your choice of Essential Oil Aromatherapy blend
💠 PRO Enhancement – scented Pain Relieving Oil or Cream
💠 Cupping – use silicone cups to create negative pressure to release tension
💠 DTR – Deep Tension Relief Percussive Theragun
Mace Martial Arts Lessons Rates 🐉
Share the Wisdom! 🙏🏻
Referral Discounts: $20 Discount off 1 Month’s Membership Tuition fees for referring a new student to enroll in classes, and a $20 Discount to the new Student that you refer for their first month!
The referral discount also applies to massage services at Mace Martial Arts: our massage clients receive a $20 referral discount for their next massage service each time a new client schedules with us by their recommendation, and the referred client also gets a $20 referral discount for their first massage session! Also, Mace Martial Arts students are welcome to a $20 discount towards one massage service per month. Likewise, our massage clients are welcome to get the $20 referral discount for their first month of trying a Mace Martial Arts membership!
The $20 referral discount also applies to healing sessions with Tetana at Phoenix Rising PLLC — our martial arts students and massage clients receive a $20 referral discount for their first healing session with Tetana (* mental health counseling not included in referral discount), and her clients receive a $20 referral discount for their first month Membership, or private lesson, or massage session at Mace Martial Arts and Massage Therapy.