I am excited to announce that after a 6 year hiatus, I am returning to make a fresh start with my bodywork and massage therapy health care practice!
I completed the process of getting my CEUâs updated in June to renew my massage therapy license, and (after waiting over 2 months for the Department of Health to process my renewal) will be returning to my massage therapy practice at the Massage Envy in Shoreline this month!
If you are one of my previous massage clients, or if you need to relax and ease some pain, request Dennis Mace when you schedule your appointment with me by contacting the
My Bodywork Style:Â my goal is to connect with each clientâs particular needs to help support your process of healing and relaxation.
My approach and modalities of practice integrates a seamless flow of Myofascial Release, Swedish Massage, Lomi-Lomi, Tui-Na, Deep-Tissue, Thai and Sports Massage, so that I can help release deeper tension and pain in a way that feels both soothing and rejuvenating.
I have been fully vaccinated for the health and safety of my family, students, clients and community.
Iâm excited to get back to massage therapy and healthcare, as this professional shift is more in alignment with my path in martial arts, and will allow more flexibility for time to spend with family and teaching group classes, workshops and private lessons.
My introduction to massage therapy comes from my martial arts instructors, who integrated healing modalities and bodywork methods within their curriculum, especially for addressing training injuries and for teaching anatomy and physiology is it pertained to health and fitness training, as well as self defense.
Foundations of Bagua Zhang â  Workshop & Pizza!  đđ
In this workshop you will discover the 4 Main Principles that distinguish Bagua Zhang from other martial arts systems, in theory and hands-on practice!
Training Methods/exercises for the workshop will include the hands-on âhow and whyâ Bagua Zhang works, including both real-world self-defense and health benefits.
Practitioners of all experience levels and other styles of martial arts are welcome!
If you have previously studied Bagua Zhang before, this workshop will help you understand the system on a foundational level and breathe life into your practice!
Instructor:Â Shifu Dennis Mace, LMT Â has been training and teaching holistic Martial Arts and Qi-Gong since 1982. His thorough, hands on approach, emphasizing courtesy and ethics, and his commitment to cultivating each studentâs authentic skills and improving their overall health and empowerment has contributed to his widespread popularity in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Starting this month, August 2021, we are changing the start time for Saturday group classes from 11:30am to 11am, for consistency (same start time as Sunday group classes). To clarify, here are the updated class times:
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.Â
Why is Bagua Zhang regarded so highly in Chinese Martial Arts?
What makes Bagua Zhang Kung Fu so unique and effective, among all the many styles and systems of martial arts?
Four Main Principles:Â
In this workshop you will discover the 4 Main Principles that distinguish Bagua Zhang from other martial arts systems, in theory and hands-on practice!
Bagua Zhang is a system that is structurally designed to take a martial arts practitionerâs previous foundational training in another system, to teach these 4 Principles to make the practitioner more comprehensively well rounded, and gradually helps them develop their own personal style and expression.
Training Methods/exercises for the workshop will include the hands-on âhow and whyâ Bagua Zhang works, including both real-world self-defense and health benefits.
Practitioners of all experience levels and other styles of martial arts are welcome!
If you have previously studied Bagua Zhang before, this workshop will help you understand the system on a foundational level and breathe life into your practice!
Are you looking for holistic exercise with real world self-defense?
BaguaZhang Kung-Fu training focuses on core-strength, balanced alignment and maintaining a calm mind while moving from one’s center with continuous circular motion for enhanced awareness. In this workshop, you will learn how to increase your vitality, become more grounded, improve your intuition and connection with others, awareness of your environment, and mindful self-confidence through the spiraling power of Bagua Zhang.
Instructor: Shifu Dennis Mace has been training and teaching holistic Martial Arts and Qi-Gong since 1982. His thorough, hands on approach, emphasizing courtesy and ethics, and his commitment to cultivating each student’s authentic skills and improving their overall health and empowerment has contributed to his widespread popularity in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Starting this month, August 2021, we are changing the start time for Saturday group classes from 11:30am to 11am, for consistency (same start time as Sunday group classes). To clarify, here are the updated class times:
Bagua Zhang Classes
Saturdays 11am – 12:30pm PST
Sundays 11am -12:30pm PST
Thursday evenings 7pm – 8pm PST
at:Â
1108 NW 200th St,
Shoreline, WA 98177
Please note: There will be no Bagua Zhang Classes on Thursday, August 12th, Saturday, August 14th or Sunday, August 15th. Classes will resume as usual the following week.
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.Â
Re-Opening Classes for In-Person Bagua Zhang Kung-Fu Training! đ
(Updated on September 8, 2021)
Starting this month, since Governor Inslee has reopened Washington State, going forward, youâre welcome to attend Bagua Zhang class in person, if you have been fully vaccinated. Â
Unvaccinated students are welcome to attend classes remotely via Zoom.Â
Students that have received their completed COVID vaccinations are welcome to attend classes in-person with masks and no social distancing restrictions.Â
I still simulcast our Bagua Zhang classes via Zoom for students that canât attend in person if they live too far away, are unvaccinated, or are traveling.Â
Private lessons are available for students who are unable to attend during those class times.Â
If you have any family members or friends  that want to train with us, you can split the cost for private lessons for up to 3 students, at the same price, so you can all practice together while I guide you.Â
Please reply to this email to coordinate and schedule your private lessons.Â
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You can register for group classes via monthly memberships, and sign up for private lessons here:Â
Vaccination Policy & Classes at Mace Martial ArtsÂ
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I have received a handful of inquiries regarding our masking and vaccination policies at Mace Martial Arts, and first of all, Iâm glad to hear from all of you, and hope you all remain healthy and well through the challenges of the dangerous and tumultuous recent years!Â
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I respect your thoughtful questions and eagerness to return to training with us, I love sharing this art with good students with a passion for learning and self-development.Â
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I also love creating a safe environment for my students to enjoy learning and exploring together, as we polish our skills to become the best versions of ourselves we can be.Â
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This is why I follow the health and safety measures recommended by state and federal officials, as well as medical doctors at the CDC and World Health Organization, hospitals and healthcare clinics, because I also want to see this pandemic end as soon as we can all help to finish the threat to all of our health and livelihood. My family and I, as well as several of my students, also follow alternate and preventative healthcare methods to keep ourselves healthy. All the various allopathic and alternative methods work best when applied together, instead of separately or in spite of the other.Â
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The pandemic has affected me personally and financially. My family and I got COVID-19 early in 2020, my wife and step-daughter have suffered from long hauler symptoms since April last year. I also have several close friends and family members that have also gotten sick from COVID-19, and 2 have died from it.Â
For over a year, I had to conduct classes remotely via Zoom, reduced tuition and still had a large drop in student enrollment.Â
I know firsthand that this is not something to take lightly or dismiss the very real threat this virus poses to us, and this adds to my resolve to do all I can to prevent the spread of this disease, the sooner the better. My family and I, as well as several of my students have all been vaccinated, and none of us have had any side-effects (or super-powers) as result of taking the vaccine.Â
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A growing number of businesses and government agencies are requiring continued masking and vaccinations, notably for health care professionals. Especially as we have seen how well the vaccines have performed in prevention of symptoms over the last 5 months.Â
My requirement of vaccinations for students  is a professional and business decision that demonstrates my dedication to the health and safety of my students, my family and my community.Â
It is a standard that I share with a growing number of other businesses, schools, hospitals, clinics and government agencies.Â
Vaccinations have been effective in the suppression of Polio, Smallpox, Measles and other diseases â it could be likewise as effective in eliminating the current pandemic, if there werenât so much disinformation and dismissal of masking and vaccinations, especially in the United States, where we have the resources to effectively end the pandemic.Â
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With freedom comes obligations and responsibilities to ourselves and our community. This moment is a time for all of us to be considerate to the health and well being of all of us as a community, so that we can all survive and flourish.Â
Unvaccinated students are welcome to attend classes remotely via Zoom.Â
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I hope you will join us in classes again soon, as well as our united efforts to end the pandemic.Â
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From the AMTA:Â
On August 9, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee issued Proclamation 21-14, which requires health care providers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series of a vaccine, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine. Because of the lead time needed for the two-dose vaccines, we encourage you to plan now for getting the vaccine.Â
Massage therapy practices are listed in the Proclamation as a âHealth Care Setting” which includes designated areas where massage is administered within non-health care settings like spas and wellness/fitness centers. And, proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 will be accepted in the following forms:Â
CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or photo of the cardÂ
Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider or electronic health recordÂ
State immunization information system recordÂ
Exemptions are allowed for disability-related accommodations that fall under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), or any other reasonable accommodation. There is an additional exemption allowed for deeply-held religious beliefs. Please contact the Washington State Department of Health with any questions.
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.Â
The only constant is change. Nature repeats in cycles of transformation. Like the seasons, and cycles of birth, growth, maturity, death, and rebirth.Â
As a martial arts system, Bagua Zhang reflects the cycles of transformation, and harmonizes with them, in many ways and on many levels.Â
Why I got into martial arts ~Â
Growing up as an introverted, artistic kid in South Omaha, dealing with bullies and schoolyard fights was common; while at home, I had an alcoholic father with a slow burning explosive temper. So while some of the impulse was standing up for myself and protecting my family, friends and myself, there was a deeper inspiration and connection to martial arts that transcended self preservation.Â
My artistic inspirations and unquenchable fascination with mythology and ancient cultures from early childhood, led to my cousin and friends introducing me to Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Kung-Fu Theater movies in 1982 â the chord that resonated the most was their raw expression and flow of skill and power, even in the midst of a life and death struggle; instead of succumbing to fear or control from bullies, they would take a stand to vanquish oppression.Â
The core inspirations of martial arts for me have always been:Â
the virtues and code of chivalry, or Wu-De, and
cultivating the ability to connect with that creative source, the raw experience of âAmazing Graceâ or Wu-Wei â the state of connection and flow beyond thought â which led me ultimately to Bagua Zhang.Â
Shortly after that, at 12 years old, I started training with a great Judo teacher, then a few years later found Kung Fu. A couple years later I saw my Sifu practicing Bagua Zhang, and was immediately captivated. Â
I love all martial arts and have been blessed with the opportunity to train several styles over the years, but Bagua Zhang was the purest reflection of that experience of creative, adaptive flow of connected consciousness. So over the years, Bagua Zhang eclipsed other systems I practiced and somehow seem to encapsulate them as well; I have gradually shed the excess to focus on Bagua Zhang as the pinnacle of my training, as well as what I mostly teach my students.Â
Dennis Mace, Bagua Zhang – circa 1998
What is Bagua Zhang?
As a martial arts system, Bagua Zhang (â8 Trigrams Palmâ) reflects the cycles of transformation, and harmonizing with them, in many ways and on many levels â Â not only in self-defense situations, but also in personal development and in social interactions.Â
In its cyclical training methods and spiraling application of force, Bagua Zhang uses the concept of 8 phases of change inspired by the I-Ching, the ancient Chinese âClassic of Changes,â to emphasize a unique personal transformation, sparking our creativity to awaken and enhance each individualâs aptitude and potential.Â
Each of the 8 trigrams represents a phase in the states of change; each phase reflects different feelings, strategies and principles to help the practitioner develop skills to adapt to change. To deal with changes, threats, dangerous attacks and the highs and lows in life â on an innate and instinctual level. It requires insightful persistence in training, that will enhance and transform the practitioner from the inside out.Â
In hindsight, the many hours I spent with all my martial arts teachers seems fleeting; I cherish the lessons I gleaned from their deep wisdom, each one having a uniquely valuable skill set and profound understanding.Â
AdaptationÂ
What I learned, in seeing different students and classes from different teachers, most notably Shifu Yang Guotai, is that he would tailor his lessons to different people, and what he taught us would also change over time â no matter how peerless the instructor, the greatest ones continuously learn and grow as well… the True Path is never ending.Â
The changes, exercises and drills of Bagua Zhang are based on principles, connectivity of movement, adaptability and flow â more so than predetermined technical responses that are hallmarks of other martial arts systems. Â
As fiercely exacting as Yang Shifu was in teaching, his emphasis and methods altered with time, situation, and student… just like the art he taught. What Yang Shifu taught us at one time, he would alter later and complain âtsk, ah, you forget!â Somehow the corrections he made, in hindsight, I now realize was his way of sharing different perspectives and more appropriate alternatives based on adapting to a situation and aptitudes of individuals. I found all of the variations he taught to be valuable, whether he was intentionally tracking what we learned, or even if he had forgotten what he taught us before… What remained consistent, is whatever he taught was always effective.
On Learning Martial Arts…Â
Since standardization is good for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced students, I created a structured progression in lessons from the random cascade of skills and methods of my various teachers. Iâve found this progressive curriculum helps my students understand the art with much more clarity than my own experiences.Â
In the beginning, we often see our teachers as infallible sources of perfect truth… Later, as we gain skills they cultivate in us, we start to see our teachersâ humanity. As time goes on, every (martial) artist looks beyond the pedestal we put our teachers on to find our own expression of their art.  Every practitioner of any art, after years of devoted training, eventually looks within, and will have their own insights and perspectives,talents, aptitudes & weaknesses…Â
All we can really do is appreciate each practitionerâs insights, as well as our own. A danger for advanced students is to confuse discernment with the extreme of criticism, and assume we know better; keep an open mind to continue learning always! To call someone with years of training “incorrect” might be seeing through the lens of condescension. This is dangerous because assumption dulls focus, attention and the ability to learn.Â
Dubious Lineages & Politics in Martial Arts:Â
Ultimately, you get out of your training what you put into it â it helps to have a teacher that knows their chops, their basics, but lineage (good or bad) doesnât assure this.Â
Real skill comes from one thing: training!Â
So each practitionerâs learning and growth comes down to them. Find a teacher that you have a rapport with, and trust your instincts; learn with discernment, and make time to practice what you learn, on your own time, donât just wait for class time to train â classes are for learning new material and refinement.Â
You Reap what you sow. Itâs up to you to decide your priorities, set your goals and act on them. Your teacher is a guide, that should inspire you; donât expect your teacher to carry you, and beware any instructor that warps respect into demands of worshipping their superiority. Â
If you find that something feels off about an instructor or the lessons, use your own discernment to find out why â is it your own misunderstanding, or is something wrong or misleading? Not all instructors are legitimate, but if you are diligent, you can find good instructors that are more skilled and authentic. Iâve been blessed to find some great instructors, and have had the insight to see through frauds as well; sometimes, itâs hard to tell if an instructor is authentic or not, and itâs painful to be deceived. Take it from personal experience, if we spend too much time focusing on the faults of others, then it distracts us from our own development. Learn from our own failures and triumphs, and the losses and wins of others, and move on; dwelling on the past and casting blame will only stunt your own growth.Â
Every one who trains earnestly has something of value, that theyâve learned from trial and error, and everyone has their own struggles, so if you appreciate these truths, you can learn from anyone and any situation. Even fraudulent instructors will have valuable lessons to share, even if sometimes the lessons are learning to see through delusions. If you get duped, instead of shaming yourself into victimhood, or descending into blame, realize that you still learned from the experience, and grew because of it. Tearing others down doesnât build yourself up, it just means youâre too condescending to have the empathy or respect required to learn and grow âgood students and good instructors both understand this reciprocal truth.Â
If you encounter an instructor that exploits or abuses their students, by all means, seek legal help and press charges â I fully support taking down anyone who manipulates others, violates trust and abuses their status and power at the expense of otherâs suffering. While those cases are rare, unfortunately it happens; bullies and predators should not be martial arts instructors. Ever.  When you go to learn at a school âDonât leave your common sense at the door.âÂ
Martial arts begins and ends with respect: for your teachers, your classmates, your family, friends, yourself, and Life. Before you commit to learning martial arts from any school, make sure your instructor has innate integrity, and clearly values and respects their students, family and life itself.Â
Why are there so many branches and styles of Bagua Zhang?Â
Bagua Zhang is a multifaceted system designed to help build on the foundation of any practitionerâs previous training, to help them develop more well-rounded skills, understanding of mechanics and strategies, awareness and ability to adapt to any situation. The eventual goal is to help each practitioner cultivate their own personal âstyleâ, their own expression of their True Self. Which is why Bagua Zhang is considered a âgraduate level martial art.âÂ
Look within to heal and reveal your True Self.Â
Every teacher, of every art (if they care about their students and training partners), will have their own perspective, a precious gem theyâve polished, that they share because it worked for them in their own experience. It is all valuable, whether we agree and assimilate those insights, or disagree and reject the material shared with us — we can learn from all of it. Just as we learn from our own losses and triumphs. If we can glean the truth at the core of our teacherâs lessons, they can catapult us forward in our own growth, skills and understanding. Especially if we are able to empathize with their experience, walk in their shoes and learn what inspired them and how it relates to us. That includes the most fundamental basic techniques, as well as the most tragic and inspirational life lessons.Â
We are all fractals from the same source, yet we all have our own individual light and expression. Only we as individuals can decide what we prefer and what works best for us.Â
As we learn and grow, we each have our own unique perspective, path and expression of our truth â embracing this uniqueness is essential to mastering Bagua Zhang, and realizing your own potential.Â
We returned to in-person Bagua Zhang training last month, for all students who have completed their COVID vaccinations! More info here, in last monthâs post.
New Podcast Interview:
in addition to being invited to be a guest on Ken Gulletteâs Internal Fighting Arts Podcast,Â
 I am honored to have the opportunity to share my experiences with these gentlemen and enjoyed the conversations, I hope you do too!  Â
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.Â