Sifu Dale

Sifu/Sensei Dale has been continuously training & studying the martial arts since 1968, age 13. Starting with Shito Ryu Karate and Kodokan Judo for two years before moving onto Aikido studying with Bernie Lau, 3rd dan in 1970 ( currently 5th dan in Hombu Aikido). In 1971 Lau sensei merged his club with the Seattle Aikikai, chief instructor Yoshihiko Hirata 5th dan, a student of the founder and disciple of Koichi Tohei.

In 1973 Dale sensei began teaching Aikido under the guidance of Hirata sensei. In 1974 he received his Shodan, tested and certified by Master Koichi Tohei in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido. In 1974 Dale was a founding member of the Washington Aikikai, a branch of Hawaii Aikikai, Shihan Sado Yoshioka, and of Hombu Dojo, Japan. He received his Sandan in Hombu Aikido in 1976. He was primary instructor during this time at Washington Aikikai (Seattle Dojo), UW Aikido club, and Phinney Dojo.

In 1972 he became a formal student of Taiji Grandmaster Tchoung Ta Tchen of the Yang Shou Hou Taiji lineage. He began assisting/teaching Yang Taiji Quan in 1974 under the guidance of master Tchoung. He was one of 5 who established the Northwest Tai Chi Chuan Association as a branch of the Chinese Tai Chi Chuan Association of Canada. In 1976 Master Tchoung presented him with an instructors certificate in the Yang Shou Hou Taiji system. Master Tchoung also taught him double swords, the Bagua methods of Wang Xujin & Sun Lu Tang, Emei Qi Gong, and Xin-Yi Quan. In 1996 at Master Tchoung's request he presented a Bagua seminar for the Vancouver Taiji Conference.

In 1988 he had the fortune to meet Taiji Master Gao Fu and became a formal student studying Chen Taiji Quan and Chen Hunyuan Taiji. He learned the Chen 24, 48, Pao Chui, Sword, Knife, Spear, Hun Yuan Qi Gong, and Taiji Bang. In July 2001 he had the privilege to train with Chen Taiji Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang, a disciple of Chen Village lineage holder Chen Fake, Master Gao's teacher.

In 1971 Dale met one of his most influential teachers: Sensei Dave Harris. Harris Sensei taught a mixture of Japanese and Chinese martial arts, he called his method Shoshin Ryu Aikijitsu. His art primarily focused on a mixture of the Red Boat martial arts, Yueng Quan, Taiji, Baqua and Aikijitsu. Dale remained a student and friend of Harris sensei and his wife Geri until their passing 2008. Dale learned the Yang Taiji partner sanshou before moving onto Red Boat Wing Chun, weaponry, forms, and teaching methods. He influenced Dale's teaching style and approach to learning. Harris is responsible for Dale meeting and studying with Masters Fook Yueng and Sid Woodcock.

Dale began studying Yueng Quan with Harris sensei and Master Fook Yueng in 1972. In 1988 Master Yueng named him 'second son' and requested Dale apprentice him in the Tian Shan Method. (Dave Harris was 'first son'). In September 2000 he was presented with Master Yueng's family sword as a member and representative of his lineage. Master Yueng would attend and teach at several of Dale's Internal Arts Festivals as well as his Bandon Beach Retreat.

Dale's Bagua teachers include Tchoung Ta Tchen (Wang Xujin, Cheng Ting Hua, Sun Lu Tang Methods), Pang Tse Yao (Cheng Ting Hua Six Harmonies Method), and Zhang Jie (Cheng Ting Hua Liu Bin Nine Palace Method). Sun Lu Tang Bagua was also included in his studies with Master Fook Yueng. Though Dale's emphasis is on the Cheng Ting Hua Bagua Methods, he also researches and practices Fu Family Bagua Zhang

In 2014 Sifu Dale semi-retired from teaching and moved to the Skagit Valley.
He conducts workshops and private sessions time permitting.
He is in the process of writing two books. One is about his teachers; their personalities, how
they taught, their history, and tradition.
The second book is about his life and experience studying
the martial arts, teaching, and meeting several high level masters.