Instructors and Lineage

When I practice I become the person I dream of being…

Viola Brumbaugh, Owner and Head Instructor

Background in tradition:

Sifu Viola Brumbaugh is an indoor student of Master David Leung a third-generation Tai Chi student in the direct lineage of Yang Cheng Fu and a second-generation Wing Chun student in the direct lineage of Yip Man. Sifu Brumbaugh is one of only three chosen disciples of Master Leung. In 2007, she was inducted as a disciple of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, the 19^th generation Chen Family Taijiquan lineage holder and one of the National Treasures of China.

In addition to her primary teachers, Master David Leung and Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, Sifu Brumbaugh has traveled the United States and China with the express purpose of training and learning from the highest level teachers in the world, among them renowned grandmasters and master teachers George Xu, Ma Hong, Wang Haoda, Fu Zhongwen, Wei Chun Yuan, Jiang Bao Kang, Sun Jianyun, Shaolin Monk Shi DeCheng, Sam Massich, Davidine Sim & David Gaffney, Chen Xiaoxing, Chen Zhiqiang, Chen Xiaowang, Jan Parker, Sana Shanti, and Art Baner.

Passion for Sharing:

Throughout more than 30 years of training, Sifu Brumbaugh’s passion for Chinese martial arts has continued to grow ever deeper and she shares both her passion and her dedication to learning with her students. Her classes are engaging, fun, challenging, and rejuvenating at the same time. She brings a combination of tradition and creativity, knowledge and humility, hard work and sense of humor to each of her classes, coaching students to achieve their best at any age or experience level. Based in Seattle, Sifu Viola’s Wise Orchid Taijiquan & Qigong school is a continuation of the traditions of Yang Taijiquan, Wing Chun, Chen Taijiquan, Qigong, and other internal arts, as transmitted by the many outstanding masters with whom Sifu Viola has been privileged to train and study.

In 2014, Sifu Viola Brumbaugh had the honor of being invited to study and compete in Chen Village (Chenjiagou) in Henan Province China. With nearly 1,000 people in attendance, the majority of whom were Chinese nationals, Sifu Brumbaugh performed the Old Frame 1, the Broadsword, and New Frame 1 and received a gold medal, a silver and bronze medals respectively.

Rusel DeMaria, Assistant Instructor

Rusel has been studying Tai Chi and Qigong for over 20 years both in the US and China.  In June 2016, Rusel pledged and is honored to now be a disciple of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei. Being a writer by profession, he brings a voice and perspective to the lessons and study to help demystify the transmission of the arts. Main teachers include: Sifu Viola Brumbaugh, Master David Leung, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei, Dr. Wang Zhi Xiang, Art Baner, and Master George Xu.