Teachers

Al Haferkamp

Al Haferkamp has been a student and instructor of tai chi for over ten years. Hehas been a lay counselor since 1978. In his private work, Al helps his clients use a self-remembering process to get free of harmful or limiting mental and emotional states. He also periodically instructs seminars on the use of this rare technique.

Anna Long

Dr. Anna Long has been a student of classical Yang family style tai chi for over seven years. Trained as a researcher, she has B.A. and M.A. in public health. In addition, she holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology from UCLA. Anna’s areas of focus include health behavior, risk communication and risk reduction research. Anna specializes in educating beginning staff.

Diane Griggs-Ross, LCSW, RPT-S, CH-t

Diane R. Griggs, licensed in 1986, has been a tai chi practitioner for over 5 years, with a provisional black belt. She has also been cultivating a yoga practice, studying Yoga Naga, for several years. As a licensed mental health practitioner, Ms. Griggs has extensive experience with children and families who have endured trauma, and specializes in sexual abuse treatment, and traumatic grief. She has an expertise in group work and play therapy. Ms. Griggs has been featured in professional journals, quoted in ESSENCE magazine, and local newspapers. Ms. Griggs has consulted for state Child Protective Service agencies, Department of Mental Health, LA CO Probation, The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, numerous child service provider agencies across the country.

Ms. Griggs has also been trained in post-modern and non-traditional therapies including emotional clearing technique, astrology, hypnotherapy, including Jungian Archetypal therapy, regression work, and tarot. She believes that she can meld non-traditional approaches with traditional therapyTproviding a more holistic approach to wellness. Thus, providing a supportive structure for holistic healing via experiential practice that strengthens the harmonious function of mind, body and spirit. She is a 2004 recipient of the National Conference for Community and Justice Humanitarian Award.

Master Eric Friske

Master Eric Friske was first introduced to Hapkido and Grand Master Han in 1969. Currently, he holds the rank of 7th Dan Master Level. Master Friske has performed and officiated in martial arts tournaments, competitions and demonstrations, including the 5th World Martial Arts Expo. He has conducted numerous self-defense seminars for the FBI. Master Friske has been awarded several certificates of appreciation for contributions to the IHF and the legacy of Grand Master Han. Master Friske currently manages the teaching curriculum at the IHF Headquarters and its affuliated schools.

Heather Onori

Heather Onori began her healing journey 25 years ago. Feeling the pressures of the corporate world and single motherhood she moved to Maui to raise her daughter in a smaller, more holistic community and to pursue her studies in spirituality. The healing energy of the island awakened her passion for yoga. Heather moved back to Los Angeles and began studying with Ana Forrest, becoming a Certified Forrest Yoga Instructor in 1997. Heather studied extensively with Vincent Medici, D.C., a master energy healer, and continues her studies in yoga, pranayama, meditation and spirituality. She has a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and interned at a major Los Angeles community mental health center. It was during her internship she came to understand the importance of a spiritual component for deep healing and made the decision to step away from the conventional path of psychotherapy. Heather's understanding and passionate belief that we can heal through an awareness and integration of body, mind and spirit has evolved through her personal experiences and extensive training. She affirms the role of traditional psychotherapy in understanding how early childhood experiences shape the personality and creates response systems that inform the choices and decisions made during a lifetime. She understands that spiritual practice and psychotherapy move us beyond the self-imposed boundaries of the ego, shifting our awareness of how our thinking affects the way we perceive the world around us. Heather has a deep understanding of the power of yoga to facilitate the release of emotional trauma held in the the cellular memory of the physical body. Her work benefits those with a history of physical, emotional or sexual trauma and the frequently associated symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders and self-mutilation. Heather's gift for providing a safe nuturing enviornment to guide her students and clients through patterns of old pain and trauma are remarkable. Her warm, soothing voice and gentle touch provide a safe space for all who work with her. Heather teaches yoga classes in Santa Monica, California and is available for private counseling sessions. She co-facilitates quarterly Women's Wisdom Circles with Marcella Bottero.

Joan Greenwald

Joan holds degrees in art, music and anthropology.  She has decades of experience in Transcendental Meditation and the TM Sidhi Program as well as teaching classical and folk guitar.  Since 2002, she has studied and practiced Tai Chi's invigorating and inspirational work with Master Zi.  Joan, a senior citizen, is very grateful to be one of the InFocus Wellness Institute's Tai Chi and Qi Gong teachers.

John Moses

John Moses has been training in the art of Hapkido for 17 years. He received his Black Belt from Grand Master Bong Soo Han in 1997. He currently holds the rank of Third Dan. “Grand Master Han described Hapkido training to me as “We start slowly. Through repetition students begin to gain confidence. Power and speed are a natural outgrowth of confident movement. Confidence, power and speed are the ingredients to begin developing an indomitable spirit. Once you have traveled this path, re-learn it by showing others the way.”

Noon classes emphasize level-appropriate conditioning through stretching, rolling, kicking, punching throwing and sparring.

Lauren Stegmaier

Bio coming soon...

Mike Seigman

Mike has been studying the Classical Yang family style of Tai Chi Chuan and the Iron Shirt series Qi Gong with Master Zi for almost a decade. He currently holds the rank of 2nd degree black sash. In addition, Mike is certified in Yoga Naga and has completed several certifications for anatomy and kinesiology. He believes optimal health is dependent upon a strong foundation created through a deep understanding of the essential basics of Tai Chi. When working with clients, Mike believes patience and self-awareness of one's ailments is the first step to healing.

Master Nzazi Malonga

Master Zi is the founder of Infocus Wellness Institute and has been studying tai chi, qi gong, and yoga for over 40 years. He utilizes many modalities and holds several degrees. His studies include mechanical engineering, quantum physics, acupuncture, acupressure, and traditional yoga & tai chi.

Nisha Devi Rodrigo

Nisha Devi was born and raised in Sri Lanka and India. She has studied yoga since she was two years old. She holds degrees in communication, nutrition, and philosophy. A founder of the Infocus wellness Institute, Nisha specializes in yoga therapy and life-coaching. Her modality uses fluidity in the spine to promote health throughout the entire body and mind. Nisha has worked with multiple industry professionals and takes a comprehensive approach to wellness.

Sima Paige Olsen

Paige Olsen ( L. Ac., Dipl. O. M.), has been studying medicine for over 20 years. She is a senior level tai qi pratitioner that holds the rank of 2nd degree black-belt. Paige has taught tai qi, qi gong, and chinese meridian system classes on a university level and continues to hold classes all over the nation. In addition, Paige holds degrees in Acupuncture, chinese medicine, herbology, and massage therapy. Innovative and creative, she is known for her home-made chinese herbal remedies. Paige is intuitive and confident in her knowledge of holistic wellness. Her treatments are a myriad of the very best complementary medicine has to offer.

Prefect Pauline Brooks

Pauline E. Brooks, PhD is an independent evaluator/researcher with particular interest in cross-cultural issues (bridging cultures) and the elimination of inequities, including racism. Dr. Brooks is former manager of evaluation for a large California-based health foundation, university professor, and independent evaluator for family foundations. She has participated on numerous evaluation teams working with and within African American, Latino and Asian American communities, and internationally in Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Surinam. Her initial evaluation training was at UCLA’s Center for the Study of Evaluation where she later worked as an evaluation project director. Dr. Brooks presents on issues of evaluation, culture, equity and racism at national and international conferences. Dr. Brooks has been studying tai chi for almost a decade. Her specialty is working weapons and teaching others about their infinite potential.

Prefect Reid Shapiro

Bio coming soon...

Rie Katagiri

Bio coming soon...

Robert Bedell

Rob Bedell has been training in Hapkido for over 15 years, 12 years in California. One reason he has stayed training in Hapkido is because of the balance it brings. "There is balance all through Hapkido. We use balance in the techniques by learning kicks, punches, joint locks and throws. There is balance in the art, because we also focus heavily on the mind and spirit. We have philosophies and tenants that everyone must learn and recite. They help us develop as better people and find balance with life. This is the part of Hapkido that I have used. I have gotten through many long, grueling corporate meetings utilizing a lot of the philosophies."

Rob teaches the children's program. He focuses on helping the kids develop confidence through physical activities that help them develop their balance and coordination as their bodies grow. "I've seen some amazing changes in kid's who have trained with us. Parents have told me that they were surprised at some of the positive changes that it has had on their children, who have become less shy and more respectful of others."

Robert Hoffman

Rob began his martial arts training at the age of 15 studying Isshin-Ryu karate with world karate champion Sensei Pattie Booth. After moving to Los Angeles in his 20's, he began studying Hung Gar kung fu with Sifu Buck Sam Kong in Hollywood. His desire to study internal arts led him to Master Zi, and the Yang Classical Family style tai chi. Rob is also a certified Kundalini yoga teacher through Golden Bridge Yoga where he regularly attends classes with Tej, and has studied Imperial Yang Tai Chi with Oso Tayari Casel, push hands with Master Julius Baker, and Qi gong with Michael Winn. Rob has traveled extensively throughout the world, including many trips to China, to better his understanding of martial arts, and yoga.

Sima Yuko Miyahara

Yuko Miyahara has been studying Tai Chi with Master Zi for more than 6 years. In 2005 she achieved the rank of Senior Black-Belt Practitioner and has recently completed successfully The Yoga Naga primary instructor qualification course. Yuko has spent 3 years in human potential trainings, first as a student and then as life coach and facilitator of several leadership programs. Yuko was born in Japan and came to the United States in 1996. She attended The University of Miami, Ohio earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and then received her Masters Degree from UCLA in Material Sciences & Engineering. She believes Tai Chi and Yoga are powerful tools for creating a harmonious balance of mind, body and soul. A successful entrepreneur, Yuko started a web development and consulting company, YUPIO which stands for “Your Unique Passion Inside Out.” She is also a fierce badminton player and talented artist.