Wushu and Tai-Chi Introductory Lessons

Restita DeJesus received her first Black Belt certification in 1982, in Butokukan Karate. At 15 years of age, she was the youngest person to earn a Black Belt in Butokukan Karate at that time. She began her teaching career by teaching beginner's Karate classes at Jefferson Park Community Center in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle. She later branched out to introduce Butokukan Karate to the Queen Anne, Alki Beach, and Southwest Community Centers.

Her longtime dream was to have her own commercial studio, and in 1991, Restita opened her first commercial studio, "Inner Concepts Martial Arts", teaching Butokukan Karate. During this time, Ms. DeJesus also studied "Kajukenbo", a mixed martial art.

In the summer of 1994, Restita and her senior classmate Sherril Johnson, traveled to California to take their instructor exams in Kajukenbo. After a grueling 8 hour test (with no rest or breaks), they were promoted to the title of "Sihing". A few days after coming back to Seattle, they found the building where they would open a new school together.

In September 1994, "Seattle Wun Hop Kuen Do Academy" debuted in West Seattle, with Restita and Sherril operating the school under a partnership.

It was in early 1996 when they both met Master Yijiao Hong at the "Chinese Wushu Tai Chi Academy" in Seattle's International District, and began their study of Wushu. Restita decided to take the intensive instructorship program with Master Hong, and completed the course in December of 1998. In January of 1999, Restita was promoted to Full Instructor of Wushu and was given full rights to teach the CWTA curriculum. That same month, Master Hong named Restita as a "Sifu" of Wushu and Tai Chi, and Restita was officially given the title in a community recognition ceremony.

In 1999, they re-named their studio as "Yin Yang Arts Center", and moved to a larger facility not far from their previous location.

In 2006, Ms. DeJesus founded the "Seattle Wushu Center". Master Yijiao Hong had made the decision to discontinue teaching Wushu for the time being so that she may concentrate on her new son and family. Ms. DeJesus took on the responsibility of providing a venue for the current Wushu students to continue training in Wushu, and carrying on the lineage of Master Yijiao Hong. Classes were held at the Yin Yang Arts Center location until Seattle Wushu moved to the historic Georgetown district of Seattle.

Restita's other credentials include black belt rankings in Filipino Martial Arts, Japanese Archery (Kyudo). Her previous studies include Aikido and Iaido (Japanese swordsmanship).

Restita considers herself "A student by nature, but a teacher by career"

The Seattle Wushu Center in Georgetown offers instruction in Contemporary Wushu, self defense, Tai Chi Chuan, Chinese and Japanese weaponry.

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