José Johnson was born in 1961 in Columbus, Ohio,U.S.A.  As a child, he began his trainingin karate and judo in 1969.  After a fewyears, he put his training aside to focus on his academic studies andmusic.  He attended the Ohio StateUniversity where his studies included biochemistry and music education.  In 1988, he began training in shuai-jiao andtaijiquan.  In 1992, he began studyingwith his mentor Master Nick Gracenin. José is a fifth generation disciple of Fu style wudang boxing.  He has trained with many of the world’s topmasters in numerous styles.

   In 1993 José was a member of the USA taiji team competing at the FirstInternational Taijiquan Invitational in Fuzhou, China.  In 1995 he was the USA All-Taijiquan formsgrand champion and the USA Wushu Kung Fu Federation internal forms grandchampion.  He was the first person to winboth in the same year and set a record for the most number one rankings.  That same year, he retired from competitionto teach full-time.

   It is here that José’s true contribution to wushu has become clear.  He has coached three U.S. national formschampions. His students have gone on to become competent teachers in their ownright and have produced national level competitors as well as one nationalforms champion.   José’s desire is tomake wushu in general and taijiquan in particular accessible to Americans. By doingso José hopes to help others enjoy the same benefits of wushu practice that hereceived such as improved health, confidence and deep friendships with otherpractitioners from around the world. José is a founding member and former CEO of the U.S. Wushu Union.  He has conducted judges training andcertification for the U.S. Wushu Union and U.S.A. All-TaijiquanChampionships.  He is sought after bothas an organizer and for his ability to inspire those he works with.  In 2008 José was awarded his seventh degreeblack belt from the International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association for which he isthe Pennsylvania coordinator.

   He is the founder and CEO of Integrated Wellness Consultants.  At his school in Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaU.S.A., he teaches traditional and modern wushu.  His youngest students begin at agethree.  His oldest students are in theirnineties.  

   José’s unique contribution incorporates his love of science andmusic.  Using what he has learned fromhis study of various martial arts, his analytical and scientific mind, and hisskills as a jazz improviser, he has developed programs for his diverse studentpopulation.  José is well known for hisinnovative programs for seniors and rehabilitation as well as his youth programbased on the super heroes young children love.

   José’s ability to communicate with others spans from his youngest heroesto senior citizens.  His focus ontaijiquan as a method of personal transformation has helped him to harness allhis academic, musical, and martial arts skills to touch the lives of all hemeets—not just those who study wushu.