Jonathan had worked as an electrician for years, performing physically demanding tasks that eventually led to chronic wrist pain. Despite undergoing two failed surgeries, doctors could not find anything wrong with him. He was told that discomfort, sharp pains, and weakness were all normal parts of life, and he lived with them for seven more years.

​One day, a friend recommended an acupuncturist to him, and Jonathan reluctantly agreed to give it a try. The acupuncturist offered no cure or quick fix, but instead introduced him to a set of movement and breathing exercises called Qi Gong and a traditional martial art called Ba Gua Zhang. The acupuncturist carried himself with such calm and grace that Jonathan was compelled to watch and listen.

Within a few months of practicing Ba Gua and Qi Gong regularly, Jonathan's pain disappeared. Not only did his body release tension and pain, but he also developed strength, coordination, patience, and mental focus. His energy levels increased, his mind became clearer, and his lifelong digestive issues were resolved. As he started paying more attention to his overall lifestyle, including nutrition, hydration, sleep, and thoughts, he felt better in his 30s than he did in his early 20s.

Before practicing Internal Arts, Jonathan relied on others to fix or heal his ailments. His own body was a mystery, and sometimes a burden. These practices allowed him to regain control of his body and empowered him with a sense of complete self-control - physically, energetically, mentally, and spiritually.

Now, as a professional instructor and coach, he says, "Perhaps most gratifying of all has been the opportunity to empower others who want to take control of their physical well-being."

Jonathan was originally introduced to these arts by his teacher, Tom Bisio, in 2010, and continues to study and train with New York Internal Arts (NYIA) and Internal Arts International (IAI). He is a certified senior instructor through IAI and has studied with practitioners from across the US and abroad. He has even traveled to Beijing, China to train with several masters of Ba Gua Zhang, Qi Gong/Nei Gong, and Qin Na (joint locking and seizing techniques).

In addition, Jonathan has completed years of medical training under Tom Bisio, earning his certification in Traditional Tui Na (Chinese Medical Massage) and completing courses in Practical Chinese Medicine for Trauma and Orthopedic Conditions. He also attended Tri-State College of Acupuncture and is currently completing his maters degree at Pacific College of Health and Science in NYC to become a licensed practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. He apprenticed weekly in a busy acupuncture/eastern medicine clinic in Manhattan and continuously attends classes and workshops each year in related subjects.

Internal martial arts teachers Jonathan has trained with include:

Tom Bisio • Wes Tasker • Gao Ji Wu • Zhao Da Yuan • Tim Cartmel • Luo Dexiu • Changrong Sun