Because of his profession as an “internal martial arts” instructor, Giuseppe Medlin has been featured in local news on several occasions — both for his expertise in the often misunderstood field of self-defense and for the photographic opportunities his sessions, which occasionally occur in public, present for local photographers.

Medlin, 40, came to Sedona from Denver two decades ago with his parents and began studying with a tai chi master.

That would begin a 16-year search to develop a martial arts curriculum for his students.

This search would land him in spots around the world —including China, Nepal, Japan and Thailand — destinations he continues to visit as part of his education.

Throughout his extended period of study — including the last six years in which he has taken on martial arts as a profession, founding a school in Sedona — martial arts has remained one of Medlin’s primary passions.

Beyond his own studies, he teaches students ages 16 and older.

To read the full story, see the Friday, Jan. 30, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.