John began his martial arts training in the spring of 2000 after moving to the United States from Germany. He began a Tai Chi course at Elmhurst Park District, as means to improve his overall health and sense of balance. He found his first classes very rewarding and hugely beneficial.
In November 2001 John began training in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. He trained hard for his first test, and was promoted directly to Orange Belt, a proud moment for him. He began assisting with the childrens class the day after that promotion, and slowly moved into teaching as his knowledge and rank grew.
Taking advantage of an amazing opportunity, in the spring of 2002 he spent a month backpacking round China. During that trip he had the opportunity to practise Tai Chi and Qi Gong in the parks with the locals, and gain some advice from them, he also took formal lessons at a gym in Shanghai.
In the fall of 2004 John tested for and was awarded the rank of First Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do karate.
Attending the third World Ki Gong Club clinic in Myrtle Beach, SC in early 2005, John received over 22 hours of practise and instruction over two and a half days. While there he was certified as World Ki Gong Club Level III - Intermediate Instructor on Grandmaster Jae C. Shin’s personal recommendation.
The World Ki Gong Club clinic in 2006 was held in Santa Cruz, California. At the end of the clinic John was promoted to World Ki Gong Club Level IV - Advanced Instructor.
At the World Ki Gong Club clinic in Monterey in 2007 John presented his Chinese Health Balls class as a part of the clinic schedule. In the spring testing cycle of 2007 John tested for and was awarded the rank of Second Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do karate.
Later in 2007 he was a member of The World Tang Soo Do delegation travelling to China and South Korea. Whilst there they visited Beijing Sports University to meet Master Zhang Guangde, head of the Qi Gong department and to see demonstrations of his students. In Xi'an the team visited one of the largest 'Wu Shu' schools in China, whilst there they witnessed demonstrations by some of China's finest students, then demonstrated their skills for the Wu Shu students. After the demonstrations they took some time to learn from, and teach the students. The highlight of the trip was a visit to the Chen village, the birthplace of Tai Chi. There the team visited the Chen Temple and a number of the Tai Chi schools in the area; including that of Chen, Er Hu a 20th generation disciple of Chen style Tai Chi. He and his students demonstrated the many aspects of Tai Chi, from the simpler open hand forms through to the complex twin sword forms.
John has found his teaching has helped develop his understanding of the martial arts, their true depths, and the connection between martial arts, qi gong, accupressure, accupuncture, reflexology, Reiki, traditional Chinese medicine and the I Ching. To truly undertsand martial arts he has found you need to understand all these aspects, to learn how to heal as well as defend.
In September 2010 he was awarded Level III ~ Advanced Qigong Instructor certification by the National Qigong Association.
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