Today we’d like to introduce you to Bill Helm.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started learning martial arts in 1965 at the Shorin Ryu Academy in San Bernardino,Ca.
I stared studying Chinese martial and healing arts in 1973 with John Davidson,a student of Taoist Master Share k.Lew from Guangdong ,China.
After several years of training my teachers moved to San Diego,Ca. and opened the Taoist sanctuary of San Diego.
The curriculum was Taoist Kung Fu and Yang style Tai Chi Chuan,Taoist Energy Healing,Tuina Chinese Bodywork,Taoist Philosophy and Meditation and Qi Gong.
I was teaching at several massage schools in San Diego and was founding faculty of what is now called Pacific College of Health Sciences.
Currently teaching at the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has had its challenges. Teachers died and others moved on in their paths.
As the Tao unfolded I found myself left to continue the efforts of those who had come before.This meant taking charge of the classes and business of maintaining the Taoist Sanctuary.The biggest priority was attracting new students and supporting old students.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am one of the few left from the early days of the introduction of the Chinese arts into accessible teaching.
Currently I am retired from PCHS and only teach seminars.I regularly teach Chen style Tai Chi Chuan,Taoist Meditation and Qi Gong at the Taoist sanctuary. My specialty is Tuina Chinese Bodywork and Taoist Energy Healing.
I am proud to represent direct lineages in these arts from teachers in China.What sets me apart apart from others is my travels to China to train with source teachers.I first went to China in 1986. I regularly sponsor teachers from China to travel here to maintain the quality of these arts.
What’s next?
My plan is to Continue teaching and progressing in these arts.
The martial and healing arts are a lifelong journey.Pablo Casals the famous cellist was asked why he continued to practice 4-5 hours a day at age 80 answered `because I think I am making progress`.
Both of my main teachers,Abraham Liu and Share K.Lew lived to be close to a 100 years old. My greatest hope is to preserve and transmit these teaching to the next generations and to match my teachers dedication to the arts.
Pricing:
- membership is $175 a month.
- Individual classes are $25
- Tuina Chinese Bodywork is $90 and hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://taoistsanctuary.org
- Instagram: taoistsanctuary
- Facebook: taoistsanctuary
