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Li Tianji (1914 - 1996)
Li Tianji started training in Chinese martial arts as a young child and graduated with honours in his training. He became a martial arts lecturer at Harbin University and the coach of the first national martial arts team of the People's Republic of China. He is regarded as one of the "Ten Best Wushu Masters of China", and is acknoledged as a "People's Republic of China Sports Pioneer" to the point that tai chi competition-forms in China had to be previously approved by him.
In 1956 Li Tianji was one of the main creators of the first standardised simplified 24 tai chi forms and created the 32 tai chi sword forms. He also polished the 24, 88, 48 forms and the international 42 competition forms.
He earned the title "Father of Contemporary Tai Chi" and the nickname "Lung Fei", meaning "Flying Dragon", because of his outstanding aptitude.
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Mrs Men Bao with Li Tianji
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Professor Li Deyin
Professor Li Deyin began Tai Chi and Wushu training with his grandfather Li Yulin and Uncle Li Tianji (Lung Fei) when he was only eight years old.
Professor Li is one of the main creators of the compulsory routine of 42 tai chi forms, which became the first internationally standardised Tai Chi competition routine. He has been the Vice President of the Chinese Wushu Association for many years and also served as Chief Judge at the 11th Asian Games.
He teaches tai chi all over the world, including at Bao's Lung Fei Tai Chi Association, through his friendship with Bao and Men.
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Professor Li Deyin and Mrs Men Bao
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Naijian Bao (1936 - 1998)
Naijian Bao's father and grandfather were both martial arts masters and he followed in their footsteps. At the age of 14, he took up gymnastics and, in 1956, with a good foundation from his martial arts training, he became the first leading gymnastics champion of China, and is acknoledged as a "People's Republic of China Sports Pioneer" .
After retiring from competitive gymnastics, he became the chief coach to the Chinese National Gymnastics team, and also coached the national teams of North Korea, Indonesia, Iraq and Iceland.
Naijian Bao had the distinction of being number one 'Master of Sports' in China and had, amongst other qualifications, a degree in sports science.
Traditionally in China, martial arts and traditional medical treatments were taught together, so that injuries incurred through martial arts practice could be treated directly. Training also included tai chi for maintaining good health. Naijian Bao learnt all these aspects and helped many family members and friends during his career. When he retired from gymnastic, he opened a complementary clinic and built an excellent reputation, with his practice of Traditional Chinese treatments attracting clients from a wide area across the South West of England. In 1987, Naijian Bao and his wife Men Bao, started teaching tai chi in the UK. |
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Mrs Men X. Bao
Founder/principal
Men Bao was the first Chinese National Games balance beam champion and is acknoledged as a "People's Republic of China Sports Pioneer" and has won many gymnastic competitions in China.
She was given the title of 'sports master' by the Chinese authority. Because of her exceptional skills and gymnastic foundation, she was asked by the famous Li Tianji (Lung Fei), with whom she worked with in the top Chinese authority department of the National Sport Centre, to train in tai chi as he recognised her qualities to be an excellent tai chi student.
Since Naijian Bao passed away in 1998, Men has taken over the running of the tai chi club started in 1987, training new teachers and expanding into an association, which now holds classes in many areas across the South west. For more information contact Men on 01747 852804 or 07745 852490
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Zabeth Macfarlane
Head coach
Zabeth is an experienced therapist and teacher who promotes health and vitality through active classes and focused therapy sessions. She has studied tai chi and chi-kung under several teachers in the UK and abroad, and most recently with Mrs Men Bao. Zabeth has taught tai chi and chi-kung since 1999.
Following the merging of her tai chi clubs with those of Mrs Men Bao's, Zabeth has become head-coach of the new association.
Zabeth also teaches yoga, reiki, meditation, therapeutic art & craft and personal development.
The complimentary therapies that Zabeth practices are reiki, healing, holistic massage and shiatsu
For more information on classes or therapies, visit: www.zabethmacfarlane.co.uk or contact on 01935 891569 or 07747 616166
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Nick Palmer
Coach
Nick first started learning tai chi with Mr and Mrs Bao in 1993 primarily to improve his balance for horse riding.
Nick was encouraged by Mrs Bao to become a tai chi teacher. He has trained and been teaching tai chi as an assistant coach for many years and became fully qualified as a tai chi instructor in 2005, he teaches tai chi in Warminster. For more information contact: tinbum_nick@lineone.net
Nick's main other interests are horse riding and mountaineering
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Dianne Metherell
Coach
Dianne is a support worker for people with learning difficulties. She started learning tai chi with Mr and Mrs Bao in 1992 in Gillingham and qualified as an assistant teacher for beginners in 2000, becoming fully qualified as a tai chi teacher in Feb 2005.
Dianne has developed a great love of tai chi over the years, and has found that it has benefited her in many ways, aswell as giving her the opportunity to benefit other people.
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Linda Blake
Coach for beginners
Linda has practised tai chi with Mrs Men Bao since 1995. Linda passed her tai chi coaching certificate in March 2005 and has been teaching in Warminster since July 2005. For information contact 01985 218929 or 07742 084384, email lin.blake@hotmail.co.uk
She is also a qualified therapist in Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and Swedish Massage.
Her hobbies include drawing and painting in all media, and she is currently chairman of the Warminster Art Society. |
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Bev Fernandes
Coach for beginners
Bev has been studying Tai Chi since 1999 with Zabeth Macfarlane. Encouraged into teaching by Zabeth, Bev recently qualified as an assistant coach and is currently teaching a beginners class in Langport. Bev is also an assistant coach with a company that specialises in weekend Tai Chi retreats held throughout the UK. Bev also continues to train weekly with Zabeth.
Tai Chi is an important part of her life, it has improved her focus, lowered stress levels and provides both a mental and physical challenge.
For information on the Langport class contact 07880 555984
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Anne Doran
Trainee coach
Anne began learning tai chi, with Zabeth in September 2006 and attends two classes a week, and due to her varied working hours she also visits some of the other classes too.
Anne is working towards her tai chi teacher training to achieve the required level of gradings needed in the various tai chi forms, assisting in class by taking the warm up exercises and helping with the beginners.
In learning tai chi, Anne has found a new balance in life and a way to keep an open mind in accepting new challenges! In her belief to live life to the full, she enjoys a variety of activities, including cooking, walking, singing, gardening and chi-kung.
Anne is qualified in and practices Holistic Massage & Reiki. |
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Monica Murphy
Trainee coach
Monica's first brush with tai chi was in 1992 when she went on a tai chi weekend, but it wasn't until September 2006 that she eventually managed to take up regular classes with Zabeth.
After only a year of learning tai chi Monica found her balance was considerably better, and her general fitness and energy levels have also steadily improved and continue to do so. Now she usually attends three classes a week, sometimes more, and looks forward to being a qualified instructor herself.
She is Company Secretary in her partner's company and also spends a lot of her spare time in artistic activities, her main interest at the moment being enamelling copper & bowls, pictures, buttons etc - and usually exhibits in Somerset Arts Week.
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Lorna Tselekidis
Trainee coach
Lorna is a teacher of English for speakers of other languages.
She started learning tai chi with Mrs. Men Bao in Shaftesbury in January 2008. She enrolled on the association's assistant trainee program one month later.
She regularly assists Mrs. Bao in her classes around North Dorset.
Lorna became interested in tai chi as a relaxed & calm form of exercise and has already found improved coordination, concentration & balance.
On the training program Lorna has benefited from on-to-one teaching from Mrs. Bao, training in chi-kung, advice on teaching techniques & practical teaching experience.
She looks forward to gaining further knowledge and progressing through her certificates.
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