Taoist Sanctuary

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Bill and Allison Helm are the senior instructors at the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego. Both are 20th generation indoor disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, the 19th generation lineage holder of Chen Family Taijiquan. Bill and Allison were initially awarded 5th Duan Wei certificates from the Chinese Wushu Associationin 2007 in the Czech Republic, and were recently awarded 6th Duan Wei certificates from the Chinese Wushu Association in April, 2011, at the historical Duan Wei testing offered for the first time in Chenjiagou, the birthplace of Taijiquan. Bill and Allison are deeply commited to carrying on the traditions of the Chen family, and their teaching style reflects Grandmaster Chen's mentoring and strong desire to spread Taijiquan throughout the world.

photos © David Hartig

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Bill Helm
Director, Taoist Sanctuary

Bill, an ordained Taoist Priest, has been studying Chinese martial and healing arts since 1965. He specializes in Taijiquan, Tuina Chinese Bodywork, Qi Gong and Herbal Medicine. Bill has also studied with Taijiquan Master Chen Xiaoxing, Master Chen Bing, Master Chen Zhiquang, and Master Ren Guangyi. Bill travels periodically to Chen Village for focused practice of Chen Style Taijiquan. He studied Traditional Chinese Medicine in China at the Shanghai College of Medicine and the Beijing Olympic Training Center, and in the United States with Taoist Master Share K. Lew and Dr. Yu Da Fang. Bill is the Director of the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego, the Dean of Allied Arts at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, and Director of the Asian Bodywork Program at Mueller College. Bill is the lead instructor for all classes at the Taoist Sanctuary.

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Allison Helm
Senior Instructor

Allison began studying Chinese martial and healing arts in 1992, and focuses her current studies on Chen Style Taijiquan with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. Allison has studied with other members of the Chen family, and travels regularly to Chen Village to further her Taijiquan studies. She is a senior Chen style Taijiquan instructor and holds a 6th level Duan Wei certification with the Chinese Wushu Association. Allison has been an occupational therapist since 1991 and works at UCSD Medical Center La Jolla as the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation Services.

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Janie Kidd, TS
Senior Chen Style Taijiquan Instructor

Janie has been studying at the Taoist Sanctuary since 1992 and teaches beginning and intermediate Taijiquan. She completed the 2 year Taoist Studies program in 1994. Janie is a retired special education teacher.

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Herb Argrow
Instructor

Herb has been studying and teaching at the Taoist Sanctuary for a number of years. He is a graduate of the Teacher Certification Program in Chinese Health Exercises at the Taoist Sanctuary. He assists and teaches the Chen Style Taijiquan beginners classes. Herb is retired from General Dynamics and spends his time introducing Taiji to his community and chuch.

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Helen Gerdes
Accounting and Attendance Clerk

Helen has studied Tai Chi and Qi Gong at the Taoist Sanctuary for over 20 years. She completed the 2 year Taoist Studies program in 1992. Helen is currently the Sanctuary's accounting and attendance clerk. Helen is a retired school teacher.

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Barbara Metz, TS
Qi Gong Instructor

Barbara is a graduate of the Taoist Studies program and teaches the Qi Gong classes at the Taoist Sanctuary as well as at Sharp Hospital in San Diego. Barbara has been doing Qi Gong for 20 years. She teaches the Friday morning Shen Qi Gong class. She owns her own corporate public relations firm in San Diego.

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Kate Obendorfer
Manager

Kate is the manager of the Taoist Sanctuary. She has been working at the Sanc since 1995 and is virtually indispensable.