Allison Helm – Senior Instructor

Allison began studying Chinese martial and healing arts in 1991, and focuses her current studies on Chen style Taijiquan as taught by the Chen family. She is the Senior Instructor at the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego, a California branch school of the Chenjiagou Taijiquan Xuexiao. Allison teaches the Chen family curriculum and classes in anatomy and physiology, specific to the practice of Taijiquan. She is a 20th generation indoor disciple of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, holds a 6th Duan Wei ranking from the Chinese Wushu Association, and was awarded the honorific of Tao Shih, one who is learned in the Tao, upon completion of an intensive program in Taoist Studies. Allison travels regularly to China to study in Chenjiagou with members of the Chen family, and along with Bill Helm, leads frequent study groups to Chenjiagou for taijiquan immersion experiences. Allison is retired from UC San Diego Health, the only academic medical center and Level 1 trauma and burn center in San Diego, where she was Director of Rehabilitation Services for 6 years.

Grace Bearis

In the summer of 2005, Grace started her journey into the “art of flowing meditation” by attending Taiji and Qigong classes at the Taoist Sanctuary under the tutelage of Bill and Allison Helm. As a former intercollegiate athlete accustomed to strict discipline and years of rigorous training, the demands and complexity of the Chen Style Taijiquan proved to be a great fit, offering a new and deeper opportunity for personal growth and experience in a more contemplative form of practice.

Enriched by the internal and external challenge of this art, Grace immerses herself in extended studies by attending numerous Chen workshops over the years, including travels to Chenjiagou, the birthplace of taiji, Slovenia, Spain, and France. Achieving 4th Level Duan Wei from the Chinese Wushu Association in 2011, along with certification in the Taoist Sanctuary Teacher Training program in the same year, Grace assists with teaching open hand and weapons form to all levels. She will continue to travel the world as part of her commitment and enthusiasm to the study and shared practice of Chen Style Taijiquan.

Grace works in technology, in the areas of systems management and design, process improvement, data analysis, and software development.

Travis DePuy

Travis has been following the way of Taichi for over a decade and credits his practice with keeping him out of trouble. He has made numerous trips to Chen Jiagou, the birthplace of Chen Taichi Quan, to train under the intense supervision of Master Chen Zi Qiang and his father Grandmaster Chen Xiao Xing. Additionally, Travis wanders around to train with other teachers to get a well rounded education in the philosophic, artistic and spiritual aspects of Taichi. When resting his legs from training, he likes spending time with his Lady Wife and tinker with fun electronics projects to entertain the two cats, Bonnie and Clyde.

Helen Gerdes

Helen has been studying and practicing Qi Gong and Tai Chi at the Taoist Sanctuary for 36 years. 
She learned first the Yang style and now the Chen style. 
Helen also completed the two year Taoist Study program. 
Her main responsibilities now are taking attendance and payments.

Peter Houser

Peter Houser has practiced Taijiquan at the Taoist Sanctuary since 2004. In 2011, Peter completed the Taoist Sanctuary’s Teacher Training certification program, and was also awarded a 4th Duan Wei by the Chinese Wushu Association in Chenjiagou, birthplace of Taijiquan.

Peter assists with beginning level classes at the Taoist Sanctuary, and has also taught Taijiquan at the Chalice Unitarian Congregation since 2011. Peter likes to focus on posture, balance, and “filling the corners” during his classes.

Janie Kidd

Janie came to the Taoist Sanctuary in 1993 and dove into the many opportunities offered there. In 1995 she completed the intensive Tao Shih certification, and in 2011 the Teacher Training Program. Janie worked with UCSD on a research study that looked at the benefits of Taiji for heart failure patients, taught at PCOM, and currently teaches a Taiji class at a senior center. She is continually amazed at the benefits Taiji offers to people of all ages and all physical abilities.

Vangie Mamalakis

Vangie began her Taijiquan training at the Sanctuary in 2013, bringing background skills in occupational therapy, Zentherapy, Tae Kwon Do and women’s empowerment/safety /self defense instruction.  She is committed to learning and sharing the physical and spiritual practice of TJQ—a highly personal journey shaped by strong bonds with her teachers and  TJQ students of all levels.

George McCandless

IGeorge started studying at the Taoist Sanctuary in 1976. His training encompassed martial arts, Qi Gong, healing arts, and Taoist Philosophy. He was ordained as a Taoist Priest In 1983. His long history of martial arts experience includes Kung Fu and Taijquan. He is currently studying Chen Style Taijiquan and teaching the daytime beginning Taijiquan classes, and assists with the intermediate and advanced classes. His has also taught Qi Gong at Taoist Sanctuary, the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) and as an assistant at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.

George traveled to Chenjiagou, China (Chen Village) in 2011 to study with Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. During this trip he took the Wushu Dan Wei Examination and was awarded a 4th Duan Wei (level). In the summer of 2011, he was certified in the Taoist Sanctuary Teacher Training certification program.

Andy Oliver

Andy started his training in martial arts in 1982 in the United Kingdom. He has been studying Chen Tai Chi at the Taoist sanctuary since 2014. He enjoys training in the complexity and depth of this martial art,  and finds equal benefit in both the physical and mental aspects of the system.