James Sievert's Taiji Bio
While pursuing a
Bachelor of Music degree from
Robert
Nicholson
Mary Anne Nicholson
After completing his
undergraduate work, James continued his study of the martial way under
Master T R McClanahan of
At that time, Master
McClanahan held a 6th Degree Black Belt in Kodokan Judo, Shotokan
Karate, and Song Moo Kwan Taekwon Do. During his training with Master
McClanahan, James achieved his 1st Degree Black Belt in Song Moo Kwan
Taekwon Do. Subsequent training with Master McClanahan’s instructor, 8th
Degree Master Choi, Dong Hi, James earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt.
After returning to
the
In 1984, James made
the acquaintance of Emmanuel Garcia deLeon, with whom he developed a
close friendship. Mr. deLeon invited James to become his student in
Filipino fighting arts. Adding Arnis de Mano, Escrima, and Kali to the
patterns of movement with which he became familiar, James began the
transition from linear movement to the circular and fluid. Mr. deLeon,
the founder of Serrada ESKRIDO, was inducted in 1997 as Grandmaster of
the Year by the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame in
In the midst of his
time with Mr. deLeon, a career detour took James to
In the autumn of
1987, James began his study of Taijiquan under the instruction of
renowned northeast Ohio Instructor Richard J. Leirer. Mr. Leirer is the
founder of the Qigong Academy of Parma, Ohio. His initial training with
Mr. Leirer was in Wu Style Long Form in the lineage of Master Huang,
Tzeng-yu (Tom Huang) of
1990 saw James’
entrance into formal Qigong training with Mr. Leirer. He was
subsequently accepted as a student of Mr. Leirer’s teacher Master Hao,
Tianyo. Master Hao is the founder of the Qigong and Human Life Research
Foundation.
In 1991, James began
to learn the Simplified 24 Forms Taijiquan. James continues his study of
Qigong, Taijiquan and Taiji Pushing Hands. Independently, he has gained
an appreciation of other major family styles of Taijiquan, as well as
other internal arts. As a result
of this journey, James has explored the writings of other Qigong masters
and teachers, Taoist and Chan Buddhist thought, as well as the martial
theory and application of the ancient masters.
Shifu
Jiang Jianye with James
James holds all of
his teachers in life in the highest regard, and acknowledges his
indebtedness to them for their generosity and their influence on the
path he continues to walk.
Instructor
Weblinks
Qigong and Human Life Research Foundation:
www.qi-healing.com
Capitol District Tai Chi and Kung Fu Association:
http://www.jiangtaichi.com/home/
TAMA Family Martial Arts Center:
www.tamamartialarts.com
United Karate System:
www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/karate/instructors.html