| Bruce Frantzis | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1949 New York |
| Occupation | Tai Chi, Meditation and Qigong Teacher and Author |
| Known for | Taoist Lineage Master |
Bruce Kumar Frantzis PhD, (born April, 1949, New York City) is the first Western lineage holder in the Taoist Water tradition which is directly linked to Lao Tse and the Tao Te Ching. [1] He is also lineage holder in the internal martial arts of Bagua, T'ai chi and Xingyiquan. [2]
Beginning as a young karate champion, he engaged in a multi-decade journey leading him throughout Asia and the Eastern energetic traditions.[3][4] Choosing to forgo an ivy league education in favor of pursuing Japanese martial arts at their original source, he moved to Japan to attend Sophia University at the age of eighteen.[5] There, he obtained multiple black belts and trained with Aikido’s founder Morihei Ueshiba.[6] He soon branched out to Taiwan and China and studied in increasing depth under other internal martial arts masters.[7][8]
In 1973, attempting to locate the original source of meditation, Bruce traveled to India where he underwent rigorous daily training in Pranayama, Hatha yoga, Raja yoga and Tantra with many Gurus, experiencing what in the east is known as “Kundalini Shakti”.[9]
Returning to China in the mid 70s, he became the first Westerner to be given insider access to the closely guarded Taoist Fire tradition and its priesthood.[10] After completing seven years of training he became priest in the Fire tradition.[11] Then by a fortunate set of events Bruce was accepted as the direct disciple of one of the few remaining stewards of the Water tradition, the Taoist Immortal (Fully Realized Person) Liu Hung-Chieh.[12] Through Liu Hung-Chieh he was introduced to Jiang Jia Hua the Vice President of the All-China Scientific Qigong Association. This connection gave Bruce access to Chinese cancer clinics where he completed his training as Medical Qigong doctor.[13]
While in China Bruce Frantzis was credited with promoting martial arts by challenging local martial arts practitioners.[14]
Bruce inherited the Taoist Water tradition lineages shortly before Liu-Hung Chieh’s passing in 1986. On his teacher’s wishes he has spent the last 25 years imparting the healing, meditative and martial aspects of Taoism to the West. [15] He primarily teaches the Energy Arts Qigong System, Wu Style t'ai chi, Bagua, Taoist Yoga and Taoist Meditation. He has authored numerous works (including Tao of Letting Go, Relaxing Into Your Being, The Great Stillness, Tai Chi Health for Life, The Power of the Internal Martial Arts and Chi, The Chi Revolution and Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body) on Taoist energetic practices [16] and taught over 20,000 students many of whom have gone on to become active certified instructors.[17]
Additionally, he is a regular participant in the Tibetan Buddhist community, a process that began with his training under Dudjom Rinpoche in 1976. He is an active student of Dzogchen, an advanced tradition he considers to share a common origin with the Taoist water tradition. Currently Bruce’s teaching focus has shifted towards healing and meditation in accordance with his late teacher’s final wishes..[18][19]