Brian with Sifu Po-Leung
Tai Chi and the other internal martial
systems have always been a continous
study and passion for Brian. As a child he
lived in San Francisco's Chinatown district.
At an early age he was fascinated by the
artwork, Buddha statues and smells of
Chinatown. There were always the sounds
of firecrackers and all kinds of firework
paraphanilia around, also many different
Chinese rituals took place around the year.
Being a good athlete, Brian's interests
merged with martial arts. His first teacher
Sifu Clarance Lee was one of the most
intelligent and well versed martial artists
in the world. With Mr. Lee Brian studied
different styles of Okinowan Karate,
American boxing, weapons and every now
and then some Tai Chi principles. It was
then when Tai Chi first caught Brian's
attention, by the slow consentrated
graceful movements that Mr. Lee
practiced. But most of all it was the
centerdness and the meditative space he
would see Mr. Lee in. Brian stayed with his
Sifu for years, but after several bone
fractures he decided to take a break from
the whole scene for a while.
systems have always been a continous
study and passion for Brian. As a child he
lived in San Francisco's Chinatown district.
At an early age he was fascinated by the
artwork, Buddha statues and smells of
Chinatown. There were always the sounds
of firecrackers and all kinds of firework
paraphanilia around, also many different
Chinese rituals took place around the year.
Being a good athlete, Brian's interests
merged with martial arts. His first teacher
Sifu Clarance Lee was one of the most
intelligent and well versed martial artists
in the world. With Mr. Lee Brian studied
different styles of Okinowan Karate,
American boxing, weapons and every now
and then some Tai Chi principles. It was
then when Tai Chi first caught Brian's
attention, by the slow consentrated
graceful movements that Mr. Lee
practiced. But most of all it was the
centerdness and the meditative space he
would see Mr. Lee in. Brian stayed with his
Sifu for years, but after several bone
fractures he decided to take a break from
the whole scene for a while.
Many years later, when Brian was back from a tour in Europe, he spotted an elderly
gentleman in his eighties doing the most amazing concentrated movements of Tai Chi.
This was another Mr. Lee from China. At this point Brian asked for lessons from him, but
he declined to teach anyone at this time. Mr. Lee pointed across the park to Sifu Po
Leung, saying: "There is your teacher." It was perfect, just a great person and one of
the truly great Tai Chi masters rooted in the Yang tradition of Tai Chi. That day began a
wonderful study and friendship which is still flowering.
Along with Tai Chi, Brian is interested in Qigong as an internal energy study. He
incorporates all these principles with his drumming and has merged his philosophical
ideas in his book "Tao of Drumming"
gentleman in his eighties doing the most amazing concentrated movements of Tai Chi.
This was another Mr. Lee from China. At this point Brian asked for lessons from him, but
he declined to teach anyone at this time. Mr. Lee pointed across the park to Sifu Po
Leung, saying: "There is your teacher." It was perfect, just a great person and one of
the truly great Tai Chi masters rooted in the Yang tradition of Tai Chi. That day began a
wonderful study and friendship which is still flowering.
Along with Tai Chi, Brian is interested in Qigong as an internal energy study. He
incorporates all these principles with his drumming and has merged his philosophical
ideas in his book "Tao of Drumming"
:: Sacred tree of the Golden Gate Park ::
Photo: © P. Vähi
Photo: © P. Vähi
