My name is Jonathan Thomas and I learned Liu Family Tui Na from my father-in-law, Jishun Liu. In addition to several different schools of tui na (Chinese massage), there are hundreds of family systems passed down from generation to generation. Liu Family Tui Na incorporates skills and techniques specific to this modality of healing.
Jishun Liu learned tui na from a family friend in Shanghai, China, whose family had practiced the art for generations. After five years of diligent study he accepted patients on his own. Meanwhile, he enrolled in tai chi classes, at the recommendation of his tui na teacher. He studied with Hao Shau Ru from 1960-1983. In 1981 Hao asked Jishun to represent Wu Hao Family Tai Chi in practice and teaching, and Jishun accepted, while continuing his practice of tui na as his main employment.
In 1995 Jishun left Shanghai to visit his daughter and me in San Diego, California. While visiting San Francisco he began teaching a group of tai chi enthusiasts. Jishun was able to extend his stay and eventually gained his American citizenship. As his popularity in the San Francisco community grew, he gradually moved his operations to Sunnyvale, California where he established a large following for tai chi and tui na. He is now recognized as one of the top masters within the international tai chi community.
As Jishun mastered tai chi and gained other beneficial skills, he incorporated them into his tui na practice. The unique system he developed, Liu Family Tui Na, is now an internationally known style of healing.
In 2005, at age 75, Jishun relocated to Southern California. He is now semi-retired, although he continues to teach existing students. Additionally, he has opened a tui na class for group of professional massage therapists from Santa Barbara.
I began my studies with my father-in-law in 1995 when he arrived here from Shanghai. I started learning Wu Hao Tai Chi, while also learning some tui na as a side interest. Over the years I've come to realize a close relationship between the two arts. As I approached the end of my career as a Marine, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to gain a deeper understanding of tai chi and my growing interest in tui na. In January 2007 I began my journey to become a tui ta practitioner. Along with studying tui na with my father-in-law, I began my academic training at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
My studies were interrupted for deployment to Iraq in 2008. However, while in Iraq, I was able to continue my practice of tui na. I helped my commander with a shoulder injury, and he related this positive experience to the orthopedic doctor at the Fallujah aid station. Intrigued, the doctor asked to observe my practice, and seeing its value, invited me to work in the clinic. I was thrilled as I could continue to learn about injuries and develop appropriate methods to deal with them.
Upon returning from Iraq I continued my studies with Jishun Liu and my formal education at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. I completed over 600 hours at the school to obtain my massage license from the Massage Therapy Council of California.
At the end of 2010, I retired from the Marine Corps and opened my own practice of Lui Family Tui Na. I assisted Jishun with his tai chi and tui na classes on a 2010 teaching tour to Torquay and London, England and continue to help with one of his local tui na classes. In 2012 I opened a class for Wu Hao Tai Chi and have recently opened a small tui na class of my own.
Jishun Liu learned tui na from a family friend in Shanghai, China, whose family had practiced the art for generations. After five years of diligent study he accepted patients on his own. Meanwhile, he enrolled in tai chi classes, at the recommendation of his tui na teacher. He studied with Hao Shau Ru from 1960-1983. In 1981 Hao asked Jishun to represent Wu Hao Family Tai Chi in practice and teaching, and Jishun accepted, while continuing his practice of tui na as his main employment.
In 1995 Jishun left Shanghai to visit his daughter and me in San Diego, California. While visiting San Francisco he began teaching a group of tai chi enthusiasts. Jishun was able to extend his stay and eventually gained his American citizenship. As his popularity in the San Francisco community grew, he gradually moved his operations to Sunnyvale, California where he established a large following for tai chi and tui na. He is now recognized as one of the top masters within the international tai chi community.
As Jishun mastered tai chi and gained other beneficial skills, he incorporated them into his tui na practice. The unique system he developed, Liu Family Tui Na, is now an internationally known style of healing.
In 2005, at age 75, Jishun relocated to Southern California. He is now semi-retired, although he continues to teach existing students. Additionally, he has opened a tui na class for group of professional massage therapists from Santa Barbara.
I began my studies with my father-in-law in 1995 when he arrived here from Shanghai. I started learning Wu Hao Tai Chi, while also learning some tui na as a side interest. Over the years I've come to realize a close relationship between the two arts. As I approached the end of my career as a Marine, I knew I wanted to pursue a career that would allow me to gain a deeper understanding of tai chi and my growing interest in tui na. In January 2007 I began my journey to become a tui ta practitioner. Along with studying tui na with my father-in-law, I began my academic training at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
My studies were interrupted for deployment to Iraq in 2008. However, while in Iraq, I was able to continue my practice of tui na. I helped my commander with a shoulder injury, and he related this positive experience to the orthopedic doctor at the Fallujah aid station. Intrigued, the doctor asked to observe my practice, and seeing its value, invited me to work in the clinic. I was thrilled as I could continue to learn about injuries and develop appropriate methods to deal with them.
Upon returning from Iraq I continued my studies with Jishun Liu and my formal education at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. I completed over 600 hours at the school to obtain my massage license from the Massage Therapy Council of California.
At the end of 2010, I retired from the Marine Corps and opened my own practice of Lui Family Tui Na. I assisted Jishun with his tai chi and tui na classes on a 2010 teaching tour to Torquay and London, England and continue to help with one of his local tui na classes. In 2012 I opened a class for Wu Hao Tai Chi and have recently opened a small tui na class of my own.