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Born in Copenhagen, Denmark Chris moved to the U.S. as a child and began his study of Western martial practices in his early teens. Several years later at the age of 17 he entered a mystical school to study meditation & ancient spiritual practices and was introduced to the practice of Chi Kung (Qi Gong). At the same time, he met Tai Chi Grand Master, Abraham Liu (Chen huan) and shifted his martial studies exclusively to Tai Chi Chuan. Grand Master Liu, who was a senior student of Professor Cheng Man Ching, had recently arrived in the U.S. from China via Taiwan. 4 years later Chris became a direct apprentice and teaching assistant to Grand Master Liu.
In 1979 at the request of Grand Master Liu, Chris founded the Pacific School of Tai Chi and Qi Gong in San Diego, Ca. and in 1986 created Tai Chi In Paradise retreats. He has been teaching as a full-time profession since 1979. Chris is a former U.S. National Champion in Tai Chi Tui Shou (Push Hands) and additionally has the unique distinction of being the only person to have won a Gold Medal at the National level using the small frame, internally oriented, "Cheng Man Ching Short Form" of Tai Chi in the highly competitive “Open Yang Style-Instructors Division” previously dominated by flashy, large frame forms.
Often referred to as "The Teachers Teacher" he has conducted a formalized professional Tai Chi "Instructors Training Program" in San Diego since 1982 training dozens of students who currently run their own Tai Chi & Qi Gong schools in many cities throughout the U.S. and abroad.
As an interesting sidenote, Chris' family history extends back through 3 generations who each lived large parts of of their lives in China, including his great grandfather (Courtney H. Fenn) who wrote one of the first Chinese-English dictionaries in 1926. Chris' mother was a therapist and an early participant in the meditation movement, in the West. These factors along with his own spiritual studies influenced his practice and teaching in unique ways.
"My objective is to combine my unique areas of training to offer programs that are profoundly effective energetically and spiritually as well as in their physical health benefits. Additionally I feel that it is important that everything I teach offer benefits in the daily process of living, relationships, work etc."
"To meet these objectives I place considerable focus on the “Inner Aspects” of these arts (anatomy, subtle detailed energetics and philosophy)."
"My goal for my students is the same as it has been for myself. Therefore I endeavor to offer an enjoyable learning experience that profoundly raises ones understanding and enjoyment of human life."
Tai Chi & Qi Gong (Chi Kung)
- Begin training at age 17
- Founded the Pacific School of Tai Chi & Qi Gong in 1979
- Member "U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame", inducted June 2007
- Founder of Tai Chi in Paradise retreats. World leader in transformational Tai Chi & Qi Gong retreats since 1986. (Hawaii, Costa Rica, Fiji, Bali, Canary Islands, Caribbean etc.)
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- Received training from more than 2 dozen masters in the U.S. and Asia
- Creator and director of the "The Art of Teaching" The Western U.S. Conference for Tai Chi & Chi Gong Teachers.
- Presented seminars to a variety of audiences in over 50 cities worldwide
- Trained instructors in dozens of cities throughout Europe, North & Central America and Australia
- Conducted one of North America's only formalized Teacher Training Programs for Tai Chi Teachers since 1982
- Trained instructors at schools of Bodywork and Holistics
Programs for Business
- Designed and conducted "Tai Chi Principle" based seminars for management, focusing on "Change Management", negotiation skills, sales, and communication (clients have included Bayer, Holy Cross Health Care, Marriot, National Credit Union Association...)
- Designed & managed corporate employee Tai Chi & Qi Gong, stress reduction and health maintenance programs (clients have included Pacific Care, Merk, SAIC...)
- Served as a case consultant to Attorneys and Psychologists
Competition
- Two time Former U.S. National Tai Chi Champion (“Forms” and “Push Hands”)
- Former National Bronze Medalist in "Chinese Internal Style Weapons"
- Active top ranked judge and referee serving in National and International competition since 1991
- Authored innovative Push Hands Competition rules (specifically designed to reward subtle and refined Tai Chi skills) used at the Australian National Tai Chi & Wu Shu Championships
- Authored training guidelines for Push Hands referees
- Conducted training seminars for Tai Chi Forms judges and Push Hands referees
Athletics
- Advanced level Surfer
- Advanced level Snowboarder
- Advanced level Skier
- Former semi-professional Ice hockey player
- Former amateur soccer player and coach
- Former amateur track and field athlete
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