Master Jim Scott-Behrends
Jim Scott-Behrends began his study of the Internal Arts over thirty-seven years ago. He had the good fortune to study with some of the most knowledgeable Masters in the field of the Internal Arts.
In Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, Master Jim's main teacher was Master Kai-Ying Tung, a third generation Master who was instrumental in bringing Tai Chi to America. Master Tung's grandfather was the top disciple of Yang Chen-Fu, who was the grandson of the founder of the founder of Yang style. Yang Chen-Fu was the key to brining Tai chi to the general public in China.
Master Jim also trained with Master Wen-Mei Yu. Master Yu has been teaching Internal Chinese Martial Arts and Healing Arts for over thirty five years. She was recognized as the top instructor in Tai Chi in the Wushu Division of China in 1983. With Master Yu, Master Jim studied the complete Wu Tai Chi Chuan system and a variety of Qigong forms.
In the rare Nam Hoa Temple style, Master Jim studied over fifteen years with Internal Arts Grandmaster Kinh Nguyen. Grandmaster Nguyen (pronounced Winn) studied through China and Vietnam including the famous Wudang and Shaolin Temples. In 1996 Jim Scott-Behrends was awarded the rank of Master and lineage holder in the Nam Hoa Temple system. It is this system that we teach here at Bending Tree Tai Chi.
In 1994 after years of teaching in a variety of settings Master Jim developed an instructors training program in order to bring the benefits of the practice to a larger number of people. Our teacher, Judith Forsyth, was training with him in 1994 as an Assistant Instructor. She was certified as an instructor and left for Virginia Beach that same year. Master Jim currently lives and teachers in the Monterey Bay area of California but visits Bending Tree every two years in October. Judith trains periodically in California with him.
In his course of his study and practice, Master Jim has benefited from many insights concerning the nature of the mind and body. As a result of his experiences and the support of this family, friends, and students, he has dedicated his life to sharing the great gifts of the Internal Arts Practice.
Master Jim teaches in the Watsonville area of California, but occasionally visits us here in Hampton Roads.
Teacher Judith Forsyth
Hello. My name is Jude Forsyth. My life changed in the early '90s, when I suffered a serious car accident. After all the physical therapy, muscle relaxers and pain pills, I was left with nagging back and neck pain. Qigong/Tai Chi changed all that. The unexpected surprise was the calm, quiet, centered feeling that went along with the physical exercise. All my life, I had been the worrying type, the intense type, the "type A" personality. I had trouble enjoying the times in my life as I was so busy planning and criticizing them. I thought I enjoyed that fast-paced lifestyle, but I didn't realize what a toll I was paying in my mental and physical life. It was also difficult for my family and co-workers.
Qigong and Tai Chi changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I fell in love with it, and after studying for many years, I became an assistant instructor and then a teacher. I am certified with the American Wellness Institute to teach Qigong and Tai Chi , and it is a joy in my life to share it with others. I changed my life to study and share Qigong and Tai Chi and to pursue greater knowledge of exercise by pursuing my Bachelors Degree at ODU in Exercise Science.
After the 1994 earthquake in Los Angeles, where I was teaching for Master Jim, I brought my family to Virginia Beach. I taught for some time at the Great Neck Recreation Center, in doctor's offices, at private homes, at the East West Longevity Center, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, in church Halls, in the parks, at the Free Spirit Center, at the YMCA and anyplace else I could start a class.
I must share with you that I believe God and the universe made me to be a teacher and a healer. I have learned that it doesn't matter where I teach, or what the walls around me look like. I know it is about the student and me. I love to teach and to learn Qigong and Tai Chi. The most amazing thing is, the chi is the teacher, and I am just a "tour guide." I can guide you through the lessons, but your own chi will teach you the right way to move or be still to open your body to your own energy flow. Come by soon. The tour is open to all types of students.
Teacher Jude teaches in the Fort Walton Beach area of Florida, but occasionally visits us here in Hampton Roads.