American Instructors
Penny Klein, PT, EdD
5th Generation - Wu Yi Jie He Family System
Certified Therapeutic QiGong & Tai Chi Instructor
Doctor Klein started martial arts in 1987, first studying karate then judo where she holds a black belt and competed internationally.She has been studying and teaching tai chi/qigong for health promotion since 1999 and is also trained in Reiki.Her research on therapeutic applications of taiji/qigong has been published in leading medical journals. Her most recent work addresses Qigong in cancer care.
Buffalo, New York
email: kleinqpj@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/qpjklein/
Sifu Bill Pickett
Certified 24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Instructor Trainer (Level 3)
Bill has 30 plus Years experience in Tai Chi and Qigong in various modalities. He started his training in the Wu Yi Jie He 24 Posture Qigong in 2009 with Grand Master Helen Wu. He continued in 2012 with Grand Master Wen Ching Wu. As bill became more interested and started practicing the form on a regular basis, he found Sifu George Picard in Canada and completed his studies to become an Instructor Trainer in 2017. He Teaches his local classes, The 24 Posture Qigong and also conducts weekend workshops in different locations in the USA. Bill is also a Master Trainer with Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute and Conducts instructor certification Classes for Dr. Lam's Tai Chi for Health Program.
Knoxville, Tennessee
Phone: 865-567-4837
Email: BillPickett20@gmail.com
Judy Anne Bonafede
Certified Therapeutic QiGong & Tai Chi Instructor (Level 2)
Judy Anne Bonafede started Martial Arts in 1997, studying Tai Chi with her Mother, whom was struggling with the onset of Dementia at the time. She moved on to Isshinryu Karate to eventually earn a Blackbelt. She has been teaching Tai Chi and Qigong since 2002 at Martial Arts and Wellness Centers throughout Western New York.
Lockport, New York
phone: 716-908-3653
Virgil Perdue
Certified Level 2
24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Instructor
Member of Taoist Tai Chi Society from 2000 to 2012. Instructor from 2002 to 2012. At present a member of TCHI. Instructor for 6 years and a Leader for 24 Therapeutic Qigong. Teaching at senior centers in Morristown and Jefferson City , Tenn. Taught by Sifu Bill Pickett and Linda Pickett.
Email: perdue.vj@gmail.com
Becky Rahe
Certified Level 1 24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Instructor
Becky began her health and wellbeing path over 18 years ago as a Fitness Instructor and Trainer for the YMCA of Greater Toledo. She was an instructor in Group Cycling, Water Aerobics, YMCA Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach. Her tai chi journey in 2004 began with the Tai Chi for Health Institute. At this point, she wanted to focus on tai chi. Since then she has continued her training gaining depth experience in Yang, Chen, Sun, and Qigong forms. To spread the many health benefits of tai chi, Becky became an Authorized Master Trainer. She has personally trained with Dr. Paul Lam and continues to grow the Tai Chi for Health and QiGong in the Midwest, USA. She is certified in most of the Tai Chi for Health programs, and has also trained in many forms as well as Qigong, Tai Chi Cane, Tai Chi Fan, Silk Reeling workshops, and has also studied in other forms of energy healing such as Medical Qigong, Reiki, Guided Meditation, and Yoga Fit.
Toledo, Ohio
Email: taichiblr@sbcglobal.net
@beckyrahe.taichitoledo
Julianne Fusani
Julianne's path to wellness began in 2003, with a diagnosis of Celiac Disease. Since then, she has adopted a gluten-free lifestyle and has helped numerous others do so as President of the WNY Gluten Free Diet Support Group. To compliment her gluten-free diet, she began practicing 24 Posture Therapeutic QiGong several years ago. Because of the many benefits she had experienced from consistent QiGong practice, she became a certified instructor in 2016 so that she could help others achieve the same.
Williamsville, New York
Phone: (716) 445-7308
Email: fusani.julie@gmail.com
Sue Arambel
As a Qigong and Tai Chi instructor, and formerly as a registered nurse, my purpose has always been to help people support, maintain or improve their health and wellness. I discovered the benefits of Tai Chi 16 years ago while searching for relief from stress. I found that relief and so much more. Qigong and Tai Chi have helped me improve my focus, concentration, strength, balance and flexibility, both in my mind and body. As a certified Tai Chi for Health (TCHI), Shibashi Qigong Level 1 and 24 Posture Therapeutic Qigong Level 1, instructor, I am in a position to share my passion and my skill with my community by teaching a variety of classes. Through my travels for my training, I have found a Qigong and Tai Chi community that is supportive and encouraging. I hope to provide this sense of belonging while teaching others the benefits and joy of Qigong and Tai Chi.
Rock Springs, WY
Phone: (307)-350-8823
Email: wyowindstaichi@gmail.com
Adriene Douglas
Certified Level 1 24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Instructor
Adriene began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a Massage Therapist in 2008. She has continued her studies in TCM through clinical and process acupressure with Aminah Raheem, Qi Gong with Dr. Roger Jahnke, Kenneth Cohen, and Bill Pickett. Adriene is certified in several of the Tai Chi for Health programs and has studied directly with Dr. Paul Lam, studying Sun and Yang style. She has studied in depth with Becky Rahe in Sun style, Yang style, and 24 Postures. Adriene has also been a student of Moy Yat Wing Chun Kung Fu with Steve Creel since 2015 and currently a student of Francis Fong Wing Chun and other martial art forms. Adriene is also an instructor and practitioner of Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan.
Adriene has a B.A.S. in Massage Therapy and has continued education in modalities such as Acupressure, Cranio-Sacral therapy, Zero Balancing, Orthobionomy, Oncology Massage, Medical Massage, Neuromuscular and Trigger Point therapies; with certifications in Acupressure and Trigger Point Therapy. She is nationally board certified through BCTMB and licensed in the states of Alabama and California.
Email: Adriene.douglas@gmail.com
Susan Lucas, M.D.
Certified 24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Instructor Trainer (Level 3)
Susan's journey as a Tai Chi player began in 2011 as a student of Sifu Bill Pickett. She has never looked back; crafting a personal practice of the internal arts which she uses as a path to living in right relationship with her self on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Susan's passion is reacquainting people with their nature as whole beings and helping them make contact with and work in the infinite field of energy in which we exist. Susan draws from her knowledge of the physical body as a physician and the energy body from her studies of Tai Chi, Qigong, meditation and Reiki. Using these tools she empowers students to find transformative energy for their journeys to optimal well-being.
Email: amindfuldoctor@gmail.com
Stuart Franklin
Certified 24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Instructor (Level 1)
Stuart has been studying and using alternative health practices since the early 70s, when he learned about organic gardening and farming. He authored one of the firsts books on organic lawn care in 1988. He has certificates in Iridology, Kinesiology, and EFT (a form of energy psychology).
Stuart has been practicing tai chi since 2003 and became a Certified 24 Posture Qigong instructor in 2017.
Email: sbfnature@gmail.com
Linda Pickett
24 Postures Level 2 Instructor
Linda has been studying tai chi and qigong since 1990 where she found the calmness and grounding of the practice was very beneficial in her stressful job. She has been teaching classes with her husband Bill since 2000 in Knoxville TN.
She first found 24 Postures Therapeutic Qigong in 2009 in a class with Grand Master Helen Wu and again in similar class in 2012 with Grand Master Wen-Ching Wu.
Linda began a regular practice and she was certified by Sifu George Picard as a Level II Instructor in 2018.
Linda is also a Senior Trainer in Dr. Paul Lam's Tai Chi for Health Institute where she regularly assists Bill with organizing workshops in many modalities and both are now considered international instructors. She enjoys meeting new people and working toward facilitating a comfortable environment in which they can learn.
Knoxville, TN
Email: Lpickett@tds.net
Byron H. Cole
Started attending a Tai Chi class at a branch of the local YMCA in 2016. Was introduced to Sifu Bill Pickett in 2017. Earned TCHI’s TCA series certification in 2018 and now teach Tai Chi at the Y where I started. Was introduced to 24 Postures Therapeutic Qigong in 2021 by Sifu Pickett. I look forward to more in depth study and practice of this discipline and sharing it with others.
Chattanooga, TN e-mail: bpcole68@comcast.net
Jim Malia
Certified 24 Postures Therapeutic Qigong Instructor (Level 1)
I have been learning and practicing various Tai Chi and Qigong forms since the fall of 2011. I had broken my neck in a bicycle accident and could no longer do my usual exercise routines. At the urging of my wife and daughter, I enrolled in a Yang-24 class being taught by Bill and Linda Pickett. I learned the 24 form and then several of Dr. Paul Lamb’s Tai Chi for Health routines, all under the tutelage of Bill and Linda. I first learned Therapeutic Qigong, the 20-form version, in 2012, at a workshop with Wen-Ching Wu. I continued learning and practicing the 24-form version of the routine with the guidance of a Helen Wu DVD and later Bill Pickett’s instruction when he became a certified instructor. And for the past two years I have participated in George Picard’s Tuesday/Thursday evening Therapeutic Qigong class via Zoom.
I became a TCHI certified instructor and began teaching TCHI routines in 2015 at a local senior center. I stopped teaching during the pandemic, but started again in the summer of 2021 at the main senior center in Knoxville. Most recently I began teaching a 24-Posture Therapeutic Qigong class at the center.
Knoxville, Tennessee e-mail:
jmalia1@utk.edu
Bunny Nash - Louisville, KY
Bunny has spent her career supporting youth living with challenging situations & adversity. She is a trainer & facilitator in Safe Crisis Management, challenge education, positive behavioral strategies, and trauma informed brain aligned practices. Over the last 15 years she has been pursuing her passion of understanding the science related to trauma, stress, resilience and mindfulness. Bunny came to find the power of mindfulness practices in her personal & professional life as she explored ways to support youth in managing their stress, emotions, & challenging life experiences.
In addition to earning a Masters in Counseling, teaching licensure, special education and educational leadership certifications, Bunny has completed her Applied Educational Neuroscience Certification, is a trainer through the Community Resilience Initiative, & is an ACE Interface Master Trainer. As Bunny’s understanding in the connection of mindfulness practices to health & wellbeing grew, she expanded her training in mindfulness & meditation. Bunny has received certifications through the Earth & Spirit Center’s Mindfulness Meditation Training Program, Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention, & 24 Postures Therapeutic Qigong. Bunny teaches classes related to meditation in motion, the science of stress & the practice of mindfulness at the Louisville based Earth and Spirit Center. Bunny is also a mentor through the ESC’s Mindfulness Mentor’s program where she has the opportunity to facilitate groups in mindfulness practices for under-resourced populations in the community.
Email: bunnynash54@gmail.com
Scotti Greco Rodgers, E-RYT Yoga Teacher training, 200 hour Circle Yoga Shala, Jasper, Arkansas and 200 hour Wild Lotus Yoga Soul School, New Orleans, Louisiana and Certified Level 1- 24 posture Wu Yi Jie He QiGong Instructor.
Scotti began sharing her passion for fitness, health and wellness in her late teens as a swimming teacher and lifeguard and later by becoming a certified aerobics instructor in the 80’s. Her evolution in the fitness world led her to become a certified STEP aerobics instructor and personal trainer. Wanting more than only teaching aerobic exercise programs, she began teaching yoga in the mid 90’s and in 2002 she and her husband opened a yoga studio, Lotus in the Pines, LLC located in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
She is also trained the the Usui System of Reiki Healing - 2nd degree, Thai-Yoga bodywork, Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Tai Chi and is a licensed massage therapist. She took Bill and Linda Pickett’s QiGong workshop in early March of 2024 and knew then that she wanted to continue training to become certified so she could share this healing art with others. This QiGong training has reignited her passion for sharing and Scotti says it is a health and wellness modality she can do the rest of her life.
Bill and Corinne Barnes
Certified 24-Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Level 2 Instructors
Bill and Corinne met and married in Sacramento, California. They moved to Binghamton, NY, where they lived, worked and raised 3 children. In 2014, after the children left the nest, Corinne retired from 20 years of teaching and they decided to leave the cold winters behind and move to a big retirement community in Florida where Bill continued to work remote. Here in Florida is where Corinne started her Tai Chi/Qigong journey. Her first step was joining the Qigong Club and was exposed to different styles of qigong. She also joined the Tai Chi/Qigong Energy class where she learned the 24-form Tai Chi Yang style. After 5 years in Florida, they followed their heart and moved to North Carolina (NC) to be near their first grandchild. This is where they were introduced to the 24-Posture Therapeutic Qigong at the local Community Center. With the onset of the COVID-19 virus and suspension of in-person classes they found Sifu George Picard online and began their journey towards instructor training. In 2021 after 32 years as a Software Engineer Bill decided to join Corinne in retirement. Their lifelong goal is to share the 24-posture qigong in their local community as well as online as they perform the postures during their hiking travels throughout the world.
Live in Holly Springs, North Carolina, USA
Phone: 352-661-0871
Ken Frankel
Ken Frankel began practicing qigong with Dr. George Love on the beach in Boca Raton, FL in 2001. He received certification to teach from Dr. Love in 2006. He subsequently completed a 200 hour medical qigong practitioner training at the Academy for Five Element Acupuncture Acupuncture in Hallandale, FL, and a 200 hour Qigong and Tai Chi teacher training with Dr. Roger Jahnke in Santa Barbara, CA. He completed additional shorter certification trainings with Master Wing Cheung, Michael Winn, Master Ou Wen Wei, Shifu Michael Rinaldini, and Chapur Rinpoche. In 2016 he discovered the 24 Posture Therapeutic Qigong, and considers it to be one of the best qigong forms that he's encountered. He came to the Village for certification training in 2017, and was re-certified in 2022.
Boca Raton, Florida
Email: dainin@bellsouth.ne
A.J. Bowman - Asheville, NC
Certified Level 1 24 Postures Wu Yi Jie He Therapeutic QiGong Instructor
A.J. is a retired Physical Therapist Assistant and a former Licensed Massage Therapist. She started learning Tai Chi in 2015 by attending classes with TCHI Certified Instructors, Anne and Bob Plyler. In 2016 she received her first TCHI Instructor Certification after attending a workshop lead by Bill and Linda Pickett. She has also studied Yang 24 Forms and Shibashi 18 with Bill and Linda Pickett. She received her Instructor Certification for TCA 1 and 2 in 2017. A.J. is also a Certified Instructor in several other forms of Dr. Paul Lam’s TCHI programs.
Currently she teaches TCA 1, TCA 2 and Yang 24 Forms at various locations around Asheville North Carolina.
Email: ajbowman1@gmail.com
Larry McGowan - Morristown, TN
Been practicing Tai Chi for 20 some years. Began in earnest with Taoist Tai Chi Yang style. Learned the Sun style Tai Chi for Arthritis and became an instructor in 2017. Currently, teaching two classes. Recently certified to teach 24 Therapeutic Qigong Level One. Thanks to Jim Perdue who introduced me to Qigong and Bill and Linda Pickett for mentoring me through the certification process.
Email: larrym3047@gmail.com
Kathy Metropulos has practiced various forms of martial arts over the past 30 years. She began with Isshyn-Ryu Karate in 1991, and became a national silver and bronze medalist in kata (forms), short and long weapons, and sparring. She received her firstdegree black belt rank in 1995, and third-degree rank in 2007. She competed internationally on Team USA’s elite adult team in competition with Canada in June 2006. Kathy began studying Tai Chi in 1992 at her Isshyn-Ryu dojo. Throughout the 1990s she attended several Tai Chi/Chi Gung workshops taught by internationally renowned Master George Ling Hu. She implemented Lunchtime Tai Chi at her workplace in 2007, and taught this class through 2011. In 2008, Kathy was experiencing joint pain aggravated by excessive kicking, and switched to Kung Fu and Tai Chi classes at the Twinsburg Academy of Self-Defense, where she studied for ten years. After a few years she was invited into the advanced Kung Fu class. The combination of strength from the Kung Fu and the flowing movements of Tai Chi enabled Kathy to maintain her practice of hard-style martial arts for another decade. She was awarded the title Sifu of Tai Chi in 2015.During the pandemic, Kathy discovered the Tai Chi for Health Institute and began taking the online lessons. She became a certified instructor in 2021, and taught online for many months. In 2022, she came down with a serious illness, and used Tai Chi and Qigong to support her return to health. She discovered the 24-Postures Therapeutic Qigong to be one of the most powerful practices to rebuild strength and health. Kathy currently teaches in-person and online.
Mary Velikan
Certified 24 Posture Wu Yi Jie He Qigong Level 2 Instructor
Mary started Martial Arts in 1986 taking Karate classes with her children and is now a Level 2 24 Postures Therapeutic Qigong Instructor and a TCHI Instructor. As a trained Peacemaker she utilizes Qigong postures and practices in healing relationships.
Ypsilanti MI
Phone: 231-633-636
Maureen Caldwell
Maureen has been teaching some form of Group Exercise for 30 years, Tai Chi specifically for 16 or so years. She went back to College for another degree in her 50’s this time as a Physical Therapist Asst. She incorporates her knowledge of PT, Group Ex. In her classes. She’s been looking for a Medical Qigong for years and is elated to have found The 24 Therapeutic Postures, thank you Bill Pickett. She strives to bring better quality of life to all, through our minds, bodies and spirits.
Nancy Carrington - Louisville, KY
Certifications in: Qigong for Health, Tai Chi for Arthritis I and II, Tai Chi for Fall Prevention and Tai Chi for Energy. Most recently I was certified for Level 1 of 24 Therapeutic Postures Qigong. Other trainings include Shibashi I workshops and Five Element Qigong.
After retiring from working with nonprofits for many years, Nancy began exploring various exercises programs. Becoming dissatisfied with jogging and various forms of weight training, yoga seemed to hold her interest. Realizing yoga was slower, more internal, and had more purposeful movements, she began to explore Tai Chi. This resulted in teaching at a swim club/fitness center. There she began adding and falling in love with Qigong. The class then evolved into a mixture of Tai Chi and Qigong.
The feedback from the participants was very positive so another class of Qigong was added which focused on older folks who were recovering from surgery, people who had never exercised and wanted more energy, those who had done muscle building exercises but wanted to learn relaxation, and those who might be battling a long-term illness. Being introduced to 24 Therapeutic Qigong through Master Trainer Bill Pickett began a journey to bring this gentle, mindful practice to these class members. Positive outcomes began flowing with folks feeling better and enjoying the movements. After receiving Level I certification, 24 Therapeutic Postures is now the core and the class has found a community for health, healing, and longevity through movements that fit all ages and health ranges.
As learning continues through the support of George Picard, Bill Pickett and many others, the 24 Therapeutic Postures has become a large part of the curriculum. It will also be taught in Fall 2023 as Meditation in Motion session cohosted by myself and another facilitator certified in the 24 Postures.
Email: nancarringtonbn@hotmail.com
Marie Andresen, MD
24 Posture Therapeutic Qigong, Level 1
Marie became interested in Qigong through her work as a physician - Preventive and Integrative Medicine and Psychiatry research - where the link between the mind and body was evident. She then embarked on her journey to become a teacher of mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, and qigong. Marie teaches only evidence-based complementary strategies. Mindfulness and meditative movements are an integral part of her life.
Diane Ramftl
Certified 24 Postures Therapeutic Qigong Instructor (Level 1)
Diane was introduced to Tai Chi and Qigong following a serious accident. Even after two surgeries and physical therapy she could not regain her balance. Taking a Tai Chi class helped her to begin to regain her balance and strength. The power of these practices inspired Diane to become a Tai Chi and Qigong instructor. She has always had a keen interest in health, wellness and preventive care. Diane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health and is a Level 1 Integral Qigong Teacher with the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi. She is also a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, New Jersey and President of the non-profit Healer Within Foundation. Diane teaches both virtual and in-person classes in the South Jersey area with the majority of her students being seniors. Diane is passionate about sharing these self -healing mind, body, spirit practices with her community.
Email: chiflow@yahoo.com
Website: chiflowforhealth.com