Frank helps students
realize the internal forces of the five elements of Hsing I through practice,
instead of just imagining these energies.
Johnnie Roads“Finding a teacher of Internal Martial Arts is slowly getting easier to do. But finding one who is still passionate and involved in developing their chosen arts is becoming harder. If you get to see Lao Shi Frank Allen at the Healing Tao courses that is what you get, a very motivated and able teacher whose enthusiasm and generosity inspires you to try to get better. I traveled from Germany to see Frank for the first time in 2000 and it was at those two week courses that I noticed Frank’s enthusiasm for the Arts he teaches and his skills as a teacher. He teaches everyone beginner to more advanced in a relaxed, informal, but very informative atmosphere. I was so happy to find him that less than four month later I returned to New York to train with him at his school in Manhattan. Since 2001 Frank Allen has also come to my school as a guest instructor for Ba Gua Zhang, Hsing I Chuan and Nei Gung at least once but normally twice a year. If you are looking for a teacher who can teach the health, meditative and martial aspects of the Chinese Internal Martial Arts I can highly recommend participation in one of Lao Shi Allen’s courses.”
Jamie Dibdin“I learned that Frank Allen was teaching week long Internal Arts Retreats through Healing Tao and wanted to attend the 2001 retreat, but could not. For the previous 6 months I had been in a condition that doctors could not diagnose. I was experiencing weight loss and weakness due to unending diarrhea and antibiotics, dietary changes and other medical treatments had no effect. Feeling too weak to participate in a retreat, I decided not to register. My condition continued for another year and I gave up on doctors, gastro-intestinal specialist and treatments. In 2002, I decided to attend Frank’s Wu Tai Chi Retreat, regardless of my situation. The Wu form that he teaches is from the B.K. Frantzis system and is known for it’s healing benefits as well as martial attributes. During the week of intense instruction, my weakness and diarrhea continued. I was exhausted at the end of each day, but I practiced before and after class. I enjoyed doing the Wu form and I think it may have helped me from deteriorating even more. I tried to practice every day and within 2 days after I returned home, my condition started to improve. Within 2 weeks I felt healthy again. I was practicing only 10 – 15 minutes a day, yet I felt certain that Frank’s instruction brought me back to wellness. For the next year I was able to work regular hours and duties again. My normal weight returned and I had no more diarrhea or weakness. Not even temporary set backs plagued me. I continued my study with Frank through private lessons at his NYC studio. I received Tai Chi corrections, learned some Chi Gung exercises and started some basic Ba Gua movements. I decided that I was healthy enough to attend Frank’s Ba Gua Retreat in 2003. Ba Gua is decidedly more rigorous than Tai Chi. The Ba Gua Retreat was truly exhilarating for me. After the second day, I started to feel very energized during the daily sessions. This exhilaration stayed with me after practices. It was a feeling of being ‘strong’. While Wu Tai Chi gave me health, Ba Gua gave me strength. I continued to practice Tai Chi and Ba Gua on a regular basis. In 2004 I attended Frank’s Hsing I Retreat, for me an even more demanding Internal art. I practice all three along with the Chi Gung I learned from Frank. I continue private lessons with him several times a year at his studio in NYC. By the way, I live in Lancaster PA. A one hour session with Frank requires a 4 hour bus ride (there and back), subway rides and transfers and lots of time. A very long day indeed, but well worth it! Thanks Frank!”
Founder\Director Natural Movement Natural Motion Internal Arts Studio
Certified Wu Tang PCA Ba Gua Zhang And Hsing I Chuan Instructor
Certified Energy Arts Inc. Tai Chi Chuan And Nei Gung Instructor
2nd degree Black Belt SetiTanjo
FRANKFURT, GERMANY
Jim Keller“Frank Allen’s Healing Tao Retreats are the highlight of my summer! Sifu Allen possesses the rare ability to break down the complex internal arts into easy to understand lessons. The training is fun and highlighted with narration of the history of the internal arts and the players involved. His courses are beneficial to students of all levels and backgrounds, from beginners to advanced students of martial arts and meditation. The bottom line is we are fortunate to have access to someone with his level of knowledge and teaching skills.”
LANCASTER, PA.
Kate Majarov“It was a very enjoyable time to study with Frank. I was very impressed by his ability to teach both beginners and experienced people and everyone got what they needed. All the material was covered from health and meditation to martial applications. Everyone was closely supervised and gently corrected when needed. The morning Qigong training was a wonderful way to wake up and get ready for breakfast. In that intimate atmosphere you could ask any question on the Taoist Arts and know that you would get a sincere answer about the subject. My understanding of Tai Chi, Ba Gua and Hsing Yi increased dramatically during the retreats. This is the ideal way to learn and if you live in a place where good teachers are absent you will surely find them at Healing Tao Retreats! So my 3 weeks last summer were an unforgettable experience.”
Certified Tai Chi Instructor of 10 years
NYCMAC Internal Female Grand Champion 1998
B.A. East Asian Studies
FREDRICK, MD.
Tom Soerevik“Frank introduced me to tai chi and ba gua in 2001. I felt immediately that it was an important discovery, but I didn’t know where it would lead me to and I am still wondering…. Learning and practicing are progressing slowly since I have no instructor nor colleagues here in Belgium. Therefore it is always fun to meet and work together with Frank and Tina at Healing Tao in New York, or in Frankfurt, or Beijing. As Frank says at the end of a retreat I look different. I also feel inner changes at different levels: a better physical condition, emotionally relaxed, socially strengthened and spiritually aware. This is why I make the effort to continue to study ba gua with Frank and Tina. As I hope to find the facilities to share the arts with people over here, I am happy to hear that Frank is preparing an instructor training next summer. I hope that this summer retreat will attract a lot of people and I look forward to meeting you there. I also hope that my English is as exotic and understandable as my French.”
1st Dan Kyokushin Karate, former member of the Norwegian National Team
Healer, Cranio-Sacral, Bowen, Energy Psychology, Tibetan Bon Energy Healing, Qigong Therapist
NORWAY
“As a martial
artist I was interested in the health and physical benefits of the internal
Chinese martial arts but was skeptical of how much could be gained in a
five day course. Also, I knew nothing about Frank Allen. Over the 35 years
that I’ve trained in the martial arts I’ve run across many teachers with
big egos and attitudes, but not much else to offer. Fortunately I did not
let my skepticism prevent me from signing up. From the first session I
knew that Frank was the “real deal”. Despite his laid back, easy going
manner, he was extremely well organized and structured his teaching so
even those without previous martial arts training picked up complex moves
in a short time. By the end of the week my 50+ year old body was doing
moves I hadn’t been able to do in 10 years. Frank has an extensive knowledge
of the theory and history of the arts which were a great balance to the
physical training. Despite his dislike for the term, he is truly a master
teacher. I have since taken one of Frank’s courses each summer and am looking
forward to this year’s offering. I highly recommend any courses taught
by Frank Allen. He doesn’t disappoint.”
Douglas Nybell
MA, LPCC, NCC
7th degree black belt, Goshin Jitsu
OHIO
“Studying with
Frank Allen is a rare opportunity to learn from a real internal martial
artist with many years experience practicing as well as teaching. True
internal martial arts can only be taught by someone who understands the
many subtle principles and has developed them on their own through years
of practice. Sifu Allen is a very methodical teacher who has the ability
to explain the details of the internal martial arts in a way that can be
clearly understood. His approach has very defined stages that will lead
one to a higher level of ability. The full time emersion of studying at
the Healing Tao retreats helped me reach new depths in my Hsing I practice.
When you study all day for many days it really stays with you.”
Mark Tolstrup
4th Degree Black Belt, Shaolin Kempo Karate
Certified Wu Tang PCA Hsing I Chuan Instructor
Certified Healing Tao Instructor
Certified William C.C. Chen School Tai Chi Instructor
GLEN FALLS, NY.
“Sifu Frank Allen’s Healing
Tao Retreats are the perfect summer vacation for the Chinese Internal Arts
enthusiast. Sifu Allen possesses an unparalleled knowledge of the theory,
history and practice of the arts he teaches. He also has the rare ability
to communicate all of these aspects to his students in a clear and often
humorous manner. His teaching is geared to the level of the individual
student – so whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced practitioner
you will receive challenging training that will help you hone and advance
your art. The Healing Tao Staff, fellow students and amenities of the Geronimo
Center round everything out to make it all a great experience. I have spent
four summers with Sifu Allen at Healing Tao and plan on many more to come”
Tom Majarov
Assistant Tai Chi Instructor
Company member Maryland Ensemble Theatre
FREDRICK, MARYLAND