Issue 37 - Tse Qigong Centre

If there is anything you want to discuss, if there is anything you want to share withothers, any news or any announcements you would like to make, send them to us:Qi Magazine, PO Box 116, Manchester M20 3YN.Tribute to Bao Nai-JianIn the early hours of the 12 th ofFebruary 1998, Bao Nai-Jian was taken illand died suddenly.Known to many simplyas Bao, he brought relief to those sufferingfrom all manner of injuries and illnessesthrough his skill as a practitioner ofTraditional ChineseMedicine. He was alsowidely reputed as a taiji teacher.Bao was born in the Chinese cityof Tianjin, on February 26 th 1936. Hisfather, an enthusiastic practitioner ofmartial arts and Traditional ChineseMedicine, introduced his son to bothskills. At school, Bao showed earlypromise of his future brilliance ingymnastics, and at age 16 he becamethe youngest member of the ChineseNational Gymnastic Team. He wenton to become the all-roundgymnastics champion of China for 8year. He was the first Chinesegymnast ever to take the gold medalin an international competition, andwas named the first ever “Master ofSport”, the highest honour given to asports person in China.In 1962, Bao became aChinese NationalGymnastics Coach,going on to train many medalwinninggymnastsin his own country,and later in countries around theworld, including Indonesia, Iraq andIceland. He also doubled as teamphysician on many occasions.On January 1 st 1964 Baomarried Men Xiao Min, who was alsoa memberof theNational GymnasticsTeam and together they continuedtheir career as coachesin internationalgymnastics. At the time of theCultural Revolution, like many otherQi Magazine 4‘international’ Chinese, they were sent tothe countryside for ‘re-education’.In 1986, Bao obtained one of thefirst private passports ever issued in Chinaand brought his family – now includingdaughter Bao Jie and son Bao Feng- toEngland. For the next 6 years, Bao andMen taught gymnastics at Port RegisSchool near Shaftesbury in Dorset which,during their time there, became on of thebest schools in Britain for gymnastics,producing exceptionalcompetition resultsand a national gold medallist. In 1991, theQueen visited the school to open the newgymnasium, the interior of which wasdesigned by Bao.During his time at Port RegisSchool, Bao was persuaded to teach taiji.He also used his extensive knowledge ofphysiology and Traditional ChineseMedicine in the treatment of sportsinjuries. Word of his skill spread and soonhe was spending as much time treatingpatients as he was teaching gymnastics.In 1987 Bao and Men set up theLung Fei Taiji Club, which introducedhundreds of people to the unique art iftaiji. Five years later, Bao moved toShaftesbury to open a full time clinic,where he practisedtraditional Chinesetreatments, including acupunctureand therapeuticmassage. Shortly afterthis, he returned to China to gain thehighest qualifications available inacupuncture and related healingtechniques. He treated hundreds ofpatients, from all walks of life, manyof whom travelled from distant partsof the country. Countless letters ofgratitude testify to his success andoutstanding skill.Bao was loved and respectedby his friends all over the world.Gymnasts, coaches, and martial artsmasters from China and othercountries made a point of coming tohis home in Shaftesbury to visit thischampion of champions. He will besorely missed by many, and hismemory will remain with those whocount themselves fortunate to haveknown him.byPatrick HarriesQi Magazine would like to offer itscondolances to all of Bao Nai-Jian’sfamily, students and friends.