About Us

The Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego is a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching of Taijiquan, Qi Gong and Taoist meditation, Taoist philosophy and Traditional Chinese Healing methods. The school was founded in 1975, and is directed by Bill Helm, Taoist Priest, Chinese medical practitioner and martial artist.

Bill and Allison Helm are the senior instructors at the Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego. Both are 20th generation indoor disciples of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, the 19th generation lineage holder of Chen Family Taijiquan. Bill and Allison were awarded 6th Duan Wei certificates by the Chinese Wushu Association in April, 2011, at the historical Duan Wei testing offered for the first time in Chenjiagou, the birthplace of Taijiquan. Bill and Allison are deeply committed to carrying on the traditions of the Chen family, and their teaching style reflects Grandmaster Chen’s mentoring and strong desire to spread Taijiquan throughout the world.

Bill Helm is a long time student and teacher of Qi Gong. Over the years he has mastered many systems, and teaches a variety of these exercises at the Sanctuary, with each session focusing on a seasonally appropriate system.

The Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego is a 501(c) non-profit organization and gratefully accepts financial contributions. All donations are tax-deductible. The Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego welcomes all students regardless of belief, race, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin.

I started out as a student and now I’m an instructor! The instructor program is amazing and taijiquan is very important part of my life. So is the “Sanc”!

Janie K.