GABAR ACADEMY

BIO

Keith Thompson is a Certified Tai Chi Master Instructor by the American Tai Chi and Qigong Assoication. He was introduced to the Traditional Yang Style of Taijiquan in the summer of 1978 by Master Casey Lusk in Garfield Park on the west side of Chicago, Il. The training was in the 108 movement long-form, push hands, and self-defense techniques, emphasizing internal energy cultivation.In January 1984, Keith relocated to the big island of Hawaii, where he trained with New York-based Taijiquan Grandmaster William Chen, who taught in Hawaii periodically. Keith also studied Aikido with Tanaka Sensei and Karate with Ben Sensei in Hilo. He was a dancer
in the University of Hawaii at Hilo dance ensemble and a member of the university's surf team. At this time, he also began to practice Kundalini Yoga.The year after that, Keith moved to Honolulu on the island of Oahu to complete his undergraduate degree at the main campus of the University of Hawaii in Manoa valley. His training continued at the Chozen Ji Monastery in the back of Kalihi Valley. There, various martial arts were taught, along with zazen meditation, Japanese calligraphy, and zen philosophy.

That same year he began to study the Traditional Yang Style of Taijiquan with Master Sam Kekina and Sifu Peter Tam Hoy. Keith continued to perfect the 108 movement long-form, right handed and left handed, push hands, self-defense techniques, and internal energy cultivation. He also began to train in fast-forms, weapons, Da Lu, long staff, stick, Traditional Yang Style double edge sword, and the broadsword of the Tung family style. Keith also briefly studied Yang Style Taijiquan with T.Y. Pang. In 1987 Keith began training in Capoeria with Behia, Brazil based Mastre Carlos on Oahu.In 1991 Keith trained in Hong Kong. He also trained and taught students in Tokyo, Japan. In 1994 he moved from Honolulu, HI. to Los Angeles, CA. The following year he taught class in Italy as well. After that, Keith began practicing Power Yoga with Bryan Kest in Santa Monica, CA. In 2013 Keith finished graduate school earning a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree from the New York Film Academy in Universial City, CA.Since 1978 Keith has embarked on a lifelong journey of wellness through intense study and practice of a healthy dietary daily discipline, movement, exercise, sitting meditation, and the highest form of meditation, which is moving meditation in the form of Aikido, Yoga, and Taijiquan.

TAIJIQUAN

MOVEMENT
MEDITATION
MARTIAL ARTS
MASTER KEITH THOMPSON
A PRACTITIONER SINCE 1978
Learn self-defense while cultivating internal energy, promoting physical strength, increase flexibility and mental health. Taijiquan is proven to normalize blood pressure, improve circulation, and balance while regulating the nervous system. It is also a healing art that helps alleviate heart disease, arthritis, anemia, and hypertension while creating overall wellness, and a calm spirit.

TAJIQUAN

Taijiquan or Grand Ultimate Fisk is also known as Spiritual Kung Fu. It specializes in short and middle range fighting. This effective form of combat is an internal marshal art that develops health, balance, strength, and vitality.

YOGA

Yoga is a mental, physical, and spiritual discipline that enhances flexibility, strength, concentration, stress-relief, and relaxation

Keith in Chennai, India 2015

PERSONAL TRAINER

Train to lose weight, fine tune body sculpting, and increase overall wellness. This monastery excise based training system also includes a personalized dietary plan for each individual client. This program is a proven method for obtaining significant weight loss goals.

Keith in Honolulu, Hawaii 1988

CLASSES

For taijiquan classes, yoga classes, or personal training contact the email address below.

Keith in Honolulu, Hawaii 1991