Poughkeepsie Tai Chi Master Becomes World Champion and Holds 5 Titles Simultaneously

It has been an incredible year for Master Jesse Thundermoon of Complete Reality Tai Chi, beginning with his win in May at the 7th World Kuo Shu Tournament in Rome, Italy, making him the World Bagua Weapons Champion. That win was quickly followed up with three gold medals at the China Open Tournament in D.C. in July: Yang style Taiji Champion, Baguazhang Champion, and Bagua Weapons Champion, as well as a Gold in July at the U.S. Kuo Shu Tournament where he became a 2-time U.S. Bagua Weapons Champion.

Master Thundermoon is a top student of Master Li Chunling, the 4th generation Cheng style Baguazhang lineage holder, and the late Master C.K. Chu. and a daily practitioner since 1998. He has taught hundreds of students Tai Chi and Qigong in New York City at C.K. Chu Tai Chi and the Tai Chi Chuan Center of New York. He was a founding instructor of the popular Bryant Park Tai Chi program.

For those unfamiliar with the various practices, Tai Chi (moving meditation in the form of gentle exercises that create harmony between body, mind, and breath), Qigong (simple healing movements coordinated with the breath), and Bagua (a Chinese internal martial art focused on walking a circle) have extraordinary health benefits, reducing stress, anxiety and chronic pain, while increasing strength, relaxation, energy, balance and flexibility.

Master Thundermoon came to the practice first out of curiosity and then had wonderous results. He explains, “I was fascinated by the ‘Bagua sword’ and found myself thinking about it over and over and so I eventually looked into it and found a style and teacher that appealed to me. Later I sought and received guidance from Master Li Chunling. I began training daily and six years later entered and won the World Championship and US Championship twice. My goal is to inspire others to learn more about these healing arts, which strengthen the body, heart and spirit.”

Master Thundermoon began teaching in 2001 and while he is proud of his own accomplishments, some of his proudest moments have come from the success stories of his students’ healing. He instructs all ages and levels in the ancient practices of Tai Chi, Qigong and Bagua and their nearly miraculous benefits mostly in Poughkeepsie.

The accolades he has received as a teacher are widespread. Students have reported relief from chronic pain, hand and knee injuries, tendonitis, and even high blood pressure.

“When I was 9, I was in an accident that left me with an injured knee which never healed to the point that it was difficult to walk stairs. I also had hand pain so severe that it limited the use of my hands and disrupted my sleep. At the first class I was given Qigong specifically for hands, and the relief was immediate. I now have full use of my hands and I sleep soundly. After several months of Taiji and Qigong I found my knee became much stronger, to the point where I am now able to walk stairs in normally,” stated Karen A.

Free Tai Chi is a public outreach program offered by Master Thundermoon’s school, Complete Reality Tai Chi, to promote the health and spiritual benefits of the practice to the community. Free Tai Chi instructor Karen Abramson offers free classes through Dutchess County Department of Community and Family Services, and anyone interested can schedule a visit to Complete Reality Tai Chi or join the free classes at the Boardman Library on Fridays at 10:00 a.m.

Forever grateful to the masters he has learned from, he adds, “I thank my teachers Master Li Chunling and the late Master C.K. Chu for all they have given me. I want to pass on these treasures of health and longevity to all who wish to learn to heal, strengthen and find themselves. So I invite anyone curious about these arts to join me in walking the path to wellness and the Dao.”

For more information, visit https://completerealitytaichi.com/.

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Complete List of Awards held by Jesse Thundermoon:

2022 World Kuo Shu Bagua Weapons Champion

2022 China Open Yang Taijiquan Champion

2022 China Open Baguazhang Champion

2022 China Open Bagua Weapons Champion

2022 U.S. Kuo Shu Bagua Weapons Champion (2x)

2022 U.S. Kuo Shu Baguazhang Silver Medalist

2021 U.S. Kuo Shu Bagua Weapons Champion

2021 U.S. Kuo Shu Baguazhang Bronze Medalist

2019 U.S. Kuo Shu Bagua Weapons Silver Medalist

2019 U.S. Kuo Shu Baguazhang Bronze Medalist

2005 U.S. Kuo Shu Taijiquan Push Hands Bronze Medalist