About New York Internal Arts
紐約內家拳 New York Nei Jia Quan

New York Internal Arts (NYIA) was started by Tom Bisio in 1992. At that time classes were held in lower Manhattan. During the day, the space functioned as a clinic specializing in the treatment of trauma and sports injuries. In the evenings and weekends, classes in traditional Chinese medicine, qi gong, and internal martial arts were held late into the evening.

Since that time NYIA has evolved into a collective of martial arts instructors in the Tri-State area and abroad who teach and research the arts of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan. Many of these instructors are also practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine.

The orientation of the Chinese nei jia quan (internal school of martial arts) has always been 50% for health and 50% for self-defense. This orientation is reflected in the emphasis the internal martial arts place on correct posture and breathing, starting with the most primal human actions like sitting, standing and walking. This approach forms the foundation of both the health vitalizing aspects and the self defense aspects of Xing Yi, Ba Gua and the other internal arts. This foundation is in turn the platform for balanced development of the mind and body by training forms, nei gong and qi gong exercises, life nourishing techniques, fighting techniques, interactive partner exercises, throwing, seizing, kicking and striking skills as well as expertise with a variety of weapons. The theories and practice methods of the internal martial arts are congruent with the theories of traditional Chinese medicine. This allows students an entry point into using Chinese medicine as a tool for preserving and promoting health.

In order to offer practical, clinically effective skills in Chinese medicine to interested students, NYIA has partnered with Zheng Gu Tui Na, a company founded by Frank Butler and Tom Bisio. Zheng Gu Tui Na (www.zhenggutuina.com) offers classes in tui na (traditional Chinese medical massage), joint manipulation, treatment of trauma and injury with Chinese herbs, and qi gong for rehabilitation. The basic level classes require no previous training and are ideal for martial arts practitioners as well as sports trainers, physical therapists, acupuncturists, or anyone who has an interest in developing these skills.

The New York Internal Arts website will act as a resource, providing information on various aspects of the Chinese internal martial arts, qi gong, nei gong and other health exercises as well practical information on traditional Chinese medicine. It will also provide information on upcoming seminars on Ba Gua and Xing Yi, and ongoing classes in qi gong and nei gong. Our goal is to make these arts and exercises accessible to everyone, without mysticism or secrecy. Books, short articles, and interviews as well as t-shirts, training materials and other products are also accessible on this site.

About Tom Bisio

Tom Bisio began his study of the martial arts and Oriental medicine studying karate at age 14. A Black Belt in Isshin Kempo at 17, he continued his study of the martial arts while completing a BA in East Asian studies at Columbia University. During this period, Tom studied Filipino martial arts: Pekiti-Tirsia Kali under Leo T. Gaje and Old-Style Doce Pares Eskrima under the late Filemon "Momoy" Canete. He competed in full-contact tournaments in New York's Chinatown and tied for first place as Co-Champion in the Senior Instructor Division at the 1st National Arnis Championships in Cebu, Philippines, in 1979.

In 1984 Tom began to study Chinese medicine and Xing Yi Quan, Ba Gua Zhang and Tai Ji Quan with Vince Black. Mr. Black is the founder of the North American Tang Shou Tao Association (NATSTA), a national organization whose goal is to promote and research traditional Chinese martial arts and Chinese medicine. Tom also studied Kajukenbo with Vince Black and had the opportunity to train directly under the art’s founder, Adriano Emperado. As a representative, and later as President of the NATSTA, Tom took numerous trips to China and South East Asia where he studied both medicine and martial arts with many different masters including: Zhang Hua Sen, Wong Shu Tong (Liang Chen Pu Ba Gua Zhang); Gao Ji Wu (Beijing Gao Gamily Ba Gua); Li Gui Chong and Song Zi Yong (Song Shi Rong Xing-Yi); Wong Shu Sheng, Ge Guo Liang, Liu Shu Hang and Li Xue Yi (Gao Yi Sheng Ba Gua Zhang). Tom also studied Xing Yi and Ba Gua with Liao Wan Fu (Tian Jin) and Fu Shu Yen (Taiwan).

Tom has taught martial arts since 1978. During that time he apprenticed with Chinese herbalists and experts in acupuncture, Qi Gong, Chinese massage (tui na) and bonesetting. He went on to become a licensed practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine.

Tom has been a guest lecturer at the Tri-State College of Acupuncture and the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine, as well the graduate program of Oriental Medicine at Touro College. Today Tom heads a busy clinic that specializes in trauma and sports injuries. There he oversees and trains other acupuncturists and a constant stream of students from various acupuncture schools in the Tri-State area who come to observe and assist in the treatments.

Tom and his associate Frank Butler are the creators of Zheng Gu Tui Na, a system of orthopedic medicine, which they teach all over the country. Tom is the author of several books, including:

•	A TOOTH FROM THE TIGER'S MOUTH: How to Treat Your Injuries with Powerful Healing Secrets of the Great Chinese Warriors (Simon & Schuster, October, 2004)
•	THE ESSENTIALS OF BA GUA ZHANG, co-written with Gao Ji Wu (Trip Tych Enterprises, LLC, February, 2007)
•	ZHENG GU TUI NA, a textbook on Chinese medical massage, co-written with Frank Butler (Zheng Gu Tui Na, LLC, July, 2007)

Martial Arts Instructors

New York Internal Arts Affiliates

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