Tom Bisio
Renowned internationally as a martial artist, Chinese medical practitioner, educator and author, Tom Bisio has taught martial arts since 1979. A licensed practitioner of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, from 1990-2015 Tom founded and directed a busy acupuncture clinic in New York City, specializing in trauma, Chinese sports medicine, and orthopedic conditions. In 2015 Tom took a sabbatical from clinical practice in order to write, teach and create online learning programs in martial arts, Qi Gong, and Chinese medicine.
Tom is founder of New York Internal Arts and Internal Arts International, which teach and promote the Chinese Internal Arts of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan and their connections to both Chinese medicine and the healing arts, and co-Founder of Zheng Gu Tui Na. In 2016 Tom created Practical Chinese Medicine, to teach courses in practical, hands-on Chinese medicine to hundreds of students across the United States, Canada and in Europe.
Biography
Tom Bisio began training in the martial arts at age 14, studying Isshin Kenpo Karate in high school, followed by intensive study of the Filipino martial arts, in Pekiti Tirsia Kali with Leo T. Gaje and Old Style Doce Pares (San Miguel Eskrima) with Filemon “Momoy” Canete. In 1979, Tom competed in full-contact stick fighting in Cebu, Philippines, where he was named Co-Champion in the Senior Instructor Division.
Beginning in 1984, Tom apprenticed in Chinese medicine and the internal styles of Chinese martial arts with Vince Black, and went on to apprentice with Chinese herbalists and experts in acupuncture, Qi Gong, Tui Na and Zheng Gu methods. Tom made numerous trips to China and South East Asia where he studied both medicine and martial arts with many different masters, including Li Gui Chang, Wang Shi Tong and Zhang Hua Sen, and his current teachers, Gao Ji Wu (Ba Gua Zhang), Zhao Da Yuan (Qin Na) and Song Zhi Yong (Xing Yi Quan).
Author of the popular book, A Tooth From the Tiger’s Mouth: How to Treat Your Injuries with Powerful Healing Secrets of the Great Chinese Warriors (Simon and Schuster), Tom has written numerous books on Chinese Internal Martial Arts, Qi Gong and meditation.
Tom has also collaborated with Chinese masters on a number of books, including The Essentials of Ba Gua Zhang (2007) and The Attacking Hands of Ba Gua Zhang (2010) with Master Gao Ji Wu. Tu Na Si Ba (2014) and The Xing Yi Quan of Master Li Gui Chang (2017) with Master Song Zhi Yong, and Practical Qin Na Volume 1 (2015) and Volume 2 (2016) with Master Zhao Da Yuan. In addition, Tom is co-author with Frank Butler on Zheng Gu Tui Na: A Chinese Medical Massage Textbook.
Tom’s most recent book is A Pearl From the Dragon’s Neck: Secret Revival Methods & Vital Points for Injury, Healing and Health from the Great Martial Arts Masters. For a complete list of books Tom has written, edited and translated, visit the Books & DVDs page.
Martial arts instructors Tom has trained with over the years:
- Scott Russell – Isshin Kempo
- Leo T. Gaje – Pekiti Tirsia Kali
- Filemon “Momoy” Canete – Old Style Doce Pares (San Miguel Eskrima)
- Dr. Vincent Black – Kajukenbo, Tang Shou Tao Xing Yi Quan, Liang Chen Pu Ba Gua Zhang, Jiang Rong Qiao Ba Gua Zhang, Yang Style Tai Ji Quan, Tui Na & Bonesetting
- Adriano Emperado – Kajukenbo
- Xu Hong Ji – Tang Shou Tao Xing Yi Quan
- Wang Shi Tong – Liang Chen Pu Ba Gua Zhang
- Zhang Hua Sen – Liang Chen Pu Ba Gua Zhang
- Gao Ji Wu – Gao Family Ba Gua Zhang
- Zhao Da Yuan – Liang Chen Pu Ba Gua Zhang, Qin Na
- Li Gui Chang – Shanxi Xing Yi Quan
- Song Zhi Yong – Shanxi Xing Yi Quan, Yang Style Tai Ji Quan
- Fu Shu Yun – Li Cun Yi Xing Yi Quan & Sun Lu Tang Ba Gua Zhang
- Lian Ke Quan – Li Cun Yi Xing Yi Quan
- Liu Wan Fu – Xing Yi & Jiang Rong Qiao Ba Gua Zhang
- Wong Shu Sheng – Gao Yi Sheng Ba Gua Zhang
- Ge Guo Liang – Gao Yi Sheng Ba Gua Zhang
- Liu Shu Hang – Gao Yi Sheng Ba Gua Zhang
