Mearl Thompson

MearlThompson has been practicing Tai Chi for 20 years, and martial arts for more than 30 years. In 2004, he founded the Ancient Harmony Tai Chi Chuan School in Denver, Colorado (�Ancient Harmony�). Certified to teach the Tai Chi for Arthritis guidelines set forth by Dr. Paul Lam, Mearl focuses his instruction on the health benefits of Tai Chi. Mearl offers weekly classes including Tai Chi for arthritis, martial applications in the Yang Form, push-hands, self-defense for women, and a no-cost program through the State of Colorado introducing Tai Chi to individuals recovering from substance abuse. Ancient Harmony provides low-cost Tai Chi instruction for members of the community, and serves as a forum for both local and national seminars, classes, and push-hands gatherings. In addition to Ancient Harmony, Mearl has been teaching Tai Chi classes at the City of Lakewood Department of Recreation for seven years. Mearl was certified as a Master Trainer for Tai Chi for Health in January of 2008. Prior to Mearl�s studies under Dr. Lam�s program, Mearl studied Tai Chi under Sifu Kay Kutch for 10 years. Between 1991 and 2000, Mearl studied Kung Fu San Soo with Masters Bob Newmann and Jerry Meyer. In 1997, he became a Second-Degree Black Belt in Kung Fu San Soo; and in 1994, Mearl opened a Kung Fu San Soo school in St. Louis, Missouri. Between 1979 and 1986, Mearl studied Indonesian Silat Serak with Grand Master Paul DeThours, and Masters Willem DeThours and Victor DeThours. Mearl is a regular speaker and writer for the Arthritis Foundation on the benefits of Tai Chi for arthritis. He was chosen by the Arthritis Foundation to lead a warm up and Tai Chi demonstration for the Spring 2005 Annual Walk for Arthritis in Denver, and has been asked, by popular demand, to return for the Spring 2006 Walk. Mearl regularly performs Tai Chi demonstrations at fairs and seminars. He is a member of the Tai Chi for Health Community and the Kung Fu San Soo Association of America. Mearl�s other interests include music and Chinese culture, including the benefits of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, tea, Qi Gong, and healthy diet. He has been playing drums in jazz and blues ensembles for 20 years.