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Rick began studying traditional Japanese Karate in the mid ‘60s under Cal Avila and Rod Sanford in an old labor camp barracks outside Watsonville, California. By the late ‘60s, the group joined O’Sensei Richard Kim’s Zen Bei Butokukai headquartered at the San Francisco Chinese YMCA. Under Sensei Kim, Rick studied Shorinji-Ryu Karate, for which he holds a Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt. The training also included Kobudo, Aiki-Jujutsu, Tai Chi Ch’uan and Chi Gung. Most inspiring was Sensei Kim’s weekend after-class lectures on spiritual philosophy and the colorful characters of martial arts history.

By the late ‘70s, Rick’s international business career landed him in Europe. During one memorable year, between jobs, he trained diligently in Paris, France with Sensei Richard Lee, head of Butokukai Europe. Under Sensei Lee he studied kumite free-fighting techniques, in particular sweeps and focused attacks, to which he put to good use by taking 3nd place in the Butokukai All European Kumite Competition.

On returning to California in the mid ‘80s, intrigued by Taoist philosophy, Rick refocused his training on the internal martial arts: Chi Gung, Tai Chi Chuan, and Meditation.

Rick first became intrigued with Taoist philosophy and Tai Chi in the mid-‘80s when he came across the “Tao Te Ching”, the Taoist bible, and the simple passage: “The Soft overcomes the Hard.” Taken at the physical, mental and social levels, this concept had considerable possibilities. There was also a brief quote from one of the reputed Taoist sages that convinced him of his direction with Tai Chi:” The idea, after all, is to live a long and healthy life.”

He began exploring the Tai Chi world in San Francisco. Many talented instructors were available for guidance; from the stylized form of Bing Jiang, to the soft chi development of Sifu Fung Ha and the depth of experience and knowledge of Bruce Kumar Franzis.

By the early ‘90s Rick’s international business career landed him in the Saudi oil fields. During vacation breaks he was able to extend his Tai Chi studies with trips to China, Malaysia and the U.S. Master Yuanming welcomed him to his beautiful Taoist center in the foothills of Chengdu, China, while Master T.K. Shih introduced him to the subtle chi healing arts in upstate New York.

It wasn’t until he ventured to Penang Malaysia in the late ‘90s that he first glimpsed the deeper levels of Tai Chi. Warm, kindly Mr. Lim Chee Choong opened his eyes with his pet phrase: “One comes, one goes”; while Sifu Leng Wei Hoong introduced him to the soft (soong) push hands techniques that are the underlying basis of inner peace. Both these esteemed gentlemen were direct linenage students of Chen Man ch’ing; a noted instructor from the Yang Cheng-Fu School in Shanghai of the 1920s and 30s.

By 2004, Rick settled in Phuket. He built a home & garden from which he teaches students eager to study the deeper meanings of a truly remarkable martial art.