Glenn Cumiskey

BSc Traditional Chinese Medicine: Acupuncture, MBAcC

Glenn Cumiskey began his journey into the healing and energetic practises of the East as early as 1979 through his initial involvement with the Japanese martial arts tradition.   This exposure awakened in him a life-long interest in the concept of 'Ki' or 'life force'.  In later years, through a series of fortuitous meeting with advances practitioners of the Chinese healing and martial arts, this interest would mature and a serious study of 'Chi' (as the Chinese term it), and acupuncture would begin.

Following a number of years training in a variety of martial arts and sports from 1979 to 1995 that included Aikido, Western boxing, and Wing Tsun, Glenn met his primary teacher Shi DeLon.  His friendship with, and tutelage under Sifu Shi DeLon began while learning the Shaolin shorthand system of Southern Mantis.

This relationship has continued and developed over the years with an increased emphasis on the healing traditions of China, specifically Chi Gung, Tai Chi and Acupuncture.  In 2001 it led to Glenn being accepted as a Shaolin laymonk in the Shaolin Temple, Henan province, China under Sifu Shi DeLon in the lineage of the great Buddhist master and old Abbot of the Temple, Sifu Shi SuXie.  This honour has only ever been offered to a few non-Chinese.  Glenn owes a wealth of gratitude to Sifu Shi DeLon for the intense and continuing impact he has on his journey.
The Old Abbot of Shaolin and Shi DeLon training in one of the temple's courtyards

Glenn's other primary teacher is Master Bruce Kumar Frantzis, whom he first studied with in 1999.  Master Frantzis is possibly one of the only non-Chinese holders of a genuine Taoist lineage in the World.  He is perhaps the greatest English language articulator of the often mysterious traditions of Taoist meditation, internal martial arts, and Chi Gung.

Glenn would also like to acknowledge a debt of gratitude for the knowledge generously shared by two of Bruce Frantzis' senior students, Isaac Kamins and Fred Gordon.

More recently Glenn has been extremely fortunate to train with Steve Cotter in aspects of both Strength & Conditioning and the internal martial art of Hsing-I.  Steve is perhaps one of the best of a new breed of teachers who, although coming from a traditional internal arts background, can express their ideas in concepts immediately comprehensible to Westerners.  Steve continues to be an outstanding ambassador for not only the esoteric internal traditions of the East, but also the well-established and highly researched exercise sciences of the West.

Steve Cotter (to the right in white) trains the Mission Support Team for the Navy Seals, San DiegoGlenn has also been fortunate to meet and train with boxing coach to the Irish Olympic Boxing Team, Nicholas Cruz Hernandez, Chen style grandmaster Sifu Chen ZhengLi, Chen style adept Sifu Sam Sun, Wing Tsun grandmaster Sifu Leung Ting, Shaolin Monk Shi YanZi, Chi Gung and Hsing-I adept Frank Allen, Chen style grandmaster Sifu Gou KongJie, and Wu Style Tai Chi adept Michael Acton and his teacher, grandmaster Li LiQun.  While some of this training has been of varying lengths and quality, all of these teachers have made a significant impact on Glenn due to their dedication and love for the arts which they teach.

More recently Glenn has been fortunate to train in the field of self-protection with Tony Somers and Matty Evans.  Both of these instructors have an unprecedented record in this field and it is an association which Glenn hopes to continue into the future.  He is also currently undergoing accreditation with one of the largest civilian contractors to the U.S. military in hand-to-hand combat; this process should be completed early in 2008.