Professor Li Deyin is the most influential grandmaster on Jesse Tsao's Tai Chi and Wushu study. Master Tsao has spent 10 years of intensive study with Professor Li Deyin in Beijing, China. Professor Li is the primary author of the Standard Tai Chi Form 42, which became the first internationally standardized Tai Chi competition routine. He is the Vice President of the Chinese Wushu Association, and he served as Chief Judge at the 11th Asian Games. Below is the lineage for Professor Li Deyin:

 

 

Professor Li is the 3rd generation of famous masters from the Li family. His grandfather, Li Yulin, was the first generation to study martial arts. He learned Shaolin and "xing yi quan" from Li Cunyi and Hao Enguang; he learned Sun style Tai Chi and Bagua from Sun Lutang (the founder of Sun style Tai Chi); and he learned Yang style Tai Chi and Wudang sword from Li Jinglin (a disciple of Yang Jianhou). He became the president of the Shanghai Shangde Wushu Institute, the main coach of the Shandong Wushu Institute, and the publisher of Harbin Taijiquan Press. He gained the honorable title "Pioneer of Tai Chi" ® in Northeastern China.

 

Professor Li Deyin's father Li Tianchi became a doctor. He integrated wushu, medical science, and tuina (massage) in order to better treat his patients. His name and medical treatments became famous all over Harbin and Heilongjiang. Professor Li's uncle Li Tianji studied wushu from his father, Li Yulin, as well as from his father' s masters, Sun Lutang and Li Jinglin. He graduated from the Shandong Wushu Institute, became a college professor, the executive of the Harbin Wushu Federation, and the first chief coach of the China Wushu Team. Li Tianji has been memorialized as one of the 1st Ten Best Wushu Masters of China.

 

In 1956 Li Tianji created the first standardized Simplified Tai Chi Form 24 and Simplified Tai Chi Sword Form 32. Both routines opened the door of Tai Chi to novices and non-athletes, and both are now extremely popular all over the world. For this, he earned the title "Father of Contemporary Tai Chi"®

 

Professor Li Deyin began Tai Chi and Wushu training with his grandfather Li Yulin and uncle Li Tianji when he was only eight years old. Tai Chi and Wushu took him to all different regions and masters in China. He traveled to Shaolin Temple and Mount Wudang to study from advanced abbots; he sought out Master Li Jingwu to learn Chen style taijiquan, Master Xu Zhiyi to learn Wu style, Master Sun Jianyun to learn Sun style, and Master Hao Jiajun to learn Yang style and Push Hands.