A Remarkable Journey: From Marine Corps to Martial Arts and Healing – Dr. Hon Lee’s Story

Chi Force presents “Tai Chi and Qigong in America,” a webinar that explores the profound impact of these ancient Asian martial and health arts on American culture.

Our special guest, Dr. Hon Lee, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the conversation. He is a U.S. Marine combat veteran, Spring Forest Qigong Instructor, co-founder of Jow Ga Shaolin Institute, Acupuncturist, and Herbalist, and his book, “Paths Less Travelled of a Scholar Warrior (Spy) Teacher Healer,” tells the story of his daring journey through life, anchored to his practice of martial arts.

Asian martial and health arts have quietly become a substantial part of American culture, even though their influence is not always recognized. This live discussion aims to shed light on the growing presence of Tai Chi and Qigong in the United States, and how these practices have been embraced by people from all walks of life. Together, we will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Asian martial and health arts, and their enduring impact on the American landscape.

In this interview, Dr. Hon Lee shared his fascinating journey from the streets of New York’s Chinatown to becoming a martial arts master, CIA officer, and Chinese medicine practitioner. His story exemplifies how Asian martial arts and healing practices have become deeply woven into American culture.

Growing up in New York’s Chinatown, Lee’s martial arts journey began with street fights and his uncle’s homemade healing liniments. After studying Japanese martial arts in high school, he continued his training through college and his time in the Marine Corps. A pivotal moment came when he discovered a kung fu school in DC’s Chinatown while working for the CIA.

During his 20-year overseas career with the CIA, Lee used martial arts as a bridge to build relationships across Asia. He studied in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and China, collecting knowledge that would later prove invaluable. When facing personal challenges in his senior years at the CIA, Lee credits martial arts, particularly Chen Tai Chi under Stephan Berwick‘s guidance, with helping him maintain mental and emotional balance.

Today, Dr. Lee combines his martial arts expertise with Chinese medicine to help veterans through the VA’s community care program. He emphasizes that many veterans seek alternatives to medication, finding relief through acupuncture and qigong. Lee practices Spring Forest Qigong, which he discovered while searching for self-healing techniques to share with his patients.

Dr. Lee ranks Tai Chi and qigong among the highest forms of healing in Chinese medicine, above acupuncture, bodywork, herbs, and nutrition. He sees these practices as China’s gifts to the world and encourages students to learn from authentic teachers. His advice for busy practitioners? “Start small – even ten minutes of practice makes a difference.”

Perhaps most importantly, Lee’s story highlights how these ancient practices have found new life in America. From New York’s Chinatown to VA clinics, from Marine Corps training grounds to CIA assignments, his journey demonstrates how Asian healing arts have become an integral part of American healthcare and culture.

The interview concluded with a surprise appearance from Wallace Hood, another Marine veteran turned Chinese medicine practitioner, highlighting the growing community of American practitioners bridging Eastern and Western approaches to health and healing.