About Faith LeLievre
My Story ...
Growing up in suburban Boston, I was being groomed for corporate America. I came from a family of administrative assistants and had the skill. It seemed that was the path my life would take as well, except I knew that was not aligned with what I truly wanted for my life. It didn't resonate with who I was inside. I was just finishing high school. I was looking at college. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I knew I didn’t want to do that. Maybe you've felt that way too - like the life you were heading toward wasn't the one you were meant for. - And then, my life took an unexpected turn. One of those things you don't see coming.
My boyfriend had started taking classes at a local kung fu school. He kept inviting me to join him. I kept saying no. He even brought home a uniform for me - black baggy pants and a t-shirt. I thought, 'You want me to wear that?' I was 17. I had little awareness of optimizing health. I consumed a diet complete with junk food and 2 litre bottles of Pepsi. I certainly didn’t exercise or do any physical activities. I was far from being an athlete.
Then one day, my boyfriend left a copy of the Dao De Ching on the table. I didn't know it then, but opening that book for the first time would mark the start of a journey that would change everything - how I saw myself, how I moved through the world, and how I connected to others. That day, I opened it and read the second verse - the verse of opposites. I had never thought of it that way before. I felt a sense of internal peace and intrigue. It made so many things make sense. He told me this book was the philosophy behind what they were studying. That is when I said yes and went to the school for the first time. Have you ever had a moment like that - a moment where you said yes to something new, even though it felt strange or uncertain? It is in those moments where transformation begins.
I stepped into that dark room, candles flickering, incense burning, greeted by a young instructor with a shaved head and thought, 'This is so far from my world.' I remember thinking, 'What have I gotten myself into?' But something about it called to me. and I joined. I had a lot of things to overcome.That first step into the school was the beginning of a journey that would transform not just my body, but my entire way of being.
When I started classes, I took private lessons because I was too shy and afraid to attend group classes. I felt awkward and out of place. I lacked coordination and did not have a good sense of balance. My legs would get so tired and my muscles would get sore. I would get out of breath and feel like I could not go on. I had a hard time remembering the movements. It was a struggle.
Then one day I experienced a shift in how it felt to me. It was spring and my instructor had started taking me outside for classes. I still remember that day under the tree so long ago like it was yesterday -- practicing taijii in a field of deep grass that was swaying in the gentle breeze around my legs; the sun was shining; a light mist falling. It was a feeling that changed everything. It was THE moment. There was no going back. I had clarity in that moment. This was my path. In that moment, I realized that Taiji wasn't just about movement - it was a way to connect with myself, to find balance and harmony in a chaotic world.
This was the beginning of a journey - a quest for tools to create a lifestyle of health, vitality, and peace. This led me to study with top instructors in the Chinese martial arts; to learn about food and nutrition; and to study massage therapy, Jin Shin Jyutsu®, and meditation.
As I immersed myself in these studies and practices, I began to feel a profound shift. I realized that I wasn't just learning for myself, I was uncovering tools that could help others transform their lives too.
That's why I created TaijiNature and the WaterWays Method of Wellness for Mind, Body & Spirit - a system designed to help you cultivate the health, vitality, and peace you deserve. I know what it's like to feel disconnected, out of balance, and unsure of the path forward - and that's why I am committed to helping others find their own harmony and vitality. Whether you are seeking balance, strength, or a deeper connection to yourself, these tools are here to guide you.
This is my journey, and now I'm here to help guide yours. Are you ready to take the first step toward your own transformation?
History and Lineage
Faith's lifelong dedication to Taiji (Tai Chi), Qigong, and the Internal Martial Arts began at the age of 17 and has since evolved into a rich tapestry of study and teaching.
Faith began her studies while living outside Boston, Massachusetts with Master Art D’Agostino in Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Tai Chi. At the age of 23, Faith moved to Hilo, Hawai’i and opened her first school. She continued to seek out and study with some of the top masters in North America including Master Liang Shouyu, known for his expertise in Wushu and Qigong; and Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, a renowned authority on traditional Chinese martial arts and healing practices. Faith also studied with Master Wei Lun Huang; Master Ren, Guangyi, Master Chen Xiaowang, both Chen style lineage holders: and Master Fu, Sheng Long, the grandson to the famous Northern Tiger of China, Fu Chen Song. She also studied Jin Shin Jyutsu®, an art of harmonizing the energy of the body, with Mary Burmeister, the person who brought the Art from Japan to the United States in the 1950s, and then massage therapy to round out her knowledge in the healing arts.
Faith continues to refine her practice under the guidance of Grandmaster Liang Shouyu, Master Helen Liang, and Master Chenhan Yang at SYL Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia, ensuring that her teachings remain rooted in tradition while evolving to meet the needs of modern practitioners. She remains committed to sharing these transformative arts with others.
Faith’s teachings are rooted in the belief that movement, breath and energy cultivation are the keys to unlocking vitality, balance, and an enduring sense of peace.
Drawing from decades of study with renowned masters and deep respect for ancient wisdom, Faith weaves these teachings into every class.
With nearly four decades of teaching experience and as a pioneer in online instruction since 2008, Faith has continually evolved her approach to make these transformative practices accessible to all.
Faith opened her first school, the School of Tai Chi and Kung Fu, in Hilo, Hawaii in 1986. In 1992, she moved to Durango, Colorado where she built a taiji studio on 40 acres of land overlooking the LaPlata Mountains and founded Mountainview Martial Arts. She taught there from 1992 to 1999, when she returned to Hilo and resumed teaching there. In 2020, Faith built her own taiji studio in Hilo, Hawaii which is now the home of TaijiNature.
Today, TaijiNature stands as a testament to her lifelong commitment to helping others cultivate health, vitality, and inner harmony.
