Jill L. Basso, M.Ed., LMT, SEP
Expertise from a Diverse Background
Sifu Jill L. Basso has been a Tai Chi Instructor since 1996 and a student of Tai Chi since 1995. She has studied primarily in NYC with Cheng Man- Ch’ing’s senior students and Patience Tai Chi Association. She has been primarily influenced by her teachers Master William C. Phillips, Stanley Israel, James Leporati, Katy Cheng and colleagues Steve Levi, Bill Law, Ken Van Sickle and her friends at Patience Tai Chi Association in NYC. She had the opportunity to complete a seminar with Benjamin Lo in 2015.
In 1996, she founded Hudson Valley Tai Chi in Columbia County, Chatham, NY. Hudson Valley Tai Chi continues to offer classes, by her senior students, in the Hudson Valley area of NY state. As well as teaching, she organized and hosted annual Tai Chi meets in the park.
She was a Tai Chi competitor from 1997-2004 in NY, MD, Virginia and Taiwan. She earned three gold medals in tai chi form and push hands, as well as silver and bronze medals in fixed, restricted step and moving push hands. Jill says that competition was “a great and fun learning experience, providing a mirror of her skills with peers in the greater Tai Chi community”.
Moving to Santa Fe in 2007, Jill currently teaches classes for adults in Rose Park (outdoor classes) and the NM Fencing Foundation (indoor class). From 2010- 2020, she coordinated the Santa Fe Push Hands Club, an open forum and practice for all Tai Chi practitioners in the Santa Fe area. She was an instructor of Tai Chi for children ages 5-12 at the Golden Acorns Camp for the Healing Arts for five years.
She has a love for teaching children and adults and combines her specialties as an educator and body worker to her students and her practice. It continues to be a joyful journey of learning and cultivating this ancient art.
Career Highlights
SPECIALTIES IN SOMATICS, MASSAGE THERAPY, HEALING ARTS AND EDUCATION
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (2024) – Certified in Trauma Resolution from Dr. Peter Levine’s certification program – Incorporate somatic movement for healing and health.
Licensed Massage Therapist (since 2008) – Provide integrative and structural massage work incorporating a variety of modalities including deep tissue, myofascial, trigger point release, cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology, hot rocks and use of essential oils and sound healing.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (2003) ~ Behavior Analysis is an evidence based science in the field of teaching and special education using behavioral principles and strategies to teach children with Autism and other disabilities.
- Consultant, Workshop Presenter and Teacher Trainer for Schools and Organizations in NM
- Parent trainer for children and young adults on the Autism Spectrum, Intellectual Disabilities, Attention Disorder, Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Challenges ages 2-25.
- Work with families and children with disabilities to improve learning and independence in their lives.
Master’s Degree in Special Education (1988)
- Degree conferred from Columbia University, Teacher’s College
- Full Scholarship Recipient
- Teacher for students with Intellectual Disabilities, Learning Disabilities and Emotional Challenges and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation (1985)
- Degree conferred at Cortland State University, NY, cum laude
- Specialized in Outdoor Recreation & Leadership
- Specialized in working with children / adults with disabilities.
CVs
Feel free to contact Jill for a copy of any of her resumes:
Jill’s Massage Therapist Resume
Jill’s Educational Resume
Jill’s Tai Chi Master Resume
Desert Sage Tai Chi 