Ian's Main Teachers

Ian Sinclair has studied with several great teachers over the years. Listed here are the teachers who gave the most of their time and effort. They are listed in the order in which he studied with them.

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Baldwin Yang

Baldwin Yang was Ian Sinclair's first teacher of taijiquan in Orillia, Ontario. Baldwin Yang immigrated to Canada from China and worked as a social worker in Orillia, Ontario. In his spare time he taught Yang Style taijiquan through the Orillia Parks and Recreation department.

The first taijiquan class that Ian Sinclair attended was a 12 week course taught in the Gymnasium of ODCVI (a high school directly across the street from where Ian now teaches.)

I owe a lot to my first teacher. Three decades ago he taught me the form that got me hooked. I experienced profound changes in my mind and body that changed my life for the better. He set me on the path and gave me the confidence and the tools to walk it. He was my first tai chi teacher - my Obiwan Kenobi. When I practise the traditional Yang style routine, I still hear his voice in my head 30 years later. 'Say you self, "I am relax. I am relax."' "Blusha knee anda twista stepa lefta...Halfa stepa. Play Geetar..."

Thank you, Master Baldwin Yang, wherever you are.

- Ian Sinclair

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Terry Farrel

When Ian Sinclair was old enough to drive, his strong drive to pursue taijiquan convinced his parents to let him drive 2 hours each week to learn from Terry Farrel, the closest serious teacher of taijiquan he could find. Terry Farrel is a dedicated teacher who had learned Taoist Tai Chi from Moy Lin Shin. Ian was not interested in the cult-like Taoist Tai Chi Society or the new iconoclastic style that Moy created. However, Ian found Terry Farrel to be a sincere independent teacher with strong emphasis on quality, research, and generous teaching style.

Terry Farrel has also studied with Phillip Mo of Toronto, and become certified by Mantak Chia and The Healing Tao Instructor's Association. He has more than 34 years experience in Tai Chi and related internal arts.

Terry Farrel teaches at the Greentiger School of Tai Chi in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.

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Paul E. McCaughey

After graduating from high school Ian Sinclair studied for 4 years (on and off) with Paul McCaughey at the Rising Sun School of Taijiquan on Bloor Street in Toronto.

Paul E. McCaughey is the Founder, Master Teacher and Co-Director of The Rising Sun School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan in Toronto, Ontario. He is a Master Teacher of Taijiquan. Paul has taught and lectured extensively in Tai Chi Forms and Weapons, Acupressure, Qi Gong, and other related topics in Canada and the United States. He has taught at Concordia University and at the University of Toronto Athletics Program. He is a Master Herbalist, holds diplomas in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. He established a formal clinical practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1990. Paul currently practises Acupuncture, Acupressure Massage, Herbal Medicine, Dietary Therapy, Lifestyle Coaching and Holistic Petcare at Somatic Healing Arts Clinic in Toronto and oversees all classes at the Rising Sun School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Paul is the author of a self published educational book, " The Traditional Chinese Medicine Primer - Everything You Wanted to Know About TCM but Didn't Know How to Ask ". He has also been working on a Pan-stylist Tai Chi book for several years.

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Wayne Wilson

When Ian Sinclair moved to Toronto after graduating high school, Wayne Wilson was his next door neighbour. Ian had been looking for a good taijiquan school and saw Wayne practising taijiquan in the park behind his apartment. This led to his introduction to Paul McCaughey and the Rising Sun School of Taijiquan. Wayne Wilson now teaches taijiquan and qigong in Victoria, BC, Canada.

"Wayne was an important mentor and guide for the 4 years I was training in Toronto. He introduced me to several wonderful teacher and different styles. Our serendipitous meeting was a crucial turning point in my life." - Ian Sinclair

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Tchoung Ta Chen (Zhong Dazhen)

鍾大振

Tchoung Ta Chen was the first teacher that Ian Sinclair visited in Vancouver. In fact, the same day he arrived in Vancouver and checked into the YMCA, he walked through the downtown east side on a "welfare Wednesday" to Master Tchoung's Chinese Tai Chi Association of Canada school near Powell Street. Ian had heard that Liang Shouyu taught in that area and figured this was a good bet. But Liang did not have a storefront at that time. (His school was in the gymnasium above the Japanese Buddhist Church about 100 feet away from Master Tchoung's street level school, and Ian didn't find it for several weeks.)

Tchoung was 78 years old at the time. He occasionally would seem his age, taking his time on stairs, and speaking softly. Then he would come an important point in his teaching and come to life. Suddenly he was half his age and crossing the floor in a split second to make a correction. At one point he poke my stomach and muttered something in Chinese as he walked away. The student next to me laughed and told me 'He said, "Your belly is like tofu!"' Shortly thereafter Master Tchoung came to me, held my hand to his belly and said, "You feel my belly. Push. Push harder." I pushed and my hand began to disappear into his good sized belly. As my arm was almost completely extended he let out a gentle "Ha!" which expanded his belly and sent me backwards into the air and against the wall. The look on my face must have been priceless as he giggled and walked away. The senior students just smiled and nodded at me as if I had just won a trophy. I had certainly gained a new appreciation. I stayed with Master Tchoung for several months learning his "Double Yang Style," tuishou, and sword. Eventually I was unable to keep up his lessons and the other classes I was taking. But I would visit and practise with his students over the years. He contributed a lot to the North American Taijiquan and I am very grateful for having learned from him. He is greatly missed by the many who trained with him. - Ian Sinclair

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Raymond Chung (Chung Yanman)

1913 -

A fifth generation master of Yang Style Taijiquan, Raymond Chung moved to Vancouver in 1961 becoming one of the few masters to bring the complete Yang Style taijiquan to North America. His Vancouver Tai Chi Chuan Association launched the taijiquan careers of many great teachers. He began his taijiquan training in 1935 in the school of Yang Chengfu, and was a contemporary of Yang Chengfu's eldest son, Yang Sauchung (1909-1985). Raymond Chung is also known for his Wu Style Taijiquan, Sun Style Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan. His son teaches Fu Style Taijiquan at the Vancouver Tai Chi Chuan Association.
Now over 90 years of age, he is still practising martial arts and inspiring students, although he has officially retired from teaching several times.

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Sam Masich 馬希奇

Apologies and gratitude

I did not move to Vancouver to train with Sam Masich. But he soon became one of the most important teachers I have ever had. I can certainly say that my training would not be complete without all the things that he has taught me.

It could be argued that Sam, as he is called by his students, has done as much for the development of tai chi in North America as anyone.
And while many of his students still call him by his first name, it is probably approaching the point when he should be called Master Masich, Grandmaster Sam, or at least Sam Laoshi.

Perhaps one of the reasons that Sam does not insist on the formalities that are normally applied in the presence of a teacher of his status is the very fact that he is not normal for a teacher of his status. A quick look at his website: www.sammasich.com will show you that he is not your ordinary corner store kung fu master. He is, in fact, quite a renaisance man. With the many hats he wears comes a complicated social standing that seems to forbid any normal categorization.

‘Maxiqi’ 馬希奇 is the Chinese name used by Sam Masich. The name was confered on Sam during the 1985 World Wushu Invitationals in Xi’an, China, when Sam was a member of the Canadian National Wushu Team. ‘Maxiqi’ (pronounced Ma-h’shee-chee) is ‘Masich’ sinofied and literally translates to 'Strange Horse' (‘Ma’ means 'horse' and ‘Xiqi’ means rare or eccentric).

Sam is clearly not constrained by convention. And he will cross any boundaries to improve his understanding of the internal arts. He is also willing to push a student's limits to teach what they need to learn.

This sort of approach is essential for students who want to reach the highest level of skill possible.

Some things I have learned from Sam and other great teachers:
• Transformation is like death.
• Victory can be more traumatic that defeat.
• A good teacher, like a good friend or good parent, will not always be easy on you.
• A student may beg to learn something, and then resist the lesson with every fibre of his/her soul.

Teaching an art with the level and depth of understanding that great teachers possess can be quite challenging, and requires creativity, iconoclasm, and an understanding of the Dao. Zhuangzi will go where Confucius fears to tread.

I began training with Sam in 1989 when I moved to Vancouver. I had 10 years experience already. His small studio on 4th Avenue was initially to be a mere step along the way. As it happened, I ended up spending about half of my training time at Sam's studio for the next few years. In fact, I spent so much time there that I think he eventually closed the studio just until I left town.

The depth of Sam's knowledge is almost as astonishing as the speed with which it increases. He is a voracious student of many arts. He is also a fanatical practitioner - the sort of student who will practice "brush knee push" from dawn till dusk.

He will also spend the same energy and effort on a student who is willing and able to keep up with him. He has shown infinite patience with some students and remarkable tolerance with others.

It came as a bit of a shock to me when I realised that Sam and I are not only close to the same age, but also have about the same length of time in the art. It seems that the longer I train, the farther ahead of me he gets.

It is like I'm paddling a canoe and he is in a speedboat radioing directions to me about the water ahead. I stop to take notes and get farther behind.

What I have learned from Sam Masich is only a small amount of what he has taught me. But he has also been a kind mentor and a generous friend. There are no words for what I owe him.

Thanks again, Sam - and I'm sorry for the inconvenience.

- Ian Sinclair


Obi-Wan and Darth

Sam Masich in 1989 .
Following is some biographical information taken from www.sammasich.com

Sam Masich is one of the most accomplished Chinese internal martial artists in the world today of his generation. With more than 25 years as a student of the great masters of the World (including Liang Shouyu, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, Jou Tsung Hwa, Yang Zhenduo and Chen Xiaowang.) He has taught around the world and is the subject of two internationally airing documentaries. Sam has made some 20 films on Tai Chi and Neijia related subjects.

Student

Sam Masich began his martial arts studies at age 18 with Yang Style Taijiquan and Judo. He has also studied to varying extents, Chen, Fu, Wu and Sun styles of Taijiquan, as well as Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Luihebafa, Shuaijou, Shaolinquan, Modern Wushu, Kendo and Western Fencing. Yang Style Taijiquan has commanded his greatest interest over the years and Masich is one of few Tai Chi practitioners today that trains and teaches the entire traditional syllabus including bare hand and weapons sparring. He is possibly best known for his approach to classical and freestyle Push Hands.

Competitor

Masich has distinguished himself in competition as a quadruple and septuple gold medallist in national competitions and was a member of the Canadian National Chinese Martial Arts Team competing in China at The World Wushu Invitationals in 1985. In 1994, although formally retired from competition, he was awarded seven gold medals for performances in the Shanghai Oberon Cup, an event involving athletes from more than twenty countries. Since 1989 Masich has refereed and judged in national tournaments and has held a steady position as Chief Referee for Push Hands in the U.S. All Taijiquan Championships.

Teacher

A passionate and gifted teacher, Sam never fails to inspire students along their path. His work as a full time instructor has taken him to over 100 cities in Canada, the United States, Mexico and throughout Europe. Sam continually finds new ways to integrate traditional principle with classical and contemporary form, always striving to find further application for the work in areas beyond the immediate art. Masich is the creator of the 5 Section Taijiquan Program, a recreational and preliminary training program which includes simplified Tai Chi bare hand and weapons solo and sparring routines. Students from around the world have travelled to his annual Push Hands Training Camps held in Vancouver, Canada. Many of Sam’s students have become top level instructors.

Martial Arts Consultant

Sam has served as a martial arts action consultant, trainer and choreographer on various TV programs and stage productions, and is himself the subject of two documentaries on Taijiquan and the internal arts. For several years he was the combat instructor for the National Voice Intensive at Simon Fraser University, a program for actors focusing heavily on Shakespearan themes. He instructs actors via two programs; ‘Love and Hate, Sex and Violence’ which explores scenes demanding explosive and passionate chemistry between performers, and ‘Grace on Rage on Stage’, a contemporary stage combat program, which focuses on various elements of performed violence.

Film-maker

Sam began his martial arts career at the beginning of the video era and is one of the most recorded internal martial artists of all time.
He has been filmed in countless demonstrations, competitions and classes and was the first instructor to publish a video instructional manual on the subject of Push Hands. Through Little Productions, he has produced over 20 instructional films on subjects such as Taijiquan, Push Hands, Qigong and Xingyiquan and has several major instructional video works in development. Sam is currently working on a feature length documentary entitled 'Tai Chi People'.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY!

"The Canadian Taijiquan Federation has hosted Sam Masich for more than 15 workshops on a variety of taijiquan studies including forms, weapons, push hands and qigong. Everyone who has attended has come away from the workshops with a deeper understanding of taijiquan and has been inspired to greater efforts." Ed Cooper (President Canadian Taijiquan Federation)

"Having just returned from the 16th Annual Vancouver Push Hands Camp I am once again awed, amazed and inspired by Sam's demonstration and articulation of the magic and mysticism of Taiji. Not only does he masterfully demonstrate the physical genius of the art, he offers his students an insightful, detailed process by which to individually progress down this transcendental path. The high level of skill he displays, coupled with his astute instruction of the art make him a remarkable teacher." Sana Shanti (Instructor, Nelson Canada)

"Sam Masich is a unique and highly innovative teacher. He never fails to inspire and consistently supports well rounded growth in the T‘ai Chi players who study with him." Haim Behar (Instructor, Vancouver, B.C. Canada)

"All the students are really motivated. What Sam taught us is really deep. I told them he was great and I know that they weren‘t disappointed. They feel challenged and want to work more." Erik Baez Morosini (Instructor, Mexico City, Mexico)

"The opportunity to study with Sam is both a pleasure and a priviledge. He is by far the most sincere, skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated martial artist I have had the good fortune to work with. He is also genuine human being whose interests and concerns run far deeper than the martial arts alone." Art Baner (Instructor, Bellingham, WA)

"If you have never had the opportunity to work with Sam then find the chance. Sam is one of those individuals that simply will amaze you. His skill in Tai Chi is only rivaled by his ability to help people achieve their goals." Steven Beaver (Instructor, Norman, Oklahoma)

"Sam Masich is the real thing. It is an honor to study with someone of such talent and brilliance, and a great gift to have a teacher of such humor, coherence, and integrity. Sam does what he says and says what he does, which sounds simple but is actually very rare." Cecily Brown (Instructor, Minneapolis, Minnesota)

"Few westerners have delved as deeply into the principles of this poorly understood martial art as Sam has, or been as willing and able to share these secrets. Sam has the rare combination excellent martial arts skills paired with the ability to communicate. He has a great way of presenting Tai Chi as a martial art and personal transformative process in the context of Chinese history and today’s world." Peter Branson (Instructor, Wrangell, Alaska)

"Sam Masich is the hardest working guy in the relaxation business." Heather Madras (Eugene, Oregon)

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Grandmaster Shouyu Liang 梁守渝

To say that Shouyu Liang is highly respected internationally is putting it mildly. Selected by the China Wushu Magazine in the "Biography of Today's Extraordinary Martial Artists", he has been awarded the "World's Top 100 Outstanding Martial Art Professional Award", "World's Greatest Contribution Award", and "World's Outstanding Accomplishment Award". He is included in the "Current List of Famous Martial Artists" and in the Chinese "Who's who in the world.” He is frequently featured on international television networks including Chinese (CCTV), CNN, Discovery Channel and many Canadian, Mexican, Greek, British and European networks. His picture has been on the covers of Chinese, American, and Canadian newspapers and magazines. In 2002, Liang was bestowed the title of Life Time Honorary Chairman and ranked a 10th degree by the Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations - the highest level of Wushu achievement by that organization.

Here Grandmaster Liang performs a Xingyi Sword routine.

FINDING MY MASTER

When I decided that I wanted to pursue a full-time career as a teacher of taijiquan (Tai Chi), qigong, and wushu (martial arts), I had been a student of taijiquan for nearly ten years. I knew there was something missing from my training, and I was not yet prepared to accept that the missing ingredient was discipline and hard work.

Instead I went on a quest for the best teacher I could find. I expected this quest to take me to China. I was surprised that it only took me to the other side of my own country, a mere 3800 kilometres away. I found my way to Grand Master Liang by asking every teacher I spoke to who they would study with if they had the choice. After a while, I found that all roads led me to Vancouver.

I even made some rather entertaining calls to China - a bit of an adventure considering my non-existent understanding of the Chinese language. In one of those phone calls, (I believe it was to the physical cultural institute at Beijing University) a very nice man whose name I couldn’t remember or pronounce said, “You Cha na da ren? You have neighbour, very famous. Very good teacher. Many champion.” Then he said several things that sounded like Chinese but may have been an address, phone number, or something about the University of British Columbia.

I had already heard of Master Liang. But I had not been able to find him. In 1988, Master Liang didn’t advertise much except by word of mouth. I did, however, find some numbers for people who had been taught or coached by him. So I tried calling Sam Masich, and Andrea Falk. Andrea Falk had just moved back to China or Montreal, and Sam Masich was apparently notorious for not returning phone calls. (Sam is much better about that nowadays. Now the reputation for that seems to be mine.)

So, I did the only reasonable thing. I got on a train, crossed the country in the middle of winter, checked into the Vancouver YMCA, and got a job at a Circle K.
By the time summer arrived I had discovered that Vancouver was a relative hotbed of Chinese martial arts. There were at least five excellent taijiquan teachers that I was able to visit and train with. But by the end of the year I was training with Sam Masich and Master Liang, and trying to make ends meet by working several minimum wage jobs.

It took me a long time to realise the importance of practice and listening. But after 14 years with one of the best coaches the world has ever seen, it seems even a lazy, stubborn, student like myself can learn something.
- Ian Sinclair

Liang’s training began in 1948 when he was a young child, and learned traditional Emei kungfu and Qigong from his grandfather, Liang Zhixiang. He is now the lineage holder for Emei Snake style, which Liang Zhixiang learned from the monk, Xu Kun. Liang Shouyu was also encouraged to learn other styles including Shaolin and Wudang. In the 1960’s he began learning Yang, Chen, Sun, and Wu style Tajiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) from such famous masters as Gu Luxin, Chen Zhaokui, Chen Zhaopei, Li Yaxuan, and others. He learned Esoteric Buddhist Qigong from Lamas in Sichuan and from Emei masters. He was also introduced to Daoist monks and hermits who taught him Daoist Qigong. His talent and enthusiasm for martial arts was recognised by many high level masters who helped him gain a depth and breadth of understanding that is very rare indeed.

In recent years, Liang has admitted to being a bit of a scrapper in his youth, eager to test himself with other fighters and not always backing down from challenges. But he was discreet and polite enough about it that his teachers were able to keep a good opinion of him.

Since 1960, Liang was undefeated in all the sanshou and tuishou competitions he participated in. He also won gold medals in suaijiao (Chinese wrestling), weight lifting and gymnastics. For some time Liang dominated Wushu and Taiji competitions held in Sichuan province and represented the province well at national and international competitions, winning many gold medals. In the early sixties his skill and personal character brought him to the attention of many important people and he began to gain a reputation as a coach and judge at provincial, national, and international competitions.

In 1984, Liang immigrated to Canada, where he began teaching at senior’s centres and recreation centres. He soon became head coach of the first Canadian National Wushu Team - a team which astonished the wushu community and Chinese media by finishing third in 1985 and second only to China in 1986.

The Shouyu Liang Wushu, Taiji and Qigong Institute was established in Vancouver in 1987, and the International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association (IWSD) was created the following year with Liang as Chairperson, a post he holds to this day. Currently the IWSD has is in more than 20 countries around the world.

When Liang led the North American Marital Arts Exhibition Team to China in 1994 they performed in ten major cities in China and competed in an international Competition in Shanghai. The competition was represented by 32 nations. Grandmaster Liang's team won 42 out of the 56 gold medals awarded, garnering great attention from the Chinese media.

Since 1985, most of the top ranked competitors in the Canadian and U.S. National and International Competitions are or have been students of Grandmaster Liang. Many of Grandmaster Liang's students in China, the United States, and Canada have become distinguished instructors and coaches themselves.

Liang has written and produced several instructional books and videos, with translations into French, Polish, Greek, Chinese, and Russian.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

• 1942 Born Liang Shouyu 梁守渝 in the city of Chong Qing, Sichuan Province, China.
• 1948 Began his training in qigong and traditional wushu, shuai Jiao, qinna, etc. His early training emphasised esoteric Daperng Qigong and Emei Snake Style Wushu (his family style) under the tutelage of his grandfather, Liang Zhixiang. The younger Liang trained with his grandfather an average of 6 hours per day, every day until he went to University.
• 1960 Began majoring in biology at Southwestern University. Appointed Wushu coach of the university. Competed in Wushu, Taiji, Shuai Jiao, and other competitions.
• 1964 Received a degree in biology and physiology. Because of his bourgeois family background, the communist government sent him to a remote poverty stricken village to teach high school students. He began to train the farmers wushu, taijiquan, shuaijiao, sanshou, etc.
• 1966-1974 The Cultural Revolution was a time of great suffering and anarchy in China. It began when criticism of intellectualism by leader Mao Zedong and Jiang Qing spurred a national movement. Students were organised as “Red Guards” to spread extreme socialist ideology. This led to irrational and often violent attacks on teachers, monks, nuns, martial artists, intellectuals, and people with any background in business. When Master Liang was attacked by a faction of the Red Guard he used his martial abilities to escape and spent the rest of the cultural revolution hiding, travelling around China, visiting teachers and friends, and furthering his training in wushu, qigong, and different kinds of taijiquan.
• 1974 With the help of glowing referenced from people who new his talents, selflessness, and personality, Master Liang was appointed as an official professional wushu coach by the Chinese Government.
• 1975-1978 Served as a judge for provincial and national wushu competitions.
• 1978 Voted one of the best coaches in Sichuan province and received several appointments including committee member in the Sichuan chapter of the Chinese National WuShu Association and Coaches Committee.
• 1979 Voted one of the top professional coaches in China.
• 1981 Taught Wushu at the student association at the University of Washington.
• 1982 Taught Qigong and Tai Chi at the Villa Cathy Care Home in Vancouver, B.C.
• 1983 - 1996 Appointed Chairperson of Wushu, Tai Chi, Qigong Instruction by the Physical Education Department of the University of British Columbia
• 1985 Elected coach of the first Canadian National Wushu Team.
• 1986 Elected as Coach the Second Canadian National Wushu Team.
• 1987 The Shouyu Liang Wushu, Taiji and Qigong Institute was established in Vancouver
• 1988 International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association (IWSD) created. 散手道中文网站
• 1994 Led the North American Martial Arts Exhibition Team for friendship performance tour to ten major cities in China.
• 1995 Named as instructor of the year by the Inside Kung Fu Magazine.
• 1996 Listed as one of the best masters of the 20th century in the book "China's Exceptional Contemporary Wushu Masters"
• 2002 10th Degree Instructor Certification - Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations
• 2002 Elected Chairman of the National Grading Committee - Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations
• 2003 - 2004 Filmed and instructional Tai Chi series titled “Tai Chi with Grandmaster Liang” together with his daughter, Helen Liang for M Channel (Multivision Television) in Canada
• 2007 With Helen Liang, published 5 instructional DVDs on Xing Yi 5 Elements & 12 Animals Sword and Spear and Bagua Deer Horn Knives.