Ian Sinclair's other teachers.



It is said amongst martial artists that if you train for one day with a teacher, they are your teacher for life.
A good teacher can impart the essence of their art in a very short time. It is then up to the student to spend the rest of their life doing justice to the information they have been given.

Following are some teachers who have given their time and knowledge generously, and need to be recognised:
(listed alphabetically by surname)

Jeff Bolt

  • Over 25 years of experience in the Chinese martial arts.
  • Has promoted and organized more than a dozen national and international tournaments since 1986, when he held the first all-Chinese martial arts tournament at the national level.
  • Inducted into the Inside Kung Fu Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1988 for his Outstanding Contributions to Martial Arts.
  • A senior student to Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming and has co-authored two books with him.
  • President of the United States Wushu Kung Fu Federation and National Chairman for its competitions.
  • Active in many organizations and has been the guiding spirit behind cooperative efforts in the U.S. to organize Chinese martial arts for the betterment of the art and for the benefit of its practitioners.
  • Has chaired the U.S. National Chinese Martial Arts Competitions
  • Has been Team Leader and Fighting Coach for U.S. teams in two world wushu tournaments.
  • Has promoted, organized, and judged at numerous tournaments at all levels and was Chairman of the 1995 World Wushu Championships, the international Wushu Federation's event in Baltimore, Maryland.

John Bracy


John has studied martial arts since 1967. He has achieved advanced rankings and honors in several styles of wushu, specialising in qigong and traditional internal arts.
He is expert in Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Taijiquan, and Taoist qigong systems.

In 1976 Master Bracy founded what was to become the Hsing Chen School. The school served as southern California headquarters for his unique method of teaching the internal arts until the fall of 2002.

Credentials:
  • Licensed Instructor and Counsellor in the Taiwan Baguamen Association (1981),
  • Eighth degree instructor level from the Taiwan Baguamen Association (1994),
  • Licensed Coach certification from the Beijing Government Full Contact Fighting Association (1989),
  • Lineage disciple of Baguazhang (1988).
  • B.A., Psychology (1981),
  • Trained in acupuncture in Taiwan while a graduate exchange student and researched the psycho-therapeutic applications of acupuncture.
  • One of the first acupuncturists working directly with a M.D. in Orange County, California.


David Bray

Adam Chan

Adam Chan is one of the great martial artists of his generation!
..and a really nice guy! Once you have had the opportunity to meet and train with Adam, you will agree that he embodies what is best about martial arts. He righteous, courageous, compassionate, humble, intelligent, and very very very skilled. He had achieved skills when he was in his 20's that few masters ever achieve.

Adam has spent years training 6 -12 hours per day, and has looked for knowledge wherever he could find it, training with many of the best. If I were still living in Vancouver, I would be picking his brain constantly, and training with him every chance I got. He is still relatively young and not yet well known. But I expect that there will soon be a waiting list to train with him.

Adam is the author of "Climbing Mountains and Eating Punches" (available through his web site)

Click here to go to Pragmatic Martial Arts and learn more about Adam Chan.

Grand master Chen Zhenglei (陈正雷)


Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei is recognised by the Chinese Government as one of the Top Ten Martial Artist in China.
He is the 19th generation successor of the Chen family and the 11th generation direct line inheritor of Chen Style Tai Chi.
Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei is the author of the official and authoritative books and DVDs on all aspects of Chen Style Tai Chi.

Born in Wen County, Henan Province in 1950, Chen Zhenglei is a famous Taijiquan Master, the 19th successor of the Chen Style Taijiquan, and also the Head of the Henan Wushu Hall and a member of the China Wushu Association. He is the former President of the Chen Jia Gou Taijiquan School, Wen County, Henen Province.

Since 1958, Master Chen began to study Taijiquan and mastered the skills tricks, practice ways and theories comprehensively and systematically. From 1974 to 1986, he has won first place and also “excellence” awards several times in Henan and in the National Wushu Performances and Competitions. He has trained a lot of Taijiquan students and teachers and is often invited to give lectures in many countries. He is also an influential individual well known over the world. Furthermore, Chen has paid much attention to theoretic research and has published many books, including the Summary of Chen Style Taijiquan.

In addition, Master Chen is considered as one of the ten famous Wushu masters in the first series selecting activities of China's Martial Artists.

  • Vice-chair of Henan Martial Arts Association
  • Coach for Chinese National Martial Arts Team
  • Member of the Chinese Martial Arts Committee
  • One of the Top Ten Martial Arts Masters in Modern China.

Fu Sheng Yuan



Fu Sheng Yuan is the son of renowned Master Fu Zhongwen 傅钟文

Fu Shuyun (傅淑云)



Fu Shuyun went to the 1936 Berlin Olympics as performers representing Chinese Gongfu.
Madam Fu Shuyun, after spending some time in Taiwan, moved to America. Since that time, she kept Bagua-tajiquanquan secretly exchanging techniques and ideas only with Li Yuanzhi’s disciple, Zhao Fulin. Zhao Fulin also did not openly teach the standard Bagua-tajiquanquan form. He only taught a newly created 48 step version of the larger form that had been created by Fu Shuyun. This form was widely taught.

Born in 1915, Madame Fu had a sickly childhood. To improve her health and stamina, her family encouraged her to study Shaolin martial arts. She began her training at nine years of age. She soon became stronger and stopped taking her medication.

Later, she continued her training at the Tienjin Martial Arts Club during her summer vacations and then entered the Nanjing Central Martial Arts Academy where she learned from such masters as Yang Cheng-Fu, Sun Lu-Tang and Huang Bo Nan.

Her instructors were very demanding, and few of her classmates could tolerate the training.

  • Master Fu learned
  • Yang Style taijiquan from Yang Cheng-Fu,
  • bagua lianhuan and bagua taiji from Wu Jun-Shan
  • xingyiquan and baguazhang from Huang Bonan.
  • baguazhang and bagua longjian from Sun Lu-Tang.
  • Shaolin bajiquan from Ma Hong-Tu.
  • Shaolin sword, kunwu sword and Shaolin tantui from Yang Song-Shan
  • Silu Chaquan, xin wushu, meihua sword, shaolin staff and knife from Sun Yu-Ming

At the1936 Olympic Games, Master Fu was one of nine people who represented China performing chinese martial arts. She then travelled through Asia and Europe doing demonstrations with some of China's best martial artists.

In 1971, Master Fu was invited to teach at the National Taiwan normal University in Taipei. Her fame became so well known, she was soon asked to star in some Martial Arts movies. One famous movie, "A Sunset in the Forbidden City" today is a classic of martial arts movies. Master Fu still has a full life, teaching her Kung Fu to those she thinks have the potential to learn.

Although no longer a young woman, she still travels and teaches her arts.


Grand Master Nonoy Gallano


Trankada Aldabon System

Nonoy Gallano is the founder of the Classical Combat Eskrima Kali Association (CCEKA) - an international network of schools dedicated to the teaching of the Filipino Martial Arts. The association's approach to this fighting art is holistic in nature. It encompasses not only the physical techniques of Kali but also places emphasis on Oriental philosophy and Meditation practices. Complete discipline and moral/spiritual growth are heavily stressed.

Nonoy Gallano's experience in martial arts is vast and deep, encompassing many styles from all over the world. He is a generous and skilled teacher who has shared with many of the world's top masters.

Grand Master Sun Yongtian 孙永田



Taiji Master from Sun Family. The 3rd Sect Head of Sun Taiji. Vice-chair of Beijing Martial Arts Association. Standing Vice-president of Sun Taiji Research Institute. Permanent Honorary President of American and Hongkong Sun Taiji Research Institute.

Now living in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, Sun Yongtian was born in Beijing. He is the current Chairman and managing director of Shenlong Automobile Sales and Service Limited, vice chairman of the Beijing Wushu Association, Sun-style Taijiquan third generation head of Sun-style Taijiquan Studies Society, the permanent honorary chairman of the United States and Hong Kong Sun Taijiquan Society.

Sunyongtian loved martial arts since his childhood, and practiced changquan, Tang boxing, and other boxing styles since the'70s.

In 1982, he began learning Sun Style Taijiquan from the second-generation head of Taijiquan, Sun Jianyun (孙剑云) (1913-2003) learning taijiquan, xingyiquan, tai chi sword, and tuishou.

Due to his skills, morality, and dedication to the promotion of Sun Style, Taijiquan, and with the recommendation of Sun Jianyun, Sun Yongtian became the standard bearer the Sun Style Taijiquan. In this position he has delivered results and made outstanding contributions. He helped edit and published "Record of the Martial Arts of Sunlutang" 《孙禄堂武学录》 to the joy of many Taiji lovers. In 2003 he assisted Sun Jianyun in publishing "The Authentic Interpretation of Sun-Taiji Quan."《孙式太极拳诠真》

Grandmaster Sun has received numerous accolades for his skill, his technical and theoretical knowledge, his work promoting martial arts of all styles, training champions of forms, tuishou and fighting, and supporting the use of taijiquan in corporate society.

Tong Yausun


Tong Yausun has been an active martial artist since his childhood, learning from the great masters of China. Since his arrival in Halifax N.S. Canada, he has been actively promoting the traditional Chinese martial arts; especially the traditional Taijiquan (TaiChi), including:

  • Chen-style Taijiquan.
  • Yang-style Taiji.
  • Northern and Southern KungFu styles and weapons.
  • Qinna
  • Qigong

Mister Tong has studied with some of the top grandmasters of China including:

  • Feng Zhiqiang
  • Gu Liuxin
  • He Bingquan
  • Chen Changmian
  • Liu Xuebo
  • Xu Wenzhong

Wang Jurong (王菊蓉)


(November 4, 1928 - December 25, 2005)

Born in 1928, Wang Jurong began martial arts at the age of five, training 6 hours per day under the direction of her father, Grandmaster Wang Ziping - one the most popular and respected martial artists in Chinese history.

She learned tantui (springing legs), chaquan, huaquan, paoquan, bajiiquan, paida and taijiquan. She learned kuandao as her first weapon.
By the time she reached her teen years, Wang Jurong was well-known in the martial arts community. She won gold at the 7th National Athletic Games in 1946. and again at the 1953 National Wushu Competition.

Madame Wang studied at the Education Department of the Aurora University in Shanghai, and in1955 she married Dr. Wu Chengde, a respected student of Grandmaster Wang Ziping. Dr. Wu is an accomplished martial artist, and highly regarded doctor and professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

  • A founding professor of the East China Physical Education College (Shanghai Physical Education College).
  • Professor in the Wushu Department for 36 years .
  • Did extensive research of theories and techniques in all styles of Chinese Martial Arts
  • Became very knowledgeable in all five systems of Tai Chi Chuan
  • Developed a graduate program at the College
  • The first professor of Physical Education to have 2 students earn Master of Martial Arts degrees in taijiquan.
First female coach to the New China Wushu Team.
  • The first woman coach to officially represent China, teaching Martial Arts seminars outside of the country.
Director of the Chinese Martial Arts Association as well as the Archery Association.
  • Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Wushu Association, and head of the Judging Committee.
  • Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Archery Association.
  • President of the Chinese Martial Arts Research Institute
  • Advisor to the Wu Dang Research Association and the Shanghai Chi Gong Research Association.
  • Wrote and edited many books and articles on Tai Chi Chuan
  • Involved in the development and promotion of the new standardized Tai Chi 24 simplified, 32 sword, 48 combined, and Yang 88 posture routines.
  • Member of the government appointed council to organize official judges rule books for the new Wushu standardized competition routines
  • Personally involved in developing the Double Sword Competition routine.
Served as General Judge, Vice-General Judge, and Honorary Advisor to National and International Wushu competitions as well as Archery competitions throughout China. 

Madame Wang´s life has been devoted to her family, Wushu, and China. She holds a unique place in the Chinese Martial Arts of the 20th Century.

Regrettably, Madame Wang is no longer with us. But her family and students carry on her legacy.
For more information go to
http://www.taijikungfuhealth.com
or
http://www.masterhelenwu.com
or

Grace Wu


Also known as Wu Xiagao. She is a prominent Wushu practitioner. She is the granddaughter and student of Wang Ziping, and the daughter of Wang Jurong and Wu Chengde. She received a B.A. in Physical Education at the Shanghai Teacher's University, and a Master's degree in Sports Administration at the Wichita State University. She is a certified Wushu judge. By dedicating countless hours of her time and serving conscientiously as a judge to the U.S.A. team trials and numerous regional, national, and international tournaments, she shares her contribution to the promotion of Wushu and wellness. She is an instructor and administrator of the Grace Wu Kung Fu School in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.A. See her photo demonstrations under Chaquan, Wangshi Wushu, and Tantuimen.


Grand Master Wu Guangyu (吴光宇)



Also known as "Wu Kwong Yu," Ng Kwong Yuor "Eddie Wu."

Born in 1946, Master Eddie Wu began training with his father and grandfather at the age of six. In 1967, he went to Britain's Air University in Scotland where he earned a Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He then worked as a Licensed Aircraft Engineer and as the Deputy Chief Engineer for Heli Orient Ltd.

In 1976, he took over the teaching and administration of the Toronto academy, which was founded the previous year by his uncle, the late Master Wu Daxin (吳大新.)

In 1995, Master Eddie Wu, his aunt (Master Wu Yan Hsia) and his uncle (Master Wu Tai Sin) founded the International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation.

Members of the federation came from around the world to take part in the first convention, which was held at the Toronto Convention Center that same year.

In 2001, Master Eddie Wu was appointed to take over the administration of the Wu Family. Master Eddie Wu regularly travels to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Europe, as well as many parts of the United States and Canada to conduct workshops and seminars. Master Wu also collaborates with medical, business and sporting professionals to bring the benefits of Wu Style Tai Chi Chun to other fields.

In 2005 he was officially inaugurated as the head of the Wu family of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan

Master Eddie Wu currently fulfills the following roles within the martial arts community:
Chairman of the International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation
Chairman of the Hong Kong Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy Headquarters
Chairman of Wu’s Tai Chi Chuan Academy, Canada
Chairman of the United Wushu Federation of Canada
Chairman of the Confederation of Canadian Wushu Organizations
Member of the Canadian Olympic Committee


Grand master Wu Wenhan (吴文翰)



Wu Wenhan (b. 1928) retired in Beijing and spent a tremendous amount of time researching Wu (Hao) taijiquan theory and application. He has made great accomplishments in the research of the history and theory of taijiquan. He has published many taiji articles and he is one of the top taijiquan theorists in China today. He is also an expert in Yinfu Baquazhang, and Xin-I-quan.


  • Honorary President of Handan Taiji Association, Hebei Province.
  • Honorary President of North American Wu (Hao) Taiji Union.
  • Winner of "Meritorious Cup" of Chinese Yongnian International Taiji Friendship Association, 2002.

Grand master Yang Zhenduo 杨振铎



Master Yang Zhenduo is the great-grandson of Yang Luchan (1799-l872), the founder of the Yang Style Taijiquan, and the third son of Yang Chengfu(the finalizer of that school.) Yang Zhenduo's Taijiquan is said to closely resemble the style of his father, and he is now considered the heir and standard bearer to the style.

    Yang has competed twice in national martial arts tournaments, winning first prize on each occasion. His students number many thousands (in China and abroad) including men and women of all ages, and ranging from the chronically ill to world class wushu experts.

    A gentle, kind and respectful man, Yang is a patient and generous teacher who devotes himself to teaching Taijiquan. His determination to pass this valuable legacy has led him to travel the world offering instruction to students of all levels. He has written five books on taijiquan as well as countless articles, and has produced 3 sets of videos.

    • Member of the Coaches Committee of the Chinese Wushu Association,
    • Vice President of the Wushu Association of Shanxi Province
    • President of the Shanxi Yang Style Taijiquan Association (The largest martial arts organisation of its kind in China.)
    • Chairman of the International Yang Style Taijiquan Association. (18 centres in 9 countries with more than 350 members.)
    • Recognised as one the top 100 wushu masters in China.
    • Vice-president of the provincial capital's Wushu association.

    Yang Jun 楊軍, 杨军



    Born in 1968 in Taiyuan, Master Yang Jun is the 6th Generation descendant of the creator of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Yang Jun is the chosen future lineage holder of the Yang Family Taijiquan.

    • Began his training with Master Yang Zhen Duo at the age of 5 years.
    • Proficient in taijjiquan, sword, saber, tuishou, and many other forms of taijiquan.
    • Vice President of Operations and Training of the Shanxi Province Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association since 1995
    • President of the International Yang Family Taijiquan Association.
    • Certified as the highest level national judge
    • Head judge at the 1998 National Tai Chi Chuan Competition in China.

    Yang Jun has travelled with his grandfather, Yang Zhenduo whenever he travelled abroad to teach and has become a well respected teacher in his own right with unquestionable skill.

    In August of 1999 Yang Jun moved to Seattle with his lovely wife, Fang Hong, where they formally began working for the International Yang Family Taijiquan Association and to established a school in Seattle. first member of the Yang Family to live outside of China.


    Grand master Zeng Nailiang (曾乃梁)


    Master Zeng is a former head coach of the Chinese National Wushu Team and now devotes much of his time to promoting the health benefits of Taiji and Qigong.

    • Vice-chair of Fujian Martial Arts Association.
    • His students Gao Jiamin and Chen Sitan are Champions in Chinese National, Asian and World Martial Arts Championships.
    • Awarded "Experts of Outstanding Contributions" in 1993.

    Grandmaster Nick Gracenin



    Grandmaster Nick Gracenin was born in the United States and is the current director and owner of Nick Gracenin’s Martial Arts Center. He began practicing martial arts at the age of 12 and is a top student of the internationally renowned martial artist, Grandmaster Bow-Sim Mark. A formal lineage holder in the traditional Chinese martial arts system of the Fu Zhen Song Style, Grandmaster Gracenin has traveled throughout the world and trained under the top masters of both contemporary and traditional Chinese Wushu. He has produced over twenty members of U.S. teams including several national champions and continues to train students for both national and international competition.

    Grandmaster Gracenin holds the record for medals won at world championships by a member of the International Wushu Federation in Beijing, PRC. Inside Kungfu has named him one of the top “100 Influential Martial Artists of the Century”. In 2005, Inside Kungfu voted him “Man of the Year”. He has also appeared on ESPN and Pay-per-View events as a commentator for Martial Arts competition and demonstration.

    From 1986 to 1999, Grandmaster Gracenin was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Wushu Federation in Beijing, PRC. He is also a founding member of the USA Wushu Kungfu Federation, is a board member of the United Kungfu Federation of North America and an advisor to the International Wushu Sanshou Dao Association. He holds certificates from the Chinese Wushu Association in Beijing, the Jiangsu Provincial Wushu Academy in Nanjing and the International Wushu Federation in Beijing, PRC. In addition to his expertise in the Chinese styles, Grandmaster Gracenin holds a Master’s rank of 5th degree Black Belt in Kwan Mu Kan Karate. In 1983, he was the Black Belt Weapons Champion of the United States Karate Association.

    Grandmaster Gracenin is a 1980 graduate of Pennsylvania State University and conducts workshops and demonstrations throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe. He is a frequent performer, commentator, and workshop presenter at the annual A Taste of China international Tai Chi tournament and often facilitates the teacher exchange of that organization. Master Gracenin has taught in the Human Performance and Exercise Science Department at Youngstown State University and for The Pennsylvania State University. He also holds classes at a number of wellness centers, hospitals, and clinics. He is often called upon as a consultant and advisor to numerous national and international martial arts federations and organizations.


    Herb Goldberg



    Herb Goldberg began his training in the martial arts in 1966, and T'ai Chi Ch'uan in 1976 in Montreal, Canada under Master Lee Shiu Pak. Master Lee was a senior student of Chen Wei Ming, the famous disciple of Yang Cheng Fu who was widely acclaimed as one of the greatest masters of his time. Mr. Goldberg continued training with world famous masters and grandmasters from China and North America, including Fu Zhong Wen, Yang Zen Do, Liang Shou Yu, Dr. Yang Jwing Ming, T.T. Liang, Ben Lo and Wei Lun Huang.

    Mr. Goldberg has been honored by appointment to the National Board of Advisors of the USA Wushu Kung-Fu Federation. He has also been selected regularly by the USAWKF as a National Judge of T'ai Chi Ch'uan Forms and Push Hands. In addition, he has served as the Head Judge of Internal Martial Arts and Push Hands for the southeast region. His students have won numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at both the national and regional levels.

    Mr. Goldberg teaches T'ai Chi Ch'uan at the Yeshiva High School (3130 Raymond Drive, Doraville, Georgia, USA), and The Ravinia Club (Ashford Dunwoody across from Perimeter Mall, Atlanta, Georgia).

    He teaches Yang long form. Beginning students start with Chi Kung, 'weaving,' and 'walking.' The 3 stages of the form are then complemented with push hands, martial applications, sword, and staff. More advanced training includes Chin Na and Fa jing.

    For further information on Herb Goldberg's T'ai Chi Ch'uan or Chi Kung classes, also visit the T'ai Chi Ch'uan Atlanta website www.taichichuanatlanta.com.


    Huang Weilun



    • Teaches slow and fast Yang style Tai Chi, Hsing Yi, Ba Gua, Liu He Ba Fa, Chi Kung, Push Hands, sword, spear and martial applications.
    • Using his experience in recovering from a spinal cord injury, combined with his knowledge of the human body, Master Huang is known for his rehabilitation and conditioning skills.
    • Has helped students with a wide range of physical limitations and conditions.
    • Highly regarded for his teaching of energy work and self healing as well as for the powerful and explosive quality of his martial arts for those seeking a higher level of training.
    • Master Huang began his studies of internal arts as a child and has been teaching for more than 25 years.
    • Based in Miami,FL, he teaches privately and conducts workshops around the US and abroad.


    Master Jou Tsung Hwa 周宗崋 (Zhou Zonghua)



    Ian Sinclair considered moving to the Tai Chi Farm in the 1980's to train with Master Jou. While he did not end up doing so, he was fortunate to meet Jou at seminars, conferences, and tournaments, where Master Jou was a favoured attraction. In later years, Master Jou would demonstrate his tuishou and fajing. Ian considers himself fortunate to have been one of the people "blasted" across a room by Master Jou.

    • born July 13, 1917 in the small town of Zhuji, Zhejiang Province, China - the son of a local official,
    • receives an upper class education in the finest schools - shows a great aptitude in mathematics.
    • later marries and begins a family which he takes to Taiwan at the beginning of World War II.
    • becomes a successful mathematics professor, writing more than thirty textbooks and gaining some fame and considerable prosperity.
    • Developes a fondness for gambling, late hours, overwork, unhealthy sleeping and eating habits, heavy smoking
    • At the age of 47 is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and prolapsed stomach - doctors say there is no cure, although surgery and medication could offer limited help in preventing further deterioration.
    • A friend, Lou Zifeng introduces Jou to Master Yuandao, teacher of taijiquan.
    • Jou quits smoking, improves his lifestyle and began daily taiji practice.
    • In just two weeks, Jou noticed improvement.
    • After three years his stomach had returns to a normal.
    • After five years his heart had shrinks to normal, apparently healed.
    • Jou becomes an ardent spokesperson for taijiquan and deepened his practice. His health, vitality and energy level grow every day.
    • In 1971 Jou began studying for an American graduate degree in mathematics at Rutgers University in the USA.
    • Begins teaching informal taijiquan classes.
    • Rutgers offered to have him to teach taiji as an accredited course which Jou teaches until 1975 when the program was cancelled. The University, after reviewing the scant literature on taijiquan states that it is "just an exercise" and unworthy of a scholastic credit. This motivates Jou to do write The Dao of Taijiquan.
    • In 1977 Jou hosts the first annual Zhang Sanfeng Festival in Chinatown, New York City where it draws about 200 people. Later it becomes an important meeting place for masters and ideas and become a major catalyst for the development of community, teaching, a research into the art of taijiquan.
    • Jou creates the nonprofit “Tai Chi Foundation” partly with the proceeds from The Dao of Taijiquan. He purchases a 103 acre farm Warwick NY and names it the “Tai Chi Farm.”
    • Grandmaster Jou teaches weekly classes for next to nothing at the Farm and makes the facility available to other teachers for workshops and classes, gaining a reputation as a facilitator for all schools, all ideas, and all practices.
    • Students and other teachers comment that Master Jou appears to be getting younger every year. Even after he passed the age of eighty he would demonstrate new skills.
    • As he focuses more on basics, and refines his teaching methods, his class sizes become smaller. For those who stay, however, breakthroughs come "on nearly a daily basis."
    • Eventually Jou quits teaching regular classes.

    At a restaurant, a young waitress asked Master Jou, "How are you today, sir?" Jou rolled up his pant leg and said, "I show you! Look, new muscle! I'm over eighty years old and I never had muscle like this before!"



    • In 1990 Loretta Donnelly, then Wollering, becomes Grandmaster Jou’s first and only apprentice. She helps him form new classes, begins managing his affairs, restructures his school, the Farm and the Festival. With his time freed up, he now focuses on taiji nearly every waking second.
    • Grandmaster Jou’s skill level begins to reach legendary levels. Students come from all styles and all over the globe. Many find that they can’t keep up with him. In his 70's he becomes a seemingly unbeatable sparring partner. His fame spreads around the world drawing student from all over, including Taiwan and China.
    • In June of 1998 attendance at the Zhang San Feng Festival peaks at more than 700 people. For three days each year it filled the local hotels, motels, restaurants and diners to capacity.

    People from across the country were now attending, most to see the remarkable Grandmaster who they’d heard so much about. Some were disappointed to discover that he was neither 10 feet tall nor able to spit qi from his eyes. But for those that saw him spar, it was not hard to believe that he was approaching a level of skill not seen since the masters of old -- those men in whose hands taiji truly was the “grand ultimate.” - http://www.taichifarm.org/Grandmaster_Jou_Tsung_hwa.htm


    While Jou often said that his goal was to was live to 100 or more, and he appeared to be making progress, seeming younger every year. He had many plans and dreams for taijquan and the taiji community. Unfortunately, on August 3rd, 1998, after giving a talk about impermanence and the importance of diligence, Grandmaster Jou Tsung Hwa’s vehicle was struck by an oncoming van as he pulled out into an intersection. His injuries were fatal. His passing was quick. His leaving was a loss to the entire world.

    Grandmaster Jou stood for many things throughout his life. First and foremost, he was a living testament to the power of classical taiji. While not everyone agreed with his theories and teachings, none could argue with the results. More than that, he was an example of what one person can achieve when willing to work ceaselessly towards a goal. We who knew him can only speculate how far his dreams would have taken him even as many of us gladly followed. Lastly, and most importantly, Grandmaster Jou showed us all that neither ego nor hubris is necessary to excel in the martial arts. His heart and his mind were open. He will be sorely missed. - http://www.taichifarm.org/Grandmaster_Jou_Tsung_hwa.htm




    Ma Hailong (马海龙)


    • Born in 1935, Ma Hailong is a Taiji Master from Wu Family.
    • He is the grandson of Wu Jingquan, and the eldest son of Wu Ronghua and father Ma Yueliang.
    • President of Shanghai Jianquan Taiji Organization.

    John P. Painter


    Born in East Texas during the 1940’s, Dr. John Painter (Ph.D. ND.) has been learning and practicing Jiulong Baguazhang, Taijiquan and Xingyiquan from the Li family's system since 1953.

    After almost dying at birth Painter spent his childhood fighting one illness after another. When he was 13, he was introduced to Mr. Frank Li, (Li Longdao) a scholar martial artist, and bodyguard from Sichuan. The training was effective and Painter grew stronger.

    Painter learned the Daoqiquan system of Qigong as well as street-wise practical Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and Taijiquan martial arts and classical weapons systems.

    In 1969, Mr. Li returned to Sichuan after giving Painter a letter of commendation and adopting him as the inheritor, Wushu Zongshi, Shifu of the Daoqiquan style.

    Painter studied psychology and performing arts Texas Tech University, specialising in hypnotherapy and psychotherapeutic healing. He also specialized in Shakespearean drama and performing magic. Later he worked part time for the rescue team of the County Sheriff's office.

    Painter worked as a professional actor, stunt man, director, escape artist and bodyguard before getting a Ph.D. in Naturopathic medicine with emphasis in Chinese Acupressure and physiotherapy.

    His Wholistic Fitness Center Tao Ch'i Life Sciences Institute and instructed more than 4,000 and led to research into Qigong, bio-feedback, autosuggestion and neuro-linguistic programming, and hypnotherapy

    For his work as a researcher in the field of life force sciences, Dr. Painter has received an award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for contribution to space life sciences. He has been honored by world health and peace organizations for humanitarian contributions to the well being of mankind through his work in the internal arts.

    In 1980, Dr. Painter began the American Rangers Law Enforcement Martial Training Institute to promote better mental, physical, tactical and stress management training for peace officers in civilian and military operations.

    Painter has also taught defensive tactics to Military tactical trainers, FBI, DEA and special police officers, and has been commissioned as an honorary Texas Ranger.

    Dr. John Painter continues working and promoting traditional Chinese internal martial arts. He is working tirelessly to fulfill his promise to his teacher, that he will document in book and film the Daoqiquan system, train teachers and share Daoqiquan with anyone who is possessed of moral virtue and a kind heart.

    Pat Rice



    Pat Rice has been involved in Chinese martial arts and health practices since 1975 and has studied extensively in the U.S. and abroad from well-known masters. She has studied taijiquan, qigong, and other arts privately in China.

    She was a athlete member of the 1988 U.S. Wushu Team and competed in taijiquan at the International Wushu Invitational Tournament in Hangzhou, China. Among other tournament awards, she won 3rd place in Push-Hands, Women's Heavyweight Division, at the First Chung-hua Cup International Tai Chi Chuan Tournament, Taiwan.

    She earned a diploma at the Wushu International Judges Course in Shanghai in 1988 and is certified by the China Wushu Association to judge in international tournaments. She has sponsored, directed, and judged at numerous tournaments, and has taught courses in tournament management and judges training.

    She has been an administrative member of several Chinese martial arts organizations, including the Executive Board of the U.S.A. Wushu/Kungfu Federation. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of the former U.S. Wushu Federation and was Director of the Taijiquan Committee of U.S. Chinese Guoshu Federation. She served four years as a member of the Technical Committee of the International Wushu Federation and has attended three World Wushu Tournaments (Baltimore, Rome, Hong Kong) as an administrator.

    She has published several articles on taijiquan, wushu, and self defense.

    She is Director of "A Taste of China," an organization which since 1983 has presented taijiquan training seminars featuring many notable masters including Chen Xiao-wang (Chen style), Yang Zhen-duo (Yang style) and Wang Pei-sheng (Wu style) and has taken a student group to China, and which since 1988 has organized the "U.S.A. All-Taijiquan Championships." These events attract faculty, officials and judges, and participants, students, and athletes from all across the U.S. and Canada, and also from Europe, South America, Australia, and China. In 1999, she was named by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 100 most influential persons in martial arts in the U.S. in the past 100 years. She was inducted into Inside Kung Fu's 2001 Hall of Fame for "Outstanding Contribution to Martial Arts."

    She has conducted workshops in the U.S. and abroad for more than 25 years. She has been Director and Instructor at the Shenandoah Taijiquan Center/Yang Chengfu Center in Winchester, Virginia since 1992.

    She has a great enthusiasm for teaching and learning, and is dedicated to sharing the sense of well-being that can be obtained from the practices of taiji and qigong.


    Sam Slutsky



    Sam Slutsky is a T'ai Chi Ch'uan student of Master Lee Shiu Pak who was a senior student of Chen Wei Ming, the famous disciple of Yang Cheng Fu.

    Sam Slutsky teaches Tai Chi in Montreal. Contact him for details on where and when classes are being held:

    Sam Slutsky
    Telephone: (514) 270-7354


    Mike Smith



    When I met Mike Smith he was teaching martial arts and qigong in Richmond, B.C. With a martial arts background that included Karate, Yiquan, Wing Chun, Taijiquan, JKD, Zuquan, and more. He later he moved to Nelson where he taught and practised Traditional Chinese Medicine. I would love to post more information about him. But I don't know where he is now. If you are out there, Mike, please drop me a line. - Ian Sinclair