Ian Sinclair became interested in Taijiquan as a
13-year-old reading a book called “Moving Zen.” This
autobiographical account of a Canadian wildlife
botanist named C.W. Nicol studying Karate in Japan
sparked the realization that there was more to martial
arts than loud noises and bad movies. At one point in
this book the author recounts his meeting with a
Taijiquan master named Wang Shu Jin. This anecdote
inspired Ian to immediately resolve to find a teacher
of this strange art. Fate stepped in the very next day
when he overheard his mother talking to a friend at
church about local classes in taijiquan. Ian began
taking classes with teacher Baldwin Yang that month,
and has never looked back since.
Since those first classes at a local Orilia high
school, Ian has gone to considerable lengths to
continue his training. When Mr. Yang was not teaching
in Orillia Ian would find whatever information he could
from books, and magazines, practising what he had
learned and trying to teach himself whenever possible.
He persevered in spite of strange looks from family and
ridicule from peers.
When he acquired his driver’s license, his parents
allowed him drive the family vehicle 2 hours each
Saturday so he could attend classes in another city.
After high school he continued his academic education
and his taijiquan training in Toronto, where he studied
with Paul McCaughey and others.
In 1989, following the recommendations of several top
instructors, he moved to Vancouver to study with
Grandmaster Shouyu Liang and Sam Masich. He also
learned from Masters Tchoung Ta Tchen, Raymond Y.M.
Chung, and others.
Over the years Ian has studied with many of the World’s
top masters, won several international championships,
and worked as a martial arts consultant and performer
for film, TV, and stage.
Ian’s training has included not only Taijiquan and
Neijia wushu styles such as Xingyiquan and Baguazhang.
But also several other martial arts, esoteric qigong,
and oriental healing methods.
Ian’s students have proven themselves as successful
competitors and as teachers.
Now living and teaching in Orillia, Ian has dedicated
himself to making the world a better place by offering
quality instruction for body, mind and spirit. He
remains committed to promoting taijiquan as a healing
art and a martial art.
Liang Shouyu (since 1989)
Sam Masich (1989 -....)
Raymond Chung, (1989 - 1992)
Tchoung Ta Tchen (1989 - 1991)
Paul McCaughey (1985 - 1989)
Wayne Wilson (1985 - 1989)
Terry Farrel (1983 - 1984)
Baldwin Yang (1979 - 1982)
Sun Yong Tian, Chen Zheng Lei, Wu Wen Han, Yang Zhen
Duo, Zeng Nai Liang, Ma Hei Long, Wu Kwong Yu, Wang
Ju Rong, Grace Wu, Fu Shu Yun, Yang Jun, Jou Tsung
Hwa, John Painter, NIck Gracenin, Jeff Bolt, Mike
Smith, Adam Chan, Pat Rice, Nonoy Gallano, Huang Wei Lun, Fu Sheng
Yuan, Sam Slutsky, Herb Goldberg, Tong Yau Sun, John
Bracy, Wayne Wilson, ... more