Beginning martial arts in Canada

[Leibniz]

I live in Providence, RI and my fiancé lives near Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I found a school in RI to take classes at where I'm planning on taking courses in Xingyiquan and Baguazhang starting in the Fall when I get back home. I have some experience taking martial arts before.

Now I'm looking for a school in Canada, either in Richmond, Surrey, or Vancouver that offers classes in chinese martial arts for my fiancé to take. She hasn't ever taken a martial art before. Can anyone recommend some of the better schools in these regions? I know there's a lot more to choose from around here than in Providence, RI. We are looking for schools that teach internal martial arts (Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, T'ai chi ch'uan) or Wing Chun. The goal is for both self-defense and bodily health.

[Happy Tiger]

I live in Providence, RI and my fiancé lives near Vancouver, B.C., Canada. I found a school in RI to take classes at where I'm planning on taking courses in Xingyiquan and Baguazhang starting in the Fall when I get back home. I have some experience taking martial arts before.

Now I'm looking for a school in Canada, either in Richmond, Surrey, or Vancouver that offers classes in chinese martial arts for my fiancé to take. She hasn't ever taken a martial art before. Can anyone recommend some of the better schools in these regions? I know there's a lot more to choose from around here than in Providence, RI. We are looking for schools that teach internal martial arts (Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, T'ai chi ch'uan) or Wing Chun. The goal is for both self-defense and bodily health.
http://www.tstvingtsun.bc.ca/
Sifu Leo Lit IMO is about the best there is in Vancouver. He's a senior instructor in sigong Tsui Sheung Tin method. Very high internal development and skill.
His main Kwoon is in Richmond with a smaller group in Vancouvers downtown chinatown as well.Highly recomended.
Where are you both gonna settle after yer hitched?

[Happy Tiger]

Can't leave out GM Liang Shou Yu's incredible group. This fellow needs no introduction. Definitely one of the best anywhere. He's right downtown east side.
I train with afew of his students and have visited the kwoon many times. Awsome.
http://www.shouyuliang.com/index.shtml

[Leibniz]

Thanks! These are very helpful.

[Happy Tiger]

Thanks! These are very helpful.
My pleasure. One more thing you might be interested.
Kuen Way Martial Arts Supply
http://www.kuenway.com/
and
Dragon Martial Arts Supply downtown.
http://www.kuenway.com/
Not only are these great places for your chinese martial arts needs, they are very good contact points for who's who and what's what in the lower mainland Kung Fu community.
Mrs. Pearl Ho (baby sister to GM Leung Ting) runs KW and Mr. Ying Lung is in chinatown with DMA. They are both wonderful people.

[Satori Science]

There is essentially any TCMA style that you want to learn in the Metro Vancouver area and if you include Richmond there are tons more. Master Liang's School is a great place and an institution as CMA goes in the lower mainland but fairly expensive, about $80-$90 a month for one class a week.

I would generally recommend Sifu Ayron Howie (7th degree under Master Liang) if you are interested in learning traditional but also how to apply it in real life self defense. Or Master Jon Funk's 7 Star Praying mantis the other best, most welcoming and most experienced instructor I know of in Vancouver, who teaches very traditionally but also produces top fighters.

But the options are literally endless and it really depends on how far you want to drive and what style you want to learn.

PM me if you have a question about a particular style or teacher.

[Happy Tiger]

There is essentially any TCMA style that you want to learn in the Metro Vancouver area and if you include Richmond there are tons more. Master Liang's School is a great place and an institution as CMA goes in the lower mainland but fairly expensive, about $80-$90 a month for one class a week.

I would generally recommend Sifu Ayron Howie (7th degree under Master Liang) if you are interested in learning traditional but also how to apply it in real life self defense. Or Master Jon Funk's 7 Star Praying mantis the other best, most welcoming and most experienced instructor I know of in Vancouver, who teaches very traditionally but also produces top fighters.

But the options are literally endless and it really depends on how far you want to drive and what style you want to learn.

PM me if you have a question about a particular style or teacher.
Hey Satori Science how are you?
Glad to meet another Vancouver Lad. Where's your kwoon located? I would love to visit some time if that's cool.

[Satori Science]

I taught Bak Sing CLF out of a private studio space in gastown for about three years, but have let the space go.

Im actually living in upstate NY at a Buddhist meditation retreat for the summer, so not in the lower mainland at the moment.

But to be honest I mainly train submission grappling these days.

Always good to connect with another BC boy, where do you train?

Cheers

[Nei-Jia-Quan]

Hi, I know Chen Zhonghua is in Edmonton Canada and that he has some students in Vancouver. He teaches Chen style practical method Taijiquan. Then there is Yang Hai in Montreal Quebec, I dont know how far that is from Vancouver, but he teaches Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Chen style Taijiquan. both are excellent teachers and there websites are at
Www.practicalmethod.com
Www.internalstyle.com
Good luck in your training!

[YouKnowWho]

If you want to learn Chinese wrestling, you can contact.

Geoff Cundiff in Vancouver.

PM me if you need his phone number.

[Happy Tiger]

I taught Bak Sing CLF out of a private studio space in gastown for about three years, but have let the space go.

Im actually living in upstate NY at a Buddhist meditation retreat for the summer, so not in the lower mainland at the moment.

But to be honest I mainly train submission grappling these days.

Always good to connect with another BC boy, where do you train?

Cheers
I'm training at Suger Ray's downtown Granville St. these days. Also with a ground fighting group at the Gathering Place community center. Hope your retreat is trancendant

[Nei-Jia-Quan]

Sorry accidental post!

[Leibniz]

I went to Li Rong's school (http://www.tristartaiji.com) and talked with her about taking Tai chi. The rate was far too expensive. I read (here: http://forum.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20749) that the cost was $80 per month. However, she told us the cost was $150 per month, and that since we were only beginning, to do private lessons with her at $100 per lesson.

[SimonM]

That post was from 2003. I don't think it applies to current prices. ;)

[frankiemantis]

Master Hu Xi Lin in Richmond is by far the most advanced mantis teacher in Vancouver , if not North America. He is very affordable, I think maybe 10$ a class. I would stay away from Jon funks school, just my opinion. Master Hu teaches out of Richmond Sports club.
#150 – 2251 No 5 Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 2S9

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idchwx2q0L0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZutQkUk6J2U&feature=related

[iron_silk]

Since you were asking about internal arts I would personally recommend the following:

1) Sifu Paul Tam - Chen Tai Chi
http://www.clfcanada.com/
(http://www.clfcanada.com/)

He learned from a very famous master from Chen Village - Grandmaster Chen Zheng Lei

Here is a demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YL1Bm0JXg8

2) Sifu Wilson Wu - master of quite a few internal arts
http://www.taichiqigong.ca/

Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCgo6ExpcgE&list=UU7mW04rkmaMFalTMZo9E03g&index=10&feature=plcp


Good Luck!