About my teaching methods
I am an unusual mix of university educated and years of traditional training. I have friends in sport wushu, in traditional Taijiquan, and in many styles in between, and support them in their endeavours. I train and teach traditional martial arts for health and fulfilment, which to me and my teachers enhances fighting effectiveness. We believe that you cannot remain combat effective if your body breaks down, which it will sooner or later if you do not pay attention (and trust me on this, I know from experience). The goal is thus to develop your body and your internal health to be able to keep doing what you want to do for your whole life.
No matter what goes on in the modern competition wushu world, the traditional styles haven’t changed, and I accept the responsibility of transmitting them. I have been told by more than one teacher to take that responsibility seriously. Zhang Wenguang (the head of the wushu department at college in Beijing) told me way back in 1983, “You are the first Westerner wushu specialist we have had and have stayed for the longest time. You must go home and teach what we have taught you.” Huan Dahai (my sifu in Shanghai) told me, “You are the youngest, the only woman, the only Westerner, and the best educated of my apprentices. You will have your own unique approach, so you must set my style down in writing and must teach it in the West.” I can only do my best to live up to their expectations.
I teach the traditional internal styles from the ground up. My emphasis is on basics and skills training, with understanding of applications. If you have a session with me, expect a low-key class where you will work hard and leave with concrete skills to practise on your own. My personal style and preference has always been straightforward. I feel that this approach brings more in the long run. You get back from the martial arts only what you put in. My personal obsessions are getting external stylists into the internal styles, respect for the basic structure of each style, and subtracting all the unessentials. And that the people who learn from me are independent – there is nothing worse than a developed dependency on a teacher.
I started playing martial arts in 1972, with northern Shaolin in Victoria, BC (Canada, in case you don’t know I’m Canadian yet). Right away I knew that I would spend the rest of my life playing kungfu. I transferred to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver to learn Chinese, and was lucky to train MyJong LawHorn with Alex Kwok while I was in Vancouver. This ended up being quite some time, since I did a Bachelor of Physical Education after my B.A. in Chinese. I had decided that I would win a scholarship to China, and that I would be accepted at the Beijing College of Physical Education, the best in the country.
The 1980s, mostly spent in China
Oddly enough, I did win the scholarship and I was accepted as an advanced student, arriving in 1980. I spent three years there with Xia Bohua as my main coach, during which time I discovered how hard it is possible to train. In the spring of 1981, at a national competition, I saw a girl about five feet tall play with a sabre about five feet tall. What is that? I asked teacher Xia. ‘Bagua,’ he said,’ I know that, I can teach you.’ That was it for me – I had to learn Bagua. About the same time I also discovered Chen taiji and Xingyi, and this was when I transformed into an internal stylist. I still learned the whole wushu syllabus at the college, for my coaching knowledge.
Although I seem to be known because of the time spent here, I later changed completely to traditional training, It is the hard work put in at the college that formed me, and gave me the foundation to learn and perform anything that was taught me. I wrote about that time in Beijing Bittersweet.
Montreal years, the wushu centre and competitions
When I graduated in 1983 I was invited to Montreal to interpret for Niu Huailu, coach of the Shandong team, so was able to continue my studies with top coaching for another three years, as well as returning to Beijing to train for the summers of 1984 and 1986. I was the only non-Asian gold medalist at the International Taijiquan Invitational Competition in Wuhan, China, in 1985, performing the 48 move combined taijiquan. I was a member of the 1986 Canadian wushu team, performing Chen taijiquan and Xingyiquan in Tianjin. During this time I was running the wushu centre in Montreal.
late 80s to the 90s, Vancouver, Shanghai, and Victoria
In 1988 I went back to Vancouver for a Master of Physical Education, specialising in coaching science. As soon as I finished my masters degree, in 1990, I went to Shanghai and became an apprentice of Huan Dahai. I had learned his Chen Taiji form before I became his apprentice, so was able to sort out the form in the six months that I spent there. I went back again for more work in 1995. During the 1990s I mostly lived in Victoria and concentrated on playing his Chen form and bringing my students to as high a level as I could. I was by now completely traditional, so ‘high level’ did not mean competition, but deep skills.
I wrote about that time in Shadowboxing in Shanghai.
late 90s, early 2000s, Victoria and the world
In the late 90s I was dragged kicking and screaming back into the big world (thanks to the women in PAWMA). I also played Aikido in the late 90s, and got to 4th kyu, not very high but not too bad considering the extended times I took off for bike racing and trips to China. I had to stop just before testing for 3rd kyu, when I blew a knee cartilage in 2003. I do miss Aikido, having to quit was one of my few regrets in my martial art life. My knees are strong now, though they don’t bend completely. I sit every single day in seiza, on a little bench, one of the things that I cannot do without.
I started translating the books during this time, publishing the first one in 2000, and starting this website to sell them. At that time, books involved typing the text, cutting and pasting (actual paper and scissors) the images, xeroxing that, taking the pile of paper to a printer, then getting boxes of books to store in a closet to mail out one by one to customers.
2000s in Beijing
In the autumn 2001, on a trip to Beijing, I made contact with Li Baohua, one of the few lineage holders of Ma Gui baguazhang. Due to a back meltdown I didn’t get to train with him much, but I did learn a lot about Chinese tuina treatment. I also met Di Guoyong, as his videos kept me sane during my injury time. 2002 was spent in the woods of Quebec, rebuilding my back with Ma Gui circle walking. In the spring of 2003 I spent two months in Beijing. The SARS quarantine started as soon as I got there, so I did a lot more bagua with Li and a lot less Xingyi with Di than planned. 2003 was spent integrating this new knowledge and new strong body into all my styles, which meant a lot of circle walking. By 2003 I was based at a cabin on the lake, where we had spent many winters before, which meant more training and teaching, so complete recovery. Spring 2004 was Beijing again, late summer bicycling in Victoria, then back to the cabin, this cycle repeating in the autumn of 2005 and 2006. Around then I started travelling a lot more to teach.
2000s into the 2010s, Victoria to Quebec City
From 2006-2012 I continued my studies with Li Baohua and Di Guoyong in Beijing, and with Li in Japan. I had completley sorted out my back problem through the MaGui circle walking. I still spent a lot of time walking in circles in the winter at the cabin, but travelling twice a year to teach across Canada and in England. As I turned 60, I continued training in Beijing with Di Guoyong and added a friend (who happens to be one of the most awesome wushu players ever) Lu Yan, who had extensive training in Cheng Baguazhang from Sun Zhijun. In 2015 I met my martial aunt Zou Shuxian. In 2016 I trained a little with her, but mostly with my martial brother Cheng Jiefeng, returning to my traditional roots in Shanghai with the Jiang style bagua. I repeated this again in 2017 and 2019. Each trip to China also included training with Di Guoyong in Beijing. I was able to convince Di to teach me Liang style Bagua as well as his Xingyi, and had a great deal of fun with him. I was lucky at this time to go to Beijing and Shanghai almost every year, both reinforcing what I had learned before, and learning a few new things.
Post 2019 pandemic and beyond
After a three year enforced break from travelling and most teaching, I have ended up in semi-retirement. The clubs across Canada and in England either folded or downsized, and never got going up to speed after that. I teach a few friends, but mostly train on my own and work on the books. I quite like only training what I like to do, I don’t have to review anything just for teaching. That usually means that I do MaGui circle walking, Liang circle walking, the fabulous sixty-four hands, some Xingyi lines, and Taiji Changquan in the summer. My summer bicycling and winter skiing don’t get messed up by trips to teach, so I am fitter than ever, and I don’t have any more scary trips across the prairies in the middle of a Canadian winter.
During the 2020 lockdown, I had lots of time to redo all of my books and get them all up for sale directly online, so that I no longer have any books in my closet.
MY FORMAL EDUCATION
1991-1995 updated knowledge with coursework (and worked as teaching assistant and research assistant) in history/sociology of modern China, at the University of Victoria.
1990 received a Master of Physical Education from the University of British Columbia, specialising in coaching science. Studied a fair bit of biomechanics and motor learning.
1989 obtained level three theory in Canada’s National Coaching Certification Program (at some point I also obtained level two practical certification in cycling and swimming).
1983 received a post-graduate diploma in wushu, external and internal styles, from the Beijing Physical Education College.
1980 received a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of British Columbia.
1978 received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia, with a major in Chinese.
MY MARTIAL EDUCATION IN CHINA AND JAPAN
2019 October – November: Liang Bagua and Liu Dekuan’s sixty-four hands with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Jiang Bagua 72 hidden kicks and Taiji Changquan with Cheng Jiefeng in Shanghai.
2018 October – November: Cheng Bagua sabre and spear with Lu Yan in Beijing. Liang Bagua and Liu Dekuan’s sixty four hands with Di Guoyong in Beijing.
2017 October: Jiang Bagua, 72 hidden kicks, and Taij Changquan with Cheng Jiefeng in Shanghai.
2017: Fan Bagua basics with Philip Morrel. Also met up in other years, but my records are really bad, as this was informal learning with a friend.
2016 October – November: Liang Bagua and Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Jiang Bagua with Cheng Jiefeng and Zou Shuxian in Shanghai. Taiji Changquan with Cheng Jiefeng in Shanghai. Cheng Bagua sabre with Lu Yan in Beijing.
2015 October – November: Cheng Bagua sabre and spear with Lu Yan in Beijing (Di Guoyong was away teaching). Jiang Bagua with Zou Shuxian in Shanghai. Chen Taijiquan with Cai Yuhua in Shanghai.
2014 September: a couple of days of Jiang Bagua with Su Zifang in Southampton MA.
2014 June: a couple of days of Jiang Bagua with Zhao Yun in Olympia WA.
2013 October to November: Liang Bagua with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Cheng Bagua spear with Lu Yan in Beijing.
2012 May: Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Oklahoma OK.
2010 August – October: Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing and Tokyo. Liang Bagua and Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing.
2009 November – December: five weeks of intensive Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Organised a two week intensive group with him as well. Trained Xingyi with Di Guoyong.
2008 July – August: one month intensive Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Tokyo and Kojima, Japan.
2007 September – October: Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing.
2006 July – August: one month intensive Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Tokyo. Sept – October: Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Organised a two week intentive group to train with Li Baohua in Beijing.
2005 August – September: Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Took a friend to train with my teachers.
2004 April – July. Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Took a friend to train with my teachers.
2003 March – May: Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Xingyi with Di Guoyong in Beijing. Took two friends to train with my teachers.
2001 September – December: trained a bit and chatted a lot about Ma Gui Bagua with Li Baohua in Beijing. Back issues prevented a lot of training.
1996 August – December: Chen Taijiquan and Jiang Bagua sabre with Huan Dahai and Cheng Jiefeng in Shanghai. Also with Cai Yuhua.
1990-July – November: Chen Taijiquan, Jiang Bagua, Taiji Changquan with Huan Dahai, Cheng Jiefeng, and Cai Yuhua in Shanghai. Accepted as inside apprentice of Huan Dahai.
1986 July – September: Bagua with Xia Bohua, Chen Taijiquan with Kan Guixiang at the Beijing Physical Culture College. Took a delegation of ten members of the wushu centre from Montreal to train for the month of July.
1984 April – August: Bagua with Xia Bohua, Chen Taijiquan with Kan Guixiang at the Beijing Physical Culture College.
October 1980 – August 1983: wushu, external and internal styles at the Beijing Physical Culture College, as a scholarship exchange student.
Am I obsessed with martial arts? Not at all.
Bikes
I have ridden a bike since I was six. I most enjoy a nice country road on my classic road bike, but have ridden mountain bike trails, raced on the road and track, and don’t even mind a bike on a trainer in the basement. Also, the only way to get around in the city is on a bike, in any weather.
Bells
I started learning the English method of church bell ringing in 2007. It is the ultimate in cross training for martial arts awareness and sensitivity, apart from its intrinsic value and brain work. Without even trying, it units body and mind as we try to do in the martial arts.
Hoks
I am not much of a skier, but with Altai Hok skis, I can go anywhere in the woods when there is snow. So, when the snow hits, I’m out on the Hoks. I have always loved maps, and have spent many hours mapping the trails.
TEACHNG EXPERIENCE
the wushu centre, 1984 to present: director, in Montreal QC, Victoria BC, and Quebec City QC. Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, and occasionally Taiji Changquan.
Ching Wu Athletic Association in Winnipeg MN: Jiang Bagua, Liang Bagua, Ma Gui Bagua, Xingyi, and a plethora of weapons. 1980s, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (twice a year seminars, usually over the week)
Stone Lantern Internal Arts in Guelph ON: Jiang Bagua, Liang Bagua, Ma Gui Bagua, Xingyi, and a plethora of weapons. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (twice a year seminars, over the weekend)
Northern Gate Internal Arts in Basingstoke, Hants UK: Jiang Bagua, Liang Bagua, Ma Gui Bagua, Xingyi, and a plethora of weapons. 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (twice a year seminars, over the week and at weekends). After the break, 2023, 2024 private sessions.
Vancouver Taijiquan in Vancouver BC: Bagua basics, mostly Ma Gui. 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (twice a year, weekend seminar)
Victoria and Sidney BC: in private and seminar format since I moved away. 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 twice a year. After the break, 2023, 2024 once a year.
Quebec City study group: special seminars or training extravaganzas in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Otherwise, just regular ongoing teaching.
Prairie Study Group in Saskatoon SK and mostly in Medicine Hat AB: Ma Gui Bagua. 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. (twice a year, weekend seminars)
Belfast, North Ireland. Ma Gui Bagua and Xingyi. 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. (twice a year weekend seminars)
England Midlands Group in Nottingham or Walsall: Xingyi and Ma Gui Bagua. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010. (weekend seminars)
Canada East Wushu and Halifax Chuojiao Fanzi in Halifax NS: Xingyi and Ma Gui Bagua, even some wushu basics. 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013. (weeklong or weekend seminars)
Dublin, Ireland. Ma Gui Bagua seminar in 2005. (a weekend seminar)
Viceza, Italy, Ma Gui Bagua in 2012, a weekend seminar.
Seattle WA, Ma Gui Bagua in 2005, a weekend seminar.
Pacific Association of Women in Martial Arts camp: Olympia WA, Monterey CA, Boring OR, Sonoma CA, Gibsons BC, in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2006. Xingyi, Jiang Bagua, Ma Gui Bagua, Chen Taijiquan. This is a weekend intensive camp.
Special Training Camp in Geneva NY: Xingyi in 2002.
Winnipeg Wushu Centre in Winnipeg MN: Xingyi in 2000.
Academy of Martial Arts in Portland OR: Chen Taijiquan and Taiji Changquan in 2000 plus.
Women’s Festival of Martial Arts in Squamish BC: Xingyi and Bagua in 1999 and 2000. A weekend intensive camp.
Sun Yat Sen Classical Garden, and Marpole Oakridge Community Centre in Vancouver BC: Yang Taijiquan, from 1989 through 1990.
McGill University Athletics Department in Montreal QC: Yang Taijiquan from 1985 through 1988.
During the 1980s I did some seminars in Quebec City, Toronto, Cusset France, Bern Switzerland, Spiez Switzerland, Magglingen national sports centre in Switzerland, Yokohama Taichi Club in Japan. I revisited the Yokohama club in 2006 and did a casual class, after which they hosted a feast at the club.
In non-marital teaching, I was teaching assistant in the department of Asian Studies at the University of Victoria from 1992 through 1995. Also guest lecturer at East China Normal UniversityShanghai, in linguistics, French, and Physical Education in 1996.
Mention in Publications
Kungfu Conversations, November 2025, Randel and Owen talked with me for an hour, mostly about my translation work.
Byron Jacob’s The Drunken Boxing Podcast, October or November 2019, we talked for two hours when I was in Beijing that time.
Tai Chi Chuan & Internal Arts, no. 36, Winter 2011. Interview by Luigi Zanini. On the Taiji Forum.
Brian Kennedy’s book “Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals: A Historical Survey.”
Brian Preston’s book “Me, Chi, and Bruce Lee”. He came along to a seminar in Guelph and interviewed me afterwards. His book is funny, and I am one of the few instructors who came off well.
Translation and Interpretation work aside from what I’ve published
2025: I copy-edited Byron Jacob’s translation of Di Guoyong’s book on Liang style baguazhang. This is the first in a series.
2023: I proofread and copy-edited Byron Jacob’s book Dragon Body Tiger Spirit.
2021: I translated Li Tianji’s Wudang Sword book for the American Wudang Association.
2014: I translated a Shang Family Xingyi book by Su Lizhi for the American Shang Family Xingyiquan Association.
2009: I interpreted for Di Guoyong’s seminar at the Chinese Martial Arts Center in Dunedin, FL.
2006: I interpreted for Su Zifang’s seminars at the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists camp in Olympia WA.
2005: I interpreted for Di Guoyong’s seminar at the Chinese Martial Arts Center in Dunedin, FL.
2003: I interpreted for Madame Gao Fu at the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists camp.
1999 and 1997: I interpreted for Yang Zhenduo at his seminars at the l’école de Taijiquan Michel Tremblay in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC.
1986: I was the interpreter and guide during the visit of the Beijing wushu team in Montreal, and the colour announcer for a film made in Calgary during their visit to Canada.
1983-1986: I was the interpreter for Niu Huailu, wushu coach for the Canadian wushu association.
Non-martial work: 1991-2000 research assistant in the Department of Asian Studies at the University of Victoria. 1987-1988 translator for SNC Three Gorges Projec feasibility study.
Wushu Competition Experience and Work
Not my favourite thing, best avoided.
Competing in International Events as Athlete
1986: member of the Canadian Wushu Team, competed in the International Wushu competition in Tianjin, China.
1984: Competed in Taijiquan at the International Taijiquan Invitational Meet in Wuhan, China. The only non-Asian to win a gold medal.
1982: competed in the first international wushu invitational competition in Nanjing China.
( I also went down to the Chinese Wushu Research Institute in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for their Wushu Expos, while I was running the wushu centre in Montreal, in 1986, 1`987, and 1988. When I competed, I won. When I took students, I judged instead.)
Judging at National Wushu Competitions
2016 nationals and junior team selection, Markham ON. From this point, I declined further invitations to judge, claiming age – the work days are just too long.
2015 nationals and team selection, Toronto ON
2014 nationals, senior and junior team selection, Toronto ON
2012 nationals and junior team selection, Toronto ON
2011 nationals and senior team selection, Toronto ON
2008 nationals and team selection, Vancouver BC.
2007: nationals and team selection, Montreal QC.
1997: nationals and team selection (I forget where)
1995: nationals and team selection (I forget where)
Working in organisational capacity
2009: took a group to participate in the Ma Gui Bagua workshop in Beijing.
2006: took a group to participate in the Ma Gui Bagua workship in Beijing.
2005-2012: president of the North American Ma Gui Ba Gua Association. In 2012, the association was incorporated into the International MGBGA, and I was made a free agent.
2001: on the instructor selection committee for the PAWMA camp, which gave me the chance to make sure the Maori warriors came.
1995-1998: board member of the United Wushu Federation of Canada.
1988-1991: president of the Canadian National Chinese Martial Arts Federation.
1988: Canadian delegate at the International Wushu Federation Preparatory Committee meeting in Hangzhou, China.
1986: took a group from the wushu centre to attend seminars at the Beijing Physical Education College.
I’m not kidding about the bikes.
It seems like a lot of bikes, but I don’t buy bikes all the time, I just keep them in excellent condition so they add up. One is still going from the 1980s, and the newest one is from 2005.
trois gros lapins traversent le chemin