Meet the Indoor Students of the
Masich Internal Arts Method
Javier Arnanz , Matthew Case, Dorian Gregory, Fabian Köhler, Maria Alessandra Papa,
Ricardo Buenaventura, Cher Robins, Erica Anderson, Alisdair Scott, Maria Hiegemann,
Patrick Foley, Simon Robins, Juergen Kurtz, Paul Thomas & Chiara Vendettuoli
Javier Arnanz
Javier Arnanz
(Madrid, Spain)
"I started taijiquan for health reasons but found that it helped me to grow as a person in so many ways. As a martial art it is a way of self-expression and it has taught me how to fight the most powerful enemy—myself." Javier Arnanz started studying taijiquan in 1998. He began his training with Sam Masich in 2005. He trains and teaches Yang-style Taijiquan in all it's dimensions—for health, meditation and martial application. He was accepted as an indoor student on July 13, 2016.
Mathew Case
(Ottawa, Canada)
"Transformative alchemy— I study the internal arts for spiritual cultivation, wellbeing, optimal health, friendship, and the fun of really good push-hands and sparring!" Matthew Case started studying martial arts in 1986 (karate, shuaijiao, xingyiquan, and baguazhang). He began his training with Sam Masich in 2001. Currently, Matt focuses his practice and teaching on the application of core principles and neigong into two-person work and forms. He was accepted as an indoor student on July 13, 2016.
Matthew Case
Dorian Gregory
Dorian Gregory
(Massachusetts, USA)
"Taijiquan is, for me, the study of change and the power of transformation. It is an art that asks me to get comfortable with myself and promises that my greatest power flows from that comfort." Dorian Gregory started studying martial arts in 1989 (karate, arnis). She began her training with Sam Masich in 2006. She offers classes, private and semi-private lessons, seminars and workshops in the traditional curriculum Yang-style Taijiquan with an emphasis on core principles and taiji philosophy. She was accepted as an indoor student on July 13, 2016.
Fabian Köhler
(Göttingen, Germany)
“I practice taiji for self cultivation as well as for its martial arts aspects. I am especially interested in push-hands (tuishou) practices. Practicing taijiquan helps me to bring more clarity and calmness into my life.” Fabian started practicing taijiquan in 2006 with a focus on Zheng Manqing forms. When he met Sam Masich in 2009, he was deeply impressed by Sam's push-hands skillset and now practices traditional Yang-style Taijiquan in all it’s dimensions. Fabian is the programming genius behind the MIAM Practice Log. He was accepted as an indoor student on November 25, 2017.
Maria Alessandra Papa
(Hannover, Germany)
“Taiji as a path of self-awareness and improvement. I was initially drawn in by the care-free fun of push-hands sparring; studying with Sam then opened the door to a whole different depth of content." M. Alessandra Papa started studying taijiquan in 2008 and has been studying with Sam since that time. Her interest now extends to the broader cultural context in which taijiquan developed and its deeper roots. She enjoys sharing her training with anyone who has a sincere interest in the art. She was accepted as an indoor student on November 24, 2017.
Ricardo Buenaventura
(México City, México)
“I started studying taijiquan as a way of body expression. Over time it became a method of approaching conflict. Now my practice and teaching guide and illuminate my life.” Ricardo Quiroz started to studying taijiquan in 2009. He began his training with Sam Masich in 2013. Ricardo trains and teaches Yang-style Taijiquan focused on its three aspects—martial art, health and meditation. Ricardo was accepted as an indoor student on February 2, 2018.
Cher Robins
(Brighton, UK)
"I study taijiquan because it is a journey inside myself—no destination, pure discovery. It challenges me and gives me tools for transformation, healing and connection." Cher Robins started studying taijiquan in 2003. She began her training with Sam Masich in 2007. She trains and teaches Yang-style Taijiquan with an emphasis on core principles and partner work. She was accepted as an indoor student on June 8, 2018.
Erica Anderson
(Pleasant Hill, Oregon)
“I began studying taijiquan because I had watched my Mom practicing it and it looked like fun. I’ve continued because I feel through the study of taiji we can learn to be fully present in our own body and our interactions with the world around us.” Erica Anderson began studying taijiquan with Jim Madras in Eugene, Oregon, USA in 2003. She first studied with Sam Masich in 2003. Erica teaches the Yang-style Taijiquan full curriculum as well as Masich Internal Arts Method 5 Section Taijiquan material. Erica was accepted as an indoor student in October, 2018.
Alisdair Scott
(Luncarty, Scotland)
"I started taijiquan to continue my martial-arts practice in a soft way (originally Shotokai karate). I found that it had so many facets and I soon became hooked." Al Scott started studying taijiquan in 1998. He began his training with Sam Masich in 2010 and asked Sam to be his full-time teacher in 2016. The main focus of Al's practice and teaching is Yang-style Taijiquan with emphasis on core principles and push hands. He was accepted as an indoor student on August 18, 2019.
Maria Hiegemann
(Sendenhorst, Germany)
"I study taijiquan because I simply love it. It is a treasure that wants to be explored and practiced constantly. It asks me to develop comfort in my relationship and contact with others. It shows me the powers and deficiencies of my humanity and also how to grow from there. Indeed hard work but I simply love it." Maria Hiegemann started studying taijiquan in 1997. She began her training with Sam Masich in 2013. She teaches the 5 Section Taijiquan Program with a focus on core principles. She was accepted as an indoor student on August 18, 2019.
Patrick Foley
(Salisbury, United Kingdom)
"For many years now I have strived to find heart, integrity and balance in life's everyday interactions. It is not easy, but the martial spirit of traditional taijiquan constantly shows me the way is open." Patrick Foley began his exploration of taijiquan in the late 1980s, after 5 years of judo, jujitsu and karate training. His main focus was on Wu-style Taijiquan and daoist neigong practices and he started teaching these practices in 2004. He began his training with Sam Masich in 2010 and was accepted as an indoor student on August 18th, 2019.
Simon Robins
(Brighton, United Kingdom)
"Taijiquan is a study and a gateway into life and a deeper experience of living: strengthening heart and mind." Simon started training in taijiquan in 1992, looking into several styles and methods. He met Sam Masich in 2007 and has followed Sam's methods ever since. Currently Simon focuses on meditative aspects in his own training and intelligent movement in his teaching. He was accepted as an indoor student on January 6, 2021.
Simon Robins
Juergen Kurtz
Juergen Kurtz
(Lerwick, Shetland, UK)
“I am particularly interested in the philosophical and psychological aspects of taijiquan as a rich source for personal development.” Juergen was born in Germany and has lived since 1999 in the Shetland Isles, where he started his taiji journey in 2006 with his first teacher Barrie Jehu. Recommended by Barrie, Juergen first met Master Sam Masich at Tai Chi Caledonia in 2008 and has been studying with him ever since, attending his workshops and intensives in Scotland, England, Germany, China and Spain. Inspired by Sam, Juergen has been teaching taijiquan at his Wu Wei Studio in Shetland since 2014. He was accepted as indoor student in 2022.