揚式太極拳
Traditional Yang-style Taijiquan
As taught by Sam Masich

Sam is one of a few rare instructors today teaching full curriculum Yang-style Taijiquan.

As the most widely practiced variant of taijiquan, modern day Yang-style can seem like a rich potpourri of possible flavours and textures, or it can feel like an interminable maze of contradictions. The Yang family art has been evolving for generations and there are great differences amongst intergenerational family members.

In his approach to the art, Sam makes a distinction between Yang family and Yang-style Taijiquan, and as a broad guideline for curriculum, uses Chen Yanlin's seminal 1943 work 'Taiji Boxing, Sabre, Sword, Pole and Sparring Compiled'—太極拳刀劍桿散手合编. (See the red side-bar for an overview of the Yang syllabus.)

Sam augments this classical program with compatible material drawn from a deep well of experience and research including: studies with some of the top taiji masters of the past two generations; extensive research into archival material; study of classical taiji literature; cross-referencing with related  disciplines; competition; and prolonged periods of workshopping curriculum.

Sam's Yang-style odyssey
Sam Masich began training intensively in 1980 with Brien Gallagher, the first certified 'High Class' student of Master Raymond Chung. This indoor apprenticeship would last seven years during which time Sam mastered the full Yang curriculum as taught by Gallagher from Master Chung. In 1985 Master Chung in a series of private sessions, checked, corrected and approved  all Sam's forms and push-hands in preparation for his participation in the First World Wushu Invitationals in Xian, China. While in China, Sam studied push-hands and Taiji Qigong privately and intensively with Master Men Huifeng in the Beijing Physical Culture Institute.

In 1985, still during his apprenticeship with Brien Gallagher, Sam began private studies with Master Shouyu Liang which included Chen-style Taiji, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan and various forms of weapons and external styles training—as well as some Yang-style Taijiquan. Also, in the mid-80s, he began studies with Dr. Yang Jwing Ming in various advanced aspects of Yang-style, including: bare-hand and sword applications, push-hands, qigong and qinna. Sam is a formal disciple (tudi 徒弟) of both Liang Shouyu and Yang Jwing Ming.

Sam also received much tutelage and guidance in Yang-style Taijiquan form, push-hands and principle, and in Daoist ritual ceremony from Master Jou Tsung Hwa from 1988 until the time of his death in 1998.

Sam's unique approach to the art of Yang-style Taijiquan has been appreciated by students around the world. A good number have studied the Yang corpus through regular classes, weekend seminars and the Yang-style Taijiquan Full Curriculum Intensive, a three month course which was first held in 2001-02 and will be held again in 2008-09.

In terms of time, effort and commitment, studying the Yang full curriculum might be likened to doing a Master's degree program. Sam makes this enigmatic process comprehensible with a focused and articulate teaching style that consistently puts content into context.

Much of Sam's curriculum is supported by DVD reference aids designed to make learning and remembering easier.