Gordon Ainsley! The word is official- he is relinquishing his position of Instructor at the Toronto Academy . He will be committing all his amazing teaching energy on his rapidly growing North Toronto Academy . It will be a great challenge to those who are to fill his shoes (or slippers) as his contribution to the Toronto Academy has been so much more than just as an instructor. He has spent at least two nights a week for hours at a time sculpting true Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan practitioners out of the raw minds, bodies & spirits of keen students. Of important note is how selflessly he has guided his assistant instructors in preparing them for the task of continuing the high quality & expansive quantity of his techniques & knowledge. Who has the patience of a saint, the tenacity of a street fighter, the humility of a child, the knowledge of a wise man, the skilled precision of an educator, the grace of a true friend . Such are the thoughts of all of us at the Toronto Academy . His absence will be missed by past, present & future students and by all his fellow instructors.
We know that the Toronto Academy will continue to benefit from Gordon's administrative abilities in his capacity as President & his guidance of the Tournament & Demonstration Teams. We do wish him the best of luck with his blossoming North Toronto Academy . We support you absolutely on your chosen path. We will do everything we possibly can to rally & collectively fill those gaping shoes of yours. We thank you for all you have given us & look forward to you checking up on us as often as your busy schedule will allow.

For a better understanding of the extent of Gordon's contribution & the depth of his involvement in Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan refer to the comprehensive list below.

Committees and achievements:
President and Chief Instructor of the North Star Tai Chi Chuan North Toronto Academy

Director of the United Wushu Federation of Canada

Member of the Public Relations Committee of the United Wushu Federation of Canada

     

I began studying T'ai Chi Ch`uan in the 1980`s. My interest was peaked while I was involved with a business associate in New York City and was introduced to his teacher (Sifu). We spent hours and months talking and learning single forms with breathing techniques. He told me that I needed to get healthy before actually learning the full form. This was a bit curious to me because I had been running 3 to 5 miles a day for several years on top of working out on a regular basis at a gym. Immediately I fell in love with the art form, however realizing that I had to return to Toronto, my friend Sifu, advised me to seek out the Wu family of T'ai Chi Ch'uan if I wanted to learn the martial aspect of the art as well as the many other benefits.

My journey with the Wu family started in 1983. After spending about one year researching and getting settled back in Toronto, I went to the Wu`s club on Parliament Street. The atmosphere was very no nonsense and serious, which was what I was looking for. Actually, I was very fortunate because Sifu Eddie Wu (Wu Kwong Yu) taught me the 108 movements of the form. Those where wonderful days at the club, I didn't know it at the time but I was practicing applications and sparring with the most skilled, and future disciples of Sifu Wu Kwong Yu. Sifu Wu Kwong Yu invited me to become his disciple in 1989, I accepted and have been studying various techniques since my induction. I have studied the double edge sword (Gim), Sabre form, and many types of push hands as well as Qiqong (Chi Kung) and meditation techniques.

Note:
One of the important aspects of the Wu style is the quality of the teaching. It takes many years of study and practice to become an instructor, of which, is a privilege.

I have dedicated the rest of my time on this great planet to teaching and expanding this fantastic art form. One of my interest is getting the younger generations involved as well as the corporate world. At this time, I am teaching at the academy at 427A Queen St., third floor, Toronto, as well as Rogers Cable at their headquarters and negotiating with other corporation in the GTA. Please go through my website to find out more about it.

It is an honor and a privilege to study with the 5th generation of the Wu family Sifu Eddie Wu (Wu Kwong Yu).

Thank you Sifu.