Sam Masich (born February 7, 1962) is a tai chi instructor, performing songwriter and filmmaker residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Berlin, Germany.
Biography
Masich was born February 7, 1962, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. He began his career with an intensive apprenticeship in tai chi and judo at age 18 with Brien Gallagher in Burnaby, BC. By age twenty, he was teaching in community centres in Vancouver BC and in 1985 was selected to Canada's national wushu team to compete in the 1st International Invitational Wushu Tournament in Xi'an, China. During the 1980s, Masich gained a reputation as a top tai chi/neijia competitor. He currently resides in Berlin, Germany.
During the 1980s and 1990s, Masich became a formal disciple of Yang Jwing Ming and Liang Shouyu. As well he furthered his studies with Yang Zhen Duo, Chen Xiaowang and Jou Tsung Hwa. During this time he began teaching workshops and seminars in his native Canada and elsewhere. He created the "5 Section Taijiquan Program" and has published articles and films on tai chi, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and other subjects.
From the 1990s, while continuing his research and teaching in the field of neijia, Masich began a parallel career as a performing songwriter and recording artist, working primarily with Christine Duncan and Michael Friedman and in collaboration with Michael Creber, Miles Black and others.
Other endeavours have included stints as a film and television special skills trainer and choreographer (see Black Sash (TV series)), workshop facilitator for professional actors and martial arts instructional-film maker. He is the subject of two internationally airing documentaries including Quiet Places: A Tai Chi Retreat by Omni Films.
Works
Discography Year Album title Artist Role 2012 Lucky Time Sam Masich producer, composer, lyricist, vocalist 2006 Diamond Space Michael Friedman producer, lyricist 2005 Cinematic FFM (Friedman, Fortin & Masich) performer, writer 2005 Cow! Aldous Orwell Project vocalist, guitarist, songwriter 2005 Blue Manifesto Blue Manifesto (Sam Masich & Bobby Kapp) vocalist, guitarist, songwriter 1998 Why It Happens Sam Masich & Christine Duncan vocalist, guitarist, songwriter 1998 Angst Ridden Writer Michael Friedman lyricist 1997 Different Standards Christine Duncan songwriter, co-producer (with Miles Black) 1997 The Vogue Show Christine Duncan producer/song-writing contributor 1995 AniManiacal Sam Masich vocalist, songwriter 1994 Rhythm and Bliss Moritz & the Fiddleheads guitarist
Internal Arts filmography
Year Film title Length 2007 Sam Masich Video Classics Collection 20 hours 14 volumes 2007 Push Hands Video Manual vol. 2 45 min 2007 Yang Style Traditional 54 Taijijian 60 min 2007 Zheng Manqing Taijiquan 118 min 2004 5 Section Chen Style Taijiquan 60 min 2003 Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan 108 60 min 2002 Tai Chi in Performance 65 min 1996 5 Section Taijijian (solo sword) 80 min 1996 5 Section Taijijian (2 person sword) 70 min 1993 Balancing the Heart Qigong 80 min 1993 Tai Chi for 50+ 45 min 1992/2003 Vital Xingyiquan vol. 1 70 min 1992/2003 Vital Xingyiquan vol. 2 105 min 1992 5 Section Yang Style Taijiquan 60 min 1992 5 Section Taijiquan (2 person) 40 min 1991 24 Simplified Taijiquan 90 min 1988 Tai Chi Reference Video Series 60 min 1987 Push Hands Video Manual vol. 1 40 min
Notes
Documentaries on Sam Masich The Ancient Arts of Tai Chi and Qigong (Osiris Films 1998) Quiet Places—A Tai Chi Retreat (OMNI Films 1999)
External links Sam Masich official website Sam Masich Internal Arts 馬希奇内家拳 on FaceBook Sam Masich (music) on FaceBook
Further reading Wei, Yang (2008), In the Spirit of the 2008 Olympics: Extraordinary Chinese Martial Artists of the World, Hong Kong, China: World Culture Exchange Publishing House (featured martial artist) Liang, Shou-Yu & Wu, Wen-Ching. Kung Fu Elements; Wushu Training and Applications Manual. pp. 372, 423, 444, 445 (featured martial artist) Dr. Yang Jwing Ming and Bolt, Jeffery. Northern Shaolin Sword. (Foreword by Sam Masich) Master Liang Shou-yu, Dr. Yang Jwing-ming, Mr. Wu Wen-ching Ermei Baguazhang (martial art photo assistant) Master Liang Shou-yu, Dr. Yang Jwing-ming. Xingyiquan (martial art photo assistant) Babin, Michael. Yang-style Taiji. p. 328 Sam Masich: Taiji biography Sam Masich: music biography • Secrets of the Qigong Masters: Interview with Sam Masich