My Teachers (from another section of my BB poster)

Robert Gold (taught me Taiji at McGill many years ago)

Robert started his training in the martial arts in 1967, with Judo and Shotokan Karate, and then moved on to Tae Kwan Do, Xing Yi, Bagua and Tai Chi. From 1986 to 1989 he trained in mainland China, Taiwan and Japan studying different styles of Tai Chi and related arts, both with private teachers and at the Beijing Sports Institute.

When he returned from China, Robert taught Tai Chi at McGill for a year, which is where I trained with him. Even today, I return to his lessons when I’m learning a new form.

Michael Gregory (taught me a blend of martial arts styles at McGill)

Michael has trained in several different martial arts disciplines, including Tae Kwan Do, Aikido, Wing Chun, Kali, Jeet Kune Do and Savate. The details of his background were always a bit of a mystery to me, but his skill was never in doubt. His first black belt was in Tae Kwan Do, and his training in Jeet Kune Do and Kali was under Daniel Inosanto, a student of Bruce Lee’s.

His classes at McGill and Concordia are always a diverse blend of techniques and people, with guest instructors educating his students on the finer points of Savate, Pencak Silat, Caporeira and Boxing. His curriculum continues to evolve, and recently he has been the coach of the Canadian National Savate (Boxe Francaise) Team.

Three of his former students, including Scott Redstone, are the founders of Trinity JKD and Savate here in Toronto.


Daniel Laurendeau (my aikido sensei at McGill)

Daniel began his training in aikido under Massimo di Villadorata in 1975. He became involved with the McGill Aikido Club as its Assistant Instructor in 1982, and earned his first degree black belt (shodan) in 1983. He became the McGill Club’s head instructor the following year, and traveled to Japan with Yamada, Kanai and Tamura senseis in 1989. He was awarded his fifth degree black belt (godan) in 1999 from Y.Yamada-shihan.

Daniel was the first martial arts instructor I had who showed a deep commitment to building a community out of his students. His lessons went well beyond the physical aspects of aikido. Here he is in his own words:

"Throughout my years as head instructor at McGill Aikido, awakening young people to the values carried by Aikido has certainly been my most precious accomplishment. Being a never-ending quest for self-improvement, each semester begins with a reminder of Aikido's challenge to clarify our own values and thus behave according to those values, even under stress.

We strive to extend our quest of common goals and cooperation outside the mat to forge bonds and friendships that can provide joy and security, especially to those students from foreign cities and countries. Our Aikido is based on three cherished principles: yield, blend, and flow. Transposed in everyday life and situations, I feel these basic elements can help and guide us in a confident and comfortable manner to achieve our goals. Aikido remains an act of generosity, passing on knowledge as an altruistic gift.

Go, and give some more..." ~ Daniel Laurendeau, Head Instructor, McGill Aikido Club

(next up: my teachers here in Toronto...)