Sifu Igor Shimansky earned his Ph. D. from University of Maryland in Applied Mathematics, and Diploma (similar to a Master’s Degree) from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (МФТИ) in Mathematics and Physics.  His other passion for years was studying martial arts and movement.  For many years, he taught Tai Chi, Kung Fu (5th degree Black Belt), and Cardio Kickboxing; practiced Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (purple belt), Silat, Jeet Kung Do/Kali, and Yoga and competed in Ballroom Dancing

He studied martial arts from the age of 8 (Judo).   Igor’s major influences in martial arts are Sensei Gary Burger (BMAA owner), Sifu Steve Burwen (Member of Martial Arts Hall of Fame), Sifu Michael Thomas (BMAA), and Eli Montaigue (the head of World Taiji Boxing Association).

His first exposure to Taiji occurred at Baltimore Martial Arts Academy, and he did Yang Style 108 Form as a part of his Kung Fu Black Belt Test there in 2000.  Since then he has studied several other styles of Tai Chi finally focusing on Old Yang style.   He has been a member of the World Taiji Boxing Association (WTBA) since 2015.

Besides teaching and learning traditional taiji, he is also interested in understanding how taiji fighting methods compare with Mixed Martial Arts and Western Boxing. A part of class material is based on analysis and on-hand comparison how the styles depend on rules (which strikes are allowed or prohibited), equipment (for example, bare knuckles fighting vs. using gloves), and purpose (fighting for life vs. fighting for a prize). Another area of interest is how the traditional meditation and energy work is blending with both modern lifestyles and potential future lifestyles when our connectivity to unlimited information and each other will be very different (think NeuraLink 10 or 100 years later).