What is New for the 2026 T1 Winter Term

The 2026 T1 Winter Term Begins Monday, January 5th, 2026 with 14 weeks of classes. The term ends on April 19th, 2026. There is a break week from Monday, March 16 to March 22, 2026
Register online at www.stqitoronto.com!

Schedule Changes for the 2026 T1 Winter Term

Please carefully read the change notes below as we are implementing many changes with the intent of optimizing the schedule for all students.

*NEW* Shaolin Adult Kung Fu on Tuesdays is now from 6 pm to 8 pm. We felt that the 1-hour beginner class was too short, and so we decided to have two one-hour classes. The first hour will be an Adult Kung Fu Level 1 Foundation class, and the second hour will be a Level 1 and 2 Taolu Forms class. This provides beginners and advanced students with a more comprehensive experience, allowing them to train a little more lightly in the first hour, and also focus more on forms in the second hour.

Sanda Boxing consolidated to Wednesdays at 8 pm for adults and children. We decided to move the Saturday Sanda Boxing class for kids to Wednesdays at 8 pm. Although this is a bit late for young children, it will enable families to take the Sanda class together. Adults and children will be separated in this class, and wrestling is optional to ensure the safety of adults 40+.

*NEW* Shaolin Stretch Therapy in Quebec French on Thursdays from 7 pm to 8 pm. We welcome Sabrina Breton Abaïdi to the instructor team! She has been vigilantly training in Shaolin Stretch Therapy for the past year and is helping our school to include French-speaking Canadians! Anyone is welcome to attend via Zoom, but note that class will be taught entirely in Quebec French.

Adult Kung Fu Level 3 on Thursdays is finalized from 6 pm to 8 pm. We had been experimenting with how to run these classes and have finally decided to keep the similar format of Foundation training for the 1st hour at 6 pm and Taolu Forms training for the 2nd hour. Students are still required to pass an Adult Kung Fu Level 2 Grading Exam with 85% or higher to participate in these classes, but have dropped the requirement to attend another foundation class during the week. 

Competition Preparation Class consolidated to Fridays at 8 pm. We decided to remove the Sunday Competition Preparation class at 1 pm in favour of having more students on Fridays at 8 pm. This will enable more group competition practice.

Women's Self Defence Class moved to Saturdays at 12 pm. This class has been growing steadily, and we believe this new day and time slot will generate more interest. 

Performance Class moved to Sundays at 3 pm. We were having classes on Mondays for a few terms, but felt that holidays on Mondays were too disruptive. Moving this class to Sundays also allows us to run the class overtime if needed.

Sanda Fitness Class moved to Sundays at 1 pm. This tough and physically challenging class is shifted to 1 pm. This allows students to participate in the Shaolin Stretch Therapy class at noon and also have a 1-hour break before the Performance Class.

There are some instructor assignment changes for some classes:

• Shaolin Adult Kung Fu Taolu Forms I & II on Tuesdays from 7 pm to 8 pm is taught by Andrew Cheng
• Shaolin Stretch Therapy on Thursdays from 7 pm to 8 pm is taught by Sabrina Breton Abaïdi
• Shaolin Adult Kung Fu Level I & II on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 pm is taught by Callum Woo

The following are the new additions to our instructor team:

• Callum Woo 
• Sabrina Breton Abaïdi

Zoom will continue to be offered for Adult Kung Fu Levels 1 and 2 on Saturdays from 1 pm to 3 pm. This is for the foundation and taolu forms class. If you want to train remotely or are not feeling 100%, you can continue to train from home!

The Dua Ping Pong School is continuing to grow and is meant for adults and children who want to seriously improve their skills and game play. We want to start children's ping pong classes on Thursdays at 4 pm for 1.5 hours, which will require a minimum of 4 students. If this interests you, please let us know and register!

All other classes of the 2025 T3 Fall Term remain unchanged and will continue in the 2026 T1 Winter Term.

Learn Shaolin Online FREE for STQI Students!

Learn Shaolin Online is a subscription-based learning tool for the Shaolin Arts of Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation. You can train anytime and from anywhere with Internet access. You can use your computer, laptop, tablet, or even phone. 

Students are automatically granted access based on their tier as follows (just log in with the same user and password at learnshaolin.com):

Click here for complete details on our website (https://www.stqitoronto.com/index.php/learn-shaolin-online-free-for-stqi-students).

Free Trial Class for Your Family and Friends!

Did you know that you can invite your family and friends for a FREE trial class? Kung Fu, Tai Chi, or Qigong!

The only requirement is that you must have a valid membership and be an active student with at least 7 tokens in the current  or previous term.

To proceed with a free trial class:

1. Your family or friend must have an account at our website.

2. Have them sign up and purchase a Trial Token (ask them to check out but don't pay)

3. Email us at info@stqitoronto.com and let us know that you referred a family member or friend.

We will then zero out the balance, activate the token, and inform them to reserve a spot using our online calendar. 

STUDENTS CAN WEAR THE STQI Robe Uniforms TO CLASS!

We are offering more options for our students and instructors!

The new designs will bring an improved look to our students and team of instructors and assistants. 

The fee is $65+HST. Once you have placed the order and made a payment, we will order it from the manufacturer.  It takes approximately 6-8 weeks for production and delivery.

We plan to do this every other month, so if you would like to enhance your experience with these new robes, please use the online form here:

https://www.stqitoronto.com/index.php/s/viewproduct/iTEH9OsNXxOu

Please note that you can still use the previous uniforms. 

Casual Ping Pong is Included with Unlimited Tokens

We continue to offer casual Ping Pong on Thursdays at 8 pm at no additional cost when you register for 'Unlimited Shaolin Tokens' for the term. Otherwise, you can drop in for $10 per class, and students with at least 7 Shaolin Tokens can purchase 7 or 14 tokens for $5 each token (HST extra).

Please note that casual Ping Pong is not part of the Dua Ping Pong School (see below), and is intended to foster fun and interest in table tennis for students and the public.

Ping pong, or table tennis, is one of those rare sports that you can enjoy as a senior or as a child. It is easy to get into, enjoyable socially, and obtains health benefits such as cardio and calorie burn, and can be as challenging as you like.

https://www.stqitoronto.com/index.php/s/pingpongclub 

Key Events for this Term

SHAOLIN WINTER RETREAT - January 3 and 4, 2026

Experience the life of a Shaolin Warrior through Shaolin Martial Zen and the arts of Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Qigong, Meditation, and Zen philosophy!

The Shaolin Winter Retreat is a 16-hour, two-day Shaolin training program for adults. It is held on Saturday, January 3rd, and Sunday, January 4th, 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm, at the downtown Toronto STQI school at 393 Dundas Street West, second floor.

This is a time for people to dedicate themselves to spiritual and physical growth. The event is open to everyone, including those without experience in the Shaolin arts.

A hearty vegetarian lunch is included each day!

The regular fee is $295 + tax, and $245 + tax for Active STQI Students of the 2025 T3 Fall Term (with at least 14 tokens).

[Shaolin Winter Retreat Registration Link] 

Worldwide Meditation Workshop *FREE* - Monday, February 23, 2026

Learn how Master Dao's Shaolin meditation workshop and philosophy can help bring you peace. 

The next worldwide meditation workshop will be held on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, at 7 pm EST. The topic for this session is "Aligning Your Subconscious Partner for Spiritual Fulfillment".

This topic is about the 'Subconscious Partner' and is a follow-up of several sessions where Master Dao spoke about 'Finding Your Spiritual Path Through the Ego-Self', 'Overcoming Perceptual Illusions to Find Peace and Happiness', 'The Power of Calmness - Understanding Emotions', and 'Tempering the Heart to Master Peace and Happiness'.

Come meditate to calm your mind so that you can reaffirm the existence of your Subconscious Partner and further understand the holes it creates. Work with your Subconscious Partner to find fulfillment in your life. 

[Meditation Workshop Registration Link] 

March Break Kung Fu Camp for Kids from 5 to 16 years of age

Event Date: March 16 to 20, 2024

Your child will experience all-day kung fu training with special emphasis on having fun!

Master Dao will once again be conducting a LARPG (Live Action RPG) where the children must demonstrate their understanding of the Shaolin Virtues and use their kung fu to defeat the Vexspawn monsters in an engaging and exciting story. 

Register early to ensure your child gets in! This popular event is limited to 20 children and fills up every year.

You can find more information and register here:

[Camp Information and Registration Link]

CAN-AM Interational CHAMPIONSHIP - April TBD

We are sending a team to the CAN-AM International Championship in Vancouver. It is an annual competition held at the Olympic Stadium.

Our students can compete in traditional taolu kung fu and tai chi forms, as well as push hands.

More information to come, as the tournament is announced in January!

Grading Exams - APRIL TBD

All students are encouraged to participate at least once a year. This is an especially useful tool for parents to see how their kids are progressing.

The Grading Exams will be at the end of April 2026 or early May (pending our trip to Vancouver for the CAN-AM International Competition. Students are tested on their knowledge and skills. The judge(s) provide an objective rating with feedback. 

There are 5 grading levels for qigong, tai chi, and kung fu (adults and kids). 

We will announce the Grading Exams and registration in January. 

2026 T1 Winter Term Kung Fu Championship

Students are invited!

We will be hosting a 2026 T1 Winter Term Kung Fu championship for the students of the Competition Preparation classes at the end of the term.

This will give students invaluable experience in a competitive environment (the Shaolin way!) and prepare them for the competitions ahead.

More information will be coming in March, as we will set aside a Sunday evening in mid-April for this competition.

We invite every student to watch and support these students!  

Shaolin Classes This Term

Shaolin Kung Fu

The winter term brings a transition to colder weather. Take this opportunity to maintain your body and immune system! 

In the Shaolin Kung Fu Foundation class, we will explore the Shaolin Virtues for children and adults along with themed and progressive content.  

In the Shaolin Kung Fu Forms class, we will continue to emphasize 'play sparring' exercises. These will be safe exercises involving control drills and techniques to develop decision-making in simulated encounter situations.

In the Shaolin Sanda Fitness class, we will challenge our cardio and footwork abilities.

In the Shaolin Sanda Sparring class, we will work on our offensive and defensive toolkits while developing strategies through visualization techniques.

In the Womens Self Defence class, we will emphasize scenario-based self-defence training to deal with real-life situations. Additionally, extra effort will be put into the Ziwei Jibengong taolu form. 

Shaolin Tai Chi

Shaolin Tai Chi emphasizes breath with gentle movements to invigorate the body for health and vitality. Breathing better means having more energy in the body, and gentle movements improve deeper circulation for the vital organs. 

For the Shaolin Tai Chi Foundation and Forms I class, we will emphasize Silk Reeling and Momentum in our classes. This powerful combination explores application-based theory in many of our techniques and exercises. It helps to understand 'how softness can overcome hardness'. The theory you learn in this class can be applied to kung fu to improve your overall understanding and ability!

For the Shaolin Tai Chi Taolu Forms II class, we will emphasize advanced Taolu Forms such as Yun Quan, Rou Quan, Gentle Staff, and Gentle Broadsword. We will also explore Push Hands techniques to enhance our understanding of many techniques, and how the ideas of softness with quick and relaxed movements can overcome powerful strikes. 

Students must attend the Shaolin Tai Chi Foundation and Forms I class at least once a week to participate in this class. It is recommended that students have finished the Baburouquan form to ensure they have the necessary fundamentals to understand this class.

Shaolin Qigong

Shaolin Qigong is about the awareness of one's energy, and learning how to cultivate it through breath work, and move it around the body. Qigong will improve your understanding and awareness of your energy (Qi), as it relates to your mind and body, and the environment around you. You will be able to make better lifestyle choices based on what you want in life.

In the Shaolin Stretch Therapy class, we will continue to explore how to optimize all the joints in our body and introduce a few new techniques and exercises.

In the Qigong Foundation class, we will emphasize the Breath Qi with specific qigong exercises.

In the Qigong Forms class, we will explore the Large Intestine meridian. By applying advanced Qigong techniques, we can greatly improve our awareness of the large intestine and learn how to communicate and work with it. We will discuss qigong theory and philosophy to better understand qi energy as it relates to our bodies, mind, and the environment. We will also practice advanced martial qigong forms for overall health and wellness. 

Dua Ping Pong School

This is a unique opportunity for you to learn from a professional player and coach. Coach Dua has trained extensively since the age of 7 and was a champion for 7 straight years in the highly competitive State of Delhi (NCT). He brings his talent, passion, knowledge, and experience to anyone who wants to learn seriously. What a treat to have him here at STQI!

Registration is open for children under 14 and adults; also for beginners, intermediates, and advanced players, for the 2026 T1 Winter Term. The classes are organized in the same term system as our Shaolin Classes with 14 weeks of classes. 

We limit each class to 8 students (with 3 tables) so everyone can learn more intensely.

To register and learn more about the Dua Ping Pong School and classes, please click this link below:

https://www.stqitoronto.com/index.php/s/duapingpongschool

Join Our Discord Server!

Our STQI community is growing with over 750 members, and schools are established in Markham, Downtown Toronto, and Scarborough. Discord will help support the social experience for our students and also the public. So everyone is welcome to join! 

Please click the link below to join our STQI Discord Server:

https://discord.gg/6vYurPdnHf

Feel free to share this with your friends and family!

What can Discord do?

Discord is a free service that allows you to join a 'server'. We have our own STQI server. Primarily, Discord is great for contacting other people, such as instructors, students, etc. You can make voice and video calls, send messages,  and participate in Shaolin-related discussions, including sharing photos and videos.

Overall, it's a great way to create a social community, and you can connect with students from our school, STQI Markham, and STQI Scarborough. Students can arrange social meetings for meals, gaming, etc.

You can access Discord from your phone (iPhone and Android supported), tablet, and desktop computer.

It will take some time to learn this new software. Ensure you read the 'welcome-and-rules' section on how to setup properly. Students will be 'validated' and given the correct permissions to access many resources and channels for their school.

What can the Public do?

Those who are not students will benefit from getting more involved in our events throughout the year including workshops,  performances, public events like our Shaolin Retreats, free resources on Shaolin Kung Fu, Qigong, and Tai Chi, Meditation, and access to our photos and videos.