Instructors

All classes are taught by Ken Ryan, Maine Coast Taijiquan founder. A Certified Martial Arts Instructor, he has been involved in education and coaching for more than 40 years. His martial arts training started with the external Japanese art of Shaolin Kenpo Karate, studying with the gifted James Bouchard, Sensei, at Northern Chi Martial Arts Center where he earned the rank of 2nd Dan (2nd Degree Black Belt).

His formal training in the Chinese internal arts of Taijiquan and Qigong started in 1996, when he was introduced to Yang Style Taijiquan and Qigong with Master Yang, Jwing-Ming. In 2008 he began studying Chen Style Taijiquan with Master Wang, Hai Jun. He gratefully acknowledges Master Yang (and the instructors and students at YMAA), and  Master Wang (and the Chen Taiji Academy) for their inspiration and guidance. Striving to learn from a wide range of  quality teachers, he has also studied with other skilled instructors with diverse points of view, including: Chunyi Lin; Li, Jun Feng; Ken Cohen; Don Ethan Miller; Tina Chunna Zhang; Wang, Rengang; John Painter; Zhong Xuechao (Master Bing).

In addition to teaching healing and martial arts, he is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience working in the mental health field. President of Park Row Psychotherapy, a private psychotherapy practice in Brunswick and South Freeport, he specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, and in working with athletes on enhancing performance. In recent years his focus has increasingly shifted from individual therapy to teaching the internal arts. The principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Behavioral Medicine have much in common; his experience with each informs the other. The result is a unique blend of the two, evident in his teaching and clinical work.

Classes at Maine Coast Taijiquan continue without interruption throughout the year. With the exception of a few major holidays, we make an effort to never cancel classes, making group practice time consistently available. This would not be possible without the support of our proactive members and especially our Advanced Students, who help with teaching and organizing events. Our model is traditional: as more experienced students help those less experienced, everyone benefits. The school could not exist and prosper without their generous efforts.