Shifu Gary Harris began studying Martial Arts while in elementary school in Lansdowne, PA. Over the next ten years and until he graduated from high school, he studied Kodokan Judo at the YMCA in downtown Philadelphia. During the summer prior to leaving Philadelphia for college, Shifu Harris achieved the level of brown belt. While attending Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH, Shifu Harris saw a Taiji demonstration and was immediately impressed with the control and fluid movements of the form. It wasn't until he graduated from college that he was able to find the time to begin studying Chinese Martial Arts. He studied for three years under Master Robert Krueger at the Yee Sing School of Kwan Ying Do in Cuyahoga Falls, OH.

In 1987, Shifu Harris was introduced to Master David Schenk of the Wu Tang system. Impressed with Master Schenk and his in-depth teaching style, Shifu Harris became a student and disciple of Master Schenk. He remained so until the unfortunate passing of Master Schenk in June 2007.

Today, Shifu Harris is the owner of the Center for Body-Mind Harmony where he and his assistant instructors, all of whom also trained under Master Schenk, teach several traditional styles of Chinese Martial Arts, including Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Bajiquan, Qigong, and various weapons forms.

On December 21, 2014, Shifu Gary Harris, along with six other students, became Disciples of Master Yang Xiao Dong.