tongren may 2012 · may/mai 2012 volume 19 . issue 2 numéro advertising rates / tarifs...
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A publication of the Canadian Taijiquan FederationUne publication de la Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan
May 2012 Mai Volume 19 . Issue 2 Numéro
TongRen7/15/09 4:20 PMIching-hexagram-13
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TongRen May/Mai 2012 Volume 19 . Issue 2 Numéro
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Published by the Canadian Taijiquan Federation, P.O. Box 32055, London, Ontario, Canada N5V 5K4
www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.com
Editors: Jill Heath <[email protected]> Patricia Beretta <[email protected]>
TongRen provides a forum for the discussion, expression, and experience of Taijiquan and related subjects. Articles, reports on events, biographies, letters, book reviews, poems, illustrations, scholarly research, and philosophical musings are welcomed. Please email submissions for consideration for publication in TongRen to the editor.
TongRen is published quarterly: February, May, August, November. Submissions must be received by the first day of the preceding month to be included. The Editor reserves the right to determine content of each issue. Priority is given to content submitted by CTF members.
Next issue will be published in August 2012Submission deadline: 1 July 2012
TongRen fournit un forum pour discuter, exprimer et vivre le Taijiquan et ses domaines connextes. Articles, reportages, activitiés, biographies, lettres, critiques de livres, poèmes, illustrations, textes savants et réflexions philosophiques sont les bienvenus. Veuillez soumettre tout matériel à fin de publication à la rédactrice de TongRen.
TongRen est publié quatre fois par année, en février, mai, août et novembre. Toute sumission doit être reçue avant le premier du mois qui précède la date de publication. La rédactrice réserve le droit de décider du contenu de chaque numéro. On accorde priorité au contenu soumis par les membres de la FCT.
Le prochain numéro sera publié en août 2012 Datelimite des soumissions: 1 juillet 2012
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Putting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by contributing authors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the policies or beliefs of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation; its executive, Board of Directors, Editor, or members collectively or individually. All material in this publication is provided as information only and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No physical activity or medical action should be initiated based on the contents of this publication. Always consult appropriate health care professionals. The Editor reserves the right to edit or decline submissions. All rights reserved by the Canadian Taijiquan Federation under the authority of its executive.
Décharge: Les opinions exprimées dans TongRen par les auteurs et les annonceurs ne reflètent pas nécessairement la politique ou les positions de la Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan, de son conseil d’administration, de ses dirigeants ou de ses membres, collectivement on individuellement. Tout matériel dans TongRen n’a qu’une valeur informative et ne constitue en rien des avis on des directives médicaux. Aucune activité physique ou action médicale ne devrait être enterprise en fonction du contenu de TongRen. Il est recommandé de toujours consulter un spécialiste de la santé avant de s’y engager. La rédaction se réserve le droit de revoir ou de refuser tout matériel soumis. Tous droits réservés par la Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan en conformité avec le mandat de ses dirigeants.
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TongRen May 2012 Volume 19 . Issue 2Mai 2012 Volume 19 . 2 Numéro
CONTENTS TABLE DES MATIÈRES
Article Authour / Auteur Page CTF Annual General Meeting and Demonstrations ...................... 4
New TongRen Editorial Team ...................... 5
Yang-style Taijidao Applications of Fu Zhongwen Sam Masich 6
Dear TongRen Hajime Naka 9
The Root of Movement .James Coons. 10
CF T-shirts ...................... 12
The Wave: News from New Brunswick Dave Bucklow 13
The Wave: News from the Yukon Helene Dobrowolsky 14
The Wave: News from Cold Mountain Internal Arts Steve Higgins 15
Taijiboxer's Adaptive Responsive Flow Technique Dennis Pounall 16
Square and Oblique: Fundamentals or Appropriation? Steve Higgins 19
Workshops with Jill Heath & Adriaan Blaauw ...................... 22
Upcoming Workshops & Events ...................... 23
Canadian Taijiquan Federation ...................... 28
Cover photo: Fu Zhongwen & Sam Masich 1994Trillium photos: Michelle McMillan
Larissa Abrams-OggAtado School
Jill Heath - Taiji SwordRandall Templeton & Jan Fogolin - Cold Mountain Dragon & Crane
Sophie Nikolakakos, Alpha Montemeyor and Lisbeth Haddad - Flying Rainbow Tai Chi Double Fan
Kim Taylor - Iaido and JodoLarissa Abrams-Ogg - Li Double Fan
Group Demo by Cold Mountain Internal Arts - Old Yangand more...
Vendor Area . Membership Table
Canadian Taijiquan FederationPutting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988.
2012 Annual General Meeting & Demonstration Day
This event will be held atWellwood Juravinski House, 501 Sanatorium Road, Hamilton, Ontario
Please note that this is a scent-free, non-smoking facility.
Information: Bill Marsh [email protected] Doel [email protected]
1:00 - 2:00 Annual General Meeting (CTF Members only)
2:00 - 3:00 Push hands Free Play Zone FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC3:00 - 5:00 Martial Arts Demonstrations FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC
Group dinner at a restaurant afterwards.
Saturday 16 June 2012Jill Heath and Javierphoto by Sam Masich
The Canadian Taijiquan Federation is a registered non-profit corporation founded in 1988 connecting individual practitioners of all styles and lineages of Taijiquan and related arts in Canada.
www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.com
Kim Taylor, Seidokai
Demonstrations
Sophia Nikolakakos, Cold Mountain Internal Arts
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As of May 2012 TongRen will be edited by Jill Heath and Patricia Baretta.Please send all submissions to Jill Heath at [email protected]
Patricia Beretta, TongRen Co-Editor [email protected]
Patricia came across Tai-Chi in the mid 90’s and learnt from various instructors in Europe before studying with Steve Higgins since 2001 at Cold Mountain Internal Arts in Kitchener, Ontario, and regularly attending Sam Masich’s seminars. Gradually, Tai-Chi became a spring board for self-care, personal growth and professional development. In 2006, Patricia shifted from her Biomedical career into Shiatsu & Acupuncture therapies, and Tai-
Chi teaching. With therapies and practices based on balancing Qi flow, she found an elegant clinical system and way of life. She has an original and creative approach to Tai Chi curriculum and pedagogy, based upon a background combining advanced Western medical knowledge, Traditional Chinese Medicine skills, and exercises promoting strong and free-flowing Qi.
Jill Heath, TongRen [email protected]
Jill Heath has been studying the internal arts since 1990 and has taught Taiji and Qigong in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. since 1995. She made her competition debut in 1999 with a personal best in 2001 of 3 gold and 3 bronze medals at a single tournament for form, weapons and push hands. In April 2008, at the National Canadian Kung Fu Fellowship tournament, she received 3 gold and 2 bronze medals in 5 events (form, weapons, moving and fixed step push hands, shuijiao). She has been certified as an Associate Healing Tao instructor, Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor, Senior Level instructor (Canadian Taijiquan Federation), and is a Past President and Director of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation. She continues her studies of the internal arts and considers herself fortunate to have studied with numerous Taiji masters over the years; however, she cites Sifus Helen Wu, Nick Gracenin, and Sam Masich, as the three who have most influenced her development and added to her understanding of this internal martial art. In 2012 she was officially included in the family lineage of Sifu Helen Wu.
Meet the New TongRen Editorial Team
Jill sword-sparring with Adriaan Blaawphoto by Sam Masich
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I learned the Yang-style Taijidao Applications from from my first instructor, Taijiquan Master Brien Gallagher in 1983. Brien, who was also a nationally competing Kendo expert, had learned the sabre sparring routine as part of the full curriculum of Yangstyle Taijiquan as taught by Master Raymond Chung (Chung Yinmin ) with whom he’d trained for two decades. In 1985, before I travelled to China as a member of the Canadian National Chinese Martial Arts Team competing in the first World Wushu Invitational Tournament in X’ian, China, Master Chung corrected and approved my execution of the drill and taught me several sabre sparring tricks.
During this time I also studied the three modern fencing weapons – foil, epee and sabre – under
maître d’armes Bak Hy Tau. With a particular interest in the sabre, and training as junior to several national level competitors, I used much of my time in maître Bak’s salle to explore the internal Chinese style sword and sabre approaches in the light of modern western fencing. It took me many more years to grasp the significance of this short and brilliant routine.
Fu Zhongwen and Taijidao
The place of Fu Zhongwen in the story of Taijiquan in the modern era cannot be exaggerated, particularly when it comes to influence on this aspect of the Yang curriculum. A maternal nephew of Yang Chengfu young Fu travelled with Yang throughout China as his
Yang-style Taijidao Applications of Fu Zhongwen
by Sam Masich
Brien Gallagher, Raymond Chung & Sam Masich 2011
assistant and sometimes stand-in in martial challenges. In 1958 Master Fu wrote the first ever book exclusively devoted to the subject of Taijidao and included in it the Yang-style Taiji Sabre Applications form. The form is more literally called ‘Yang Style Taiji Sabre Applications Theory Practice’ (Yang-shi Taijidaofa Shiyong Jiashe Lianxi ).
I had the opportunity to meet Fu Zhongwen in 1994 and to ask him questions about various aspects of the Yang-style Taijiquan curriculum and some of the people and lore associated with it. It was my suspicion that Master Fu had in fact devised this form himself and perhaps had put the finishing touches on the thirteen solo sabre routine which is the main feature of his book. He assured me that he had learned every stitch of the curriculum from Yang Chengfu himself, had no other teachers and suggested that he himself was
not a very creative person, preferring only to carry on his master’s tradition faithfully. As the form does not appear in any Taiji literature before this time we can assume only that the form was passed to Yang Chengfu as previously hidden curriculum, that Yang Chengfu created or that Master Fu was, as many have reported, a very modest man.
Structure of the form
This miniature form is the epitome of economy, conveying an extraordinary diversity of technical variation in neat conformity with the Taijidao thirteen power theory. In Fu’s book it is presented as a ten movement sparring form but in the following pages the preparation and closing movements are enumerated (as is customary in most Taijiquan forms) giving us a cozy count of thirteen. Note that ‘withdraw from attack’ moves are not enumerated.
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Fu Zhongwen & Sam Masich 1994
The drill mostly alternates between the smaller ‘diagonal’ (yu) energies and the larger
‘square’ (zheng) energies.
Fu Zhongwen enumerated the form and described its functional purpose through the five wrist cuts (see five yu attacks below), these having to with the inner, outer, ‘under’ and ‘over’ parts of the wrist. A’s three wrist attacks are ‘interceptions’—jie, while B ‘clips’ the wrist twice—duo. As well there are five zheng attacks (‘zheng’ and ‘yu’ referring to the ‘square’ and ‘diagonal’ terminology Taijidao thirteen power theory). Each large attack is at a different target and several are fatal in their potential.
That Fu emphasizes the relatively less violent wrist cutting techniques might at first suggest a somewhat gentile approach to the whole subject however the small cuts are used mostly as an
ingress to the larger attacks. For example: After A ‘splits’, B ‘clips’ then immediately follows with ‘thrust’. A responds with ‘intercept’ and then directly with ‘slash’.
‘Clip’ and ‘intercept’ (which can be blended with ‘shave’ and ‘rasp’) alternate with ‘split’, ‘thrust’, ‘slash’ and ‘sever’ (the latter two being variations of ‘chop’ and ‘slice’). The larger cuts feature five variations in blade position: blade-edge down (‘split’), blade-edge up (‘thrust’), blade-flat inside (‘slashing’), blade-flat inside (‘severing’); blade-flat outside (‘chopping’). Thus the form is in itself a study of the alternating four square and four diagonal energies of the sabre within a five phase structure.
The five zheng attacks are:
A. Split Shoulder
B. Thrust to Belly
A. Slash Waist
B. Sever Throat
B. Chop Leg
The five yu attacks are:
B. Clip Inner Wrist
A. Intercept Outer Wrist
B. Clip Outer Wrist
A. Intercept Under Wrist
A. Intercept Over Wrist
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A passionate and gifted teacher, Taijiquan and Qigong expert Sam Masich, inspires students along their path. Having studied the internal martial arts most of his life, Sam is one of the most accomplished “new generation” practitioners of Taijiquan. A Canadian, he has learned from many of the great Masters, including Liang Shouyu, Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, Jou Tsung Hwa, Yang Zhenduo, and Chen Xiao Wang. He has distinguished himself in competition as a gold medalist in the USA and as a member of the Canada’s National Wushu Team has competed in China garnering gold medals and praise for his performances. Sam is the technical consultant for the TV series “Black Sash” and is the subject of two documentaries. He is an author, a musician, and has produced many top-rated instructional films available through his website: www.sammasich.com
Raymond Chung with sabre circa 1977
Dear TongRen,
Everyone knows that Qigong-Taiji is beneficial to ones health, but I want to share with TongRen readers an embarrassing incident to prove it works in real time, in real life.
In my Taiji classes I do warm-up exercises using Taiji Rulers and balls to loosen, open and massage tendons, ligaments, joints, muscles and organs.
I am sure TongGren readers have heard of the exercise where a person balances a saucer with a teacup (filled with hot tea) on each palm, then rotates the saucer in front of the body then over the head (where the tea spills, if the palm is not facing upwards).
We use balls instead (to keep our heads dry) and find this exercise is especially good for loosening the spine, shoulder, kua as well as the rest of the body.
I mention this because it came in handy recently while visiting a friend’s heritage house (which is also used for an Inn and Folk School).
Once a month a group of eclectic folks gather there for a singing get together and potluck supper. I don’t usually go because I don’t sing, but I do enjoy eating, so I went with my wife Fae (who likes to sing).
After a round of singing, someone said it was time to eat, so we gathered in a circle around the dining table to say grace and the children were served first, followed by the adults.
I filled my plate with rice, curry and chicken then went to join Fae, who was sitting on the steps. I stood at the top of the steps holding my plate in one hand and was about to step down when my heel slipped off the edge (I was wearing socks and the hardwood floor was slippery) sending me sprawling through the air. Realizing my predicament, I frantically tried to get back on my feet while still holding the plate. To my horror I watched as the food scattered across the floor.
As soon as I regained my composure, and feeling embarrassed for the spectacle I caused – people were worried that I had hurt myself – I told them that I was okay as I brushed rice and curry off Fae’s clothes and mine, while another person swept up the food.
I sheepishly carried the food that remained on the plate to the table and ate it, pretending that nothing had happened.
Although I landed in a spectacular fashion, I did not feel any pain, other than a bruised ego.
Thanks again to Qigong-Taiji this seventy-one year old body survived another episode of ‘spinning wildly off-centered in the Dao.’
I hope my story inspires other Taiji players to share a Qi-paux that happened to them.
Meanwhile, keep the saucers and teacups spiraling and your head dry.
Qi-fully yours,
Hajime (goofy foot) NakaDancing Dragon Tai ChiKelowna, British Columbia
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If we think about the human body and what the functions of the different parts are, we can use the idea of a tree. The lower basing of the body as well as major joints such as elbows, hips, knees etc can be seen as roots of movement which are very strong and stable. The hands, fingers, toes, etc.. can be seen as small branches which can provide some function to the roots.
Trees use the trunk and body to govern their central function, but use the branches to bear their fruit. Neijiaquan can be seen in much the same way.
When we first learn Taiji, we tend to focus largely on the function of the bottom of the root. We work to establish a central base for the body to operate from. This means using strong stances, full movement and structure.
At the same time, we will focus on the branches which serve as the extremities of the body. The fingers and wrists are of special importance. This idea emphasizes the importance of pengjin. If we make the fingers strong and learn to sink the wrists, we can have very good pengjin very fast. If we have a strong base to support it, we can use the root to enhance the function of the branches, much like how a tree uses its core to carry nutrients from the earth to its fruit bearing areas.
Later, when we are trying to achieve a more subtle level of skill, we can change the meaning of the roots and the branches. At this point, we will have already learned to do pengjin well and we will have good structure. Our next step is to make the application of jin more effortless and easier to move and change. The way to do this is to de-emphasize the function of the branch in favour of focusing on the function of the root. At this point the elbows, shoulder, hips, and knees become more important.
When we push someone in tuishou, we might not want to use our full peng energy because it has a tendency toward stiffness and is hard to change. At this point we want to give up some pengjin and replace it with with relaxation and release.
We can effectively use the analogy that the branches start to flower and bear fruit at this time because the nutrients have been set in place to allow a growth process to happen. in this case, the root will remain what interfaces with the earth.
The elbow will remain sunk and connected to the body, the knees and hips will still cary the movement form the earth, but the delivery of the nutrients (jin) will change dramatically.
The jin delivery starts to be about more subtle things than structure. It begins to rely on breath, release of tension (as opposed to delivery of force), the relaxation of major anatomical structures such as the kua and spine, and our trust that we can maintain the ability to give our force to someone without forcing it on them.
I like to use the analogy of this type of training being similar to releasing all tension in the body as if one were laying down in bed and about to go to sleep. The feeling is like a big sigh of relief "ah!" instead of a big exhalation of force "OOMPH!". The feeling is like I am giving you something instead of hitting you with something.
This is what allows the force to stay soft and changeable instead of being strong and stiff. At this point, the root becomes the real player and
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The Root of Movement
by Robert James Coons
Robert Coons with Li Zhijun, descendent of the founder of Xingyiquan (Li Nengran) taken in
Hengshui, Hebei, PRC
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TongRen (T’ung-jen)TongRen is the 13th hexagram of the I Ching (Yijing)meaning “Fellowship” or “Sameness with People”.
“Sameness with people means other people and oneself are as one. As for the qualities of the hexagram, above is heaven, strong, and below is fire, luminous: employing strength with illumination, making illumination effective by strength, being truthful within and adept without, developing oneself and others as well, it is therefore called sameness with people. “
The Taoist I Ching (trans. Thomas Cleary, Shambala Publications, 1986 ISBN 0-87773-352-X bk)
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the branch becomes a secondary agent of the desire of the root.
Good Taiji training will usually place equal emphasis on root and branch at first, but then move more toward the root of movement as the level of training increases.
Robert James Coons has been doing Taiji and internal martial arts for a decade, starting with the study of Taijiquan with Michelle McMillan and Steve Higgins. Robert eventually went on to study the three internal styles of Taiji, Bagua, and Xingyi with Yang Hai (Tianjin/Montreal) and other styles including Sun style Taiji and
Xinyiliuhequan in China with various masters. Robert also takes much of his influence from Peter Ralston's work with movement and consciousness. Currently Robert spends his time between Shanghai, Tokyo, and Sapporo, working as a university administrator while studying martial arts and traditional culture. Robert has taught seminars in various subjects in Canada as well as assisting in Yang Hai's Xingyiquan seminar in Tianjin, China in fall 2011. Robert also runs a small importation company called Cute Shanghai, which brings jewellery, fine art, and tea from various parts of China to Canada for sale both privately and in stores.
Canadian Taijiquan Federation T-Shirts
Featuring the return of the popular ‘fiery dragon’ designcoiling around the CTF logo on the front of this black long-sleeved t-shirt.
Looking for a ‘team look’ in formal black?We’ve got you covered!
Available now! Order yours today!
Printed on the back: “Putting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988.”Makes a great conversation piece as you explain that TongRen is both the name of the CTF newsletter
and the Chinese term for ‘fellowship’ or ‘community’.
Available in S, M, L, XL, XXL adult sizes. Made from 6 oz. 100% cotton tubular jersey. Double-needle bottom hem. Shoulder-to-shoulder tape. Preshrunk to minimize shrinkage.
Long sleeve $30.00. Short-sleeved version coming soon.Please note that postal rates vary widely due to the size of Canada, so postage is not included in this price but will be added on prior to shipping your t-shirt to you. The CTF will happily sell t-shirts (and memberships) to folks outside of Canada; you may pay in either Canadian or US funds. Looking to save some money on postage? Buy one for a friend at the same time and combine shipping. Better yet, get a group of friends together and save even more. Looking to pay NO postage? Find Jill Heath in person, and you have a deal!
Contact Jill Heath to place your order: [email protected]
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From Dave Bucklow in Miramichi, New Brunswick:
We are working hard at the school to be ready for our public demo on World Tai Chi Day. We will be at our usual place, Ritchie Wharf – a great little park area on the river front, perfect place for Summer classes too. I have several interested players all the way through to Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan (from Master Jesse Tsao), ... and it's looking really good. Two have requested to learn Tai Chi in the Autumn session, and another two would like to try the Sword form. Progress... I'm busy with a little local advertising for the 28th World Tai Chi Day. At the same time, I have introduced "Six Harmonies" to the Qi Gong to try to unify our foot work and introduce a little more stretch to that foot work. Some take too small a step, so I'm hoping this will help unify the foot work and improve the Tai Chi foot work at the same time...Apart from that, we are enjoying our second day of great weather and cleaning up our gardens, hoping for the same good weather on Saturday the 28th.
Dave Bucklow Oriental Arts N.B.http://taichidave.ca/ “wǔ shù yī gè jiā ”
The WaveNews from our Members
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Dave Bucklow & colleaguespracticing Taiji Fan
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From Helene Dobrowolsky in Whitehorse, Yukon:
This is the time of year when Yukoners revel in melting snow and ice, the return of the swans and those lovely long sunny days. We now have daylight until 10 p.m. Our Tai Chi players are winding up classes and looking forward to practicing outdoors.
On Sunday, April 15 we hosted a daylong sabre workshop with Pam Boyde. This was an introduction to sabre form for those unfamiliar with weapons while for others, it was a chance to refine our form. For all, it was a wonderful opportunity to unleash our inner pirates as we spent a day slashing and hacking (most mindfully of course).
We are looking forward to a fun spring of sharing our art with the community. On Saturday, April 28 we are again celebrating World Tai Chi and Qigong Day at Shipyards Park at 10 a.m. Once again the City of Whitehorse has invited us take part in
their pancake breakfast on May 24 to help celebrate summer activity in the great outdoors. Finally our seniors will perform a demo at the Golden Age Seniors BBQ in early June. From May 24 on, we will resume our annual weekly summer practice at Shipyards Park. Thursdays at 6 p.m. during the weekly community market. We always love to see visitors from Outside should you make it up to our beautiful part of the world.
Helene DobrowolskySecretary, Tai Chi Yukon [email protected] www.taichi-yukon.ca
Swans on the Yukon River ice in Whitehorse during spring break-up.
H. Dobrowolsky photo
Participants in the sabre workshop class:L-R: Helene Dobrowolsky, Ken Andre, Pam Boyde, Lisa
Pan, Joan Wilson, Sharon Westberg; kneeling: Jo-Ann Gates and Janet MacLachlan
Rob Ingram photo
Sabre workshop instructorPam Boyde
H. Dobrowolsky photo
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News from Cold Mountain Internal Arts, Kitchener, Ontario
March 25th saw a real departure in our training at Calvin Church in Kitchener!
We were visited by Sifu Glen Doyle, of Doyles Martial Arts Club in Milton, who spent an afternoon introducing us to the various elements of his family’s traditional stick-fighting system. Ably accompanied by three assistants, Glen guided a group of 18 attendees through patterns of footwork, attack and defense. The Doyle method is characterized by having both hands on the stick. The movements therefore involve movement of the entire torso and are consistent with Tai Chi principles.
The art of bataireacht exists in various styles, going back hundreds of years in Ireland. The stick, bata or shillelagh is an emblem of Irish culture and a traditional implement used in the gentle Celtic art of behaviour modification.
More to the point, as our population ages, a walking stick represents a practical method of self defense!It is our hope that this session will be only the first of a series with Sifu Doyle!
Steve Higgins with Glen Doylewww.doylesmartialartsclub.com
Glen Doyleat Cold Mountain Internal Arts
Taijiboxing is a progressive martial art and a comprehensive exercise discipline. It combines principles from both eastern and western approaches to health and vitality.
Recently I went on a visit to Toronto to celebrate my half a century birthday, with some friends and visit with my old sifu Master Ho Lo Lam. It was nice to visit the city, see the hustle and bustle, hear the different languages and be exposed to a wide variety of authentic ethnic culinary and cultural delights. I first visited my good friend Instructor Ian Zachemski Gibbs, a classical yet eclectic Hapkido Instructor. We shared some stories, caught up with each others life’s and then decided to do some training.
This was great fun, as we got to compare similarities between combat theories, applications, and executions. I was able to absorb some principles and learn a new kick called a "Wheel Kick". I was also able to introduce to them the concept of "Ghost Stepping". This is a principle absorbed from the Taijjutsi discipline, and the Japanese system of "Tai Subaki". Tai Sabaki is related to Ashi Sabaki or (Footwork) and Te Sabaki or (handwork). The technique of Sabaki is a unique method of meeting an attack by combining defence and offence into one motion. This implies the use of harmony rather than pure physical strength or speed. The students in the class really enjoyed working with this new concept, and were happy to integrate this idea into their own bag of tricks.
My next stop was to visit with my Sifu and mentor Taiji instructor Master Ho Lo Lam. I had heard that he had recently recovered from back surgery and was well enough to star teaching TaijiQuan again. Although he was forbidden by his wife to participate in any push hand instruction, and he was to be very careful when demonstrating applications for us. I was very happy and pleased to see him again ,and he was happy to see me. The whole class welcomed me back as if I was a long lost cousin, to me this is a sign of a true martial arts practice . We all accept each other as if we are all part of one big extended family regardless of our differences..
Class began with our usual warm up and coordination exercises , and then Master Ho Lo began to demonstrated some correction to the form, and what the proper breathing rate and rhytem, should be, and the correct body alignment. He also demonstrated various interpretation for self defence applications as he always does. Master Ho Lo focused on the application for " Single Whip" and "Seven Star Stance" showing numerous variations for application. It was great to see sifu still enthusiastic about the Art of Taijiquan and like always he mentioned the holistic benefits for each posture.,and the practical use for self defence. We then continued to practice the Yang traditional form, and did some push hands. Some students broke off to practice the difficult Chen style” Cannon Fist” some people drank tea and conversed, and then others practised the “Yang style Taiji Fan form”. I was practising push hands as I rarely have a opportunity to have anyone to practice with.
As is our tradition after class we usually go out for brunch. So off we went up to Markham China town , and went to our favourite restaurant and had a 8 beautiful course brunch. We all talked about life politics and the weather,and shared stories and then wished each other well, and of course a parting belated“Kung Hao Fat Choy!”(for the Year of the Dragon) and went our separate and merry ways. .
My next stop was to meet up with my good friend Tim, one of the guys from the Taiji class Kohee, decided he would like to come along for the day. So we all jump in my car and decided it would be fun to check out this new to us martial art called” Capoeira” a Brazilian Angolan based martial art.
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Taijiboxer's Adaptive Responsive Flow Technique
by Dennis Pounall
Dennis Pounall
in the Roda
Here is a brief description of this interesting martial art:
Capoeira is a fast and versatile martial art which is historically focused on fighting strategies when faced by outnumbered opponents, and or situation where you may be in situational disadvantage out maned out weapon ed.
A Capoeira movement (A Fechado) The Ginga (literally: rocking back and forth; to swing) is the fundamental movement in Capoeira, important both for attack and defense purposes. It has two main objectives. One is to keep the Capoeirista in a state of constant motion, preventing her or him from being a still and easy target. The other, using also fakes and feints, is to mislead, fool, trick the opponent, leaving them open for an attack or a counter-attack. The attacks in the Capoeira should be done when opportunity arises and must be decisive, like a direct kick in the face or a vital body part, or a strong take-down. Most Capoeira attacks are made with the legs, like direct or swirling kicks, Rasteiras (leg sweeps), Tesouras or knee strikes. The head strike is a very important counter-attack move. Elbow strikes, punches and other forms of take-downs complete the main list. The defence is based on the principle of non-resistance, meaning avoid an attack using evasive moves instead of blocking it. “This idea is also fundamental to Taijiboxing“ Avoids are called Esquivas, which depend on the direction of the attack and intention of the defender, and can be done standing or with a hand leaning on the floor. A block should only be made when the Esquiva is not possible. This fighting strategy allows quick and unpredictable counter attacks, the ability to focus on more than one adversary and to face empty-handed an armed adversary. A series of rolls and acrobatics (like the Cartwheels called Au') allows the Capoeirista to quickly overcome a take-down or a loss of balance, and to position themselves around the aggressor in order to lay up for an attack. It is this combination of attacks and defence which gives Capoeira its perceived 'fluidity' and choreography-like style.
Capoeira game Playing Capoeira is both a game and a method of practising the application of Capoeira movements in dangerous situations. It can be played anywhere, but it's usually done in a Roda. During the game most Capoeira moves are used, but Capoeiristas usually avoid using punches or elbow strikes. sifu Dennis playing in the Roda The game usually does not focus on knocking down or destroying the opponent, rather it emphasizes skill. Capoeiristas often prefer to rely on a take down like a Rasteira, then allowing the opponent to recover and get back into the game. It is also very common to slow down a kick inches before hitting the target, so a Capoeirista can enforce superiority without the need of injuring the opponent. If an opponent clearly cannot dodge an attack, there is no reason to complete the attack. This is martial art of skill and technique not relying on speed and power. Much like many other martial arts,Capoeirrist, use patience skill and practice to refine their disciplined art, and much like Taijiboxing the skill is developed over time and is one of trail and error. It does not have the focus of other goal orientated discipline .But has the casual idea of a “Game,Roda” are as we say “play at Taiji Quan”. We say to invest in loss, “to learn as you go is to grow as you learn”. For this reason many of the concepts of evasion, attack while defending, mobility and fluid adaptability can be found in both discipline of Taijiboxing and Capoeira.
Roda The Roda (pronounced HOH-dah) is a circle formed by Capoeiristas and Capoeira musical instruments, where every participant sings the typical songs and claps their hands following the music. Two Capoeiristas enter the Roda and play the game according to the style required by the musical instruments rhythm. The game finishes when one of the musicians holding a “Berimbau” determine it, when one of the Capoeiristas decide to leave or call the end of the game or when another Capoeirista interrupts the game to start playing, either with one of the current players or with another Capoeirista. In a Roda every cultural aspect of Capoeira is present, not only the martial side. Aerial acrobatics are common in a presentation Roda, while not seen as often in a more serious one.
taken from Wikipedia
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In Capoeira , music sets the rhythm, the style of play, and the energy of a game, this makes the Roda a very dynamic and intuitive approach to training. This means every Game or Roda is spontaneous, and dynamic making it a much more natural and fluid approach to practising martial arts. The beauty of this method is that each player progresses independently of his fellow player, making each game a opportunity for discovery and innovation.
This experience with this new martial art allowed me to look much deeper into the essence of Taijiboxing, and I discovered that some of the basic premises on which Taijiboxing was founded is also inherent in Capeorio stylist. The application of techniques is inherit in a formless form. The Ginga, and Roda allow each player to spontaneously discover a natural inherent rhythm and a unique “Adaptive Response Flow Technique” for self defence.
Each player develops at their own rate , and use the concept of motion to perceive stillness to find opportunities for attack and defence all disguise in a non limiting free flowing approach to martial arts as both a discipline in the training ,and a art form in the game (Roda) Taijiboxing adopts a concept of "Adaptive response flow Techniques" sometimes referred to as "Silk reeling". One
opportunity provides another solution in the conversation of conflict!!
This means that in a state of crisis one technique should flow seamlessly without hesitation,or interruption like a silken thread. Here you see a perfect example , he attacks high I evade low no wasted energy Elusive manoeuvre called a escape, against a high kick from the ground by applying the stillness and motion to your form and spontaneous interpretation of it’s combat principles makes for a well rounded and dynamic form of exercise for the mind, body and the spirit. The ability to use feints, body shifting, uprooting and Fa hing allow you to be unpredictable and elusive without relying on shear speed and power. Using softness and tailback,(evasive footwork) and free flowing ability to adapt to a ever changing environment.. These principles are hidden in the Game (Roda) and Ginga, and the variety of attacks, feints , strikes and take-down apparent in both system of martial arts. both art forms display the art of fighting without fighting.
This to me is what makes the practice of a traditional martial art a life long experience, and a gift to each person who takes the time to discover this. I hope you enjoyed this article and have a great day, and remember life is a sport, play it well.
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Dennis Pounall in the Roda having a blast " Meia Lua Pulada."
Dennis Pounall lives and works in Elliott Lake, Northern Ontario, as a paramedic. He has been tirelessly practicing martial arts for over 29 years. His styles include Yang style Taijiquan, Pang Gi Noon, Chinese Okinawan Gung Fu, and Kook Sool Won. He teaches workshops and participates in national and international competitions in various styles. He is affiliated with Atado Schools of Defensive Arts and Taijiquan. Dennis can be contacted at: [email protected]
Sam Masich’s masterly explication of the relationship between the square and corner powers is substantiated by reference to both the Yang Family’s “Forty Documents”, which were transmitted to the Wu family by Yang Ban Hou, and by the recorded teachings of Yang Cheng Fu, who actually paraphrased the documents in question. In essence, this doctrine holds that the square powers (Ward / Peng, Roll-back / Lu, Press / Ji and Push / An) constitute primary responses in self defense, and that the corner or oblique powers (Split / Lieh, Pull-down / Tsai, Elbow / Chou and Shoulder / Kao) constitute defaults to which one has recourse when, for whatever reason, one’s application of a square power is for some reason deficient or insufficient.
However, it is important to understand that the assumption of this doctrine as a fundamental of real Tai Chi as a whole, is an issue which is highly conditioned by history and cultural ideology.
The “Tai Chi” is an ancient philosophy. Its root source is The I Ching, a text which was compiled and put into its present form about twenty-six hundred years ago by Confucius (Kung Tze) and his followers. The martial art, however, derives from a selection of combative techniques compiled from various sources in the 1500’s CE by General Chi Ji-Kuang, and was not called “Tai Chi” until centuries later. The application of the name to the art was, as we shall see, an ideological assertion.
The art was originally just a technique-based method similar to any other form of North Chinese long boxing. However, in the late 1800’s it was reformulated into a physical analogue to the ancient philosophy by a group of conservative sages who were involved in the patriotic “Self Strengthening” movement. It was their project to reform the nation by recourse to the classical cultural tradition. As part of this program, centered in Gwangping and Yongnian, the martial method was redesigned so as to correspond to the eight phases of Yin and Yang. The art, in essence, was reformulated as a vessel to embody and
transmit classical Chinese values. It was therefore not called “Tai Chi” until sometime in the late 1800’s CE. It was probably at this time that the doctrine of cardinal and corner powers was applied to it.
As explained by Stanley Henning in an article widely available on-line (http://www.nardis.com/~twchan/henning.html), the classicists were constructing a narrative whereby the art could be seen as having an impeccably Chinese provenance. This meant a Taoist origin, as opposed to the Indian / Buddhist associations discernible in the Chen Village art, which had been influenced by the nearby Shaolin Temple. This was important because Tibeto-Indian lamaistic Buddhism was associated with the foreign Manchurian dynasty, which had become discredited in the eyes of the Chinese population and was tottering toward its end.
A Chinese Taoist lineage for Tai Chi would allow a fresh start in constructing a new narrative that might lead to national spiritual recovery and re-establish social harmony in the fracturing empire. Tai Chi, now for the first time called by that name and presented as the creation of a Taoist immortal, was the physical manifestation of that narrative. Other modern authors who have dealt with evolution of this material, and with the increasing elaboration of the origin myth, are Douglas E. Wile and Barbara Davis.
It is important to understand that Tai Chi, as it thus came to be called, had evolved to a high level before being subjected to this process of reformulation. We can see in the Chen family’s Tai Chi an expression of the art which is not structured according to the square and oblique doctrine. In Chen style the immediate response to aggression is not square, but oblique.
An understanding of what this implies can be gained by comparing photographs of the “Ward stance as manifested in different styles. In the photograph below we see “Too Lazy to Tie Coat”, which is the first (“Ward”) posture in the Chen old-style’s “Grasp Bird’s Tail” sequence.
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Square and Oblique: Fundamentals or Appropriation?
by Steve Higgins
One can easily see that the energy is not directed on the square toward the front, but on an oblique angle to the side. If the hand were to be palm-up, one would have a Ward stance similar to the posture from the Old Yang Middle frame, which I demonstrate below:
Steve Higgins demonstrates Old YangWard stance
This stance is the Ward from the first “Grasp Bird’s Tail to R.” It is clearly based upon the Chen form above. A close comparison of foot position and stance clearly demonstrates that similarly oblique concepts are involved.
However, in the stance of Yang Cheng Fu the orientation has clearly shifted to the square:
The art of the Yang family had reached a high level of refinement in Beijing prior to being influenced by the square / oblique (corners) doctrine of the Classicists. One can see, in the Old Yang middle-frame form, evidence of older organizational principles which are closer to the Chen model than to the traditional Yang long form of the 1920’s and 30’s which was perfected by Yang Cheng Fu.
For example, “Grasp Bird’s Tail” exists in three configurations in the Old Yang: to right, to left and on the square. “Grasp Bird’s Tail” to right and left employs highly oblique Ward/Peng energy as in the second photo above, as well as oblique inner rolling deflections/Lu, and finally a square two-hand Push / An.
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Steve Higgins demonstrates Chen sty;le “Too Lazy To Tie Coat”
But it is the Old Yang “Grasp Birds Tail” executed to the square which gives rise to the movement we know now in the 108 move Yang family form of the 1920’s and 30’s. For just one example of many, the modern form, based upon Ward /Peng, Roll-back/Lu, Press / Ji and Push / An, has in the older pre-Classic form Pulling-down/Tsai energy, rather than Rolling-back/Lu. In the older form, the influence of the Ba-men (Eight Gates) scheme, so central to the Classics from Yongnian, is present, but not of the central conceptual importance it later acquired. By the next generation, the generation of Yang Cheng Fu and Yang Shao Hou, it would be accepted as a fundamental organizing principle.
To therefore maintain that real Tai Chi is defined by this doctrine represents an act of appropriation, implying that those styles which are not embracing of the formula are somehow not inside the tent of normative Taijiquan. While it is true that it has been said that “Without an understanding of the thirteen powers oneʼs art cannot properly be called taijiquan”, it is also true that this is an ideological statement, and a highly contentious one at that! It is certainly true of the Yang and Wu styles, but not necessarily true of the Chen style, or of the Yang style before Yang Cheng Fu.
The acceptance, by the Beijing community, of the Taoist connection and the Chan San Feng origin account were probably very important to Tai Chi’s attainment of pre-eminence. It was not until 1928 that a member of the Chen family, Chen Fa Ke, made it to Beijing, and he was able to achieve acceptance into Tai Chi circles only with considerable difficulty. It is said that he was permitted to attend one early conference of Tai Chi masters only on condition that he not speak! The Taoist origin was by that point the accepted narrative, and the arrival of a master from Chen Village may have been a bit of an embarrassment to the Tai Chi promoters of the time!
During the lifetime of Yang Cheng Fu, various Yang styles were practiced in the Yang family academy. Yang Shao Hou practiced small frame,
Tyan Zhaolin practiced the old middle-frame with its intense oblique orientation, and other members of the Yang and Tung families practiced a new middle frame form which combined the new simplified sequence of Yang Cheng Fu with the older middle-frame rounded shape. This style persists today in the Tai Chi lineages which derive from Yang Zenji and Yang Zaozhong. The famous master Cheng Man Ching, who eventually emigrated to the United States, was a small frame stylist. But from the time of Yang Cheng Fu’s death in 1936, the normative Yang style was held to be his large frame form, and the practice of alternative variations was discouraged within the academy. Tyan Zhaolin, whose old middle-frame was radically different from Cheng-fu’s model, was actually expelled! His presence was considered disturbing to the harmony established by the classicist narrative.
Understanding the doctrine of the cardinal points (or square powers), and the corners (or oblique powers), is absolutely essential to achieving any expertise in the traditional Yang and Wu family styles of Taijiquan. However, it must be remembered that this material is a fundamental organizational element of those styles – but not necessarily of the art as a whole.
Steve Higgins has been a Director of the CTF, served on many CTF committees, demonstrated at countless events, hosted a series of Teacher Training seminars, and is a long-time contributor to TongRen. His first martial arts teacher was his father who taught him elements of Jujitsu as a child. Since then he has studied many other martial arts such as Ba Gwa, Xing Yi, and various forms of Taiiquan including weapon forms. His major teachers include Dr. Shen Zaiwen, Grandmaster Jou Tsunghwa, and Master Sam Masich. He has published articles on Taijiquan and Qigong internationally and is the chief instructor for Cold Mountain Internal Arts in Kitchener, Ontario. www.stevehiggins.ca
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Saturday–Sunday workshops in Gatineau, QuebecSaturday Workshops in Milton, Ontario
February – June 2012Taiji For Two: Empty Hand, Sword,
Fundamentals of 2-person Work, Chen
with Adriaan Blaauw & Jill Heath
Newcomers are always welcome!
Fees & Payment Structure: $40 each 2-hour workshop; $30 if previous in series attended. Pay in full in advance for six 2-hour workshops: $170. You may pay via cash, cheque or electronically (email transfer).Gatineau: Attend entire weekend for $150; $110 if previous in series attended. Pay in full in advance for six entire weekends: $600.
Fundamentals of Two-Person Work: The study of sticking sword and pushing hands, focusing on skills essential for all two-person work.
Chen: The study of Chen continues via exercises and a short form, including solo and two-person work.
Taiji For Two: Empty Hand: Two-person empty hand study including work on the 5-section 2-person choreography. Partner work helps to develop greater understanding of techniques and energies. In turn, this transfers greater depth to solo practice as the movements acquire more meaning to the practitioner.
Taiji For Two: Sword: Two-person sword study, including work on that rarity in taiji: a two-person sword form, in this case, the 5-section. Partner work helps to develop greater understanding of sword techniques and energies. In turn, this transfers greater depth to solo sword practice, much in the same way that studying two-person empty-hand work can improve solo form.
Taiji Fan: Both veteran fan wielders and newcomers are welcome. Refinement of form for those who are already familiar with the choreography. Introduction to the Flying Rainbow Fan Routine for newcomers.
PLEASE NOTE: Fan class taught by Jill; Empty Hand by Adriaan. Other classes team-taught by both.
Information: Adriaan Blaauw: [email protected] Jill Heath: [email protected]
Centre de Tai Chi Gilles Vaillant, 109 rue Wright, Gatineau, Quebec
Sword (1-3 pm Sat.)Fundamentals of 2-Person Work
(3:30-5:30pm Sat.)Empty Hand (10am-noon Sun.)
Chen (12:30-2:30 pm Sun.)
Saturday - Sunday 23-24 Jun 2012
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Chen’s Taichi Workshopswith Grand Master Chen ZhengleiHosted by: Taichi And Tea Wellness Clubs
Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine One (Detailed Review)Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine Two (Detailed Review)Chen’s Taichi New Frame Routine One (Part One)Saturday 5 May 2012 9:00am-4:00pm
Chen’s Taichi Single SaberSunday 6 May 2012 9:00am-12:00pm
Chen’s Taichi Push-hands Sunday 6 May 2012 1:00pm-4:00pm
Gala DinnerSunday 6 May 2012 1:00pm-4:00pm
Top 1 Centre, 39 Riviera Dr., Markham, OntarioContact: Lee(416)994-3949 [email protected]
Magwood's Martial Arts Internal Martial Arts SeminarsCore Structure, Stability & Push Handswith Greg MagwoodSunday 6 May 2012 10:00am-12:00pm
Internal Power Development & Deliverywith Robert WaltherSunday 6 May 2012 12:30-2:30pm
Peterborough Tai Chi, Kung Fu & Jiu Jitsu 910 High St. Unit #18 Peterboroug, OntarioContact: [email protected] magwoodsmartialarts.webs.com
Sword Practice 2012
Alternating Locations: Vidya Institute, 232 Christie Street, Torontoor Wuxing Martial Arts, 374 Dupont Street, Toronto, OntarioVoluntary cleaning session after practice. If space not available, weather permitting, practice will be held in a nearby park. Any damage to property will be the collective responsibility of all who attend the practice.
Sunday 27 May - Wuxing (12:0 –2:00 pm) Sunday 17 June 17 - Vidya? (3:00–5:00pm) Sunday 15 July - Wuxing (12:00–2:00 pm)Sunday 19 August - Vidya? (3:00–5:00pm)Sunday 16 September - Wuxing (12:00–2 pm)Sunday 21 October - Vidya? (3:00–5:00pm)Sunday 25 November - Wuxing (12:00–2 pm) Sunday 16 December - Vidya? (3:00 – 5pm)
Contact: Poney Chiang (647) [email protected]
Sessions de pousse-mainsCentre de Tai Chi Gilles-VaillantGatineau, Quebecvendredi le 11 Maivendredi le 1 et vendredi le 15 JuinContact: Réal Lalande (819)[email protected]://web.me.com/chengfu/taichigillesvaillant.ca/Accueil.html
Ziran Qigongwith Master Liu De MingSaturday 26 – Sunday 27 May 2012hosted by Barrie Tai Chi & QigongBarrie, OntarioContact: [email protected]
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Tai Chi Workshops in Canada
Riverbank Push Hands Dayswith Diane Kehoe & John EastmanSunday 20 MaySunday 24 JuneSunday 22 JullySunday 5 AugustSunday 16 SeptemberSunday, 14 OcoberSunday 18 NovemberSunday 9 December
1:00-6:00pm4126 River Road West, Delta, BC
No charge. Bring a snack to share. Tea and/or cool drinks supplied. Drug and alcohol free zone (no smoking). For a pick-up from the Tsawassen Ferries or from the Ladner Bus Depot phone ahead. On-street parking.7:00 pm - dinner at Danny’s Wun Tun House, Ironwood Shopping Centre, No.5 Road and Steveston Hwy in RichmondContact: (604)946-4983 or (604)[email protected]
Yang Long Form Super Intensive:Yang Style Taijiquan 108 & 37 Essential Formswith Sam MasichSaturday 19 – Tuesday 22 May 2012Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 May 2012Milton, OntarioContact: Mary Hansell (905)854-0314www.sammasich.com
Taiji Workshops in Quebecwith Jill Heath & Adriaan Blaauw
Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 June 2012Sword (1-3pm Saturday)Fundamentals of 2-Person Work(3:30-5:30pm Saturday)
Empty Hand (10am-noon Sunday)Chen (12:30-2:30pm Sunday)
Centre de Tai Chi Gilles Vaillant, 109 rue Wright Gatineau, QuebecContact: Adriaan Blaauw: [email protected] Heath: [email protected]
14th World Congresson Qigong & TCM 2012Friday 25 – Monday 28 May 2012Hosted by The Academy for Chi-Kung Studies, Dr. Effie Chow, & East West QiToronto, OntarioContact: Master Justin Ngui (905)[email protected]
Cooking For Healthwith Nicola Lawrence and Andy JamesPower of BalanceFriday 24 – Sunday 26 August 2012Friday 2 – Sunday 4 November 2012
Insight Meditation & Qigong Retreatwith Andy James, Power of BalanceFriday 19 - Sunday 21 October 2012Friday 19 - Friday 26 October 2012
Harmony Dawn Centre, Rice Lake, 90 minutes northeast of Toronto, Northumberland CountyContact: (416)465-6122
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Tai Chi Workshops in Canada
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Workshops with Sam Masich
Jue-shou & 5 Section Taiji Sanshouwith Sam MasichFriday 4 - Sunday 6 May 2012Seattle, USA Contact: Karin Collins [email protected] (206) 898-5048 www.sammasich.com
Yang-style Taiji Sabre: 'Chen Yanlin'with Sam MasichFriday 22 - Sunday 24 June 2012 Brighton, UKContact: Simon or Cher Robins01903 369501 / 07825 [email protected]
Hannover Taiji Projekt 2012: Push-hands Energies, Taiji Sword, 5 Section Taiji Sanshouwith Sam MasichFriday 13 - Sunday 15 July 2012Hannover, DeutschlandContact: Oliver Rust 0151 - 40 40 5606 [email protected] www.sammasich.com
3nd Annual Berlin SummerPush Hands Campwith Sam MasichThursday 16 - Sunday 19 August 2012 Berlin, DeutschlandContact: Sam Masich 0170-553-8096www.sammasich.com
1st Annual Berlin Summer Taiji Weapons Intensive—13 Power Taiji Sabre with Sam MasichThursday 23 - Sunday 26 August 2012 Berlin, DeutschlandContact: Sam Masich 0170-553-8096www.sammasich.com
Tai Chi CaledoniaFriday 13 – Friday 20 July 2012Stirling University, Stirling, UKGlasgow, Scotland. UKTel: +44 141 810 [email protected]
Workshops with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming YMAA Retreat Center in N. California
Taijiquan & Martial Applications July 6-13, 2012
Taiji Pushing Hands & Martial ApplicationsJuly 13-20, 2012
Taiji Martial Applications (Chin Na and Wrestling)July 20-27, 2012
Taiji Ball Qigong (Levels 1-3)July 27 - August 3, 2012
Qigong-1 August 3-10, 2012
Qigong-7 (Small Circulation Meditation)August 10-17, 2012
Contact: (707)502-8739ymaa.com/seminars
Tai Chi Workshops Outside Canada
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Workshops with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming YMAA Boston
Chen Tai Chi 18 Movementwith Brian MuccioSunday 6 May 2012 9:00am-5:00pm
Shaolin Luohan 18 Hands Matching Setwith Narcyz LateckiSunday 20 May 2012 9:00am-1:30pm
Qi Healingwith Lisa O’SheaFriday 13 July 2012 7:00-8:30pm
YMAA Boston38 Hyde Park Ave.Jamaica Plain, MA, USA(617)524-8892Contact: (617)524-8892www.ymaa.com
Internal Arts Training Workshops
Defense Against Takedowns with Tim CartmellSaturday 19 - Sunday 20 May 2012 12:00-5:00pm
Taiji Ball Qigong: Partner Circling Skillswith Richard Gibson & Joshua CraigSaturday 9 – Sunday 10 June 2012
Arm SwingsWith Joshua CraigSunday 8 July 2012
New York City, NY, USAContact: www.internal-arts-training.com
Grandmaster Wm. CC ChenSaturday 19 – Sunday 20 May 201210:00am-5:00pmThe Rochester T'ai Chi Ch'uan Center80 Rockwood PlaceRochester, New York, USA
Contact: (585) [email protected]
Embrace The Moon Workshops
Hands of the 18 Luohan: Flow & Functionwith Kimberly Ivy, Jackie Close, Joe DeShawSaturday19 May 2012 9:00am-4:30pm
Chen Family Double Straight Sword with Single Straight Sword Correctionwith Master Chen BingThursday 14 – Sunday 17 June 2012
The Intrinsic Energies of Taijiquan& The Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions of Chen Taijiquanwith David Gaffney & Davidine Siaw-Voon SimFriday 17 – Saturday 18 August 2012
Contact: Kim Ivy (206) [email protected]
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Tai Chi Workshops outside Canada
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Embrace The Moon Workshops with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Xing
Laojia Yilu, Reeling Silk, Standing with Laojia Erlu CorrectionTuesday 22 May – Sunday 27 May 2012
Standing & Reeling SilkTuesday 22 May 2012 6:30-9:00pm
Laojia YiluWednesday 23 May 2012 6:30-9:00pm Thursday 24 May 2012 9:00am-4:30 pmFriday 25 May 2012 9:00am-4:30 pmSaturday 26 May 2012 9:00am-4:30 pmSunday 27 May 2012 9:00am-12:00 pm
Laojia Erlu CorrectionsSunday 27 May 2012 1:00-4:00 pm
Contact: Kim Ivy (206) [email protected]
The Taijiquan Retreat (TREE)Friday 8 – Sunday 10 June 2012Mensch Mill Conference and Retreat Center86 Camp Mensch Mill Road, Alburtis, PA Contact: (610)[email protected] Contact: CJRhoads@TaijiquanEnthusiasts.orgwww.taijiquanenthusiasts.orgDouglassville, PA, USA
A Taste of ChinaFriday 29 June – Sunday 1 JulyWinchester, VA, USAContact: Pat Rice (540)[email protected]
Chinese Swordsmanshipwith Scott RodellSaturday 19 – Sunday 20 May 20129:00am-5:00pm
Form and Form ApplicationsFriday 18 May 2:30-4:30pm
Push HandsFriday 18 May 5:30-7:00pmRou He Dao Guan 157 West Main St., Mendon, MI, USAContact: Jim Carlson (269)496-8997Great River Taoist Center (703)846-8222www.grtc.orgwww.rouhedaoguan.com
Chi Kung Intensiveswith Mantak Chia
Six Healing Sounds Chi Kung5 May 2012Microcosmic Orbit & Inner Smile Meditation12 May 2012Fusion Meditation for BeginnersWater Blessing Meditation26 May 2012Chi Nei Tsang 1Wednesday 30 May 2012 6:30-9:30pmCosmic Healing Chi Kung llThursday 31 May – Friday 1 June 2012 9:30am-4:30pm
Boston Healing Tao440 Somerville Avenue, 2nd Floor, Somerville, Mass. USAContact: (781)570-9694www.bostonhealingtao.com
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Tai Chi Workshops outside Canada
Canadian Taijiquan Federation / Fédération Canadienne de TaijiquanA registered Non-Profit Corporation / Un organisme à but non-lucratif dument enregistré
1. To encourage development in the practice of Taijiquan and preserve its characteristics as an expression of Chinese culture and philosophy.
2. To stimulate public awareness of and participation in Taijiquan.
3. To inclusively link practitioners of Taijiquan from various styles and traditions without precedence – whether as individuals or gathered in groups, clubs and organizations across Canada – as they join the Federation family.
4. To network nationally and internationally with other Taijiquan practitioners, groups, clubs and organizations with the aim of broadening and strengthening the Canadian Taijiquan experience.
1. Encourager la pratique du taijiquan et préserver son caractère culturel et philosophique chinois.
2. Stimuler la connaissance et la participation du grand public en matière de taijiquan.
3. Relier tous les praticiens de taijiquan, peu importe les styles et les traditions, qu’ils soient seuls ou affiliés, partout au Canada.
4. Élargir et renforcer l’expérience canadienne du taijiquan en créant un réseau national et international pour les individus, les groupes, les clubs, et les autres organisations.
Annual CTF membership includes:
• A subscription to the CTF’s quarterly journal TongRen
• One complementary official CTF crest for each new membership
Benefits of CTF membership:
• Access to Taijiquan Teacher Training workshops sponsored by the CTF and facilitated by experienced Taijiiquan teachers
• Access to the CTF Taijiquan Teacher Certification program
• Email notices of CTF-related news and upcoming events
• Access to the ‘members-only’ section of the CTF website which includes expanded event postings and links, an archive of back issues of TongRen, photographs, blogs and forums
• Postings to the public-access pages of the CTF website for your club/school, workshops/seminars and other Taiji-related events
• Opportunities to connect, meet, share and further your Taijiquan-related knowledge and experience with other practitioners
• Opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the Taijiquan community by sitting on the CTF Board of Directors and its various committees (volunteer)
• Discounted enrollment is often extended to CTF members for workshops and activities organized by CTF members
• Purchase of official CTF T-Shirts and crests
Une membriété annuelle vous offre:
• Un abonnement à TongRen, la revue trimestrielle de la FCT, que vous recevrez par la poste
• Un écusson gratuit de la FCT si vous êtes un nouveau membre
Avantages supplémentaires:
• Accès aux ateliers de formation des instructeurs, ateliers parrainés par la FCT et donnés par des enseignants chevronnés
• Accès au programme de la FCT de certification des enseignants de taijiquan
• Avis électroniques des nouvelles et des événements à venir de la FCT
• Accès à la section pour les membres du site web de la FCT qui présente une liste étoffée des événements et des liens, les anciens numéros de TongRen, des photos, des blogs et des forums
• Pages publiques pour annoncer votre organisme, vos ateliers et tout autre événement lié au taiji
• Des occasions de contacts, de rencontres et de partages avec des praticiens du taiji pour accroître vos connaissances et votre expérience
• Des occasions de vous engager comme bénévoles et d'influencer la communauté du taiji en joignant le Conseil d'administration de la FCT et ses multiples comités
• Des inscriptions à tarif réduit à des ateliers et activités organisés par nos membres
• Possibilité d'acheter les t-shirts et les écussons de la FCT
Membership / Membriété
Mission
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