Iching-hexagram-13 7/15/09 4:20 PM TongRen

A publication of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation Une publication de la Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan

May 2012 Mai Volume 19 . Issue 2 Numéro

file:///Users/rhubarb/Desktop/Iching-hexagram-13.webarchive Page 1 of 1 Putting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988. TongRen May/Mai 2012 Volume 19 . Issue 2 Numéro

Published by the Canadian Taijiquan Federation, P.O. Box 32055, London, Ontario, Canada N5V 5K4 www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.com Editors: Jill Heath Patricia Beretta

TongRen provides a forum for the discussion, TongRen fournit un forum pour discuter, exprimer et expression, and experience of Taijiquan and related vivre le Taijiquan et ses domaines connextes. Articles, subjects. Articles, reports on events, biographies, reportages, activitiés, biographies, lettres, critiques de letters, book reviews, poems, illustrations, scholarly livres, poèmes, illustrations, textes savants et réflexions research, and philosophical musings are welcomed. philosophiques sont les bienvenus. Veuillez soumettre Please email submissions for consideration for tout matériel à fin de publication à la rédactrice de publication in TongRen to the editor. TongRen.

TongRen is published quarterly: February, May, TongRen est publié quatre fois par année, en février, August, November. Submissions must be received by mai, août et novembre. Toute sumission doit être reçue the first day of the preceding month to be included. avant le premier du mois qui précède la date de The Editor reserves the right to determine content of publication. La rédactrice réserve le droit de décider each issue. Priority is given to content submitted by du contenu de chaque numéro. On accorde priorité au CTF members. contenu soumis par les membres de la FCT.

Next issue will be published in August 2012 Le prochain numéro sera publié en août 2012 Submission deadline: 1 July 2012 Datelimite des soumissions: 1 juillet 2012

Advertising Rates / Tarifs publicitaires

Size One Time Insertion Four Issues (one year) Dimension Une seule parution Quatre numéros (une année)

Business Card / Carte d’affaires $25$ $50$

Quarter Page / Quart de page $45$ $90$

Half Page / Demi-page $75$ $150$

Full Page / Pleine page $125$ $250$

2 May 2012 Volume 19 . Issue 2 TongRen Mai 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 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 1994 Trillium photos: Michelle McMillan

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.

3 Canadian Taijiquan Federation Putting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988. 2012 Annual General Meeting & Demonstration Day

Sophia Nikolakakos, Cold Mountain Internal Arts

Jill Heath and Javier photo by Sam Masich Saturday 16 June 2012

1:00 - 2:00 Annual General Meeting (CTF Members only) 2:00 - 3:00 Push hands Free Play Zone FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC 3:00 - 5:00 Demonstrations FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC Group dinner at a restaurant afterwards. Demonstrations

Jill Heath - Taiji Sword Randall Templeton & Jan Fogolin - Cold Mountain Dragon & Crane Kim Taylor, Seidokai Sophie Nikolakakos, Alpha Montemeyor and Lisbeth Haddad - Flying Rainbow Double Fan Kim Taylor - Iaido and Jodo Larissa Abrams-Ogg - Li Double Fan Group Demo by Cold Mountain Internal Arts - Old and more...

Larissa Abrams-Ogg Vendor Area . Membership Table Atado School

This event will be held at Wellwood Juravinski House, 501 Sanatorium Road, Hamilton, Ontario Please note that this is a scent-free, non-smoking facility.

Information: Bill Marsh [email protected] Duff Doel [email protected]

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. 4 www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.com Meet the New TongRen Editorial Team

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 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 Co-Editor [email protected] Jill Heath has been studying the internal arts since 1990 and has taught Taiji and 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 Jill sword-sparring with Adriaan Blaaw 2008, at the National Canadian photo by Sam Masich 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.

5 Yang-style Taijidao Applications of Fu Zhongwen

by Sam Masich

Brien Gallagher, Raymond Chung & Sam Masich 2011

I learned the Yang-style Taijidao Applications maître d’armes Bak Hy Tau. With a particular from from my first instructor, Taijiquan Master interest in the sabre, and training as junior to Brien Gallagher in 1983. Brien, who was also a several national level competitors, I used much of nationally competing Kendo expert, had learned my time in maître Bak’s salle to explore the the sabre sparring routine as part of the full internal Chinese style sword and sabre curriculum of Yangstyle Taijiquan as taught by approaches in the light of modern western Master Raymond Chung (Chung Yinmin ) fencing. It took me many more years to grasp the with whom he’d trained for two decades. In 1985, significance of this short and brilliant routine. before I travelled to as a member of the Canadian National Team Fu Zhongwen and Taijidao competing in the first World Invitational The place of Fu Zhongwen in the story of Tournament in X’ian, China, Master Chung Taijiquan in the modern era cannot be corrected and approved my execution of the drill exaggerated, particularly when it comes to and taught me several sabre sparring tricks. influence on this aspect of the Yang curriculum. A During this time I also studied the three modern maternal nephew of young Fu fencing weapons – foil, epee and sabre – under travelled with Yang throughout China as his

6 Fu Zhongwen & Sam Masich 1994

assistant and sometimes stand-in in martial not a very creative person, preferring only to challenges. In 1958 Master Fu wrote the first ever carry on his master’s tradition faithfully. As the book exclusively devoted to the subject of form does not appear in any Taiji literature before Taijidao and included in it the Yang-style Taiji this time we can assume only that the form was Sabre Applications form. The form is more passed to Yang Chengfu as previously hidden literally called ‘Yang Style Taiji Sabre Applications curriculum, that Yang Chengfu created or that Theory Practice’ (Yang-shi Taijidaofa Shiyong Master Fu was, as many have reported, a very Jiashe Lianxi ). modest man. I had the opportunity to meet Fu Zhongwen in Structure of the form 1994 and to ask him questions about various This miniature form is the epitome of economy, aspects of the Yang-style Taijiquan curriculum conveying an extraordinary diversity of technical and some of the people and lore associated with variation in neat conformity with the Taijidao it. It was my suspicion that Master Fu had in fact thirteen power theory. In Fu’s book it is presented devised this form himself and perhaps had put as a ten movement sparring form but in the the finishing touches on the thirteen solo sabre following pages the preparation and closing routine which is the main feature of his book. He movements are enumerated (as is customary in assured me that he had learned every stitch of the most Taijiquan forms) giving us a cozy count of curriculum from Yang Chengfu himself, had no thirteen. Note that ‘withdraw from attack’ moves other teachers and suggested that he himself was are not enumerated.

7 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.

Raymond Chung with sabre circa 1977 The five zheng attacks are:

The drill mostly alternates between the smaller A. Split Shoulder ‘diagonal’ (yu) energies and the larger B. Thrust to Belly ‘square’ (zheng) energies. A. Slash Waist Fu Zhongwen enumerated the form and B. Sever Throat described its functional purpose through the five wrist cuts (see five yu attacks below), these B. Chop Leg 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 The five yu attacks are: —duo. As well there are five zheng attacks B. Clip Inner Wrist (‘zheng’ and ‘yu’ referring to the ‘square’ and A. Intercept Outer Wrist ‘diagonal’ terminology Taijidao thirteen power theory). Each large attack is at a different target B. Clip Outer Wrist and several are fatal in their potential. A. Intercept Under Wrist That Fu emphasizes the relatively less violent A. Intercept Over Wrist wrist cutting techniques might at first suggest a somewhat gentile approach to the whole subject however the small cuts are used mostly as an

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, , 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

8 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) Naka Dancing Dragon Tai Chi Kelowna, British Columbia

9 The Root of Movement by Robert James Coons

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 Robert Coons with Li Zhijun, descendent of the want to use our full peng energy because it has a founder of Xingyiquan (Li Nengran) taken in tendency toward stiffness and is hard to Hengshui, , PRC change. At this point we want to give up some pengjin and replace it with with relaxation and If we think about the human body and what the release. functions of the different parts are, we can use the We can effectively use the analogy that the idea of a tree. The lower basing of the body as branches start to flower and bear fruit at this time well as major joints such as elbows, hips, knees because the nutrients have been set in place to etc can be seen as roots of movement which are allow a growth process to happen. in this case, the very strong and stable. The hands, fingers, toes, root will remain what interfaces with the earth. etc.. can be seen as small branches which can The elbow will remain sunk and connected to the provide some function to the roots. body, the knees and hips will still cary the Trees use the trunk and body to govern their movement form the earth, but the delivery of the central function, but use the branches to bear their nutrients (jin) will change dramatically. fruit. Neijiaquan can be seen in much the same The jin delivery starts to be about more subtle way. things than structure. It begins to rely on breath, When we first learn Taiji, we tend to focus largely release of tension (as opposed to delivery of on the function of the bottom of the root. We work force), the relaxation of major anatomical to establish a central base for the body to operate structures such as the kua and spine, and our from. This means using strong stances, full trust that we can maintain the ability to give our movement and structure. force to someone without forcing it on them. At the same time, we will focus on the branches I like to use the analogy of this type of training which serve as the extremities of the body. The being similar to releasing all tension in the body fingers and wrists are of special importance. This as if one were laying down in bed and about to go idea emphasizes the importance of pengjin. If we to sleep. The feeling is like a big sigh of relief "ah!" make the fingers strong and learn to sink the instead of a big exhalation of force "OOMPH!". wrists, we can have very good pengjin very fast. If The feeling is like I am giving you something we have a strong base to support it, we can use instead of hitting you with something. the root to enhance the function of the branches, This is what allows the force to stay soft and much like how a tree uses its core to carry changeable instead of being strong and stiff. At nutrients from the earth to its fruit bearing areas. this point, the root becomes the real player and

10 the branch becomes a secondary agent of the Xinyiliuhequan in China with various desire of the root. masters. Robert also takes much of his influence Good Taiji training will usually place equal from Peter Ralston's work with movement and emphasis on root and branch at first, but then consciousness. Currently Robert spends his time move more toward the root of movement as the between , Tokyo, and Sapporo, working level of training increases. as a university administrator while studying martial arts and traditional culture. Robert has Robert James Coons has been doing Taiji and taught seminars in various subjects in Canada as internal martial arts for a decade, starting with well as assisting in Yang Hai's Xingyiquan the study of Taijiquan with Michelle McMillan seminar in Tianjin, China in fall 2011. Robert also and Steve Higgins. Robert eventually went on to runs a small importation company called Cute study the three internal styles of Taiji, Bagua, and Shanghai, which brings jewellery, fine art, and tea Xingyi with Yang Hai (Tianjin/Montreal) and from various parts of China to Canada for sale other styles including Sun style Taiji and both privately and in stores.

Iching-hexagram-13 7/15/09 4:20 PM

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)

11

file:///Users/rhubarb/Desktop/Iching-hexagram-13.webarchive Page 1 of 1 Canadian Taijiquan Federation T-Shirts

Featuring the return of the popular ‘fiery dragon’ design coiling 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]

12 The Wave News from our Members

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 ”

Dave Bucklow & colleagues practicing Taiji Fan

13 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). Swans on the Yukon River ice in Whitehorse during spring break-up. We are looking forward to a fun spring of sharing our art with the community. On Saturday, April 28 we are again celebrating H. Dobrowolsky photo 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 Dobrowolsky Secretary, Tai Chi Yukon [email protected] www.taichi-yukon.ca

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 instructor Pam Boyde

H. Dobrowolsky photo

14

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 , 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!

Glen Doyle Steve Higgins with Glen Doyle at Cold Mountain Internal Arts www.doylesmartialartsclub.com

15 Taijiboxer's Adaptive Responsive Flow Technique by Dennis Pounall

Taijiboxing is a progressive martial art and a Class began with our usual warm up and comprehensive exercise discipline. It combines coordination exercises , and then Master Ho Lo principles from both eastern and western began to demonstrated some correction to the approaches to health and vitality. form, and what the proper breathing rate and Recently I went on a visit to Toronto to celebrate rhytem, should be, and the correct body my half a century birthday, with some friends and alignment. He also demonstrated various visit with my old sifu Master Ho Lo Lam. It was interpretation for self defence applications as he nice to visit the city, see the hustle and bustle, always does. Master Ho Lo focused on the hear the different languages and be exposed to a application for " Single Whip" and "Seven Star wide variety of authentic ethnic culinary and Stance" showing numerous variations for cultural delights. I first visited my good friend application. It was great to see sifu still Instructor Ian Zachemski Gibbs, a classical yet enthusiastic about the Art of Taijiquan and like eclectic Instructor. We shared some always he mentioned the holistic benefits for each stories, caught up with each others life’s and then posture.,and the practical use for self defence. We decided to do some training. then continued to practice the Yang traditional form, and did some push hands. Some students This was great fun, as we got to compare broke off to practice the difficult Chen style” similarities between combat theories, Cannon Fist” some people drank tea and applications, and executions. I was able to absorb conversed, and then others practised the “Yang some principles and learn a new called a style Taiji Fan form”. I was practising push hands "Wheel Kick". I was also able to introduce to as I rarely have a opportunity to have anyone to them the concept of "Ghost Stepping". This is a practice with. principle absorbed from the Taijjutsi discipline, and the Japanese system of "Tai Subaki". Tai As is our tradition after class we usually go out Sabaki is related to Ashi Sabaki or (Footwork) and for brunch. So off we went up to Markham China Te Sabaki or (handwork). The technique of Sabaki town , and went to our favourite restaurant and is a unique method of meeting an attack by had a 8 beautiful course brunch. We all talked combining defence and offence into one motion. about life politics and the weather,and shared This implies the use of harmony rather than pure stories and then wished each other well, and of physical strength or speed. The students in the course a parting belated“Kung Hao Fat class really enjoyed working with this new Choy!”(for the Year of the Dragon) and went our concept, and were happy to integrate this idea separate and merry ways. . into their own bag of tricks. My next stop was to meet up with my good My next stop was to visit with my Sifu and friend Tim, one of the guys from the Taiji class mentor Taiji instructor Master Ho Lo Lam. I had Kohee, decided he would like to come along for heard that he had recently recovered from back the day. So we all jump in my car and decided it surgery and was well enough to star teaching would be fun to check out this new to us martial TaijiQuan again. Although he was forbidden by art called” Capoeira” a Brazilian Angolan based his wife to participate in any push hand martial art. 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 Dennis happy to see me. The whole class welcomed me Pounall back as if I was a long lost cousin, to me this is a in the Roda 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..

16 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 , 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

17 In Capoeira , music sets the rhythm, the style of opportunity provides another solution in the play, and the energy of a game, this makes the conversation of conflict!! Roda a very dynamic and intuitive approach to This means that in a state of crisis one technique training. This means every Game or Roda is should flow seamlessly without hesitation,or spontaneous, and dynamic making it a much interruption like a silken thread. Here you see a more natural and fluid approach to practising perfect example , he attacks high I evade low no martial arts. The beauty of this method is that wasted energy Elusive manoeuvre called a each player progresses independently of his escape, against a high kick from the ground by fellow player, making each game a opportunity applying the stillness and motion to your form for discovery and innovation. and spontaneous interpretation of it’s combat This experience with this new martial art allowed principles makes for a well rounded and dynamic me to look much deeper into the essence of form of exercise for the mind, body and the spirit. Taijiboxing, and I discovered that some of the The ability to use feints, body shifting, uprooting basic premises on which Taijiboxing was founded and Fa hing allow you to be unpredictable and is also inherent in Capeorio stylist. The elusive without relying on shear speed and application of techniques is inherit in a formless power. Using softness and tailback,(evasive form. The Ginga, and Roda allow each player to footwork) and free flowing ability to adapt to a spontaneously discover a natural inherent rhythm ever changing environment.. These principles are and a unique “Adaptive Response Flow hidden in the Game (Roda) and Ginga, and the Technique” for self defence. variety of attacks, feints , strikes and take-down Each player develops at their own rate , and use apparent in both system of martial arts. both art the concept of motion to perceive stillness to find forms display the art of fighting without fighting. opportunities for attack and defence all disguise This to me is what makes the practice of a in a non limiting free flowing approach to martial traditional martial art a life long experience, and a arts as both a discipline in the training ,and a art gift to each person who takes the time to discover form in the game (Roda) Taijiboxing adopts a this. I hope you enjoyed this article and have a concept of "Adaptive response flow Techniques" great day, and remember life is a sport, play it sometimes referred to as "". One well.

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]

Dennis Pounall in the Roda having a blast " Meia Lua Pulada."

18 Square and Oblique: Fundamentals or Appropriation? by Steve Higgins

Sam Masich’s masterly explication of the transmit classical Chinese values. It was therefore relationship between the square and corner not called “Tai Chi” until sometime in the late powers is substantiated by reference to both the 1800’s CE. It was probably at this time that the Yang Family’s “Forty Documents”, which were doctrine of cardinal and corner powers was transmitted to the Wu family by Yang Ban Hou, applied to it. and by the recorded teachings of Yang Cheng Fu, As explained by Stanley Henning in an article who actually paraphrased the documents in widely available on-line (http:// question. In essence, this doctrine holds that the www.nardis.com/~twchan/henning.html), the square powers (Ward / Peng, Roll-back / Lu, classicists were constructing a narrative whereby Press / Ji and Push / An) constitute primary the art could be seen as having an impeccably responses in self defense, and that the corner or Chinese provenance. This meant a Taoist origin, oblique powers (Split / Lieh, Pull-down / Tsai, as opposed to the Indian / Buddhist associations Elbow / Chou and Shoulder / Kao) constitute discernible in the Chen Village art, which had defaults to which one has recourse when, for been influenced by the nearby Shaolin Temple. whatever reason, one’s application of a square This was important because Tibeto-Indian power is for some reason deficient or insufficient. lamaistic Buddhism was associated with the However, it is important to understand that the foreign Manchurian dynasty, which had become assumption of this doctrine as a fundamental of discredited in the eyes of the Chinese population real Tai Chi as a whole, is an issue which is highly and was tottering toward its end. conditioned by history and cultural ideology. A Chinese Taoist lineage for Tai Chi would allow The “Tai Chi” is an ancient philosophy. Its root a fresh start in constructing a new narrative that source is The I Ching, a text which was compiled might lead to national spiritual recovery and re- and put into its present form about twenty-six establish social harmony in the fracturing empire. hundred years ago by Confucius (Kung Tze) and Tai Chi, now for the first time called by that name his followers. The martial art, however, derives and presented as the creation of a Taoist from a selection of combative techniques immortal, was the physical manifestation of that compiled from various sources in the 1500’s CE narrative. Other modern authors who have dealt by General Chi Ji-Kuang, and was not called “Tai with evolution of this material, and with the Chi” until centuries later. The application of the increasing elaboration of the origin myth, are name to the art was, as we shall see, an Douglas E. Wile and Barbara Davis. ideological assertion. It is important to understand that Tai Chi, as it The art was originally just a technique-based thus came to be called, had evolved to a high method similar to any other form of North level before being subjected to this process of Chinese long boxing. However, in the late 1800’s reformulation. We can see in the Chen family’s Tai it was reformulated into a physical analogue to Chi an expression of the art which is not the ancient philosophy by a group of conservative structured according to the square and oblique sages who were involved in the patriotic “Self doctrine. In Chen style the immediate response to Strengthening” movement. It was their project to aggression is not square, but oblique. reform the nation by recourse to the classical An understanding of what this implies can be cultural tradition. As part of this program, gained by comparing photographs of the “Ward centered in Gwangping and Yongnian, the martial stance as manifested in different styles. In the method was redesigned so as to correspond to the photograph below we see “Too Lazy to Tie Coat”, eight phases of . The art, in essence, which is the first (“Ward”) posture in the Chen was reformulated as a vessel to embody and old-style’s “Grasp Bird’s Tail” sequence.

19 However, in the stance of Yang Cheng Fu the orientation has clearly shifted to the square:

Steve Higgins demonstrates Chen sty;le “Too Lazy To Tie Coat”

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:

The art of the Yang family had reached a high level of refinement in 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 Steve Higgins demonstrates Old Yang by Yang Cheng Fu. Ward stance For example, “Grasp Bird’s Tail” exists in three configurations in the Old Yang: to right, to left This stance is the Ward from the first “Grasp and on the square. “Grasp Bird’s Tail” to right Bird’s Tail to R.” It is clearly based upon the and left employs highly oblique Ward/Peng Chen form above. A close comparison of foot energy as in the second photo above, as well as position and stance clearly demonstrates that oblique inner rolling deflections/Lu, and finally a similarly oblique concepts are involved. square two-hand Push / An.

20 But it is the Old Yang “Grasp Birds Tail” executed Tyan Zhaolin practiced the old middle-frame with to the square which gives rise to the movement its intense oblique orientation, and other we know now in the 108 move Yang family form members of the Yang and Tung families practiced of the 1920’s and 30’s. For just one example of a new middle frame form which combined the many, the modern form, based upon Ward /Peng, new simplified sequence of Yang Cheng Fu with Roll-back/Lu, Press / Ji and Push / An, has in the the older middle-frame rounded shape. This style older pre-Classic form Pulling-down/Tsai energy, persists today in the Tai Chi lineages which rather than Rolling-back/Lu. In the older form, derive from Yang Zenji and Yang Zaozhong. The the influence of the Ba-men (Eight Gates) scheme, famous master Cheng Man Ching, who so central to the Classics from Yongnian, is eventually emigrated to the United States, was a present, but not of the central conceptual small frame stylist. But from the time of Yang importance it later acquired. By the next Cheng Fu’s death in 1936, the normative Yang generation, the generation of Yang Cheng Fu and style was held to be his large frame form, and the Yang Shao Hou, it would be accepted as a practice of alternative variations was discouraged fundamental organizing principle. within the academy. Tyan Zhaolin, whose old To therefore maintain that real Tai Chi is defined middle-frame was radically different from Cheng- by this doctrine represents an act of fu’s model, was actually expelled! His presence appropriation, implying that those styles which was considered disturbing to the harmony are not embracing of the formula are somehow established by the classicist narrative. not inside the tent of normative Taijiquan. While Understanding the doctrine of the cardinal points it is true that it has been said that “Without an (or square powers), and the corners (or oblique understanding of the thirteen powers oneʼs art powers), is absolutely essential to achieving any cannot properly be called taijiquan”, it is also true expertise in the traditional Yang and Wu family that this is an ideological statement, and a highly styles of Taijiquan. However, it must be contentious one at that! It is certainly true of the remembered that this material is a fundamental Yang and Wu styles, but not necessarily true of organizational element of those styles – but not the Chen style, or of the Yang style before Yang necessarily of the art as a whole. 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 Steve Higgins has been a Director of the CTF, Chi’s attainment of pre-eminence. It was not until served on many CTF committees, demonstrated 1928 that a member of the Chen family, Chen Fa at countless events, hosted a series of Teacher Ke, made it to Beijing, and he was able to achieve Training seminars, and is a long-time contributor acceptance into Tai Chi circles only with to TongRen. His first martial arts teacher was his considerable difficulty. It is said that he was father who taught him elements of Jujitsu as a permitted to attend one early conference of Tai child. Since then he has studied many other Chi masters only on condition that he not speak! martial arts such as Ba Gwa, Xing Yi, and various The Taoist origin was by that point the accepted forms of Taiiquan including weapon forms. His narrative, and the arrival of a master from Chen major teachers include Dr. Shen Zaiwen, Village may have been a bit of an embarrassment Grandmaster Jou Tsunghwa, and Master Sam to the Tai Chi promoters of the time! Masich. He has published articles on Taijiquan During the lifetime of Yang Cheng Fu, various and Qigong internationally and is the chief Yang styles were practiced in the Yang family instructor for Cold Mountain Internal Arts in academy. Yang Shao Hou practiced small frame, Kitchener, Ontario. www.stevehiggins.ca

21 Saturday–Sunday workshops in Gatineau, Quebec Saturday Workshops in Milton, Ontario February – June 2012 Taiji For Two: Empty Hand, Sword, Fundamentals of 2-person Work, Chen with Adriaan Blaauw & Jill Heath

Centre de Tai Chi Gilles Vaillant, 109 rue Wright, Gatineau, Quebec Saturday - Sunday 23-24 Jun 2012 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.)

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 , 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]

22 Tai Chi Workshops in Canada

Chen’s Taichi Workshops Sword Practice 2012 with Grand Master Chen Zhenglei Alternating Locations: Hosted by: Taichi And Tea Wellness Clubs Vidya Institute, 232 Christie Street, Toronto or Wuxing Martial Arts, Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine One 374 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario (Detailed Review) Voluntary cleaning session after practice. If Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine Two space not available, weather permitting, (Detailed Review) practice will be held in a nearby park. Any Chen’s Taichi New Frame Routine One damage to property will be the collective (Part One) responsibility of all who attend the practice. Saturday 5 May 2012 9:00am-4:00pm Sunday 27 May - Wuxing (12:0 –2:00 pm) Chen’s Taichi Single Saber Sunday 17 June 17 - Vidya? (3:00–5:00pm) Sunday 6 May 2012 9:00am-12:00pm Sunday 15 July - Wuxing (12:00–2:00 pm) Sunday 19 August - Vidya? (3:00–5:00pm) Chen’s Taichi Push-hands Sunday 16 September - Wuxing (12:00–2 pm) Sunday 6 May 2012 1:00pm-4:00pm Sunday 21 October - Vidya? (3:00–5:00pm) Sunday 25 November - Wuxing (12:00–2 pm) Gala Dinner Sunday 16 December - Vidya? (3:00 – 5pm) Sunday 6 May 2012 1:00pm-4:00pm Contact: Poney Chiang (647) 262-5722 [email protected] Top 1 Centre, 39 Riviera Dr., Markham, www.zenshiatsuclinic.ca Ontario Contact: Lee(416)994-3949 [email protected] www.TaichiAndTea.com Sessions de pousse-mains www.top1centre.com Centre de Tai Chi Gilles-Vaillant Gatineau, Quebec vendredi le 11 Mai vendredi le 1 et vendredi le 15 Juin Magwood's Martial Arts Internal Martial Contact: Réal Lalande (819)778-0147 Arts Seminars [email protected] Core Structure, Stability & Push Hands http://web.me.com/chengfu/ with Greg Magwood taichigillesvaillant.ca/Accueil.html Sunday 6 May 2012 10:00am-12:00pm

Internal Power Development & Delivery with Robert Walther Ziran Qigong Sunday 6 May 2012 12:30-2:30pm with Master Liu De Ming Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 May 2012 Peterborough Tai Chi, Kung Fu & Jiu Jitsu hosted by Barrie Tai Chi & Qigong 910 High St. Unit #18 Peterboroug, Ontario Barrie, Ontario Contact: [email protected] Contact: [email protected] magwoodsmartialarts.webs.com www.barrietaichi.com www.ziranqigong.com

23 Tai Chi Workshops in Canada

Riverbank Push Hands Days Empty Hand (10am-noon Sunday) with Diane Kehoe & John Eastman Chen (12:30-2:30pm Sunday) Sunday 20 May Sunday 24 June Centre de Tai Chi Gilles Vaillant, Sunday 22 Jully 109 rue Wright Gatineau, Quebec Sunday 5 August Contact: Sunday 16 September Adriaan Blaauw: [email protected] Sunday, 14 Ocober Jill Heath: [email protected] Sunday 18 November Sunday 9 December

1:00-6:00pm 14th World Congress 4126 River Road West, Delta, BC on Qigong & TCM 2012 Friday 25 – Monday 28 May 2012 No charge. Bring a snack to share. Tea and/ Hosted by The Academy for Chi-Kung or cool drinks supplied. Drug and alcohol Studies, Dr. Effie Chow, & East West Qi free zone (no smoking). For a pick-up from Toronto, Ontario the Tsawassen Ferries or from the Ladner Contact: Master Justin Ngui (905)770-0457 Bus Depot phone ahead. On-street parking. [email protected] www.NQA.org 7:00 pm - dinner at Danny’s Wun Tun House, Ironwood Shopping Centre, No.5 Road and Steveston Hwy in Richmond Contact: (604)946-4983 or (604)868-2396 Cooking For Health [email protected] with Nicola Lawrence and Andy James Power of Balance Friday 24 – Sunday 26 August 2012 Friday 2 – Sunday 4 November 2012 Yang Long Form Super Intensive: Yang Style Taijiquan 108 Insight Meditation & Qigong Retreat & 37 Essential Forms with Andy James, Power of Balance with Sam Masich Friday 19 - Sunday 21 October 2012 Saturday 19 – Tuesday 22 May 2012 Friday 19 - Friday 26 October 2012 Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 May 2012 Milton, Ontario Contact: Mary Hansell (905)854-0314 Harmony Dawn Centre, Rice Lake, 90 www.sammasich.com minutes northeast of Toronto, Northumberland County Contact: (416)465-6122

Taiji Workshops in Quebec Iching-hexagram-13 7/15/09 4:20 PM with Jill Heath & Adriaan Blaauw Saturday 23 - Sunday 24 June 2012 Sword (1-3pm Saturday) Fundamentals of 2-Person Work (3:30-5:30pm Saturday)

24

file:///Users/rhubarb/Desktop/Iching-hexagram-13.webarchive Page 1 of 1 Tai Chi Workshops Outside Canada

Workshops with Sam Masich 1st Annual Berlin Summer Taiji Weapons Intensive—13 Power Taiji Sabre Jue-shou & 5 Section Taiji Sanshou with Sam Masich with Sam Masich Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 August 2012 Friday 4 - Sunday 6 May 2012 Berlin, Deutschland Seattle, USA Contact: Sam Masich 0170-553-8096 Contact: Karin Collins www.sammasich.com [email protected] (206) 898-5048 www.sammasich.com Tai Chi Caledonia Friday 13 – Friday 20 July 2012 Yang-style Taiji Sabre: 'Chen Yanlin' Stirling University, Stirling, UK with Sam Masich Glasgow, Scotland. UK Friday 22 - Sunday 24 June 2012 Tel: +44 141 810 3482 Brighton, UK [email protected] Contact: Simon or Cher Robins www.taichicaledonia.com 01903 369501 / 07825 410967 [email protected] www.sammasich.com Workshops with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming YMAA Retreat Center in N. California

Hannover Taiji Projekt 2012: Push-hands Taijiquan & Martial Applications Energies, Taiji Sword, 5 Section Taiji July 6-13, 2012 Sanshou with Sam Masich Taiji Pushing Hands & Martial Friday 13 - Sunday 15 July 2012 Applications Hannover, Deutschland July 13-20, 2012 Contact: Oliver Rust 0151 - 40 40 5606 Taiji Martial Applications ( and [email protected] ) www.sammasich.com July 20-27, 2012 Taiji Ball Qigong (Levels 1-3) July 27 - August 3, 2012 3nd Annual Berlin Summer Push Hands Camp Qigong-1 with Sam Masich August 3-10, 2012 Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 August 2012 Qigong-7 (Small Circulation Meditation) Berlin, Deutschland August 10-17, 2012 Contact: Sam Masich 0170-553-8096 www.sammasich.com Contact: (707)502-8739 ymaa.com/seminars

25 Tai Chi Workshops outside Canada

Workshops with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming Grandmaster Wm. CC Chen YMAA Boston Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 May 2012 10:00am-5:00pm Chen Tai Chi 18 Movement The Rochester T'ai Chi Ch'uan Center with Brian Muccio 80 Rockwood Place Sunday 6 May 2012 9:00am-5:00pm Rochester, New York, USA

Shaolin Luohan 18 Hands Matching Set Contact: (585) 461-0130 with Narcyz Latecki [email protected] Sunday 20 May 2012 9:00am-1:30pm www.rtccc.com

Qi Healing with Lisa O’Shea Embrace The Moon Workshops Friday 13 July 2012 7:00-8:30pm Hands of the 18 Luohan: Flow & Function YMAA Boston with Kimberly Ivy, Jackie Close, Joe 38 Hyde Park Ave. DeShaw Jamaica Plain, MA, USA Saturday19 May 2012 9:00am-4:30pm (617)524-8892 Contact: (617)524-8892 Chen Family Double Straight Sword with www.ymaa.com Single Straight Sword Correction with Master Chen Bing Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 June 2012 Internal Arts Training Workshops The Intrinsic Energies of Taijiquan Defense Against Takedowns & The Ten Most Frequently Asked with Tim Cartmell Questions of Chen Taijiquan Saturday 19 - Sunday 20 May with David Gaffney & Davidine Siaw-Voon 2012 12:00-5:00pm Sim Friday 17 – Saturday 18 August 2012 Taiji Ball Qigong: Partner Circling Skills with Richard Gibson & Joshua Craig Contact: Kim Ivy (206) 789-0993 Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 June 2012 [email protected] www.embracethemoon.com Arm Swings With Joshua Craig

Sunday 8 July 2012 Iching-hexagram-13 7/15/09 4:20 PM

New York City, NY, USA Contact: www.internal-arts-training.com

26

file:///Users/rhubarb/Desktop/Iching-hexagram-13.webarchive Page 1 of 1 Tai Chi Workshops outside Canada

Embrace The Moon Workshops Chinese Swordsmanship with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Xing with Scott Rodell Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 May 2012 Laojia Yilu, Reeling Silk, Standing with 9:00am-5:00pm Laojia Erlu Correction Tuesday 22 May – Sunday 27 May 2012 Form and Form Applications Friday 18 May 2:30-4:30pm Standing & Reeling Silk Tuesday 22 May 2012 6:30-9:00pm Push Hands Laojia Yilu Friday 18 May 5:30-7:00pm Wednesday 23 May 2012 6:30-9:00pm Rou He Dao Guan Thursday 24 May 2012 9:00am-4:30 pm 157 West Main St., Mendon, MI, USA Friday 25 May 2012 9:00am-4:30 pm Contact: Jim Carlson (269)496-8997 Saturday 26 May 2012 9:00am-4:30 pm Great River Taoist Center (703)846-8222 Sunday 27 May 2012 9:00am-12:00 pm www.grtc.org Laojia Erlu Corrections www.rouhedaoguan.com Sunday 27 May 2012 1:00-4:00 pm Contact: Kim Ivy (206) 789-0993 [email protected] Chi Kung Intensives www.embracethemoon.com with Mantak Chia Six Healing Sounds Chi Kung 5 May 2012 The Taijiquan Retreat (TREE) Microcosmic Orbit & Inner Smile Friday 8 – Sunday 10 June 2012 Meditation Mensch Mill Conference and Retreat Center 12 May 2012 86 Camp Mensch Mill Road, Alburtis, PA Fusion Meditation for Beginners Contact: (610)845-7013 Water Blessing Meditation [email protected] 26 May 2012 TREE Contact: [email protected] Chi Nei Tsang 1 www.taijiquanenthusiasts.org Wednesday 30 May 2012 6:30-9:30pm Douglassville, PA, USA Cosmic Healing Chi Kung ll Thursday 31 May – Friday 1 June 2012 9:30am-4:30pm A Taste of China Friday 29 June – Sunday 1 July Boston Healing Tao Winchester, VA, USA 440 Somerville Avenue, 2nd Floor, Contact: Pat Rice (540)667-7595 Somerville, Mass. USA [email protected] Contact: (781)570-9694 www.atoctaijiquan.com www.bostonhealingtao.com

27 Canadian Taijiquan Federation / Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan A registered Non-Profit Corporation / Un organisme à but non-lucratif dument enregistré

Mission

1. To encourage development in the practice of 1. Encourager la pratique du taijiquan et préserver Taijiquan and preserve its characteristics as an son caractère culturel et philosophique chinois. expression of Chinese culture and philosophy. 2. Stimuler la connaissance et la participation du 2. To stimulate public awareness of and grand public en matière de taijiquan. participation in Taijiquan. 3. Relier tous les praticiens de taijiquan, peu 3. To inclusively link practitioners of Taijiquan importe les styles et les traditions, qu’ils soient from various styles and traditions without seuls ou affiliés, partout au Canada. precedence – whether as individuals or 4. Élargir et renforcer l’expérience canadienne du gathered in groups, clubs and organizations taijiquan en créant un réseau national et across Canada – as they join the Federation international pour les individus, les groupes, les family. clubs, et les autres organisations. 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.

Membership / Membriété

Annual CTF membership includes: Une membriété annuelle vous offre: • A subscription to the CTF’s quarterly journal • Un abonnement à TongRen, la revue trimestrielle de TongRen la FCT, que vous recevrez par la poste • One complementary official CTF crest for each new • Un écusson gratuit de la FCT si vous êtes un membership nouveau membre

Benefits of CTF membership: Avantages supplémentaires: • Access to Taijiquan Teacher Training workshops • Accès aux ateliers de formation des instructeurs, sponsored by the CTF and facilitated by experienced ateliers parrainés par la FCT et donnés par des Taijiiquan teachers enseignants chevronnés • Access to the CTF Taijiquan Teacher Certification • Accès au programme de la FCT de certification des program enseignants de taijiquan • Email notices of CTF-related news and upcoming • Avis électroniques des nouvelles et des événements à events venir de la FCT • Access to the ‘members-only’ section of the CTF • Accès à la section pour les membres du site web de website which includes expanded event postings la FCT qui présente une liste étoffée des événements and links, an archive of back issues of TongRen, et des liens, les anciens numéros de TongRen, des photographs, blogs and forums photos, des blogs et des forums • Postings to the public-access pages of the CTF • Pages publiques pour annoncer votre organisme, vos website for your club/school, workshops/seminars ateliers et tout autre événement lié au taiji and other Taiji-related events • Des occasions de contacts, de rencontres et de • Opportunities to connect, meet, share and further partages avec des praticiens du taiji pour accroître your Taijiquan-related knowledge and experience vos connaissances et votre expérience with other practitioners • Des occasions de vous engager comme bénévoles et • Opportunities to get involved and make a difference d'influencer la communauté du taiji en joignant le in the Taijiquan community by sitting on the CTF Conseil d'administration de la FCT et ses multiples Board of Directors and its various committees comités (volunteer) • Des inscriptions à tarif réduit à des ateliers et • Discounted enrollment is often extended to CTF activités organisés par nos membres members for workshops and activities organized by • Possibilité d'acheter les t-shirts et les écussons de la CTF members FCT • Purchase of official CTF T-Shirts and crests 28