I list events in or near Canada and international events that catch my interest. Email me if you have an upcoming seminar, competition, whatever, that involves the Chinese martial arts being done in a safe, respectful manner. If you want more details of my seminars, go to the class schedule page.
2010
July 13-14 Sam Masich workshops in Peterborough, ON. July 13 (Tuesday, 2pm to 5pm) Workshop #1: Beijing 24 Movement Taijiquan: Refinement and Correction. July 14 (Wednesday, 5:30pm to 8:30pm) Workshop #2: Tai Chi Energetic Works for Health and Self Defence. Explore the 'yin' side of taijiquan-the energetics which underpin the forms and give meaning to to the practice. More focus on health than self defence. Location: Peterborough Tai Chi Association, Unit #17, lower level, Peterborough Square Mall. Contact jkirk@trentu.ca if you need directions and to pre-register.
July 14 to August 2 Andrea Falk will be available for private and small group sessions on Ma Gui bagua in Victoria, BC. Contact Andrea to set up a time.
July 16 to July 18 (3 days) 5 Section 2 Person Taijijian (Duilianjian) with Sam Masich in Gatineau QC. Assistant Instructors: Adriaan Blaauw and Jill Heath. Location: Centre de Tai Chi Gilles-Vaillant, 109 rue Wright, Gatineau (Hull). Contact/preregister: Jill Heath (905) 467-8180.
July 24 Seminar in Staff 10-3 p.m. "Speed, reach, power, these are the qualities that make the staff such a potent weapon. Circles within circles all emanating from the Dan Tien. Staff helps to develop timing, feel and reflexes. Form and applications, partner practice. Pre-order your staff if you don’t have one." John Oliver Peel, Valerie Houston - Peel, Temple Knights Wu Shu Academy info@templeknights.com 705 767-1177 www.templeknights.com info@templeknights.com. Location: 1018 Moot Rd. Hwy. 117 E. Muskoka, ON
August 2 (Monday). Enjoy an afternoon of push-hands in a safe, cooperative environment (I think this refers to Toronto). Students and teachers of all schools are welcome. Facilitated by Colin Outram, former national push-hands champion at the USA-All Taijiquan Championships, Winchester, Virginia. http://www.outramcolin.com/push-hands-play. Colin Outram
August 15 - 22 Temple Knights Tai Chi & Chi Kung Camp. Muskoka, ON. Expert instruction surrounded by the beauty of stone, forest, water & wildlife. Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Meditation, 2 person set, push hands, applications, Kung Fu 5 Animal Styles, Iron Body training, sword, staff, archery, obstacle course & survival skills. By the week or day. For more information: John Oliver Peel, Valerie Houston - Peel. Temple Knights info@templeknights.com 705 767-1177 www.templeknights.com
September 4 – 5 Chen Zhenglei will be teaching Chen style taijiquan in Vancouver, BC. Contact: Paul Tam. Email: paul@clfcanada.com. Website: http://clfcanada.com/
September 18 – 19 Chen Zhenglei will be teaching Chen style taijiquan in Thunder Bay, ON. Contact: Peng Youlian. Email: taichi@tbaytel.net. http://www.pengyou-taiji.ca
Sept 20-24 Third session of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method – 2010 Toronto Workshop 9am-11:30am, 2-4:30pm. Location: Rough Woods Community Centre (East of Bayview, North of Major Mac), 110 Shirely Drive, Richmond Hill ON. Contact: Ki Nam Choi <kinam.of.kchoi@gmail.com> 416.860-1431 or Cora Li <cora.li.cora@gmail.com> 416.687.4237
Sept 25-26 Chen Zhenglei will be teaching Chen style taijiquan in Milton, ON. Contact: Jack Yan. Chen Zhenglei September 2010 Workshops. September 24th – Gala hosted by North American Chen’s Taichi Association. 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm – One-hour Taichi for Health and Wellness Workshop by Grand Master Chen Zhenglei; buffet dinner; silent auction; entertainment performances and demonstration. Come with your friends and family! Have a healthy and fun evening with us! September 25th – Chen’s Taichi Single Sword 9:00 am – 3:45 pm. The Ancient Taichi Sword Routine with Combative Applications. Chen’s Taichi Single Sword is one of Chen’s Taichi short weapons. It was created by Chen Wangting (1600-1680) of Chenjiagou Village. As one of the most ancient routines, it has been practiced in Chenjiagou for hundreds of years. The routine consists of forty-nine moves. The routine is well designed with clear sword applications such as shock, hook, swing, chop, pierce, tap, slice, hold, lift, sweep, cut, jab, push and neutralizing, etc. The applications are incorporated with Chen’s Taichi body control and footwork. The moves are sometimes hard and sometimes soft, sometimes hidden and sometimes manifested. All applications follow the principle of sticking, connecting and tagging, with leaping, dodging, folding and sinking variations. The spiral rotational strength is applied in all moves. The routine is characterized as smooth, light, graceful and natural with balanced hardness and softness. September 26th – Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine One & Two 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine One (Review). Old Frame Routine One is the most important routine in Chen’ Taichi Systems. The main focus of this routine is to build the foundation in physical forms, achieve high level coordination, nurture the internals Qi and realize harmony between the mind and the body. Chen’s Taichi Old Frame Routine Two (Beginner & Progressive) Old Frame Routine Two is not widely spread because it has been largely practiced among the inner circles. Master Chen will teach this routine at this workshop focusing on details allowing those who have not learned the routine to learn at ease and those who have just learned the routine to pick up more details. All movements will be explained and carried out in great detail. Old Frame Routine Two is concise and rich in content. It incorporates gentle, smooth and elegant slower motions as well as leaps, jumps and explosive powerful moves. It’s a great means for achieving higher level of fitness and self-defense capabilities. Don’t miss it!" Location: Milton Seniors' Activity Centre - 500 Childs Dr., Milton, ON. To register call: 416-994-3949 or email: jack.yan@jackyantaichi.com.
Sep 25-26 Fourth session of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method – 2010 Toronto Workshop. 9am-5pm each day. Location: Rough Woods Community Centre (East of Bayview, North of Major Mac), 110 Shirely Drive, Richmond Hill ON. Contact: Ki Nam Choi <kinam.of.kchoi@gmail.com> 416.860-1431 or Cora Li <cora.li.cora@gmail.com> 416.687.4237
October 1 – 2 Chen Zhenglei will be teaching Chen style taijiquan in Montreal, QC. Contact: Leon Xu and Qian Zhou. Email: Sino_wushu@yahoo.ca. Website: http://www.sinowushuacademy.com/
October 3 – 4 Chen Zhenglei will be teaching Chen style taijiquan in Montreal, QC. Contact: Xiaojie. Email: Taiji_xiao@yahoo.ca
November 13-14 Andrea Falk will be teaching MaGui bagua in Belfast, North Ireland. Location: 119A Woodstock Rd. Individual instruction is given, to make sure that you have something that you can practise on you own until the next session, in the fall. Contact Peter ahead of time for registration, as space is limited. Check the website for more details on MaGui bagua.
November 20-21 Andrea Falk will be teaching MaGui bagua in Nottingham, UK. Location: Ponds Community Hall. Individual instruction is given, to make sure that you have something that you can practise on you own until the next session, in the fall. Contact Matt for details of location and registration. Check the website for more details on MaGui bagua.
November 27-28 Andrea Falk will be teaching MaGui bagua in Basingstoke, UK. Location: Fort Hill School. Individual instruction is given, to make sure that you have something that you can practise on you own until the next session, in the spring. Contact Neil for details of location, registration, and pickup. We usually organize a pickup at the train station, because public transit isn't great in Basingstoke on Sundays. I think the busses get lost on the roundabouts during the week and they go looking for them on Sundays. We are also organizing a b&b as a group for people coming from out of town, so get in touch with Neil if you want to get in on this. Check the website for more details on MaGui bagua.
Reports on events
Had any event lately? Report on the fun you had or present the results of a competition. Just email me.
"Michael Babin's newest book on Yang-style Taijiquan called simply "Yang-style Taiji" was released by Paladin Press in the USA in early July. It is available for purchase through their website. He has been teaching for almost 23 years and has written more than a hundred articles on taijiquan (many have appeared in past issues of Tongren) as well as several books. His school, The Tai Chi Studio, is in downtown Ottawa and offers classes in the full repertoire of the Yang-style. For further information on his classes and books, refer to angelfire. " posted August 7, 2007
I am sorry to post this. Madame Gao Fu has passed away. I met her only once, translating for her over a weekend, and I have seldom met someone who I immediately felt so close to. I am glad that I had that opportunity to be with her. posted Jan 20, 2005.
"It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the death of our very beloved teacher, Madame Gao Fu, in Beijing on January 17th, 2005. She passed on following a very brief illness and died in the presence of her family. As much pleasure as she gained by spending many of these last years living and teaching in Seattle Washington, it was her wish to spend her last days with her family in Beijing, and this she accomplished. There are plans for a memorial in Seattle in March 2005. Details will be posted on Gao laoshi's website" Jill Bader"My Dear Friends, I am sorry to report that our beloved teacher and Tai Chi inspiration has passed away. My sorrow is mixed with so much joy at having had the opportunity to spend time over a seven year period with one of the truly great instructors in the Tai Chi Community. Gao Fu gave to all with so much love and caring. My own practice was enhanced and deepened by each and every meeting with this wonderful person. As most of you know, Gao Fu returned to China just a few months ago to be at the passing of her son. She had an apartment in Beijing and welcomed her students from the states with open arms. We all planned on visiting her sometime soon. Please take a moment from your busy life to give thanks for those special people that mean something to you. We should never take their presence for granted. If only I could have spent more time with her .... I feel certain that her spirit remains intact and will continue to bring strength to future generations. Bless us all in our hopes, dreams, and desires for the future." Michael Gilman
The seminars and demos with the shaolin monks at Quebec Wushu were a great success. Here is a link to the video clip of CBC news (french). Just go up to the last 10 minutes.
Jan Parker of Bowen Island, BC, was awarded martial artist of the year 2004 by the Pacific Association of Women in Martial Arts.
Michael Babin, of Ottawa, has posted his book Thoughts on Learning Baguazhang, as a pdf on his site. You can go there and download it - it is 139 pages long.
"The Canadian Meihuazhuang Association has updated its website with new material and photos. We have begun work on a documentary film project outlining the role of folk martial arts and meihuazhuang in rural north China. This unique and fascinating community-based project is funded by private individuals and groups. Please consider making a donation to our project. A detailed description can be found at our website" posted Jan 15 ,2004
New journal starting up. "A new journal, the Journal of Asian Martial Arts & Healing, is taking shape. For more detailed information, please click on the link. We are seeking artwork, articles, advertising, and events listings that pertain to the subject area for current and future issues. In addition, we encourage pre-publication subscriptions in order to help underwrite production costs. First issue will arrive in late winter 2004." posted Oct 30, 2003
Our branch club in Beijing was a huge success. What with the sars quarantine, we didn't have much choice but to train. Nothing like walls, closed gates and guards to bring out that old enthusiasm. I'll have to organize this more often. posted May 22, 2003
PAWMA camp 2002 personal report. Wushu blew everyone away this time. Hao Zhihua brought her young team to the demo and received a standing ovation. I don't know when I've seen everyone get so excited at a demo, and they are a pretty excitable crowd. Hao Zhihua was in amazing form and impressed the brave souls who tried the wushu classes, though they did have trouble with the "no kiai" rule... posted Sept 18, 2002
Press Release for a film in process." 'Tai Chi People' A film by Sam Masich and Jan Parker: The world of Tai Chi is populated with some of the most profound and eccentric personalities ever to form an alternative subculture. From a Canadian forest shrine devoted the art's mythic founder, to the hottest U.S. training hall for potential Olympic Tai Chi athletes, 'Tai Chi People' explores the lives of the individuals who live the principles of this vast and ancient tradition. Masich's road movie seeks the balance between the arcane and the awe inspiring, the abstruse and the goofy. An original music score will accentuate Masich's imaginative narration and 'found-sound' soundscape, all designed to create a visceral sense of the art, while simultaneously underscoring the quirky humour which will inevitably burble into the plot." posted March 2002.
PAWMA camp 2001
Personal Report: Wushu, as in changquan, made it to the PAWMA camp for the first time in 2001. Kelly McLean from Vancouver wiped out everyone with the wushu stretching and kicking classes, then blew them away with her Chen taiji demonstration. Lots of other stuff happened, as usual, but I was into Maori warrior mode, so this photo is of Tat Greenstone from New Zealand. posted December 20, 2001.
There is another person in our wushu world. Shane Watson just had a baby girl on Tuesday. She is perfect, with all her fingers and toes and strong reflexes. She came out doing an upper block instead of with her hands down, so we are looking forward to her first practice. posted September 13, 2001
Our wushu centre training extravaganza was a huge success, except of course that I went a little nuts by Thursday and made everyone learn the body toughening hitting exercise. The bagua guys claim to have walked 18 kilometers in their 8x8x8 exercise on Tuesday. The taiji guys settled in to prove that you can't do 10 forms in a day if you do them slowly, but they did manage 7. Playday on Wednesday was great, thanks to sensei Mike Chin who impressed and inspired us all (and Rob who stayed to get tossed around). And what can I say about Thursday - there's nothing like taiji and bagua guys doing a xingyi two man form! No photos, we were too busy training. posted August 9, 2001.
Fred Whiting of Whiting Wushu in Richmond, B.C., has completed his accreditation as an international wushu judge. Fred has been Canada's head wushu judge for years, and we know he will do a great job at the international level. Congratulations Fred, and hope to see you judging wushu at the Olympic Games in Beijing. posted July 26, 2001
This is an email message that is being sent around. I don't like to send unwanted mail to people, but there is some good advice in it, so I'll post it here instead.
Instructions for Life in the new millennium from the Dalai Lama: 1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. 2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. 3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, respect for others and responsibility for all your actions. 4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. 5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. 6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship. 7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. 8. Spend some time alone every day. 9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. 10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. 11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. 12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. 13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past. 14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality. 15. Be gentle with the earth. 16. Once a year, go some place you've never been before. 17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. 18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. 19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
"Waving Clouds is happy to announce that the mountain temple retreat center is now set up for seminars. The mountain temple is just a 90 minute drive (transfer included) from Beijing International Airport. If you want us to host a seminar with our artists for groups of 5 to 50 people in this beautiful mountain top setting please contact us for further details. For a photo tour of the temple go to our web site and click on Retreats."
Stealing judge's reference books is not cool, eh! They are given out during judge's courses in China and are not for sale, so it is very hard to get replacements.
It is always wise in the martial arts to pick your opponent well.
Fred Whiting of Whiting Wushu in Richmond, B.C., has completed his accreditation as an international wushu judge. Fred has been Canada's head wushu judge for years, and we know he will do a great job at the international level. Congratulations Fred, and hope to see you judging wushu at the Olympic Games in Beijing. posted July 26, 2001
This is an email message that is being sent around. I don't like to send unwanted mail to people, but there is some good advice in it, so I'll post it here instead.
Instructions for Life in the new millennium from the Dalai Lama: 1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. 2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson. 3. Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, respect for others and responsibility for all your actions. 4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. 5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly. 6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship. 7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. 8. Spend some time alone every day. 9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values. 10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer. 11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time. 12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. 13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past. 14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality. 15. Be gentle with the earth. 16. Once a year, go some place you've never been before. 17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. 18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it. 19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
"Waving Clouds is happy to announce that the mountain temple retreat center is now set up for seminars. The mountain temple is just a 90 minute drive (transfer included) from Beijing International Airport. If you want us to host a seminar with our artists for groups of 5 to 50 people in this beautiful mountain top setting please contact us for further details. For a photo tour of the temple go to our web site and click on Retreats."
Stealing judge's reference books is not cool, eh! They are given out during judge's courses in China and are not for sale, so it is very hard to get replacements.
It is always wise in the martial arts to pick your opponent well.