Welcome to Connections!
Welcome to our first issue of Connections, the new quarterly newsletter of the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. Connections shares brief news announcements from the association and its schools. (The association will also continue to publish the journal twice a year.)
When Pam Boyde, our VP Operations/Executive Manager, told me about the idea for a quarterly newsletter sent directly by email to members, I thought it was a great idea. When she asked me to be the editor, I felt honored. Instead of referring to this publication as just "the newsletter", I thought we should name it. The first name that came to my mind was "Connections". Pam liked it too.
I hope through Connections you will feel more connected to our international association, make many strong connections with other members around the world, and understand what a wonderful, vibrant international community of tai chi practitioners you are connected to!
Carolyn Fung
Editor
Welcome to Our New Members
I would like to welcome all new members who have recently joined our international association. Thank you for joining us and welcome to our tai chi family! I am happy you have chosen to join us and hope that you feel welcome and receive great value from your membership.
To all the new members from China who have recently joined our association, I want to thank you for joining us. I look forward to working together to help our association grow.
感谢最近加入国际杨氏太极拳协会的会员，我期盼着和你们一起帮助我们的国际杨氏太极拳协会成长.
I hope that all members will have a long and fulfilling relationship with our association. For those members who have been with us through the years, I appreciate that you have chosen to stay with us as we continue to spread tai chi chuan worldwide to help humankind.
Sincerely,
Grand Master Yang Jun
President
Asian Headquarters Grand Opening in China and China Tour - March 2017
The Grand Opening of the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association Asian Headquarters will be held in Kunming, Yunnan, China, March 25, 2017. It also marks the establishment of the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Southwest China training base and the Kunming Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center. To celebrate this occasion, along with the Grand Opening ceremony itself, there will be a 5 day tour of Yunnan Province and a 3 day hand form seminar.
A $300 non-refundable deposit must be received by November 30, 2016.
Email any questions to fanghong@yangfamilytaichi.com
READ MORE INFORMATION AND SEE TOUR REGISTRATION FORM
Association's New Organizational Structure
To meet the changing needs of our association, we have restructured at the organizational level. We have simplified the organization and created an executive committee to run the whole association. The new executive committee and organizational chart was implemented on September 1, 2016. We believe this restructuring will make things simple, more efficient, and allow us to provide better service to our members and develop our association.
VIEW FULL ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Executive Committee
President: Grand Master Yang Jun
VP Administration: Fang Hong
VP Operations/Executive Manager: Pam Boyde
VP Instructions and Standards: Han Hoong Wang
VP of Policy: Ray Tom
New Departmental Appointments
Teacher Academy
We are pleased to announce that Angela Soci is now the Head of the Tai Chi Chuan Teacher Academy. Angela is a Director at the Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She began studying Yang Style Tai Chi in 1978 in Sao Paulo and has been a student of Grand Master Yang Zhenduo and Grand Master Yang Jun since 1990. With her excellent leadership skills, we are confident that she will be successful in her new role. Please join us in welcoming Angela as Head of Teacher Academy.
Ranking Department
It is our pleasure to announce that as of December 1, 2016, Fernando de Lazzari will take on the position of Co-Head of the Ranking Department with Pam Boyde. He will be responsible for the administration of ranking events, ranking and judges registry applications, while Pam will oversee Ranking Department policies. Fernando is the Center Director of the Ribeirão Preto Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center (Brazil) and has been a member of the IYFTCCA since November 1999. With his strong organizational and administrative skills, we know that Fernando will excel in his new position. Please join us in welcoming Fernando as Co-Head of the Ranking Department.
Developments in China
Tai chi chuan is becoming more and more popular in China. As China's population ages, more people are interested in good health. The Chinese government is interested in promoting health and has also given more recognition to tai chi chuan in recent years. Our association is expanding now in China as this is the right time. So far this year, Master Yang Jun has traveled to China four times to help develop our association there. We will be opening our association's first office in China next year in Kunming. Also in China, Master Yang created a new business with a person who runs a successful network of fitness centers to create an online and offline trusted platform for tai chi instruction and for students to find a qualified teacher. In this project, our association will contribute in the area of training and certification.
First North American TTM Event Held in July 2016
In July 2016, the first TTM (Teacher Training Methods) event in North America was held at Western Connecticut University in Danbury CT. SEE MORE PHOTOS.
Upcoming TTM-1 Training Course April 21-23, 2017
The North American Teacher Academy Training Division is offering a TTM-1 weekend course April 21-23, 2017 at the Maron Hotel in Danbury, Connecticut. The weekend will offer 18 academic credit hours with classes on Pedagogy, Anatomy and Biomechanics, Philosophical Foundations of Tai Chi Chuan as well as practical training and review sessions on the Standard Method 10 Movement Tai Chi Kung form. On Sunday, April 23, interview theory tests and practical 10 form examinations for TTM-1 Trainer certification will be conducted for those students who have earned the 48 credit requirement for TTM-1. Daily schedule and faculty for the April TTM-1 training course will be published in the next Connections issue.
Ranking for Advanced Levels 7-9
We are currently working on establishing the method and requirements of ranking for the advanced levels of 7-9. This project should be completed by the end of this year, so that hopefully in 2017 we can offer ranking exams for members who wish to apply for advanced level ranking.
Instructor Certification
The Training Standards Department has been working on changes to our instructor certification system. We will be adding an instructor certification exam. It will include the requirement of a performing and teaching video that applicants can submit to be scored so they do not need to travel. When the instructor certification system changes are complete, they will be published on our website.
September 2016 Instructors Seminar, Italy
An Instructors Seminar with Grand Master Yang Jun was held in Rome, Italy in September 2016.
Disciple Training, Yang Chengfu TTC Center Wenzhou, China - Sept. 2016
In September 2016, Grand Master Yang Jun taught a disciple training seminar for Grand Master Yang Zhendou's disciples in the city of Wenzhou, Yongjia county, Zhejiang province. SEE MORE PHOTOS PAGE 1 and PAGE 2.
2016年9月，杨军老师代师授艺，在温州永嘉县，举办了了第三届弟子培训班，更多的照片可以点击 第一页和第二页.
Seminar at Yang Chengfu TTC Center, Linfen, China - September 2016
Photos from Grand Master Yang Jun's seminar in Linfen, Shanxi province, China in September 2016. SEE MORE PHOTOS.
2016年9月，杨军老师在山西临汾的培训班，点击查看更多的照片.
Seminar at Yang Chengfu TTC Center in Qingdao, China - September 2016
Photos from Grand Master Yang Jun's seminar in Qingdao, China.
2016年9月，杨军老师在山东青岛的培训班的培训班。
Push Hands Seminar in Shanghai, China - September 2016
Grand Master Yang Jun on German Television
Grand Master Yang Jun was interviewed on local television during his seminar in Siegen, Germany.
Meister Yang Jun in der Taiji Schule Siegen. (WDR Lokalzeit Südwestfalen vom 10.10.2016)
Grand Master Yang Jun's Seminar Schedule
Seminar in Lyon, France - October 2016
We had a great time with Master Yang Jun during the seminar in Lyon!
Merci à Maître Yang Jun pour ce merveilleux séminaire d'Octobre à Lyon-France!
Workshops in Lyon, France
Redmond/Seattle U.S.A. Yang Chengfu TTC Center Performance
In October, the Redmond/Seattle Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center sent a team to perform a tai chi demonstration at the Grace of Tai Chi event in Seattle, WA. Thank you to the people on our team: Jason Yang, Nancy Lucero, Mike Lucero, Stefanie Russell, Ed Wan, and Fanny Wan.
Michigan U.S.A Yang Chengfu TTC Center Performance
October 29-30 was a busy weekend for our center. On Saturday, we presented a demonstration of the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan 49 Form and 67 Sword Form at the Great Lakes Tai Chi Performance Festival held at the University of Michigan. It was great to meet tai chi teams from the different styles and also friends from China, Canada, and the Michigan area. On Sunday, we held a ranking event in Royal Oak. It was exciting to welcome and meet our association friends from Chicago, Kentucky, and California. Tai chi links people in the world together and spreads good health!
Tai Chi Research Presented at National Acupuncture Congress, Italy
ROBERTO CARCHIO: IYFTCCA Academy Instructor, IYFTCCA Affiliated School
Director, M.D. Acupuncturist
robcarchio@gmail.com
www.romataichivillage.it / www.yangfamilytaichi.it
October 21-22-23 / 2016
NATIONAL ACUPUNCTURE CONGRESS 2016
TITLE: FIVE SHEN AND FIVE ORGANS, FROM MIND TO BODY
LOCATION: Casa per ferie enrico de osso’-via val cannuta 134 Rome
I presented a report about the theoretical aspects of Yang Family Tai Chi, mainly focused on health aspects. I shared the results of an Italian base research, totally promoted and developed in IYFTCCA Centers or Schools, on 74 practitioners that showed significant beneficial effects due to tai chi chuan practice from mental and physical points of view.
October 21-22-23 2016
CONGRESSO NAZIONALE DI AGOPUNTURA
TITOLO: I 5 SHEN E I 5 ORGANI, DALLA MENTE AL CORPO
SEDE: Casa per ferie enrico de osso’- via val cannuta 134 Roma
E’ stato presentata una relazione riguardante il Tai Chi Chuan della Famiglia Yang nei suoi aspetti teorici, principalmente riguardanti la salute. Ho condiviso i risultati di una ricerca di base, totalmente promossa e sviluppate nelle sedi IYFTCCA italiane, su 74 praticanti italiani che ha mostrato significativamente i benefici effetti prodotti dalla pratica del tai chi chuan dal punto di vita fisico e mentale.
Push Hands Workshop in Kiel, Germany with Jens Ammermann
On January 28, 2017 (Saturday), a 6-hour push hands workshop will take place at the affiliated school of Jens Ammermann in Kiel, Germany. The number of participants is limited. Further information at www.YangTaichi.de.
Am 28.01.2017 (Samstag) findet an der affiliated school von Jens Ammermann in Kiel ein 6-stündiger Pushhands-Workshop statt. Die Teilnehmerzahl ist begrenzt. Weitere Infos auf
Instructor Course in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
YANG FAMILY TAI CHI CHUAN´S INSTRUCTOR COURSE
Begin: February, 2017 and Finish: July, 2018 (classes one weekend per month every month, Saturday and Sunday all day).
Where: Ribeirão Preto Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center - Brazil
Contact: Fernando De Lazzari - fernando@yangfamilytaichi.com
View more information about the course on the website: www.taichichuan.com.br
CURSO DE FORMAÇÃO DE INSTRUTORES DE TAI CHI CHUAN DA FAMÍLIA YANG
Início: Fevereiro de 2017 - Final: Julho de 2018 (aulas em um final de semana por mês, sábado e domingo)
Local: Ribeirão Preto Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center - Brasil
Contato: Fernando De Lazzari - fernando@yangfamilytaichi.com
Todas as informações do curso no website: www.taichichuan.com.br
New Outdoor Tai Chi Classes in Buenos Aires, Argentina with Fabiana Silvano
Teaching some classes outdoors is a great way to make tai chi more visible to the public. In November 2016, Fabiana Silvano, an Association affiliate instructor since 2014, began to hold some tai chi classes outdoors in a park in the city of Buenos Aires.
Location: Classes in Parque Chacabuco, C.A.B.A. and Bernal
Website: www.renyi.com.ar
For more information send email to: info@renyi.com.ar
La enseñanza de clases al aire libre es una gran manera de hacer el tai chi más visible para el público. En Noviembre de 2016, Fabiana Silvano, Instructora Afiliada representante de la Asociación en Argentina desde 2014, comenzó a dar clases al aire libre en un parque en Buenos Aires.
Lugar: Clases en Parque Chacabuco, C.A.B.A. (y Bernal)
Website: www.renyi.com.ar
Para más información escriba a : info@renyi.com.ar
New Facilities for Bedminister/Montclair U.S.A. Yang Chengfu TTC Center
The Bedminister/Montclair Center in New Jersey, USA is growing and moving into beautiful new facilities that will give them more space and more exposure.
In Bedminster: (Below) Center Director Holly Sweeney-Hillman pauses with her advanced students as they prepare to move to 40 Pottersville Road in December.
In Montclair: (Below) Associate Instructor Judith Rew with her Saturday morning mixed level class at The Flow Studios, 127 Grove Street. Evening classes have all moved to 67 Church Street (Unitarian Universalist Congregation).
Journal Gem
Many of the form names in tai chi chuan are associated with classical Chinese poetry and legends. Do you know the legend of the White Snake (from our hand form, "White Snake Spits Out Its Tongue")? Do you know who Na Zha is (from our sword form, "Na Zha Explores the Sea Bottom)? You can read about these legends in a past issue from 2004.
Journal Gem:
Chinese Legends and Tai Chi Chuan, Issue 13, pages 3-5.
(This article is also available in Portuguese.)
(Este artigo também está disponível em Português.)
The members-only area of our website holds all past journal issues dating back to 1999. Some have been translated into Portuguese and Spanish. Instructions for log-in to the members-only area and information about how to retrieve your username and password are on the website.
VISIT MEMBERS-ONLY AREA
Write For Our Journal
Ever thought of being published?
The association's journal is published twice a year - in March and September. We would be delighted to have members contribute to our journal, and invite you to submit  articles, letters and pictures for publication. Send them to editor@yangfamilytaichi.com at any time. We look forward to seeing your work in a future issue. Please be mindful of the following submission deadlines:
March issue: February 1
September issue: August 1
Next Connections Issue
Make connections around the world by contributing to our newsletter!
Please send brief news announcements from your school. For many readers, English is not their first language so we prefer to keep the words brief to 2 or 3 sentences and include a photo. Photos reach across languages and everyone can enjoy them. Announcements must be in English and we encourage you to include a translation in the language spoken at your school. Also, please understand that we publish school news (upcoming events, recent past events, awards, other news, etc.) but not general school advertisements.
Connections is published the first week of March, June, September, and December. (Our first issue was released early to help members remember the November 30 deposit deadline for the China trip.)
The next issue of Connections will be published in March 2017. Please send any announcements to me at: carolyn@yangfamilytaichi.com by February 11, 2017.
Editor
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