Translations
Connections is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, and German. We are very grateful for our translators who volunteered to translate: Cyntia S. Levy, Rubén Coirini, Daniela Famulari, Gennaro Ripa, Françoise Desagnat, Jean-Claude Miremont, and Thilo Krienke. Thank you very much! Here are the links to the other languages:
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,
Grandmaster Yang Jun
President
TTM-1 October 6-8, 2017 - Danbury, CT, USA
The North American Teacher Academy Training Division will offer a Fall TTM-1 in Danbury, CT, October 6-8, 2017.
Friday October 6, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Master Han Hoong Wang will offer an enrichment course on Push Hands Fundamentals for all levels.
Saturday October 7, 9:00 am - 8:30 pm, Sunday October 8, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm: Tai Chi Kung practice and review with Master Han Hoong Wang, and academic courses offered by TTM-1 faculty. The academic courses will be offered to two groups separately: Program A for TTM-1 trainer candidates and general participants. Program B for intermediate-level students with experience in push hands who are comfortable doing the double vertical circle. If you are applying for trainer certification, due to time restriction, all evaluation will be conducted virtually afterwards. The early bird registration rate is available until September 16, 2017.
For registration form, schedule, and other information please contact Mari Lewis: mari@yangfamilytaichi.com
Translations of Instructor Requirements Document
In January 2017, our association added some new requirements for our instructors including an exam. This document has been translated from English into five other languages. Thank you to everyone who helped translate this document. Here are the links to the languages: English, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Português, Español.
New IYFTCCA Journal Editor
Edward Moore
In July, our association suffered a great loss when our journal editor, Dave Barrett, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Dave generously shared his time and talent in the role of journal editor for 17 years. He will be greatly missed.
We are pleased to announce that Edward Moore is our new journal editor. Edward began studying tai chi chuan with Grandmaster Yang Jun in 2000 and became a disciple in 2012. He has assisted with the journal for many years as a highly-skilled writer and assistant editor. He has always shown a very high level of interest and dedication to our journal, caring deeply about the variety of articles and the production of high-quality writing. We are confident that he will be successful in his new role. Please help us in welcoming Edward Moore as our new journal editor. editor@yangfamilytaichi.com
Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Culture Festival, May 2017
Practitioners of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan gathered in Handan, China from May 20-23 to celebrate at the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Culture Festival. The celebration included speeches, practice sessions, tai chi performances, and a competition. An ancestor worship ceremony took place at Yang Lu Chan's tomb.
Grandmasters Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun, and Yang Zhifang practiced at the house of Yang Lu Chan.
Beijing Center Grand Opening, May 26, 2017
The Grand Opening of our association's China Headquarters took place on May 26 in Beijing. This center will also serve as a training base for North China. Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo and his wife Hu Ruidi attended the ceremony.
Leaders Conference, Tai'an City, Shandong, China
A conference for young and middle-aged leaders in the field of tai chi chuan took place August 4-6 in Tai'an City, Shandong Province. Grandmaster Yang Jun attended the event. The conference was part of the San Ya Nan Shan 2nd World Taiji Culture Festival.
Photo below: Certificate that Grandmaster Yang Jun received for participating as a leader at the conference.
Upcoming Ranking Events
September 5, 2017
Ranks 1-3
Chania, Greece
E-mail: info@yangtaichi.gr
Website: www.yangtaichi.gr [1]
Phone: +30 6944334698
September 30, 2017
Ranks 1-5
Manchester New Hampshire Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center
Manchester, NH, USA
E-mail: nhyangtaichi@comcast.net
Website: www.nhyangtaichi.com
October 1, 2017
Rank 1-4
Brazil Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center
Ribeirão Preto, BRAZIL
E-mail: fernando@yangfamilytaichi.com
Website: www.taichichuan.com.br
Phone: +55 16 39111236
October 29, 2017
Ranks 1-3
Rosario, Argentina
Phone: 54 341 5858787
November 18, 2017
Ranks 1-4
Cambridge, UK
Phone: +44 1480 392534
Grandmaster Yang Jun's Seminar Schedule
Seminar in Florence, Italy - June 1-6, 2017
The Yang Chengfu Center in Florence, Italy held hand form, push hands, and saber seminars with Grandmaster Yang Jun at the start of June. Center Director: Roberta Lazzeri
Laizhou, Shandong Province, China - July 23, 2017
In July, Grandmaster Yang Jun visited Laizhou in Shandong Province to explore the possibility of developing Yang Family Tai Chi there in the future.
Qingdao, Shandong Province, China - July 28, 2017
In July, Grandmaster Yang Jun gave an educational lecture in Qingdao. Photo below: Morning tai chi practice with Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan practitioners.
Jimo, Shandong Province, China - July 31, 2017
Grandmaster Yang Jun gave an educational lecture in Jimo at the end of July. Photo below: Morning tai chi practice with Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan practitioners.
Pingdu, Shandong Province, China - August 1, 2017
Grandmaster Yang Jun gave an educational lecture in Pingdu at beginning of August. A local tv station interviewed him. Photo below: Morning tai chi practice with Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan practitioners.
Instructor Seminar, Kunming, China
In mid-August, an Instructor Seminar was held at the Kunming Yang Chengfu Center and training base.
Ranking Event, Shanghai, China
A ranking event took place in Shanghai in July. Three ranking judges pose for a photo.
News from Yang Chengfu Center, Madagascar
In June, the Madagascar YCF Center organized its 9th National Seminar of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. On Friday, June 16th at 6 pm, candidates for Jie 1 and Jie 2 passed their respective exams. On Saturday, June 17, the Espace Celine welcomed on its premises the 70 students coming from the three sections of Antananarivo and Toamasina to practice the 103 Hand Form under the direction of Hugues Raharimanantsoa. Finally, on Sunday June 18, 15 candidates passed the classic Ranks 1 and 2 practical exams. A special event will be organized for the distribution of certificates and medals when they are received.
The Madagascar YCF Center in Antananarivo will resume classes on Tuesday, September 5th at 12:00.
Upcoming Seminars in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Sword Seminar - September, 7-10: Special seminar with Prof. Angela Soci to learn and perfect the 67 Yang Family Tai Chi Jian Form. Four full days (6 hours per day) with theory and practical approaches. This seminar is open to Yang Family Tai Chi practitioners and instructors of any level.
Location: Zhi Jing Xuan - Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Training Center - Rua das Gabirobas, 316 - Bairro das Cerejeiras - Cotia - Sao Paulo - Brazil
Contact: angelasoci@sbtcc.org.br
Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan 103 Hand Form Instructors Course (24 months): Begins Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29 from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. This course runs one weekend per month (12 hours class) for two years. It is open for anyone willing to learn how to teach Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.
Location: Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center - Sao Paulo - Brazil - Rua Jose Maria Lisboa 612 - sl 07
Contact: angelasoci@sbtcc.org.br
International Seminars with Grandmaster Yang Jun in Brazil: Grandmaster Yang Jun will teach the following seminars in November:
November 11-12: 16 Hand Form
November 13 -15: Instructors Seminar
November 18 -19: 103 Hand Form Seminar
Contact: angelasoci@sbtcc.org.br
Upcoming Seminar in Toulouse, France, October 21-23, 2017
The Yang Chengfu Center of Toulouse will host for the first time Grandmaster Yang Jun in Toulouse from Saturday 21st October to Monday 23rd October 2017. We will be pleased to welcome you to share the teaching of Grandmaster Yang and to enjoy discovering Toulouse ("the pink city") with great food, historical monuments and the culture of South-West France: WATCH VIDEO
The seminar will take place in the sports center of Toulouse, which offers accommodation and food service at the training venue at very competitive, attractive rates. The registration form will soon be available on the website.
Upcoming Seminar with Giuseppe Turturo in Switzerland, October 7-8, 2017
In the beautiful landscape of La Vallée de Joux, experience a weekend of relaxation and harmony. Enjoy the benefits of the practice of tai chi chuan. Giuseppe Turturo (disciple of Grandmaster Yang Jun) will lead a Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan seminar to help improve and deepen your practice of tai chi chuan.
We will study the 10 Movement Form created by the Grandmaster Yang Jun at the last International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium in 2014. The practice of this form will allow us to deepen the martial applications, the energy aspect (Fajin) and the work in pairs (Tui Shou).
This seminar is organized by the Lausanne Yang Chengfu Center. Contact and additional information: robert@yangfamilytaichi.com
Dave Barrett, June 1, 1956 - July 26, 2017
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Dave Barrett passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack. Dave was one of the founding Directors of our association and devoted much of his time and effort in helping our association grow and develop. He was our association's journal editor since the December 2000 issue. He performed his role as editor faithfully and competently and was effective in promoting tai chi chuan through interviewing tai chi chuan masters and practitioners, editing articles, and providing news about our association's events and activities.
Dave first met Grandmasters Yang Zhenduo and Yang Jun in 1993. His first time visiting China with them was 1995 and for the past 22 years, he attended every event in China sponsored by our association. In 2005, he became a disciple of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo. Dave was the Director of the Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center in Portland, Oregon, was certified as an instructor, and achieved 6th Rank.
Besides loving his family and tai chi, Dave was passionate about horses. He cherished the bond he built with his horses over the years. He loved introducing others to the experience of riding and working with horses, and being part of a community of horses and their people.
Dave was also a natural entertainer. He was an accomplished musician and storyteller and an enthusiastic Elvis impersonator. Many of our association members will smile with delight as they fondly remember Dave's Elvis performance at the 2009 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium.
Dave's passing is a tremendous loss to our association and a great loss to our tai chi chuan family. We will always remember him in our hearts.
Memorial Service for Dave Barrett - September 16
A Memorial Service will be held at the Multnomah Arts Center in Multnomah, a suburb of Portland, on Saturday, September 16 at 1:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. If you are unable to attend in person, please add your Qi to the celebration of Dave's life during the Memorial Service by doing the hand form, qigong, meditation, or whatever brings joy to you.
William Wojasinski, Director Emeritus, April 15, 1949 – July 11, 2017
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Bill Wojasinski passed away in July. Bill began the practice of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan in 1992 and joined our international association in early 2000. While attending Pat Rice’s Taste of China in July 2000, he was introduced to Carl Meeks and joined Carl in lessons from Han Hoong Wang in Michigan. In 2002, Bill was named Co-Director of the Louisville Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center and became certified as an instructor. He attended seminars with Grandmasters Yang Zhendou and Yang Jun as often as possible including China Adventures in 2002, 2005 and 2007. Bill was named Vice-President of the 2009 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium and organized this first symposium held in the United States, which took place at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He also played a major role in the creation of our association's first Director’s Handbook and was always eager to help in any way he could with the organization of our association.
Bill always explored ways and took advantage of every opportunity to share his love for tai chi to a wide variety of students, particularly with people in the diabetes community. In 2011, he retired as the Center Director of the Kentucky Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center, but continued his study of tai chi, becoming certified as an instructor for Seated/Wheelchair Tai Chi Chuan, Seated Tai Chi Chuan for Rehabilitation, and Seated Tai Chi Chuan for Back, Shoulder and Neck Pain under Dr. Zibin Guo.
Bill will be remembered for his ability to make friends everywhere he traveled and will be missed greatly and remembered fondly by his students and tai chi family.
Journal Gem
Journal Gem
Push Hands: Fundamental Skills and Theory. A Conversation with Yang Laoshi, Dave Barrett, and Lance Lu. Issue #21, Summer 2007, pages 2 - 7.
This article is available to the general public as well as Association members. READ ARTICLE.
Previous Connections Issue
Did you miss the last issue of Connections? You can read it here.
Next Connections Issue
Connections is published the first week of March, June, September, and December. We publish association news and school news (upcoming events, recent past events, awards, other news, etc.) but not general school advertisements.
|
