2019 Symposium News Bulletin #2
From May 25-29, 2019, six leading tai chi masters representing the traditional styles of Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu (Hao), Sun and He tai chi chuan, researchers, health professionals and practitioners will gather in Italy for the 2019 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium. It will be a unique opportunity to learn from the world’s foremost authorities and meet people from every corner of the world. The symposium, hosted by the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Foundation, will be an immersive experience in the mountains of Europe for all who want to discover more about tai chi chuan.
This news bulletin is the second in a series of bulletins that will provide you with information about the symposium as it becomes available on our symposium website: www.taichisymposium.com.
Registration for the symposium is open! The Comprehensive Package includes all the symposium events: the Opening Ceremonies, the academic key note address, all the academic program presentations, the “Round Table” panel discussions with the masters and researchers, the Grand Showcase featuring performances by the masters, morning sunrise practices, Tai Chi Training Methods workshops with each master, an informal “Fireside Chat” with the masters, the Silk Road Bazaar of tai chi-related products, the Closing Ceremonies and Farewell Friendship Party.
To learn more information about options and fees please visit our registration information page where there is also a link to our registration form.
For the early registration discount, full payment must be received by February 14, 2019. Partial payments and late payments are not eligible for a discount.
*Please note that if you are going on the Discovering Italy Tour, the tour will end in Milan. Your departure from Italy should be made from there.*
The Discovering Italy Tour is a beautiful 9+ day tour of Italy from May 30 to June 8. We will not only explore and experience Italian culture, but also its traditional food and famous wines. Among the communities on the itinerary are Venice, Florence, Rome and Milan where we may also have the opportunity to meet and practice with our tai chi brothers and sisters at their home Yang Family Tai Chi center or school. We hope you will join us!
Tour Schedule
The tour schedule including descriptions of each day's exciting activities and other tour information is now available here on the symposium's website.
More information about traveling to Selvino by air, train or car can now be found on the symposium's website. There are 2 main airports: Malpensa Airport (MXP) in Milan (45 km from Selvino) and Orio al Serio Airport (BGY) in Bergamo (20 km from Selvino). Please note that if you are going on the Discovering Italy Tour, the tour will end in Milan. Your departure from Italy should be made from there.
We have arranged a shuttle to take you to Selvino from both the Milan and Bergamo airports and also the Bergamo train station on May 24 and also from Selvino to the airports and train station on May 30. The shuttle will run three times per day and you can view the shuttle schedule now.
If you want to take the shuttle, please select this option and pay in advance on the registration form.
We have arranged special rates for symposium participants at a number of hotels and B&Bs in Selvino and nearby Aviatico. The deadline for reserving your accommodation to receive the special symposium room rates at the facilities is February 28, 2019. Please see our website for a list of the various places to stay during the symposium. There is also a map of Selvino and Aviatico where you can see where the hotels are in relation to the symposium venues.
Volunteers are the driving force of the 2019 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium. We need volunteers to participate in a wide variety of jobs. No matter your interests or skill sets, there is a volunteer position for you. Please consider being a symposium volunteer. You will meet great people and have fun too! Please contact Claudio Mingarini to learn more about volunteer opportunities: claudio@yangfamilytaichi.com
A Volunteer's Experience
“Volunteering gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of good people and I made a lot of new friends. Working closely with such a knowledgeable and diverse group helped increase my understanding of tai chi chuan immensely. I had various volunteer duties including helping with computer systems and technology, and being a “tour guide” helping participants get to and from venues and answering questions. I had a good time and I would do it again. I also had the privilege of directly assisting two of the grandmasters backstage, helping them get ready and be on stage on time. At first I was quite nervous about being in the presence of the grandmasters, but I was quickly put at ease. They were very nice and easy to work with. They even gave me a few tips and corrections to the forms I was learning from them! I would encourage you to get involved and volunteer. You will have a great time!” - Bob Ashmore, Lexington, KY, USA
Information about the inaugural Yang Family Tai Chi Cup Tournament being held during the symposium is now available on our website. This is a special event that invites all practitioners of Yang style tai chi chuan to come together in friendly competition. It will be for both individuals and groups, with events in hand form, sword, and saber. Participants can also apply for ranking levels.
If you would like to participate, please indicate on your symposium registration form. More information, including tournament rules and regulations can be found here on our website.
*Deadline for abstracts: January 31, 2019*
We invite the submission of abstracts to be considered for poster presentations at the 2019 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium. The main theme of the scientific research program is the impact of tai chi chuan on human health. If you are involved in preclinical or clinical research on the effects of tai chi chuan on health and well-being, please consider the possibility of submitting an abstract.
Abstracts addressing the meeting theme are particularly encouraged, however submissions from other areas of research involving the practice of tai chi chuan of all styles or other related martial arts are also welcome. Posters will be displayed during the entire symposium and submitters whose abstracts have been accepted will be expected to attend the symposium and present their research. A few of the poster presentations will be selected for oral presentation.
Abstracts should include a title of 20 words or less, author information (including e-mail address, institution and country) and a text of 250 words or less written in English with no figures. Please send your abstract to Dr. Dan Shulz at: daniel.shulz@gmail.com by January 31, 2019.
A Precious Gift
Tai chi chuan is a Chinese treasure and precious gift. It has been passed on throughout centuries by many masters and teachers. We are fortunate and grateful to generations of masters who have shared the art. We recognize the incredible value we have gained from their teachings and in return, we pass this gift to our students, and also give support to our teachers in their efforts to further spread the gift of tai chi chuan in a world that needs the benefits that this art can provide.
A Great Art Deserves Great Support
The Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Foundation has chosen the 2019 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium as its major project, and in doing so, continues the tradition of passing on the art of tai chi chuan. The symposium will raise awareness of tai chi chuan in the general public and provide quality educational events for both beginning and advanced practitioners. During the last symposium in 2014, Yang Family Centers and Schools played a crucial role in the symposium's success. Many gave their time freely and planned fundraising events to help support the symposium. It was inspiring to see the successful result of working together. Help with fundraising is needed again in 2019. We sincerely thank our centers and schools who are currently planning fundraising events and hope that all will participate. Your help is needed and appreciated. Know that you are contributing to a large, special vision of a world in which people can experience health, longevity, and vibrant lives.
Fundraising Ideas
We are thankful for any help given. If your center or school would like to have a fundraising event, here are some possible ideas:
1) Seminars: Teach one or more seminars.
2) Private lessons: Let your students know that you are having a special fundraiser and ask if they would like to schedule some private lessons.
3) Business partners: Contact local businesses such as medical clinics, holistic practitioners, seniors centers or any business you think have customers or clients that could benefit from tai chi and ask if the business would make a donation in return for you providing their customers with an introductory tai chi seminar at their business to learn about tai chi. You may even gain some new students for your school!
4) Raffles and product sales: Sell a product or hold a raffle within your school and also in the larger public community. In 2014, one school raffled some NHL hockey tickets and raised over $1300. Selling or raffling something to the larger public community is also a great way to build awareness of your school in your community and help bring new students to your school. If you don't have any items to raffle, sometimes businesses are happy to provide you with them at no cost because they receive publicity for their business.
5) Company sponsors: If you know of any companies who may be interested in being a sponsor of the 2019 Symposium, please let Giuseppe Turturo (address below) know and he will send a letter with more information on corporate sponsorship.
6) More fundraising ideas can be found through an online search of "fundraising ideas".
Any questions about fundraising can be sent to Giuseppe Turturo:
giuseppe@yangfamilytaichi.com
"The 2014 Symposium was an excellent and amazing experience. I learned so much from all of the five grandmasters and the academic presentations. I recommend the symposium to all tai chi practitioners, beginner or advanced. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn tai chi chuan directly from the source." - Fernando De Lazzari, Brazil
“I found it very valuable to be able to gain insight into the common aspects between the major tai chi chuan styles. Each grandmaster had different ways to focus on those aspects, and this allowed me to value the teachings and to understand the depth of my own chosen tai chi chuan style. There was a very high level of open-mindedness in the various symposium presentations, and the seminars taught by the grandmasters. There was a pervasive sense of belonging to the tai chi chuan family. I will always remember the camaraderie and friendliness of everybody, whether they were experienced tai chi chuan practitioners, or new ones. I made many new friends some of whom I still keep in touch with today.” - Dr. Bruno Repetto, USA
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