Translations (译文)
Connections is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Chinese. We are very grateful for our translators who volunteered to translate: Rubén Coirini, Daniela Famulari, Gennaro Ripa, Françoise Desagnat, Jean-Claude Miremont, Thilo Krienke, Milena Locci de Oliveira de Lazzari, and Li Mingyang. 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 Yang Family Tai Chi. 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.
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,
Yang Jun
President
Grandmaster's Birthday Celebration
On July 25, 2024, our tai chi family celebrated Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo's birthday worldwide. He would have turned 98 years old. Schools and centers contributed to create a video to honor his life, his dedication to spreading Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan in the world, and the beautiful moments he shared with us.
Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo dedicated his life to spreading the art of tai chi chuan. In 1982, he founded the Shanxi Province Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Association. In 1999, he founded with his grandson and lineage holder Master Yang Jun, the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association in Seattle, WA, USA. Today, the association has more than 80 centers and schools around the world.
The most recent issue of our association's journal also celebrates Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo's birthday. Edward Moore (Editor) interviews Master Yang Jun and his wife Fang Hong Laoshi about their memories of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo and his wife, Hu Ruidi. Some disciples were also interviewed for the journal and shared their memories. The journal can be found in our members-only area.
Summer 2024 Journal
The International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association's latest journal (Issue #52 Summer 2024) is now available in the members-only area of our website. Members can log in and enjoy this new issue that features interviews with Master Yang Jun, Fang Hong Laoshi, disciples, an article on why tai chi is effective for osteoarthritis of the knee, and more great articles. (Members-only area)
International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium
The International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium has been held three times: Nashville, Tennessee (2009), Louisville, Kentucky (2014), and Selvino, Italy (2019). Currently, the Yang Family Tai Chi Foundation is looking for a location for the next symposium. Ideas and information from our members are very much appreciated. Please send to: pamboyde@yangfamilytaichi.com
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Training Standards Department
New Instructors:
Congratulations to our new instructors and current instructors who have moved to a new level! Effective July 1, 2024, these members are newly certified:
Instructor Certification Renewal:
Please check the expiration date on your instructor certificate and renew at least one month before that date.
Academy Instructors and higher levels:
Please consider conducting an authorized seminar by applying to our department. We will issue certificates of attendance which can be used by instructors at the time of certification renewal to fulfill the seminar requirement.
Please contact the Training Standards Department for any help that you need.
ts-dept@yangfamilytaichi.com
Please Update Your Email Address
Directors and Instructors, please help our membership department by announcing this information to your students:
Members should know that they are missing out on messages, newsletters and renewal notices from the association when we do not have their current email addresses. Please update the association with your current email address. We want to keep in touch with you. Please send any updates to members@yangfamilytaichi.com or go to the Member Area of our website and select Membership Management where you can update your information.
Forgot your password? You can reset it in Membership Management too.
Master Yang Jun's Seminar Schedule
Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
October 9-13: Push Hands Intense Training
Lyon, France
October 31-November 2: Traditional Hand Form (103)
November 3: Push Hands
Rome, Italy
November 8-10: Instructor Seminar
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
November 15: Push Hands
November 16-17: Senior Form
São Paulo, Brazil
December 6-8: Traditional Hand Form (103)
Montevideo, Uruguay
December 13: Push Hands
December 14-15: Sword
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
February 15-19: Directors & Instructors Seminar
Please visit our association's website for more information as it becomes available.
Seminar in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA
The Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Center in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA, was honored to welcome Master Yang Jun for a 4 1/2-day seminar in June. Students from the United States, Canada, and Mexico participated in the training of the Essential Form, saber, and push hands. We were also fortunate to celebrate Master Yang Jun's birthday with old and new friends.
Seminar in Snohomish, Washington, USA
Our first seminar with Master Yang since Covid (2020) was held July 3-7 at the Maltby Community Club in Snohomish, WA. Thirty-five students traveled from Arizona, California, Canada, Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington state. Everyone was enriched with Master Yang's teachings of the Senior Form, Saber Form and Sword Form. A huge "thank you" to Master Yang for weathering the non-air-conditioned space (temperatures reaching up to 86 degrees). His expert instruction never wavered.
TTM Seminar in Danbury, Connecticut, USA
From July 12-16, 2024 a Teacher Training Method (TTM) seminar with Master Yang Jun was held at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT, USA. It was organized by Tai Chi Chuan Teacher Academy USA. The five days seminar consisted of Essentials Form, Push Hands, and Yang Family Tai Chi Sword. Before the seminar, a ranking event was held headed by our faculty Michael Coulon.
At the seminar, Master Yang focused on tai chi fundamentals and the Ten Essentials in the hand form, push hands, and sword. In the evenings, academic classes were presented by TA faculty Holly Sweeney-Hillman and guest faculty Dr. Trish Huston, on “Osteoarthritis Prevention Exercises for the Knee”; and Push Hands reinforcement training led by TA faculty Bill Walsh, Audi Peal, Holly Sweeney-Hillman, Michael Coulon, and Jason Timony.
We thank Master Yang for the excellent seminar and for guiding us in our tai chi journey. We thank our faculty for their dedication and contribution. Thank you, all participants, for your enthusiasm and tai chi spirit!
Mari Lewis (Yang Yaju)
Head Director Tai Chi Chuan Teacher Academy USA
21st Annual Yang Family Tai Chi Seminar in Mexico
From September 6 to 8, 2024, the 21st Annual Yang Family Tai Chi Seminar took place in Mexico, led by Master Yang Jun. This year’s event gathered more than 70 participants from Mexico, France, Panama, the United States, and Colombia. It was organized by Daniel Corona, Director of YFTC Center Mexico.
For three days, Master Yang Jun presented in detail the fundamentals and applications of Yang Family Tai Chi's Traditional Form (103). He dedicated one day to theory and two days to practice. The seminar was supported by instructor Martine Salane from Michigan Tai Chi Center and Professor Javier Chibras from the Tai Chi Center in Mexico, who assisted participants in reviewing Master Yang's lessons every morning and evening.
Additionally, Master Yang dedicated special time to review the techniques of the Mexican team that will compete in Kunming, China this coming October in the city's national Tai Chi championship. A team of ten members from the Yang Family Tai Chi Center Mexico will travel to represent the association and compete in the Yang style in Kunming on October 17.
VIDEO
During the seminar, we learned that teacher Martine Salane's birthday was approaching. She kindly assisted us during the event by giving review classes. To show their gratitude, the students of the YFTC Center Mexico prepared a yin-yang birthday cake for her.
News from Rosario, Argentina
On August 10, the Yang Family Tai Chi School in Rosario, Argentina hosted a ranking event. We want to congratulate applicants and judges for their hard work. Every student passed the exam.
Rank 1 - Copper Eagle: Miguel Dellacasa
Rank 3 - Gold Eagle: Zulma Maggi, Margarita (May) Stoffel and Fernando Tonella.
Judges: Alejandro Rizzo, Rubén Coirini, Daniela Rocamán and Leonardo Anceschi.
Congratulations! Keep on working hard!
Judges
Seminar in San Jose, California USA
Master Han Hoong Wang gave an authorized seminar in San Jose, California from May 24 - 26, 2024. Twenty students from Mexico and the YFTC Affiliated School in San Jose participated in this 3-day seminar. Master Han Hoong Wang taught the Traditional Hand Form (103). The students seized this rare opportunity, carefully learned every movement, and improved greatly.
Ranking Event in San Jose, California USA
A ranking event was held in San Jose on May 27, 2024. Twelve candidates participated in this event. The examining committee was headed by Master Han Hoong Wang (Presiding Judge). Other judges included Duan Wang (Coordinating Judge), Yan Zhang (Forms Judge), Zhengmei Hao and Paochen Zhang (Scoring Judges). In addition, Li Zhang and Ronald Tom participated as judges-in-training. The event was well done. All twelve candidates passed the examinations.
Gold Eagle:
Annie Leung, Simon Lau, Qi Chen, Nang Vo, Jenny Leung, Weidan Liu, Janice Goh, Elly Kong
Silver Eagle:
Yenjong Tu, Patricia Cao, Lihong Cai, Cecilia Jiang
Photo: All judges and all candidates
Daniel Corona Retains Title at Pan American Wushu Games 2024
From August 28 to Sunday, September 1, 2024, the 14th Pan American Wushu Championship (organized by the International Wushu Federation, the international governing body of the Chinese Wushu Association), was held in Santa Clara, California.
The event featured the participation of 2,000 athletes from across the American continent. Representing the Yang Family Tai Chi Association, Professor Daniel Corona defended his title as the 2023 Pan American Champion in Yang-style Tai Chi against competitors from the United States, Brazil, and Canada, once again securing the gold medal and continuing his reign as the 2024 Pan American Champion in Yang style. Congratulations, Daniel!
100th Birthday!
In August, the YFTC Center in Stockton, California had the pleasure of celebrating Bob Hong's remarkable 100th birthday. Less than one percent of the world's population is 100 years old or older. Bob holds a special place within our international association as one of our most senior members.
To commemorate Bob's special birthday, we organized a delightful lunch. As a token of our affection, friendship and respect, we presented Bob with a very special bottle of wine that was crafted for the association's 2019 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium in Selvino, Italy.
In the group photo below, Bob Hong is seated in the center. On the left (yellow shirt) is our esteemed Center Director, Bing Hui. On the right (blue floral shirt) sits Dr. Ray Tom, our Center Director Emeritus, who has played a significant role in the development of our tai chi community. Behind (hand on Ray's shoulder) is Donna Yee, another cherished member of our group.
Donna Yee, Ray Tom, and Bob Hong are all charter members of the Tai Chi Chuan Institute of Stockton which was formed 41 years ago in 1983. The Stockton institute became an official Yang Family Tai Chi Center in 2002, marking a significant milestone in our journey.
Seminar in Montevideo, Uruguay (July 26-28)
An international tui shou and martial applications seminar was organized by Leonardo Ratto's school (Yang Family Tai Chi School) in Montevideo, Uruguay. That seminar was taught by Claudio Mingarini, Center Director of the YFTC Center in Rome, Italy and disciple of Master Yang Jun. People of Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, including four YFTC school directors attended.
Nine of Master Yang Jun's disciples were at the seminar: Claudio Mingarini (Yang Yaren), Angela Soci (Yang Yajing), Rubén Coirini (Yang Yacheng), Leonardo Ratto (Yang Yamin), Ramón Suárez (Yang Yata), Ricardo Suárez (Yang Yapan), Viviana Uliarte (Yang Yali), Daniela Borrás (Yang Yaqing) and Alexander Gómez (Yang Yagen). They took the opportunity to make a video of the 16 Movements Form as a tribute to Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo.
Seminar in Diamantina City, Brazil
Fernando De Lazzari, Director of the YFTC Center in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, taught a hand form seminar August 3-4 in Diamantina City, MG state, Brazil. Twenty-five people attended and learned tai chi theory and practice.
Ranking Event in Rockland, Maine USA
On June 9, the second Yang Family Tai Chi ranking event was held at the Yang Family Tai Chi School in Rockland, Maine USA. The host and sponsor of the event was Mike Shunney, Director of the school.
Congratulations to our ranking candidates! All candidates passed their exams.
Copper Eagle: Lea Moonsong
Gold Eagle: Dean Anderson, Anna Dembska, and Mia Kanazawa
Thank you to our judges! Your assistance helped make the event a success.
Presiding Judge: Rob Wagg
Scoring Judges: Rob Wagg, Mike Shunney, and Will Galloway
Forms Judge: Mike Shunney
Coordinating Judge: Will Galloway
Photo: Ranking candidates with Mike Shunney
Yukon, Canada
The instructors of Tai Chi Yukon recently attended a daylong retreat at a wilderness dojo. Chief instructor Pam Boyde led us in a day of practice and detailed form refinements in preparation for fall classes. We appreciated the chance to train and learn together and especially enjoyed our gourmet potluck lunch.
Journal Gem
"The Yin and Yang of Jie Rank Testing" - by Stefanie Russell. Issue #39 (2017), pages 24-27.
This article can be found in our Members-Only Area on our website.
Contribute to Our Journal
Volunteer Opportunities
Yang Family Tai Chi depends on volunteers who donate their time and talent to make our association a success. We currently need more volunteers to help our association as we move forward into the future. We have an immediate need for people with skills such as website updating and management, writing, translating, video editing, social media, and assisting our department heads and executive with various tasks. We also welcome volunteers in other areas.
Do you have any skills or knowledge you would like to share? If you would like to volunteer but aren't sure how you can help, please just send an email telling us you would like to help in some way and we will suggest some ways you could volunteer.
We are very grateful to all our volunteers who have helped make our association and its events successful. Building a strong group of new volunteers will help us improve our service to our members and also reach more people around the world! Please contact Pam Boyde (pamboyde@yangfamilytaichi.com) if you would like to volunteer.
Join Our Association
Become a member of Yang Family Tai Chi! For more information about membership benefits and how to apply, please visit our membership page on our website.
Posting to Yang Family Tai Chi's Social Media Pages
Want to post news on Yang Family Tai Chi's social media pages? Yang Family Tai Chi would like to keep its social media pages updated with current information from the association, centers, and schools. Ana Horta is managing Yang Family Tai Chi's social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to share news on Yang Family Tai Chi's social media pages, please send an email to Ana at anamaghorta@gmail.com.
VISIT YANG FAMILY TAI CHI'S SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES
Previous Issue
Did you miss the last issue of Connections? You can read it here.
Next Issue of Connections
Connections is published in March, June, September, and December. We publish association news and school news (upcoming events, recent past events, awards, other news) but not general school advertisements.
The next issue of Connections will be published in December 2024. Please send any announcements to me at carolyn@yangfamilytaichi.com by November 18, 2024.
Carolyn Fung,
Editor
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