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Seminars

2007

January

Seminars with Scott Rodell in Australia January 2007

First Section Michuan Taijiquan and Martial Applications
Friday 5th (7-9pm) - Sunday 7th (until 5pm) January, 2007
Fee: $160 AUD if paid before end of September. $180 after that. All fees are quoted in Australian dollars.

Push Hands
Monday 8th January 7-9pm
Fee: $30

Sword Camp
Tuesday 9th - Saturday 13th January at Blue Mountains Christian School, Blackheath, NSW
Fee: $400 if paid in full by end of September. $500 after that. The emphasis of the camp will be swordplay in one handed and two handed styles. Participants will need an approved wooden jian and a miaodao or bokken.

Phone Linda (02) 47826593 - Australia or email for information. The details and registration forms will be posted on the website from August and registrations are being accepted now. Great River Taoist Center - Blue Mountains

February

17 & 18 - Intermediate Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Intermediate level training is open to students who have attended a minimum of three Foundation Level training or have attended regular classes, hosted by Ziran T'aichi Kungfu, Highland Park, NJ, contact: Seth Davis or call 732/801-9918. $199

March

1 Test Cutting Seminar, Netherlands for information contact: Joppe Douwes at- info@chama.nl

2 & 3 Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Netherlands, for information contact: Joppe Douwes at 0294 - 25 52 40, info@chama.nl

4 to 11 Yang Family Michuan Taijiquan Hand & Sword Forms, Netherlands, for information contact: Joppe Douwes at - info@chama.nl

23 to 25 Yang Family Michuan Taijiquan Sword Form & Swordsmanship, Boston, MA., at Still Mountain Taichi Center, Contact: Bede at 617/776-0725, bede@stillmountain.net

April

29 Test Cutting Seminar, Annandale, VA, with permission of instructor, Contact: Scott M. Rodell, 703/846-8222, tuition: $25

May

4 & 5 New England Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, contact: Jon Palombi at- 802/253-9817 10am-6pm, alijonpalombi@yahoo.com or Mark Deaver a t- legouisl@crocker.com.

26 Martial Applications of Splitting, Washington, DC, at GRTC Main Branch, Contact: Scott M. Rodell, 703/846-8222, tuition: $25

June

23 Martial Applications of Peng, Washington, DC, at GRTC Main Branch, Contact: Scott M. Rodell, 703/846-8222, tuition: $25

July

International Chinese Swordplay Festival

July 1 - 7 - Pühajärve, Virumaa, Estonia
Featuring Jian, Dao & Shield & Two-handed Swordplay training.
More Info

August

4 & 5 Yang Family Michuan Taijiquan Sword Form & Swordsmanship, Boston, MA., at Still Mountain Taichi Center, Contact: Bede at 617/776-0725, bede@stillmountain.net

25 & 26 Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Bozeman, MT., Contact: Mike Wiseman, Bozeman Chinese Martial Arts Club, mwiseman@wisearchitect.com, 406/586-7213

October

6 & 7 - Intermediate Level Swordplay, River House, PA - By invitation only, eligible students must have attended a minimum of two Foundation Skills Chinese Swordsmanship Seminars or regular classes GRTC.

November

3 & 4 - New England Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, contact: Jon Palombi at 802/253-9817 10am-6pm or Mark Deaver

17 & 18 Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Test Cutting & Sword Form: Netherlands, for information contact: Joppe Douwes at 0294 - 25 52 40

24 thru December 2 - Yang Family Michuan Taijiquan System Seminars - Jianfa, Test Cutting, Sanshou Training: Tallinn, Day & Evening Seminars. Contact: Rauno Gordon (English, Russian, Estonian, Finnish spoken) (37)250-46471

2006

January

15 - 21 Chinese Swordsmanship Camp - The first Australian event of its kind, this Sword Festival will bring people together from across the nation, as well as other parts of the world. The Camp will be a complete treatment of the sword art. Participants will train in all aspects of Jian swordsmanship; from Basic Cuts to Applications, under the expert instruction of internationally renowned teacher and author, Scott Rodell. More information and registration.

February

18 & 19 - Push Hands with a focus on Transitioning to Sanshou. 33 Union Sq., Summerville, Mass., Organized by: Still Mountain T'ai Chi Center Contact: Bede 617/776-0725 or bede [at] stillmountain.net

25 - This year's series of Saturday afternoon trainings begins with a set of three Basic Sanshou Seminars, from 2 to 4, all level students may partake. This training will focus on stepping & proper methods of striking with the palm, knife palm (edge of the hand) & the fist. The second training in this series will focus on kicks & the third will focus on proper targets for these strikes.

Those women interested in the Women's Self Defense Group should plan on attending all three of these seminars. Tuition $20.

March

3 - Working with Qi in Taijiquan, Toronto, Canada

4 & 5 Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Toronto, Canada

11 - Questions and Answers with the Monk from Brooklyn, An American at the Shaolin Temple with Antonio Graceffo, 2 PM at the DC Center, 1325 18th St. NW, everyone is welcome. See this thread for details. For information call 703/846-8222.

18 & 19 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Amsterdam. Contact: Epi Van de Pol This training is part of a continuing series of Chinese Historical Swordsmanship seminars in Amsterdam. Students will learn how to use various basic cuts of the Yang Family Taiji Jian system in two person drills & free swordplay.

21-26 - Yang Family Michuan Taijiquan System Seminars, Tallinn, Day & Evening Seminars. Contact: Rauno Gordon (English, Russian, Estonian, Finnish spoken) (37)250-46471

April

1 - Basic Sanshou Seminar, Washington, DC, second in a series of three Saturday afternoon seminars, focusing on kicking. At the DC Branch of GRTC, 2 to 4 PM. Students are required to have attended the first seminar to attend this training. Tuition: $20. For information call 703/846-8222.

May

13 Sanshou Targets Seminar, 2-4, $20. This seminar is an essential follow up to the basic Sanshou Striking & Kicking Seminars, the third in a three part series. Having learned how to strike, it is important to place the power in the right spot for it to be effective. These seminars don't come around very often, so mark your calendar & don't miss it...Tuition: $20. For information call 703/846-8222.

20 & 21 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Natural Path Taichi, Highland Park, NJ organized by Seth Davis 732/801-9918.

June

11 - Test Cutting Soft Targets Training - 9 to Noon, $20, for Thursday Evening Sword Students. For safety & due to time restrictions, the number of students will be limited to five. Those planning on attend should collect about 30 plastic bottles to cut. This training has to be held outdoors, so we'll meet at my house in Annandale. After training we can have a cook out together. Tuition $20.

24 & 25 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Hadley, Ma., This seminar carries students from a basic understanding of how to use a blade in combat through the basic cuts to an elemental understanding of swordsmanship. Students learn proper grip and stance, basic cuts, two-man drills, and free swordplay, and leave with an understanding of Chinese swordsmanship. Held at: East Street Dance Studio, 47 East Street. Contact: Rob Zilin at Deer Mountain Taichi Academy, 413/584-4615. Tuition: $135, or $73 for one day only.

July - Australian Seminars

7-9 First Section Michuan Empty Hand and Applications - Lawson Community Centre, Blue Mountains, Australia. Cost $180 AUD.

11 -13 Children's Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar with Scott and Feihong Rodell - For children aged 7- 12 years. Leura Gym, Leura, Blue Mountains, Australia. Cost $75. Equipment needed to participate. Please ask Linda or check the website http://www.grtc.org.au/youth.html

10- 13 Push Hands Training on some evenings during this time. $20 per student, per night. Email Linda for details.

14 - 16 Push Hands as a transition to San Shou - MacGregor State High Drama Hall, Brisbane, Australia. Cost $180. Enquiries to Jason King

Registration forms can be printed off the Australian GRTC website

August

26 & 27 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Bozeman, MT., This seminar will be the first in the region & concentrate on foundation skills, focusing on the basic cuts & their proper martial use, so that participants will be able to begin free swordplay by the end of the training. Contact: Mike Wiseman, Bozeman Chinese Martial Arts Club, mwiseman@wisearchitect.com, 406/586-7213

September

28 - 10/1 - River House, PA, Intermediate Level Swordplay - By invitation only, eligible students must have attended a minimum of two Foundation Skills Chinese Swordsmanship Seminars or regular classes GRTC.

October

21 & 22 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Natural Path Taichi, Highland Park, NJ organized by Seth Davis 732/801-9918.

November

4 & 5 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Brattleboro, VT, Building on previous New England trainings this seminar will introduce new techniques & basic cuts in a way that benefit old & new students alike. GRTC Swordsmanship seminars general include time for review & refinement as well as new material. Basic cuts, two-man drills, and free swordplay are included in every Chinese Swordsmanship seminar. Held at: Brattleboro School of Budo, 464 Putney Rd., Brattleboro, VT, 05301 Contact: Rob Zilin at Deer Mountain Taichi Academy, 413/584-4615. Tuition: $135, or $73 for one day only.

2005

January

15-16 GRTC Taijiquan Retreat - Northern PA. Call Scott M. Rodell at GRTC for information at 703/846-8222.

February

9 Chinese New Year

18, 19 & 20 Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Natural Path Taichi, Highland Park, NJ organized by Seth Davis (732/801-9918). Registration Form

March

12 - 9AM to 5PM - Locking Applications from Zheng Manqing's Taijiquan Form with Dante Gilmer. Free to all GRTC students in celebration of our 20th year (2004). Call Scott M. Rodell at 703/846-8222 for information.

April

1-3 Dalu Two Man Exercise - Still Mountain Tai Chi Center, Ardmore, PA, organized by Marc Andonian, $135 (one day $73).

17-23 - Tallinn, Estonia, Rauno Gordon (English, Russian, Estonian spoken) (37)250-46471

May

April 30 & May 1 Chinese Swordsmanship - Burlington, VT, Jon Palombi, daytime: 802/253-9817 at Crystal Hollow $135 (one day $73). Registration Form

13 Working with Qi in Taijiquan - Toronto, Canada, Stephen R. Tomanek, cell 416/821-6048 home: 416/444-4383

14 & 15 - Toronto, Canada, Stephen R. Tomanek, cell 416/821-6048 home: 416/444-4383

Both Toronto seminars will be held at: Chung Wah Kung Fu, 1825 Dundas east, Unit 8, Mississauga, Ontario, L4X 2X1 (Between Dundas & Wharton way)

August

TBA - Tallinn, Estonia, Rauno Gordon (English, Russian, Estonian spoken) (37)250-46471.

August 6 & 7 - Moving Step Push Hands with Serge Deyer - Washington, DC GRTC Branch, $135 (one day $73). Call Scott M. Rodell at 703/846-8222 for information.

September

16, 17 & 18 - Historical Swordsmanship including Chinese with Scott M. Rodell, Ashokan Sword 2005 Seminar at the Ashokan Field Campus (a satellite of SUNY New Paltz), located in the Ashokan Reservoir not far from Kingston, NY. Info at: http://www.dikonsword.com/sword2005

October

1 & 2 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Amsterdam. Contact: Epi Van de Pol: epi [at] taijiquan.nl

4 - 9 - Form, Push Hands, Swordsmanship, Tallinn, Day & Evening Seminars. Contact: Rauno Gordon (English, Russian, Estonian spoken) rauno [at] riveta.ee (37)250-46471

TBA Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar - Natural Path Taichi, Highland Park, NJ organized by Seth Davis (732/801-9918). Registration Form

10 GRTC's 21th Anniversary

November

4 - Chinese Swords & Swordsmanship, Movie Myths, Historical Reality (lecture) - Amherst, Ma., 7PM,  Franklin Patterson East Lecture Hall, Hampshire College, Sponsored by OPRA and Deer Mountain T’ai Chi Academy, Contact: Rob Zilin at Deer Mountain Taichi Academy, 413/584-4615.

5 & 6 - Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, Moving From Form to Function - Hadley, Ma., This seminar carries students from a basic understanding of how to use a blade in combat through the basic cuts to an elemental understanding of swordsmanship. Students learn proper grip and stance, basic cuts, two-man drills, and free swordplay, and leave with an understanding of Chinese swordsmanship. Held at: East Street Dance Studio, 47 East Street. Contact: Rob Zilin at Deer Mountain Taichi Academy, 413/584-4615. Tuition: $135, or $73 for one day only.
Registration Form

2004

January 22 - Chinese New Year

January 31 - GRTC Chinese New Years Dinner at Chinatown Garden, 7 PM, $22/person plus drinks.

February 21 & 22 - Locking, Splitting & Chinna in Taiji Tuishou (push hands) at GRTC, Washington, DC, with Hu Lin (George Hu) of Houston. Master Hu is a senior Student of Wang Yen-nian. $135.

February 28 to March 7 - Yang Family Michuan Taijiquan form, martial application & jian, Helsinki & Tallinn. Contact: roland.tepp@seb.se

March 6th (Part 1) and March 20th (Part 2) - Yoga for Martial Artists: Tai Chi Chuan Flexibility Seminars. Learn conditioning movements to loosen, limber and make the martial artist more lithe. We will practive classical yoga such as the Sun Salute and also look at contemporary approaches and western mind-body sciences. This will be held at Great River in DC and taught by Daniel Hickman. Cost $26. For more info check out Silk Road Yoga.

March 27 & 28 - Chinese Swordsmanship in the Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition, Ardmore, Pa (just outside of Philadelphia), with Scott M. Rodell, hosted by Still Mountain Tai Chi Center. This training is designed for students who want to go beyond a simple practice of sword forms to develop a functional understanding of Chinese historical swordsmanship. Rodell is the author of "Chinese Swordsmanship: The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition". Local contact: Marc Andonian of Still Mountain Tai Chi Center: marc_andonian@yahoo.com
Registration Form - Seminar Flyer

May 8 - Miao Dao Basic Cuts with Scott M. Rodell, this is a warm up training for Master Hu's seminar in June and will be particularly useful to those who have yet to learn the miao dao form at the Washington, DC Center, 2 to 5 PM, $20.

June 5 - 13 (Please note the new dates) - Yang Style Taiji Jian form & Martial Applications, Moscow. Contact: Albert Efimov, GRTC Moscow Branch, at bilbo@taiji.ru.

June 26 & 27 (Please note the new dates) - Miao Dao form & martial applications at GRTC, Washington, DC, with Hu Lin (George Hu) of Houston. Hu studied Miao Dao with Han Jingtan in Taiwan. $135.

July 9 - 11 - Introduction to Basic Jian Cuts & Two-person sword drills with Lauri Niilisk, Instructor GRTC Tartu Branch, Estonia, at Natural Path Tai Chi in Highland Park, NJ. contact Seth Davis via email or (732) 801-9918.

July 17 & 18 - Tuishou (push hands) from the prespective of Baguazhang & Xingyiquan, at GRTC, Washington, DC with Serge Dreyer. $135.

August 27, 28 & 29 - JEUX D'EPEE (SWORDPLAY) 2004 Festival, Saintes, France (40 km at the east of La Rochelle), with a collection of teachers including GRTC Director, Scott M. Rodell: Swordplay China with a touch of Europe.
Cost :


Contact Claudy Jeanmougin
Festival Description (pdf)

October 16 & 17 - Chinese Swordsmanship seminar with Scott M. Rodell at Natural Path Tai Chi in Highland Park, NJ. contact Seth Davis at: email or (732) 801-9918. $125

November 6 - Simple Yoga Stretches for the Martial Artist with Daniel E. Hickman, RYT. In this workshop we will look at the basic building blocks for a simple and effective stretching practice derived from the yoga asanas (postures).  Other aspects will include the surya namaskar (sun salutation), pranayama (breath cultivation), and conditioning exercises for joint mobility.  You will find that these exercises will complement your martial arts practice, and general state of relaxation.

Daniel E. Hickman, RYT is a nationally certified yoga instructor trained in the interdisciplinary style from the Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica.  Check out Daniel’s website for more information.

When: 2pm – 4pm
Where: GRTC Studio DC
Cost: $25

November 6 & 7- Chinese Swordsmanship in the Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition, at the Burlington, VT Sheraton Hotel, with Scott M. Rodell, hosted by Jon Palombi, daytime: 802/253-9817 at Crystal Hollow $125 (one day $70).
Registration Form - Seminar Flyer

Novemeber 13 - GRTC 20th Anniversary School Roast.
You are invited to join the Great River Taoist Center in celebrating 20 YEARS of sticking & following, bending willows, playing guitars and repulsing monkeys!

We've gathered a lot of stories over the past 20 years...and so we're having a SCHOOL ROAST (and yummy Chinese dinner, of course!).  Everyone is encouraged to bring a funny story about the school to share with your classmates.

When:  Saturday, November 13, 6pm 
Where:  China Garden
             1100 Wilson Blvd
             Twin Towers - Mall Level
             (famous for its dim sum; near the Rosslyn, VA metro station)  
How Much:  $27 per person covers a full 10-course meal, with delights including fresh seafood with minced winter melon soup to roast chicken Cantonese style and grilled scallops with spicy salt to almond pudding and a fortune cookie! (Tax & tips are included, but drinks are not.  Please bring exact change (or close to it!) with you to the restaurant.)

A sign-up sheet will be at the school over the next few weeks OR e-mail your rsvp to Martina.  We need you to sign up in advance to reserve the space and meals.

So, here are some ideas to get you thinking about a story you can share:

Of course, sharing your stories is completely voluntary, but the more the merrier! 

Finally, e-mail Martina a David Letterman-esque Top 10 Reason to Practice Tai Chi.  We'll read the compiled list over dinner.  The person who submits the funniest reason will win a goofy prize.

On-going - For information concerning the above seminars, please call 703/846-8222. *Other trainings are being planned for the East Coast, Midwest & California.

2003

Basic Movements Workshops, at the Washington, DC Center:

January 31 - February 2, Taiji Martial Applications Hosted by Still Mountain Tai Chi Chuan at the Max Family Center in Ardmore, PA. See: www.stillmountain.net or call Bede.

March 22 to April 6 - GRTC Group to tour China. Contact Meilu Chen-Rodell at Seven Stars Trading Co., 703/573-2939 for detail information. Highlights include Wudang & Lao Mountains, Pingyao & Shaolin Temple.

On-going - For information concerning the above seminars, please call 703/846-8222. *Other trainings are being planned for the East Coast, Midwest & California.

2003 Seminars

Scheduling a Seminar

Scott M. Rodell, Director and Principle Teacher at GRTC presents workshops throughout the US and Europe in Yang Family Taiji Quan including:

In addition to his fifteen years teaching regular classes at the Washington, DC Center, Rodell has taught seminars to diverse groups including a regular class for seniors at the Library of Congress (on going), Europeans at biannual seminars at all levels in Russia and Estonia since '91, Vietnamese refugee children and the Alexandria Jail inmates.

If you would like to organize a workshop in your area, please call 703/768-8599.

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