T'ai Chi Summer Training
The T'ai Chi Foundation is offering a week-long residential Summer Training July 14-20, 2008 at Bennington College in Vermont. This training will offer many levels of study in T'ai Chi form and Push Hands practice. Classes will be taught by the teachers and instructors of the School of T'ai Chi Chuan and the T'ai Chi Foundation. For more information please call 904-616-3858 or email.
About The Summer Intensive
A summer intensive has a special quality supported by the relaxed setting, the intensive T'ai Chi practice, and the energy of the group, you will feel the changes and benefits of T'ai Chi more quickly and profoundly. These will have a lasting effect on your daily practice. The friendly social interaction is one of the best parts of the summer training. Meet T'ai Chi students and teachers at all levels. Enjoy the spontaneous gatherings on the lawn at night, the nearby state parks, lakes and mountains. Discover a new dimension to T'ai Chi in the good humor and happiness of the training.
About The Teachers
The T'ai Chi Foundation, Inc. (TCF) is a not-for-profit educational organization that promotes the teaching and study of T'ai Chi Chuan through the teachers of the School of T'ai Chi Chuan (STCC). We are an international school with over 200 teachers in nine countries. We teach the Yang family short form as developed by Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing and Patrick Watson. We offer a comprehensive series of classes for beginning and advanced students. Classes are taught in teams of two or more faculty, so there is always someone to follow. We transmit the form with clarity, precision and respect for tradition, using a method we've developed that makes learning both easy and fun.
The Program Highlights
All students will have the opportunity to spend up to 5 hours a day learning T'ai Chi Chuan through the various courses offered. Included in the full program for all students are: T'ai Chi and Pushhands courses, morning and evening practice sessions, and a variety of evening programs.
T'ai Chi Courses
Beginning Form At this level, students learn the basic movements and principles of the T'ai Chi form. The Beginning Form is taught in thirds (B1, B2, B3). Each third comprises 10 one-hour sessions. All new students start with Beginning 1 which may be taken by itself or as part of the full summer training program. Continuing students may advance a level or repeat a course to deepen their experience of the form. All movements are thoroughly demonstrated and practiced in class. Individual help is given through hands-on correction whenever possible. The newly learned material can be practiced in our traditional practice class that meets before breakfast and after dinner.
Time in the Art
This course is dynamic, alive and fun!!! It is thematic and exploratory in nature, and less structured than our regular classes. In earlier days, Tai Chi masters gave students assignments and let them practice alone so that the lessons could sink in and mature. Historically, this aspect of the study of T'ai Chi played an even greater role than did structured classes. By looking at T'ai Chi from different perspectives, new insights often emerge. No new movements are learned. Rather, we take the time to absorb that which we already know, and deepen our understanding of the art of T'ai Chi. These are master classes that are taught by the more senior teachers in the School. Prerequisite: Beginning Form.
Our program for children is designed to provide a complementary growth experience and is run by senior staff experienced in working with children. Children's T'ai Chi Games will highlight the program. T'ai Chi form classes are a natural complement for older children. Other activities include arts and crafts, dramatics, nature walks and ecology, picnics and sports. Older children will enjoy special trips and activities. There is a Junior Counselor program for mature teenagers. Parents are responsible for their children during meals, at bedtime, overnight and weekends. For the smooth operation of the entire T'ai Chi summer training program, we have found it essential that all children participate in the Children's Program. NOTE: One parent must accompany their children at Children's T'ai Chi Games.
Evening Programs
We will offer a variety of evening programs, Monday through Thursday, which are optional and fun. These special evening programs reflect the great diversity and talents of the teachers and students of the STCC and TCF, Inc. In past summers, these special programs have included offerings such as: Introduction to Self Massage, Sufi Dancing, Ballroom Dancing a la T'ai Chi, T'ai Chi Films, Skits and Theatre, and various musical performances.
For more information please call 904-616-3858 or email.
Who's coming to the Summer Training
| Name | From | Apprenticeship | Roomate | Arrival Fligth | Departure Fligth | |
| Brandt, Edna |
|
Laurel, MD | Sword | no | - - - | - - - |
| Brouwer, Lucy |
|
St. Albans, UK | PH2, R&B | - - - | - - - | - - - |
| Bellafiore, Cate |
|
Chicago | PH2, R&B | no | - - - | - - - |
| Bellafiore, Lou |
|
Chicago | repeat | no | - - - | - - - |
