TongRen January2013 1 - Canadian Taijiquan Federation

1 Tongren – February 2013

TongRen February, 2013

Volume 20, Issue 1

TongRen is published by the

Canadian Taijiquan Federation

www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.ca

Putting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988

New Canada Not-For-Profit Corporation Act (part 2)

In this issue:

Healing with QiGong (Winter) by Joh Friedrich

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Dazu sculpture exhibit at

THEMUSEUM in Kitchener

If these rocks could

talk… P8

The Canadian Taijiquan Federation is now on Facebook!

Please look for us there and “Like” us.

Mirror-image Training: A Good Idea? by Michael Babin

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Weapons Storage 101 by Jill Heath

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Table of Contents From the Editors 5 - 7

Intro to Proposed New CTF Constitution and By-Laws (part 2) 5 Correction! 5

Renewing Your Membership Online: Tricks and Tips 6 Looking ahead to the next issue 7

Articles & Advertisements 8 - 23 If these Rocks could Talk… Beth Weisberg 8

Special tour of the Dazu exhibit for the Tai-Chi community Advertisement 10 Chinese New Year Celebration at Cold Mountain, Kitchener Advertisement 11

Get your CTF t-shirts! Advertisement 12 Confessions of a Qi-zzz instructor Hajime Naka 13

I know that Dorian Gregory 14 On Choosing a Sword Wang JuRong;

Wu Wen-Ching 15

Healing with Qi Gong (Winter) Joh Friedrich 16 Under the Microscope Tim Cartmell 20

Mirror-image Training: A Good Idea? Michael Babin 21 Weapons Storage 101 Jill Heath 23

Milestones 24 - 25 CTF Teachers Certification – Charles Dunphy 24

CTF Teachers Certification – Joh Friedrich 25 The Wave: News from our Members 26-28

Phoenix T'ai Chi Centre's Christmas Party 2012 Steven Holbert 26 Greetings from Kelowna! Hajime Naka 27

On Qigong (Healing Energy Exercise) and Taiji (Tai Chi) Classes with Hajime ‘Harold’ Naka

Joan Jay 28

New Canada Non-For-Profit Corporation Act (part 2) 29-36 CTF Constitution – proposed / required changes 29

CTF By-Laws – proposed / required changes 31 Workshops and Events in Canada 36 Workshops and Events outside Canada 37 CTF Membership Form 40

The next issue of TongRen will be published in May 2013 Submission deadline: 1 April 2013 (and that’s no joke).

Editors: Jill Heath [email protected]; Patricia Beretta [email protected].


TongRen provides a forum for the discussion, expression, and experience of Taijiquan and related subjects. Articles, reports on events, biographies, letters, book reviews, poems, illustrations, scholarly research, and philosophical musings are welcomed. Please email submissions for consideration for publication in TongRen to one of the editors.

TongRen is published quarterly: February, May, August, November. Submissions must be received by the first day of the preceding month to be included. The editor reserves the right to determine the content of each issue. Priority is given to content submitted by CTF members.

TongRen fournit un forum en vue de discuter, exprimer et vivre le Taijiquan et ses domaines connexes. Articles, reportages, activités, biographies, lettres, critiques de livres, poèmes, illustrations, textes savants et réflexions philosophiques sont les bienvenus. Veuillez soumettre tout matériel à fin de publication à l’une des rédactrices de TongRen.

TongRen est publié quatre fois par an, en février, mai, août et novembre. Toute soumission doit être reçue avant le premier du mois qui précède la date de publication. La rédaction se réserve le droit de décider du contenu de chaque numéro. Une priorité est accordée au contenu soumis par les membres de la FCT.

TongRen (T’ung-jen)

TongRen is the 13th hexagram of the I-Ching (Yijing) Meaning ‘Fellowship’ or ‘Sameness with people’.

“Sameness with people means other people and oneself are one. As for the qualities of the hexagram, above is heaven, strong, and below is fire, luminous: employing strength with illumination, making illumination effective by strength, being truthful within and adept without, developing oneself and others as well, it is therefore called sameness with people.”

The Taoist I Ching (trans. Thomas Cleary, Shambala Publications, 1986 ISBN 0-87773-352-X bk


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Membership

All members of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation (CTF) receive its quarterly journal, TongRen, and have access to previous issues online. Annual membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families. Your support to the CTF is important to the Canadian Taiji community. Thank you!

To become a member (or renew), go to http://www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.ca and choose ‘Join the CTF’ (or donate) on the left menu bar for online registration and payment. To register by mail, see TongRen’s last page for our membership application and mail your completed form and cheque to:

Canadian Taijiquan Federation P.O. Box 32055, London ON N5V 5K4 Canada

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PROPOSED NEW CTF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

In our November issue of TongRen, we introduced the New Canada Not-For-Profit Corporation Act, and what it means to us.

In this issue, we are submitting our new draft constitution and by-laws, elaborated by Joh Friedrich, with files and additional research by Steven Holbert and Carol O’Connor.

Please read them and give us your feedback and send along any questions you may have. Our intention is to submit them to our membership for approval at our next Annual General Meeting, on June 15th, 2013. In the May 2013 issue of TongRen, our next one, we plan to have a third article, to explain the changes and new requirements under the New Canada Not-For-Profit Corporation Act, to better educate our membership, prior to asking them to vote on the proposed changes.

The proposed constitution and by-law texts are given on pages 29 through 36.

You may link to the current constitution, via our web site.

Correction!

In our last issue (November 2012), we wrongly credited Steve Holbert as the author of The New Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act article, rather than Carol O’Connor, and for that we apologize. While Steve (current CTF Treasurer) is one of the people who are looking into these coming changes on behalf of the CTF, it was actually Carol O’Connor (past CTF president, current CTF Secretary and facebook wrangler) who wrote this article, introducing the coming changes to our readership. Mea culpa!

From the editors


Renewing Your Membership Online: Tricks and Tips

Having trouble renewing your membership online via the CTF website? Please let us know!

Try these tips, below.

Want to take care of the business of renewal without logging in to either the members section OR paypal? You can do that! Click on the ‘donate’ link on the left-hand side of the CTF homepage. Write in the ‘comments’ section that you’re renewing a CTF membership (include the person’s name) and we’ll take care of the rest!

To avoid using paypal…

Look on the left side of the paypal page for these sentences (below).

Don't have a PayPal account? Use your credit card or bank account (where available).

Then just click on the ‘continue’ button next to it, to use your credit card without going through paypal.



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Looking ahead to the next issue…

We have our t-shirt contest winner! Details and stunning photographic evidence in May 2013 issue of TongRen! In the November 2012 TongRen, we ran the following contest…

~~~~ Win a CTF T-Shirt!

In the cover photos of this issue of TongRen, you will find some multi-talented folks. They are known for having been (or still are): a scholar; a publisher; a founder; a writer; a competitor; a teacher (not just Taiji or Qigong); a referee and / or a judge at tournament(s). Between them they represent a number of the major family styles in Taiji. Remember that they may wear more than one of those titles, and there may be more than one of something in the pictures (a competitor, for example).

Put a name to as many people in each picture that you can and some labels on them too. The person with the most correct answers wins themselves a free CTF t-shirt in the style of their choice. Looking for extra points or clutching at straws? Feel free to label them with their Taiji style as well.

Send your answers to the editors at TongRen either via email or snail mail. Answers and the winner’s name will be published in the next TongRen (Feb 2013, submissions deadline 01 Jan 2013), so don’t delay! You might just have won your first Christmas gift… to yourself!

Good luck!

~~~~

Curious to know who the lucky winner was? We’re sending out their t-shirt and are planning on publishing a picture of them wearing their prize in the May 2013 issue. We’ll also be putting names to the faces in those pre-digital era photos from 1991(!).

And while 1991 might seem like a loooong time ago, the CTF has been around even longer! Founded in 1988, the CTF turns 25 years young in 2013. More on that next issue!

Stay tuned.


“The 48 carvings on display as part of the current Treasures of China exhibit

are an experience.”

“They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism,

Taoism and Confucianism.”

Articles

If these Rocks could Talk…

By Beth Weisberg

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How is it that one of China’s UNESCO World Heritage Site treasures has come to make exactly one visit in North America…and that’s in Kitchener?

The Dazu stone sculptures may not have the name recognition of the Qin Dynasty Terra-Cotta Army. That doesn’t make them any less remarkable. Two hours into the countryside from Chongqing, the Dazu area encompasses a couple of kilometres, 75 sites and some 50,000 rock carvings which UNESCO honours because of "…their aesthetic quality, their rich diversity of subject matter, both secular and religious, and the light that they shed on everyday life in China during this period. They provide outstanding evidence of the harmonious synthesis of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism." (To get a sneak peak of the scale and setting, check out an amateur video on youtube such as www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBr5ZYyjQdg.)

David Marskell, CEO of THEMUSEUM in downtown Kitchener, visited Dazu as part of a whirlwind work tour of Chinese museums, and recalls the “very peaceful and tranquil” experience of the carvings towering over

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him. And he determined that the sculptures that could travel should come to Kitchener.

“I wanted to make it happen if at all possible,” says Marskell. He started by gaining the trust of the site officials, a remarkable achievement for someone who speaks almost no Chinese and was only in the area for the shortest of stays. How exactly did he do it?

“I’m pretty tenacious,” he admits. That must have helped. But impressing his Chinese counterparts even more was Marskell’s 2006 creation of the Chinese lantern festival at Ontario Place, a landmark accomplishment from his time with Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at the theme park. Drawing on diverse inspirations such as Christo’s Central Park The Gates installation (“It captured me that they’d


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taken a property and made it something else. The art started to permeate the city in this wonderful way.”), Marskell visualized “something big and cool” – which turned into 32 lanterns, each the size of a house, created by 100 craftspeople, and attended by 225,000.

The lantern festival proved to be Marskell’s in – it brought instant credibility, and things moved along quickly. Sure, there may have been a slight hiccup when the Ministry of Archaeology, checking out THEMUSEUM’s bona fides decided to view the Kitchener institution’s website, and came across a splashy Movember layout. Marskell smoothed it over.

“We’re an un-museum. We don’t have our own collection. Our collection is one of experiences.”

The 48 carvings on display as part of the current Treasures of China exhibit are an experience. They are spiritually based, prompting THEMUSEUM to host an opening ceremony complete with Buddhist blessing.

There are also three Taoist sculptures amongst the 48. “I don’t know why I’m

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drawn to those,” says Marskell. “When I walk people through [the exhibit], I tend to show people those three.”

In addition to the sculptures – which have left China only once before, to go to the National Museum of Wales – Marskell also arranged to bring in a gallery’s worth of charming modern folk paintings from Chongqing, via the Three Gorges Museum. Original modern carvings and other works are also for sale within the gallery.

Two young women from the Dazu Rock Academy accompanied the exhibit, and have been living in Kitchener since the September opening. Marskell recommends talking with them during your visit; that alone is “worth the price of admission,” he says.

Will you visit? Once the exhibit ends March 17, it returns to China. You can follow it there, as THEMUSEUM will be leading a tour there in the months to come. For more information, visit THEMUSEUM’s website at http://www.themuseum.ca/treasures-of-china/


About the author

Beth Weisberg’s interest in helping people with their

integration into daily life in different cultures developed

into a career in facilitation and cross-cultural

education. A series of health challenges introduced her

to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and led her to the

study of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. She came to realize that

TCM, Tai Chi, and Qi Gong all go back to one root, and

recognized that this foundation can deepen the level of

help she is able to bring to people. The study of tea

(Beth wrote about this in the August 2012 TongRen), used

for millennia to assist and support meditative work and

general health, draws Beth in the way it complements

her other studies.

Special guided tour of the Dazu exhibit for the Tai-Chi community

Sunday, February 17th at 10:30am

Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

Join us for ‘day 2’ of Lunar New Year celebrations! (See details of ‘day 1’ on page 11).

Cold Mountain Sifu Steve Higgins walks us through the Dazu exhibit

at THEMUSEUM, 10 King St. E., Kitchener!

Special CTF price: $10.95 + HST (discounted admission via Beth, below).

Join this tour of the Dazu rock carvings exhibit and hear about the history, traditions and legends that inspired the artists who sculpted them. Steve will share his extensive knowledge of Chinese history and spirituality, and relate carved characters and scenes to Tai-Chi. Amazing insights for the beginner, exciting discussions for the expert!

The visit will be followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant (optional; additional cost).

Please register asap with Beth to reserve your ticket at [email protected]


Chinese New Year Celebration Saturday, February 16th, 2013

Cold Mountain Internal Arts a supporter or the Canadian Taijiquan Federation

2013 - Year of the Snake

Join us for our celebration at Calvin Presbyterian Church,

248 Westmount Road E., Kitchener.

• 1:00 p.m. : free workshops for all • 3:15.p.m. : Welcome the New Year with a Lion Dance! • 3:30 p.m. : Tai-‐Chi and Internal Martial Arts demo’s • 5:30 p.m. : Join us for potluck dinner! (Bring your fave food!)

Come early and visit the vending village!

Teas, T-shirts, martial arts equipment etc will be available for sales. (Shoes, pants, jackets, uniforms, swords, sabres, fans, DVDs, books, and more!)

Visit the CTF table for t-shirts, crests, and to renew your membership on-site.

Free admission

www.cold-‐mountain-‐internal-‐arts.com 519-‐240-‐7694


Canadian Taijiquan Federation T-Shirts

Featuring the return of the popular ‘fiery dragon’ design coiling around the CTF logo on the front of this black long-sleeved t-shirt. And now available in a short-sleeved maroon shirt for the warmer months!

Looking for a ‘team look’ in formal black? Something a little less formal for the warmer months?

We’ve got you covered!

Back print: Putting the TongRen in your Taiji since 1988. Makes a great conversation piece as you explain that TongRen

is both the name of the CTF newsletter and the Chinese term for ‘fellowship’ or ‘community’.

Available in S, M, L, XL adult sizes. Made from 6 oz. 100% cotton tubular jersey. Double-needle bottom hem. Shoulder-to-shoulder tape. Pre-shrunk to minimize shrinkage.

Other sizes can also be special ordered. Just ask!

Long-sleeve or short-sleeve t-shirt $30.00.

Please note that postal rates vary widely due to the size of Canada, so postage is not included in this price but will be added on prior to shipping your t-shirt to you. The CTF will happily sell t-shirts (and memberships) to folks outside of Canada; you may pay in either Canadian or US funds. Looking to save some money on postage? Buy one for a friend at the same time and combine shipping. Better yet, get a group of friends together and save even more. Looking to pay NO postage? Find Jill Heath in person, and you have a deal!

Contact Jill Heath to place your order: [email protected]

Online payment now available.


Confessions of a Qi-zzz instructor

By Hazzzme Naka

For anyone who’s ever gone to an alternative medicine practitioner, there’s likely a chance you were diagnosed with something that made no sense to you.

Maybe you’ve been told that your heart chakra is out of whack, or that your lung meridian is obstructed, or maybe that there’s dampness in your spleen. I myself even informed a patient the other day they may have a bout of wind blowing around inside them. If yo’ve been told something like this, something bizarre that you’d hear in an Alice in Wonderland adventure, do not panic! Most importantly, don’t take it so literally.

So why do medical practices have so many different, and often conflicting, ways of interpreting your body and your health? The above illustration explains it all. On the left, you have your typical ancient Greek man, standing proud and naked and displaying a rather nice set of abs (damn, I need to start that sit-up routine again).

On the right, you have a Daoist painting entitled the NeiJing, or internal landscape. This illustration was likely done during the mid-1800’s… and curiously, it also depicts a man. Ahhh! Interesting, no?

The obvious difference between these two depictions? The ancient Greeks analyzed the body literally. The ancient Chinese analyzed it metaphorically.

To give you a better idea of what I’m talking about, take a second look at the illustration on the right. Like I said, it symbolizes a man. He’s facing left. You can see his spine running up the right side represented by mountains. There’s a thin river within those mountain that could be his spinal cord. The old man sitting and meditating at the top where the river ends is LaoZi (also spelled LaoTzu, LaoTsu, LaoTse, etc.), the ancient Daoist philosopher, who represents wisdom, or in this case his frontal lobe. There’s a round red garden which is his heart, a forest that is his liver, and a bull that’s his… um, well I did say this was a man, right?

The picture depicts a body not literally, but metaphorically.

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Jan Parker’s story, ‘My first Tai Chi class’ (TongGren, Nov. 2012), was an honest testimony to the healing power of Tai Chi.

Her first statement: ‘The first time I saw someone doing Tai Chi, I was drunk’, resonated with me. Not because I was drunk, too.

When I was much younger than I am now, I wanted to get drunk, to escape from my lonely miserable life. I envied all my friends who would go to bars or parties, get hammered and have a great time (or so I thought).

As much as I tried to get drunk, I always ended up puking and getting sick with a giant headache.

My other course of escape was sleep. I wanted to sleep my life away. But eventually I would wake up to face another day of unfulfilled dreams.

I also attribute Qigong-Taiji practice for guiding me on my healing, spiritual journey back to the source.

That was Zen. This is Dao.

So it is with some embarrassment, that I am confessing to having ‘temporary loss of consciousness’ while leading Qigong-Taiji classes

These ‘snoozing bouts’ only occurred in classes where the participants were sitting in chairs. And only when I am feeling Qi-less and sleepy. Being in a very warm room doesn’t help either.

I can usually catch myself from drifting in never, never land and continue on, albeit

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with a glazed-over look.

Although the sessions are only minutes, when I’m in the Twilight Zone, they seem to last much longer. Especially the last five minutes.

But, there have been times when I have actually fallen asleep. When I regained consciousness and still in a confused state, I would be staring through my blurry eyes into the eyes of puzzled looking faces, staring back into my equally puzzled face.

As the fog lifted from my eyes, I would recover my composure and carry on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. When their puzzled expressions turned into mischievous smiles, I would timidly ask, ‘Did I just do these movements?’

Heads would bob up and down.

I feel very fortunate to have a Qi-lightful group who are forgiving and have a great sense of humour. And they greatly appreciate the benefits they receive from Qigong-Taiji.

In my first Tai Chi class (1980), we sat on the floor for an hour and a half, listening to our young instructor talk about Tai Chi application and . . . I can’t remember what else he said.

About the author

Master of Relaxation and Qi-play, Hajime (Harold) Naka is a ‘Born-again Daoist Rebel’, with a cause and effect. He is also entering his third year as a foolishly wise elder.

Hajime has been practicing, studying and teaching Qigong-Taiji for thirty-two years and counting.


I KNOW THAT

By Dorian Gregory

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Jan Parker first told me that these are three of the most debilitating words to any practice. And she was right!

In seven years, I have learned the 108-move solo form three different times from my two taiji teachers (Jan Parker and Sam Masich). This most recent time was an 8-day intensive with a focus on principles and applications.

Of course, the first time I learned the form, I knew I knew nothing, so I was a sponge. It took me nine months and much practice every day. Everything my teacher said was the first time I’d heard it, considered it, looked at it, or thought about it. Maybe it reminded me of other things I’d learned in other arts, but still it was new. That was great. I loved it. I couldn’t stop practicing, because there was so much new to experience and embody.

The second time I learned the form, three years later, I was, of course, not the same sponge. I was looking for new information, something to add to what I already now knew. (Uh oh, there’s that idea, that ‘I know that’

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feeling). And what I found is that my teacher was right about ‘I know that’; there really is nothing like already knowing something to shut down the mind to the possibility of going deeper in one’s understanding of something, or even of really receiving correction. I lost something real important in my practice, some enthusiasm or something. I kept it up, but I had a little too much of the ‘I know that’ mind. This is why the zen masters talk so much about beginner’s mind.

This third time learning the 108, for whatever reason, I felt much more like a sponge again. And lucky me! I feel like I have a brand new form…from the inside out. There are some moves I will do the same with a different understanding of what I am doing. And there are a few moves that I will practice quite differently from how I ever did before. And in one or two cases, I am correcting a misunderstanding that has actually kept me from moving forward in the practice of my art. So glad, I didn’t know that!

If you are one of my students reading this, I hope you are excited about the new aspects of the 108 practice that I will share with you. And I invite you to notice the power of believing ‘I know that’ has to close your mind to the possibility of what is still to discover in another person, in a field of study, or in an art, or even in a form you have learned.


Sam makes corrections on Single Whip

About the author

A passionate and gifted Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Qigong (Chi Kung) instructor, Dorian Gregory, MA, CPA, has taught in North America and in Europe, and specializes in the Yang Style Full Traditional Taijiquan Curriculum. Her teachers are Sam Masich and Jan Parker. She is a lifelong martial artist with advanced black belts in both karate and modern arnis, and she is a certified public accountant. Dorian works part-time as an auditor with a small local firm, and teaches Taiji classes, seminars and private lessons. Finding harmony in the seemingly disparate aspects of life is at the heart of her practice. Dorian’s web site is http://taichidorian.com.

On choosing a sword…

… The (sword) blade section is tapered both in thickness as well as in the width of the blade. The varied tapering of the blade in different swords allows for the sword to be balanced for different purposes at various locations on the overall length of the sword.

The greater the tapering of the blade, the more the weight distribution will be towards the handle section of the sword. For sword styles that focus on fast dodging and evasive movements, the balance point of the sword will typically be close to the handle of the sword. For swords styles that rely on the heavy chopping and sticking movements, the balance will typically be close to the middle of the sword.

Excerpt from Sword Imperatives by Mdm. Wang JuRong and Wu Wen-Ching. Chapter 1: The Sword Basics; page 19.

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And for me, I am inspired again and again to cultivate beginner’s mind every day. (Thanks for the lessons, Sam). Not only in seminar with my teachers, but in my practice, and in my teaching. And everyone else, beware of those three little words: I know that!

‘Til the next move,

Enjoy your practice,

Dorian


“Qi Gong has, over some 5000 years, evolved into a complex, yet easy-to-

understand modality for the maintenance of good health, as well as the treatment

of injury, illness and disease.”

Healing with Qi Gong (Winter)

By Joh Friedrich

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The ancient Chinese art and practice of healing with Qi Gong has, over some 5000 years, evolved into a complex, yet easy-to-understand modality for the maintenance of good health, as well as the treatment of injury, illness and disease.

Joh Friedrich was invited to give an all-day workshop on Qi Gong by Mary Hansell of Circle of Friends Tai Chi in Milton ON. This article draws from a summary of Qi Gong fundamentals taught in that workshop. It is not meant to be an in-depth study, but rather an introduction that can assist a practitioner in their ongoing study of Qi Gong and / or Taijiquan.

Taoist and Medical Qi Gong theory link the seasons with individual organs, with a focus on what season stresses which organ(s) the most and how to mitigate those stresses. While spring is on its way, winter is still very much with us, as are the stresses it brings to our systems.

WHAT IS QI GONG?

These two words (often also written as one word, Qigong, or Chi Kung) are best dealt with individually. Qi*, also written as Chi, is nothing more than a Chinese word for energy. Many texts use the term Life Force Energy. Others use the term Universal Energy. Both these descriptions are fundamentally correct. Without the sun’s energy there would be no life on earth. That

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makes Qi the life force. It was Albert Einstein who said that ‘all is energy’. That means that the stars, the sun, the moon and everything on this earth are energy. That makes it universal.

Let us look at three forms of Qi that we are experiencing daily. Again we come to sunlight. We feel the sun’s warmth on our body after it has traveled from the sun, through the atmosphere, then through the air we breathe to our body. There it actually penetrates our tissue. The sun’s energy vibrates at specific frequencies, as all energy does. When we speak to each other we can hear each other because sound waves travel from one person’s mouth to another person’s ears. Again, they travel through the air we breathe. These waves then travel into and through your head to be interpreted by the brain. Lastly, consider colour. Each


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colour vibrates at a different frequency. We see those colours that have not penetrated the object we are looking at. All other colours have indeed penetrated the object.

All this Qi is in the air we breathe. We are not only breathing oxygen, nitrogen and pollutants. We are breathing Qi. This basic fact brings us to the second part of Qi Gong.

Gong, also spelled as Kung, is nothing more than a Chinese word for working with, or manipulation of, or mastering. What we have then, is working with energy, or manipulation of energy, or mastering energy. We work with the Qi we breathe to improve or maintain our health. We manipulate these energies to actually heal illness and disease and help in the healing process of injuries. If you learn to master Qi Gong, you will be in better health.

YIN AND YANG

Many of us have seen this symbol. Some Taijiquan and Qi Gong practitioners wear it on their T-shirts and jackets. We see two fields, one black and one white. The black field represents Yin. Yin symbolizes darkness, cold, soft, passive, receptive, feminine, water, and stillness. Yin Qi descends as it is connected to

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earth Qi. Would you agree that these characteristics reflect personality traits? Is your partner in life Yin? It is generally true that women are more yin than men. Yet there are many exceptions. If you look at and interact with five different women you will find that some of them are more Yin than others.

The white field represents Yang. Yang symbolizes light, heat, fire, hard, active, creative, masculine, and motion. Yang ascends as it is connected to universal or heaven Qi. Here again we recognize personality traits. What do you say about your partner now? It is generally true that men are more yang than women. Again, there are many exceptions. Some men are more yang than others.

When you look at the above symbol again you will notice that there is a bright white dot in the dark yin field and a black dot in the white yang field. There is Yin in Yang and Yang in Yin. They are totally interdependent. One cannot function without the other.


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All of us are a bit of Yin and a bit of Yang. They should complement each other, not be in conflict with each other. Note how this interdependence is symbolized with the circular flowing of Yin and Yang around each other in either direction. Neither Yin nor Yang is bad or good. What is bad is too much yin or too much yang or not enough yin or not enough yang. What we try to do in our Qi Gong practice is balance the yin and yang in our body and mind. When yin and yang are out of balance, we are not well. Many Qi Gong exercises and Taijiquan seek to accomplish the balancing of yin and yang.

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When something goes wrong with any of our internal organs we go to our family doctor, possibly leaving with prescription in hand, or other treatments they may recommend. This could be likened to chasing the horse after it has escaped from the barn instead of asking the question, “Why did the horse run away?”

With Qi Gong we give the horse, our good health, a reason to stay in the barn. And if it does run away, we give it a reason to come back. We have five horses and their mates in the barn. These five horses have a real bad habit. They each store specific negative emotions. It is these negative emotions that make these horses want to run away. Mind you, they also harbour specific good emotions that do not make them want to run away. Since we are addressing healing the body and mind with Qi Gong in this article, we will focus on the negative emotions.

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THE KIDNEYS

The winter months are especially hard on the kidneys. These organs have a much busier schedule in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) than they do in our western medical thinking. They include the entire urinary system, certain aspects of the endocrine system, the nervous system, bone development (including bone marrow), and the reproductive system.

The Five Yin Organs and their Yang Partners


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Any shade of blue can affect the kidneys. The middle ground is dark blue. When out in nature, look at a clear, deep blue sky and think about your kidneys. If you are in green surroundings at the same time both the kidneys and the liver will benefit (more on the liver in the spring, its season).

When treating an actual kidney problem, do kidney exercises daily and include the colour blue. If you are doing Qi Gong to maintain your good health, include kidney exercises in your regimen.

The kidney’s Yang partner is the urinary bladder. It will benefit from kidney Qi Gong exercises. There are also exercises for the urinary bladder to address specific problems.

Keep your kidneys warm during the winter months. Kidney Qi is depleted when they get cold. Do Tai Chi or Qi Gong regularly to massage the kidneys. This will prevent the kidney Qi from stagnating. Not only do we want to replenish these organs with fresh Qi after purging stagnant Qi, but we want to move the fresh Qi around in them, flushing them. Taijiquan movements like Wave Hands Like Clouds, Part the Wild Horse’s Mane, Brush Knee, Repulse Monkey, and

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Negative emotions affecting the kidneys include fear, loneliness, insecurity and shock. Shock and fear originating in the kidneys are felt by the heart but have a more direct impact on the heart due to their severity. These emotions will, if not dealt with, obstruct the flow of Qi through the kidneys and subsequently the heart.

In Qi Gong we use sound to help purge illness, including negative emotions, from all the Yin organs. Each organ has its own unique sound for this purpose. The purging sound for the kidneys is: ‘chreeee.’

Direct your attention and focus on the kidneys. As you exhale using this sound, your mouth should be nearly closed with the corners drawn back to the sides. Emit the sound in a descending tone and feel the kidneys resonate as the sound travels through them.

After purging the kidneys of toxins (a toxin is anything that makes you feel bad), we should replenish these organs with fresh, healthy, pure Qi. We use colour for this purpose in Qi Gong. To replenish kidney Qi visualize, look at or wear the colour BLUE. Some texts say dark blue, others say black.


About the author

Joh. Friedrich has studied and continues to study Taijiquan, Qi Gong and Medical Qi Gong. He teaches Tai Chi short forms, Qi Gong for better health and specializes in Medical Qi Gong prescription exercises. The CTF Tongren has published a number of his writings (see the proposed changes to the Constitution, also in this issue). He is also a certified Reiki practitioner and has been certified by the CTF as an instructor.

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others, if done correctly, rotate the body at the waist from one side to the other. That is where our kidneys are, in the Mingmen area (opposite Dantien), in the lower back.

So, during these dreary cold days of winter, take care of your kidneys, and they’ll take care of you. And, of course, continue caring for the whole body with your practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.

*Editor’s note on Qi: see also Don’t Qi-Blast The Messenger by Jesse Lown in TongRen, August 2012, p. 17-19.

Under the Microscope

… Speaking simplistically, there are two major schools of thought in regards to Taijiquan training. One school of thought adheres to the idea that forms are designed to train physical attributes primarily. Forms in these styles are often done in very low and extended stances, with the goal of improving leg strength, endurance, and flexibility, precluding the use of more practical alignments directly useful in fighting situations. Fighting techniques are trained separately from the primary form in supplemental drills and exercises. The other school of thought views martial ability as a result of integrated movement under conscious control. Exceptional physicality is not a prerequisite for fighting ability. The emphasis is on practicing only and exactly those movements you will use in a real martial encounter; form follows the dictates of strategy and technique. …

Excerpt from Traditional Sun Style Taijiquan Course by Tim Cartmell and Troyce Thome, from the introduction by Tim Cartmell.


Mirror-image Training: A Good Idea?

By Michael Babin

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Self-discipline is never easy and while it is easy to slip into being obsessive in one’s training it is also equally easy (for some of us, in any case) to slip into training only as the mood takes us. One way to get a more in-depth understanding of a training method or form is to do it every day for the required amount of time for a 100-day period. And I mean every day - whether sick or not, hung over, in mourning, stressed out by life's vicissitudes, the kids screaming, or the wife burning your supper! Over the years, I have used this approach or variations on that theme many times to intensify my appreciation of and skill in a particular method or form. Unfortunately, this kind of training is most easily applied to solo training, unless you are lucky enough to have a training partner at hand every day with a schedule as flexible and obsessive as your own. One aspect of solo training that can benefit from an intensive period of study is learning a method or form in reverse or ‘mirror-image’ if you prefer to think of it that way. To be fair, there's a lot of difference of opinion on the issue of practicing mirror-image variations of forms and training methods among taiji players and teachers:

• Some teachers will tell their students to not bother practicing on the other side for Chinese medicine reasons (i.e. I have been told and read, more than once,

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that practicing in this manner can induce a reversed or malignant flow of internal energy). By the way, I have also heard (usually by traditionalists) that the same thing applies to short, modern solo forms and that's why you should avoid those. As in all aspects of training, it is important to keep an open mind but also do what you feel is best for you and your situation.

• Other teachers will suggest to their more experienced students to teach themselves the mirror-image version of the form as a way of reinforcing their understanding of the technical side of the postures. Paying attention to details in reverse while working largely on your own is certainly a great way (though often confusing at first) to dissect the movements that you already are so sure that you are familiar with.

• Others will tell the student to just focus on the form or method as it is normally done as well as more practical martial considerations. Since most traditional sets were created by right-handed practitioners, it stands to reason that the movements will make more innate sense to the average right-handed practitioner in terms of


About the author

Michael Babin has been practicing the Chinese martial arts and particularly taijiquan since 1975 and teaching since 1985. He's mostly retired since 2010 and focusing on swordplay in his martial dotage, but after some 30 years of also writing on these subjects [five books and 120+ articles] still finds time to ramble a little on his martial blog: www.mbtaiji.net and for Tongren. For those interested in swordplay: http://vimeo.com/babinswordplayfellowship/videos

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execution and possible martial usage. On the other hand, it can be a useful lesson in being somewhat ambidextrous to train in movements that use your ‘sinister’ side. (With apologies to all Lefties for this old-time reference for the Left-handed).

• Others will say, "That's the next solo form for you to learn but it’s a different class; pay me and I'll teach you." The need by teachers to make money aside, it's easy to get bogged down in learning yet another solo form during precious class time when you may well not fully understand the ones previously learned! More is not necessarily better in terms of how many forms and qigong methods you can stumble through.

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In any case, competent practise makes perfect for any aspect of training whether through the mechanism of doing it as regularly as possible or through an intensive period of study.


Weapons Storage 101

By Jill Heath

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Lesson 1: Wood warps.

Lesson 2: Storing your wooden weapon(s) leaning in a corner? Stored horizontally with too few support points? See Lesson 1. Gravity never sleeps.

Lesson 3: Not handling a weapon for an extended period of time? Mdm. Wang JuRong: ‘Pick up your sword every day.’ Lest you discover that small critters have decided your wood weapon make a great home and a tasty treat. Yep, true story. Names have been withheld to reduce public embarrassment.

Lesson 4: Store them flat, fully supported, assuming you have the room. Yes, that could be the floor. However… also see Lesson 3.

Lesson 5: Store them hanging vertically as shown in this picture. You can use a mop or broom ‘hanger’ for single wood weapons, like you may already have in your kitchen for… you guessed it, a mop or a broom. Got lots? Try using Hold-It wall-mounted rack (shown here). It’s from Europe, but Canadian Tire (and Home Depot) both carry this system. HD has a video of how it works on their website. Rails come in varying lengths. If you live in North America, make sure you pick one that uses the standard of 16” / 40cm distance between wall studs / screws for easiest installation. ‘Clips’ come in three sizes, colour-coded, small medium large, yellow blue red.

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Got an even better way

to store wooden weapons? Send us a picture!

About the author

Jill Heath has been studying the internal arts since 1990 and has taught Taiji and Qigong in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. since 1995. She made her competition debut in 1999 with a personal best in 2001 of 3 gold and 3 bronze medals at a single tournament for form, weapons and push hands. In April 2008, at the National Canadian Kung Fu Fellowship tournament, she received 3 gold and 2 bronze medals in 5 events (form, weapons, moving and fixed step push hands, shuijiao). She has been certified as an Associate Healing Tao instructor, Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor, Senior Level instructor (Canadian Taijiquan Federation), and is a Past President and Director of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation. She continues her studies of the internal arts and considers herself fortunate to have studied with numerous Taiji masters over the years; however, she cites Sifus Helen Wu, Nick Gracenin, and Sam Masich, as the three who have most influenced her development and added to her understanding of this internal martial art. She is a graduate of Sam Masich’s 5-Section Teacher Training (2007). In 2012 she was officially included in the family lineage of Sifu Helen Wu.


Milestones

CTF TEACHER’S CERTIFICATION

Charles Dunphy was presented with his CTF Teacher’s Certificate during one of his classes at Iroquois Ridge Community Centre, in Oakville, by Jill Heath, this past December. He is shown here with some of his senior students at the presentation. Charles ‘inherited’ the IRCC classes from his instructor, Mike Ham, a past CTF board member. Charles and some of the senior students still have class with Mike once a month in Oakville but Charles now leads the weekly classes. Charles has also been a part of Team TongRen during Editor Michelle McMillan’s tenure.

From left to right, Poh, Lynda, Brenda, Jill, Charles, Margaret, Geoff, Keiko, Su.


Joh Friedrich was presented with his Level 2 CTF Teacher`s Certificate at the umpteenth annual holiday luncheon of the Taiji and Qigong players of the Milton Seniors Activity Centre, in Milton, by Jill Heath, this past December. Joh’s qigong class (the second one at MSAC) is a relatively new addition, starting just a few years ago. However, MSAC Taiji classes have been running in Milton for a few decades, and the first Qigong class for almost as long as the Taiji classes. Joh and Jill Heath are shown here with about 30 of the students. To Joh’s left is Gisela (currently a ‘retired’ MSAC Taiji instructor but still an active MSAC Taiji player) and to Jill’s right is Marianne (also currently retired from Taiji teaching in Burlington, but a regular participant in Joh’s Qigong class at MSAC).


The Wave, News and Updates from our Members

Phoenix T'ai Chi Centre's Christmas Party 2012

By Steven Holbert

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The Phoenix T'ai Chi Centre held its 24th annual Christmas party on December 5, 2012, at the Unitarian Fellowship of London, complete with potluck, music, dancing, socializing, demonstrations, and photo displays spanning the decades of Phoenix history. We celebrated Gloria Jenner's role as Founder and Sifu of the Phoenix Centre by having her as our guest of honour at the party. For the first time in many years, Gloria fully could enjoy the party as an attendee, instead of organizing and hosting it.

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Members of the Centre welcomed past and present students from the many classes, as well as guests from other Tai Chi centres and the community. Several spoke about the impact that Gloria had had on their lives and their Tai Chi over her decades as an instructor. Sheila McGugan, a student at Phoenix and musician, provided a musical interlude, playing several Christmas carols on the violin.

Teachers and students demonstrated selections of Yang style Tai Chi, including elements of the 108 form and the Beijing 24. Other demonstrations included the first part of the Old Yang form, with Steve Higgins and Sophie Nikolakakos from Cold Mountain Internal Arts, Kitchener. Janice Chaki, from the Karate Doko Kai in London,


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demonstrated the Helen Wu-choreographed single fan Tai Chi form. Jill Heath, a well-known teacher from Oakville, demonstrated the 32 sword form ‘as written’ back-to-back with a free-style sword routine. Sophie also demonstrated Mdm. Wang JuRong’s double fan Tai Chi form, performed to a Rolling Stones tune.

Everyone was invited to join the last demonstration, the first 19 moves of the 108 form. This was probably the largest group to do so at a Phoenix party, with many of those attending participating.

Finally, the Circle Dancers concluded the evening with a blessing dance for Gloria and several circle dances to celebrate the gathering itself.

About the author

Steven Holbert has been a T’ai Chi player for about 26 years. He started with Gloria Jenner at the

London Y, and worked with several teachers for a few years. In 1998 he returned to Gloria’s teaching

at the Phoenix T’ai Chi Centre. He also began to do some teaching with her guidance, and became

a teacher with the Centre in 2004. He is now certified as a teacher with the Phoenix T’ai Chi Centre

and with the Canadian Taijiquan Federation. Steve has been a member of the Canadian Taijiquan

Federation for eight years and is serving a second term as Treasurer. Steven is retired from full-time

nursing. He maintains a small private practice in capacity assessments, and he continues as an

active member of various professional groups. He and his wife have four children and three

grandchildren that help keep them busy during their ‘free time’.

Greetings from Kelowna!

By Hajime (Harold) Naka

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Greetings from Kelowna! After almost twenty years of leading Qigong-Taiji classes at the Senior Centre by the Lake, we have moved into our brand new building (now called multi-age facility) next to the Recreation Centre.

I really like the new space, with natural lighting, lots of windows to look out at the park and circulating fresh air. But wouldn’t you know it, a lot of the seniors love to complain, saying they liked the old place better.


About the author

Master of Relaxation and Qi-play, Hajime (Harold) Naka is a ‘Born-again Daoist Rebel’, with a cause and effect. He is also entering his third year as a foolishly wise elder.

Hajime has been practicing, studying and teaching Qigong-Taiji for thirty-two years and counting.

On Qigong (Healing Energy Exercise) and Taiji (Tai Chi) classes with Hajime ‘Harold’ Naka

By Joan Jay

Both of these exercises, with instruction given so expertly by Harold Naka, help with your over-all health and well-being. What I like about Harold? He never criticizes your best efforts. He is very quiet, humble and professional. The ladies with MS sit on chairs for the classes, and this helps them. I have been going to Harold for years, and taken both Qigong and Tai Chi. I just wish I could wave a magic wand and go more often! I have Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer, and I feel it helps me immensely.

Joan Jay Peachland, B.C.,

near Kelowna, in the Central Okanagan Valley

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I almost feel like telling them to go back there, except they’re tearing it down and building a yacht club in its place.

As one senior told me, when you get older, you don’t like to change.

As much as they like to complain, they still come to the classes. A few have been coming for as long as I have been teaching at the original centre.

The classes are more popular now, with new folks joining in each class.

I am also doing classes for the Cancer Clinic. Not for the cancer patients, but for the staff working there. They are feeling the effects of

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stress in the workplace and how it’s affecting their health. So they applied for and received a grant to have Qigong classes at the Clinic.

Isn’t it ironic that a health institution is not always a healthy place to work in? It is good news that the people working there are doing something to ensure that they stay healthy.


PROPOSED CTF CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

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ARTICLE 1: CURRENT NAME OF THE CORPORATION

The name of the Organization since its original inception has been:


ARTICLE 2: IF A CHANGE OF NAME IS REQUESTED, INDICATE PROPOSED CORPORATE NAME

Henceforth the name of the Organization shall be:


La Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan

ARTICLE 3: CORPORATION NUMBER

236584-7

ARTICLE 4: THE PROVINCE OR TERRITORY IN CANADA WHERE THE REGISTERED OFFICE IS SITUATED

Ontario

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ARTICLE 5: MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

Minimum Number: 5

Maximum Number: 13 which is to include the immediate Past President

ARTICLE 6: STATEMENT OF THE PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION

To practice, promote, teach and improve the practice of Taijiquan and other Chinese internal martial and healing arts as well as maintain the Chinese Cultural Heritage and to interact with other Chinese martial and healing arts organizations in Canada and around the world.

ARTICLE 7: RESTRICTIONS ON THE ACTIVITIES THAT THE CORPORATION MAY CARRY ON, IF ANY

None

CTF CONSTITUTION:


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ARTICLE 8: THE CLASSES, OR REGIONAL OR OTHER GROUPS, OF MEMBERS THAT THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO ESTABLISH

Regular Members are members by virtue of their interest and practice of Taijiquan or any other internal martial or healing art with full voting rights,

Elders are members who have been so designated by virtue of their advanced expertise and their service to the Federation with full voting rights, and

Honorary Members are members who have been so designated by virtue of their support and contribution to the advancement of Taijiquan and/or other Chinese internal martial or healing arts without voting rights.

Corporate Member or Member Group are members who have been so designated by virtue of their support and contribution to the advancement of Taijiquan and/or other Chinese internal martial or healing arts or who form a local or regional sub-entity of the Federation.

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ARTICLE 9: STATEMENT REGARDING THE DISTRIBUTION OF PROPERTY REMAINING ON LIQUIDATION

In the event of the dissolution or wind-up of the Federation, none of the assets of the Federation will ever revert to the members or inure to the benefit of any individual, but they shall, after payment of all just debts and obligations, be transferred to a recognized, and well-established Charitable Organization.

ARTICLE 10: ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS, IF ANY

The spirit of fellowship shall prevail during all activities of the Federation, including gatherings, meetings, courses, workshops and outings. Conduct at the AGM and board meetings shall be consistent with the Mission of the Federation and observant of decorum and courtesy.


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ONE: BY-LAWS

Section 1: The Board is empowered to enact by-laws for the conduct of the Federation’s affairs. By-Laws must be in accordance with the Constitution and passed by two-thirds of the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or by a special ballot of the membership, as appropriate.

TWO: AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Any member in good standing may propose to amend the Constitution or By-Laws.

Section 2: Any proposal to amend the Constitution or By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors at least one (1) month in advance of the AGM.

Section 3: Upon approval by the Board, a copy of the proposed amendment shall be made available to the membership at, or before, the AGM.

Section 4: Should an amendment be considered particularly urgent a ballot of the membership may be taken, provided that each member is given a copy of the proposed

CTF BY-LAWS:

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amendment and has at least two (2) weeks for consideration.

Section 5: With the exception of the circumstances addressed in Section 4 immediately above, each proposed amendment shall be presented for discussion or approval by a two-thirds majority vote of the membership.

THREE: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: A Regular Member shall be an individual who is concerned with the practice or teaching of the art of Taijiquan, its applications or associated internal arts. A Regular Member may become a Family Member by paying the appropriate dues. A Regular Member withdraws his/her membership by failing to pay the appropriate dues.

A Family Member, for purposes of establishing a Family Membership in the CTF, shall consist of the spouse/partner, child or parent of a Regular Member; Family Membership dues are greater than, but not double that, of Regular Membership. A Family Member reverts to the status of Regular Member if Family Membership dues are not paid at the Family Membership rate.

An Elder, or Elder Member, shall be an individual who has demonstrated a


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clear commitment to the Federation’s mission and who, because of outstanding long-term service to the Federation, has been nominated and approved by a majority of the board. Regular Members may be so nominated. An Elder may relinquish this designation by advising the Board to do so.

An Honorary Member shall be an individual who is supportive of the CTF’s mission and who has been nominated and approved by a majority of the board. A Regular Member may not be given honorary membership. An Honorary Member may relinquish this designation by advising the Board to do so.

A Corporate Member or Member Group shall be a corporation, club, association or other body who is supportive of the CTF’s mission and who has been nominated and approved by a majority of the Board. Corporate Member or Member Group status can be withdrawn by a majority vote of the Board or if the Corporate Member or Member Group voluntarily decides to relinquish membership.

Section 2: A member in good standing shall be a member who has paid his/her dues, who adheres to the Mission of the Federation,

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observes the rules of the Federation and acts in such a way as not to be a discredit to the Federation.

Section 3: Membership may be revoked at any time if the member fails to abide by the rules governing the Federation.

Section 4: A member who fails to renew his/her membership by paying his/her dues within a reasonable period of time shall have forfeited his/her membership. It is the individual’s right to rejoin the Federation at any time.

MEMBERSHIP ENTITLEMENTS

Section 5: All Regular and Elder Members in good standing are entitled to the following:

1. To one (1) vote on Federation business as applicable;

2. To hold elected office;

3. To participate in any Federation-sponsored event, workshop, seminar or course upon payment of any required fees.

Section 6: Honorary Members do not pay dues and do not have voting rights. Otherwise, they have the same rights and privileges as General Members.

Section 7: Elders may attend Board meetings at their discretion. Non-office-holding Elders do not have voting rights


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on Board business, whereas office-holding Elders have the same Board voting rights as any other Director. All Elders will be kept informed of and invited to meetings of the Board of Directors.

Section 8: All members of a Family Membership will be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting of the Federation and have all rights that pertain to Regular Membership.

FOUR: BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 1: All Board Members must be members in good standing and have been elected by a simple majority of the membership at an AGM. This will include the immediate Past President who will be a voting member of the Board.

Section 2: In order to preserve a diversity of opinion, where possible not more than two (2) members of the board shall be drawn from one particular club or other Tai Chi organization.

Section 3: The term of office for Directors will normally be two (2) years and a Director may not serve more than two (2) consecutive terms except in the absence of an adequate number of nominations.

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Section 4: An exception to Section 3 above may be made when a Director is nominated and elected as President of the CTF, in which case he or she may serve in that capacity for (assuming annual re-election) up to four (4) years. Upon either failure to re-elect or on the expiry of the fourth (4th) year as President plus his/her term as immediate past President, whichever shall occur first, the individual concerned cannot resume his or her membership on the Board of Directors prior to a passage of a further two (2) years.

Section 5: Vacancies that arise on the Board during the year can be filled by appointment by the Board. The appointment will continue for the duration of the year until the next AGM.

Section 6: In the event of a tied-vote occurring at a board meeting, the President shall have a second, tie-breaking vote. A motion will be carried by a simple majority, defined as 50% plus one (1).

Section 7: The Board will meet during the year as required to conduct CTF business. Board meetings may be conducted by telephone, E-Mail, video conference, or any other electronic means approved by the board.

Section 8: A majority of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of CTF business at a meeting of the Board.


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Section 9: When a regularly announced meeting of the Board takes place but there is no quorum, those present may conduct business. Their resolutions and actions are subject to ratification at the next regular Board meeting or at the AGM, as applicable.

Section 10: The Board will keep and maintain accurate minutes of all the meetings of the CTF.

FIVE: COMMITTEES

Section 1: The Board is empowered to establish such Committees as it deems necessary to carry out administrative functions and serve the Mission of the Federation.

Section 2: The Board will appoint a Director to serve on the Committee.

Section 3: Committee members are to be Federation members in good standing.

Section 4: Standing Committees shall include:

1. The Nominating Committee, the responsibility of which shall be to annually gather nominations to the Board prior to the AGM.

2. The Committee on the

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Constitution, the responsibility of which is to annually report to the Federation on matters regarding the Constitution and By-Laws of the Federation.

SIX: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Section 1: An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the membership in good standing will be held at a date, time and place selected by the Board. Clear communication of this information will take place, giving members reasonable time to prepare for the meeting and set aside time to attend in the following manner:

Such notice shall be published on the Federation’s website and in TongRen sixty (60) days before the meeting.

Section 2: At the AGM the President and the Board shall report to the membership on the previous year’s activities.

Section 3: The reports will include the following:

1. A financial report, including full financial statements;

2. A report by the President on the condition of the CTF, including membership;

3. Recommendations, as applicable, from the standing Committee on


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the Constitution;

4. Other reports as applicable.

Section 4: A quorum for the Annual General Meeting shall consist of a number equivalent to the number of the existing Board Directors plus one (1).

Section 5: Immediately upon the adjournment of the AGM the new Board will meet briefly to elect the following Executive Officers. The positions are each to be held by a Director. No Director can hold more than one (1) of these positions at the same time:

1. President; 2. Vice President; 3. Treasurer; 4. Secretary.

At this time a date for the next Director’s meeting will be set. SEVEN: CONDUCT OF MEETINGS Section 1: At each Annual General Meeting the order of business shall be as follows:

1. Approval of the Agenda; 2. Approval of the Minutes of

the last AGM; 3. President’s Report; 4. Treasurer’s or Auditor’s

Report;

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5. Other Reports; 6. Annual election of Directors; 7. Appointment of the Auditor for

next year; 8. Other or new business.

Section 2: At the AGM access must be made available to the financial books of the Federation. Annual financial statements shall be posted on the CTF website 30 days before the AGM. Section 3: When needed, recourse may be made to Robert’s Rules of Order in order to expedite the efficient conduct of business. EIGHT: ANNUAL ELECTIONS

Section 1: Elections of the Board of Directors will be held at the AGM. Section 2: In order to ensure continuity, usually only vacancies on the Board will be filled at the AGM; most vacancies will be occurring because roughly one half of the Board’s two-year (2-year) directorship terms terminate in any one year. The intent of this staggered arrangement is to ensure that, under normal circumstances, the entire Board is not replaced in any one year. NINE: COMPLAINTS

Section 1: At the receipt of a complaint, a Complaint Committee will be formed which shall include at least one (1) member who is not a Director. In a


Workshops & Events

In Canada

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CTF Annual General Meeting Saturday June 15, 2013 !!Hamilton, ON _______________________________________________

Workshops with Adriaan Blaauw & Jill Heath Contact: ! Adriaan Blaauw [email protected] or Jill Heath [email protected]

Fundamentals of Two-Person Work: Empty Hand and Sword ! Saturday – Sunday

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!!23-24 Feb 2013 !20-21 Apr 2013 !15-16 Jun 2013 !Centre de Tai Chi Gilles Vaillant, 109 rue Wright, Gatineau, QC ________________________________________________________________

Treasures of China, Featuring the Dazu Rock Carvings

Contact: The Museum (Kitchener) (519) 749 9387, [email protected], www.themuseum.ca

Exhibit of spiritual sculptures from the hillsides of Dazu County, Chongqing, dating from the Tang Dynasty !

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situation where the complaint is in regard to the conduct of the Board itself, only one (1) Director may sit on the complaint committee. Section 2: The complaint Committee will review the complaint, conduct whatever investigations it deems appropriate and submit a report to the Board. Section 3: The Board will promptly respond to the report in the best interest of all concerned.

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TEN: LIABILITY

Section 1: The Board of Directors will maintain and keep a Director’s Liability Insurance Policy to indemnify the members of the Board from liability for loss resulting from any error in judgment or failure to take action or for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith. Section 2: Under no circumstance shall the private property of any Director or any Member be subject to the payment of corporate debts or obligations of the Federation.


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World Tai Chi & QiGong Day http://www.worldtaichiday.org On the last Saturday of April each year at 10 am, tens of thousands in hundreds of cities, in over 70 nations come together ... to breathe together ... to provide the world a healing image of our planet and our people Saturday April 27, 2013 Look for events close to you!

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Workshops with Sam Masich Contact: Sam Masich 0170-553-8096 www.sammasich.com

Qigong: Equilibrando el corazón y Taijiquan: 5 secciones principios básicos May 10-12, 2013 Mexico City 4th Annual Berlin Push Hands Camp August 16-19, 2013 Berlin, Germany

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48 unique sculptures depicting Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist beliefs. The Museum, 10 King Street West, Kitchener, Ontario Carvings exhibit from 21 Sept. 2012 to 17 March 2013

Special guided tour of the Dazu exhibit for the Tai-Chi Community ! Contact Beth: [email protected]

!Sunday February 17th 2013 !10:30 a.m. – $10.95 + HST

_______________________________________________

Power of Balance Workshops and Retreats www.powerofbalance.com

Cooking for Health - Qigong & Meditation with Nicola Lawrence and Andy James March 8-10, 2013 at the !Harmony Dawn Retreat, Rice Lake in Northumbland County, Ontario !$365 + HST

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Insight Meditation & Qigong Retreat with Andy James Weekend, April 12-14, 2013 - !$335 + HST Complete week, April 12-19, 2013 - !$885 + HST Location: the !Harmony Dawn Retreat, Rice Lake in Northumbland County, Ontario

_______________________________________________

Temple Knights www.templeknights.com

Temple Knights Tai Chi & Kung fu Camp Contact: 705 767-1177 !, [email protected] August 12-17, 2013 Temple Knights Martial Arts Academy & Retreat Centre, Muskoka, near Bracebridge, Ontario.

Workshops & Events

Outside Canada

38 Tongren – August 2012

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2nd Annual Berlin Summer Taiji Weapons Intensive—13 Power Taiji Sabre August 22-25, 2013 Berlin, Germany 13 Power Taijiqiang: Taiji Spear Camp! October 12-20, 2013 Location TBA, Sunderland, Massachusetts, USA Contact: Dorian Gregory, [email protected]

Workshops with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming YMAA CA Retreat Center Miranda (area), California Contact: (707) 502-8739, ymaa.com/seminars Traditional Yang-Style Taijiquan, or Taiji Sword July 5-12, 2013 Taiji Pushing Hands and Martial Applications (Level 1-4) July 12-19, 2013 Qigong-1 (Qigong Theory and Spine Qigong) July 19-26, 2013 Qigong-2 (Medical Qigong: Eight Pieces of Brocade, Four Seasons Qigong, and The Five Animal Sports) July 26- August 2, 2013 Qigong-8 (Grand Circulation, Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Qigong) August 2-9, 2013

Embrace The Moon Workshops - Seattle WA Contact: Kim Ivy (206) 789-0993 [email protected] www.embracethemoon.com Village Style Training with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Xing: Laojia, Xinjia, Silk Reeling with Grandmaster Chen Xiao Xing March 7-12, 2013

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Qigong, Laojia & Intrinsic Energies with David Gaffney & Davidine Sim April 17-20, 2013

Seminars with the Deyin Taijiquan Institute (UK) www.deyin-taiji.com Health Qigong Instructor Training 2013 April 6-13, 2013 In partnership with the Chinese Health Qigong Association and Master Trainer Tay Yip Location: Wolverhampton, UK Deyin Annual Tai Chi & Qigong UK Summer Camp 2013 June 29-30, 2013 With Master Faye & Master Tary Location: Wolverhampton, UK

Tai Chi Caledonia 2013 (Scotland) www.taichicaledonia.com A week of Taijiquan, Qigong & Chinese Internal Arts in the heart of Scotland July 12-19, 2013 Location: Stirling, Scotland


Canadian Taijiquan Federation / Fédération Canadienne de TaijiquanA registered Non-Profit Corporation / Un organisme à but non-lucratif dument enregistré

1. To encourage development in the practice of Taijiquan and preserve its characteristics as an expression of Chinese culture and philosophy.

2. To stimulate public awareness of and participation in Taijiquan.

3. To inclusively link practitioners of Taijiquan from various styles and traditions without precedence – whether as individuals or gathered in groups, clubs and organizations across Canada – as they join the Federation family.

4. To network nationally and internationally with other Taijiquan practitioners, groups, clubs and organizations with the aim of broadening and strengthening the Canadian Taijiquan experience.

1. Encourager la pratique du taijiquan et préserver son caractère culturel et philosophique chinois.

2. Stimuler la connaissance et la participation du grand public en matière de taijiquan.

3. Relier tous les praticiens de taijiquan, peu importe les styles et les traditions, qu’ils soient seuls ou affiliés, partout au Canada.

4. Élargir et renforcer l’expérience canadienne du taijiquan en créant un réseau national et international pour les individus, les groupes, les clubs, et les autres organisations.

Annual CTF membership includes:

• A subscription to the CTF’s quarterly journal TongRen

• One complementary official CTF crest for each new membership

Benefits of CTF membership:

• Access to Taijiquan Teacher Training workshops sponsored by the CTF and facilitated by experienced Taijiiquan teachers

• Access to the CTF Taijiquan Teacher Certification program

• Email notices of CTF-related news and upcoming events

• Access to the ‘members-only’ section of the CTF website which includes expanded event postings and links, an archive of back issues of TongRen, photographs, blogs and forums

• Postings to the public-access pages of the CTF website for your club/school, workshops/seminars and other Taiji-related events

• Opportunities to connect, meet, share and further your Taijiquan-related knowledge and experience with other practitioners

• Opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the Taijiquan community by sitting on the CTF Board of Directors and its various committees (volunteer)

• Discounted enrollment is often extended to CTF members for workshops and activities organized by CTF members

• Purchase of official CTF T-Shirts and crests

Une membriété annuelle vous offre:

• Un abonnement à TongRen, la revue trimestrielle de la FCT, que vous recevrez par la poste

• Un écusson gratuit de la FCT si vous êtes un nouveau membre

Avantages supplémentaires:

• Accès aux ateliers de formation des instructeurs, ateliers parrainés par la FCT et donnés par des enseignants chevronnés

• Accès au programme de la FCT de certification des enseignants de taijiquan

• Avis électroniques des nouvelles et des événements à venir de la FCT

• Accès à la section pour les membres du site web de la FCT qui présente une liste étoffée des événements et des liens, les anciens numéros de TongRen, des photos, des blogs et des forums

• Pages publiques pour annoncer votre organisme, vos ateliers et tout autre événement lié au taiji

• Des occasions de contacts, de rencontres et de partages avec des praticiens du taiji pour accroître vos connaissances et votre expérience

• Des occasions de vous engager comme bénévoles et d'influencer la communauté du taiji en joignant le Conseil d'administration de la FCT et ses multiples comités

• Des inscriptions à tarif réduit à des ateliers et activités organisés par nos membres

• Possibilité d'acheter les t-shirts et les écussons de la FCT

Membership / Membriété

Mission

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!

! Name/Nom: __________________________________________________________________________

! Address/Adresse: _____________________________________________________________________

! ! ! _____________________________________________________________________!

! Country/Pays: ___________________________ Postal Code/Code postal: ___________________

! Telephone/Téléphone:

! Home/Domicile: _____________________________ Work/Travail: __________________________

! Email/Courriel: ________________________ Website/Site web: _____________________________

! Student of/Étudiant de: ________________________________________________________________ ! Club/Organization/Organisme: _________________________________________________________

! Instructor for/Enseignant pour: _________________________________________________________ ! Club/Organization/Organisme: _________________________________________________________

! Forms Studied/Formes étudiées: ________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Individual membership $35 (Canadian or US) / Family membership $50 (Canadian or US)Membriété personnelle 35$ (canadiens ou américains) / Membriété familiale 50$ (canadiens ou américains)

Please copy and mail completed membership form along with your cheque or money order to:Veuillez envoyer le formulaire dûment rempli et accompagné d’un chèque ou d’un mandat à la:

! ! ! ! !

! ! ! ! ! Canadian Taijiquan Federation! ! ! ! ! P.O. Box 32055! ! ! ! ! London, Ontario! ! ! ! ! Canada N5V 5K4

You can also register or renew your membership online. Vous pouvez aussi devenir membre ou renouveler votre membriété en ligne.

www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.com

Canadian Taijiquan Federation Membership Application Form

Formulaire d’ Inscription à la Fédération Canadienne de Taijiquan

www.canadiantaijiquanfederation.com

TongRen January2013 1 - Canadian Taijiquan Federation

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Transcript of TongRen January2013 1 - Canadian Taijiquan Federation