Dear Fellow CTF members,

Hope you have all been keeping well.

We, at Bradford - South Simcoe Tai Chi, are in need of a new Tai Chi instructor as of May 3, 2021. Sadly, our current instructor has to move on, to focus on remedying his own circumstances impacted by the pandemic. We are losing not just a dedicated enthusiast, but a friend.

If any of you are interested in providing instruction, or know of anyone who would be interested in providing one hour per week of Tai Chi instruction in Bradford-West Gwillimbury, please reach out to Ron at taichi.bradford@gmail.com |  905-778-1355.

Thank you for your time in considering our post.

New posts on the blog are hosted at http://taichitongren.ca/blog/ ! Please come visit us there.

FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE CTF

As of now I have been appointed by the board of directors to be the CTF National Coordinator.  Essentially, that makes me the head office of the Federation.  Here is the new contact information and head office address.

CTF Joh. Friedrich

709-1285 Ontario St.

Burlington, On, L7S 1X9

(905-634-1635

cantaifed@gmail.com

Any member wishing to contact and communicate with the CTF should do so via the contact information above.  I will do my best to look after your needs.

From Kingston to Kitchener Journey of a Taijiboxer


"The art of Fighting without Fighting"
My name is Dennis Pounall and I recently had the privilege to teach a workshop in both Kingston, Jamaica, and Kitchener Ontario Canada.

The workshops were on two subject matters one was on “The art of effective Kicking, and the other a weapons competition form called the “Tsunami whirlwind fan form” both were well received.


                        Kitchener kicks Martial arts center

THE NEW CTF BOARD OF DIRECTORS. This year there were some resignations from the board, and some new faces.
As of October 15, 2008, the new board is as follows.

Resigning board members:
    •    Steve Higgins will continue as an elder, advising and sitting at board meetings.
    •    Jonathan Krehm (past president), may also attend board meetings.
    •    Donna Oliver
    •    Pierre Huot
 
Current board:
    •    Carol O'Connor - President
    •    Ian Sinclair- Vice President
    •    Duff Doel - Vice President
    •    Steve Holbert - Treasurer
    •    Alpha Montemayor- Secretary (temporarily)
    •    Doug Collins
    •    Ed Cooper
    •    Martin Kennedy
    •    Michelle McMillan - Tongren Wizard in Chief
    •    Steve Yee
    •    RoseAnn McKay - Membership


Alpha Montemayor  will be staying on as secretary for this quarter, after which we will be seeking someone to assume his responsibilities. 

Safety Check List

The CTF has implemented safety procedures for workshops and Push Hands Free Play Zone activities. The information is adapted from the NCCP National Coaching Certification Program (level 1 Theory).

The intent is:
    •    to ensure that all participants are aware of and follow safe practices.
    •    to reduce liability in case of accidents.
 
Contents
    1    Fair Play Philosophy
    2    PHFPZ Goals
    3    PHFPZ Rules
    4    Charge Person Responsibilities
    5    Call Person Responsibilities
    6    Emergency Action Plan Event Planner

1. Fair Play Philosophy (to be read out load to all participants)

Fair Play is a philosophy of coaching. It is grounded in the belief that sport is a moral pursuit, and is emphasizes participation. Underlying the fair-play philosophy are certain principles. These principles have as their aim the development of a true competitive spirit; true sportsmanship. The fair play philosophy emphasizes the following

1. Respect the rules of the game
2. Respect officials and accept their decision.
3. Respect the opponent or training partner
4. Maintain dignity under all circumstances

 
2. PHFPZ Goals (to be read out load to all participants)

The Push Hands Free Play Zone is an opportunity for tai chi chuan push hands players to work with a variety of partners of different skill level in a safe environment.

The emphasis should be on mutual learning and the Fair Play Philosophy

1. The play zone is not a competition
2. Have fun and Learn from one another
3. Work with as many people as you can. Work with people you are comfortable with and especially those you aren’t comfortable with.
4. Stretch out the play to work on structures, techniques and being there.
 
3. PHFPZ Rules (to be read out loud to all participants)
 
The  rules are designed to promote safety for all participants

1. Take care of your partner. STOP if your partner is in a vulnerable position.
2. Talk to your partner and arrive at an understanding.
    •    Discuss your push hands experience; beginner, intermediate, advance.
    •    What you would like to work on: Drills, four hands, free play, restircited steps, moving steps etc.
3. Begin by circling hands and aim to maintain contract throughout the game.
4. Keep pulls and pushes smooth. Avoid jerking the partners hands or arms. Avoid hand pushes that approximate strikes. NO EXCESSIVE FORCE.
5. Forbidden techniques
    •    No double grabbing
    •    No Joint locks
    •    Not contact above the shoulders
    •    No contact below the waist (no foot sweeps or leg manouvers)
    •    No tight gripping, even with one hand.
    •    No grabbing clothes
6. Watch your head. Do not use your head to maintain or get a positioning edge on your partner. Avoid accidents by not using your head.
7. Do not pull your partner down if you are losing your balance. Admit when you are at a serious disadvantage and start again. (No points are being scored)

4. Charge Person Responsibilities
1. take control and assess the situation on contact with the injured participant
2. to instruct all participants and bystanders to leave the injured participant alone
3. to ensure that the participant is not moved
4. to leave the participant’s equipment in place
5. to assess the injury and to determine whether further assistance is required
6. to decide how to move a participant if an ambulance is not needed
7. to notify the call person if an ambulance is needed and briefly describe the injury
8. to observe the participant carefully for any changes in conditions and to reassure him or her until professional help arrives
 
5. Call Person Responsibilities
1. to know the location of all telephones that could be used for placing calls
2. to prepare a list of local numbers – ambulance, fire, police, doctor etc.
3. to know the directions and the best access route to the facility and its exact location
4. to provide the ambulance dispatcher with the necessary information. Such information includes a statement that a medical emergency exists and describes the nature of the emergency, the exact location of the injured participant, the best access route to the location, and the telephone number of the phone from which the call is being placed. The estimated time of arrival of the ambulance should be requested
5.  to assign someone to stay by the phone
6.  to report to the charge person that the ambulance has been called and to tell the charge person the estimated arrival time
7.  to go to the main access entrance and wait for the emergency vehicle

Click here to read more

The CTF Annual General Meeting was held on Jun/04/2006 at Milton. A new board of directors have been elected.

CTF Board of Directors 2006-2007
Steve Higgins, Carol O'Connor, Jonathan Krehm (Pres.), Ed Cooper, Jim Holmes,Peggy Cox.


Steve Higgins performing Long Fist form.


Ed Cooper performing Tai-Chi rainbow fan



Two-person sword form by Steve and Tanya
and empty-hand form by Ed and Peggy


Yang 24 form.


Jill Heath demonstrating Yang Sabre, as taught by Sam Masich.


Jill Heath demonstrating Taiji Flying Rainbow fan as taught by Sify Helen Wu.


Jonathan Krehm performing Wu's 108 sabre


Kathleen Thompson performing Shiatsu on Jill Heath.

Canadian Taijiquan Federation

Taijiquan Teachers’ Training  Seminar

The Taiji Garden

Saturday   March 11, 2006,   8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hosts:   Ed Cooper  and Steve Higgins

Milton, Ontario, Canada

Program

The Taiji Garden

In their third taijiquan teachers' training seminar for the CTF, Ed Cooper and Steve Higgins will focus on the different stages of the educational encounter between student and teacher of Taijiquan. In many respects the process is similar to gardening.

The initial stage is surveying the ground. For example, what are the student and teacher bringing to this encounter? What history and what expectations are there? What impact will various environmental factors have upon the outcome?

Secondly, what are the student's most immediate needs? Sun or shade, moist or dry? How can the teacher ascertain these, so as to ensure a positive and productive experience?

Thirdly, what are the teacher's core principles and how can these influence the flowering of the student's inner abilities? This part of the seminar will involve a sharing of favourite teaching strategies among the participants.

Finally, how can the ground be prepared for the future? How can the value of the educational encounter be optimally developed? How can this be applied to both individual and institutional client-teacher relationships so as to ensure a long-term and beneficial effect?

Connect with new players and enthusiasts and renew old relationships for a day of insight, fun and sharing.

Certification of Attendance

Their hands-on approach will involve both one-on-one instruction and partnered work. The result will be a deeper insight into the psychology, physiology and practical mechanics of improving Taiji form and function.

Registration

Seminar Fee - $90 for CTF Members
Non-Members - $110
Light lunch provided.
Special financial arrangements  subject to need.
Registration form will be available on the CTF website.
canadiantaijiquanfederation.ca
Print the form and send registrations to:
Canadian Taijiquan Federation, PO Box 421, Milton, Ontario, L9T 4X1


Location

St Paul’s United Church
123 Main Street East, Milton, Ontario L9T 6S5

Contacts

Ed Cooper,   905-878-8647
or
Steve Higgins,    519-576-3206


Biographies

Ed Cooper is a former President of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation and former co-editor of TongRen.  He organized and hosted three previous CTF Taijiquan Teachers’ Exchanges and co-hosted two Teacher Training sessions in 2005.  In addition, he has both trained and worked as a judge for forms (empty hand and weapons) and  push hands, both in Canada and the United States.  Ed currently studies with Sam Masich and  teaches at the Circle of Friends Tai Chi Club in Milton, Ontario, Canada.

Steve Higgins has studied martial arts for over 30 years, and has studied and taught taiji for almost 20 years.  His background includes Jujitsu, Xing Yi, Bagua, and other arts.  A student of Dr. Shen Zaiwen and the late Grand Master Jou Tsung Hwa, he is the sifu at Cold Mountain Internal Arts in Kitchener.  He has served multiple terms as a Director of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation and has contributed to previous CTF Teachers’ Exchanges.

CTF Educational Series

Meet your fellow students, teachers, instructors, and practitioners for a day of learning about teaching taijiquan, through lectures, discussions, demonstrations and practice.  Gain new insights and learn from each other.

Join us for our sixth CTF educational session in an ongoing series of teachers’ exchanges and training sessions.

This seminar, while involving an element of formal lecture, will primarily emphasize physical and psychological interaction. Participants should dress comfortably in their usual tai chi attire!

Previous CTF Teachr Training Sessions:

“Nature and Nurture”  March 25, 2005

“The afternoon was spent in lively discussion of learning styles, skills mastery and corrections. Finally, a thought-provoking, challenging (there’s that word again) discussion about where the CTF is now as an organization and what the future hold for us and the world.”
 Penny Grace, TongRen Summer 2005

“I saw more of the tension between nature and nurture in the effort to teach Taiji. The benefits of balance and boundaries switched oon some lights as I saw applications in my life.”
Steve Holbert, TongRen Summer 2005.

“Form and Function” the science and art of physical correction October 1, 2005.

“My attention was held from the opening remarks to the end of the day’s session. …  Reflecting on the presentation of the seminar, the extensive content, the open discussions during the seminar, and the active participation of the attendees, I would highly recommend this type of training to any Taijiquan Teacher or would-be teacher who can avail themselves of the opportunity.”
 Mavis Hutter, TongRen Winter 2005

Canadian Taijiquan Federation Certification

Every attendee will receive a CTF Taijiquan Teachers Trainings Session Certificate of Participation for the one day event.

In response to wide-spread concern expressed by the membership, the CTF appointed in 2005 a Certification Committee to investigate the issue of what would be involved in recognizing or encouraging the development of teaching skills among its members. The Committee has presented a report advocating a process based upon skills-recognition, rather than upon instituting a specific curriculum. This is because curricula are generally established within existing club, lineage and instructional institutions, and in many cases are already in place. However, the Committee has also recommended that the CTF continue its educational initiative and that formal recognition be based in part on participation in recognized educational events and workshops.

The CTF is planning a series of continuing education seminars and exchanges for students and teachers.

Montreal Tai-Chi club

Master Dong Zeng-Chen (Hawaii) was invited to teach the short form in Nov/2005.

Master Dong supervising push-hands between Grace and Sylvain, owners of Montreal Tai-Chi club:

Montreal Tai-Chi club
Master Alex Dong (NY) was invited to teach the long form in Sep/2005: