Information, News, and Events
Posted May 13, 2025
Friday was the instructor workshop. Of note is Deborah McLaren's presentation of "Gentle Tai Chi", based on the experience of an insightful group of instructors from Duncan/Chemainus (Vancouver Island). They are developing a program that is born out of necessity as so many of their new participants' abilities fall between the seated set instruction and a regular beginner course. These new tai chi-ers are mobile but not enough to join the typical beginner class; they need a much more detailed approach to movement, one that builds incrementally at their own pace. There are various reasons participants choose this Gentle Tai Chi class to begin their tai chi journey, such as, balance issues, fear of not remembering, lack of confidence, and lack of stamina. Two instructors facilitate a more one-on-one approach. The main intent is to 'meet people where they are' to increase body awareness, and to help them meaningfully apply tai chi to their daily lives. A detailed description of Deborah's and Martha Jean Clarke's findings, as well as a summary of their first course, is available by contacting the Duncan/Chemainus location. The instructor component involved a vibrant group of western instructors who proved to be both eager to learn and, in turn, to share their learning. About 40 of us participated in a variety of discussions and exercises designed to take us to a new level with our personal tai chi and to challenge and inform our present teaching methods and perceptions. The usual suspects of donyu, toryu and jam jong underpinned many of the discussions. A number of the instructional topics touched upon were then picked up in the general workshop which followed. David Carson began the instructor session by sharing his favourite word - "connection" - which we all felt more of at the conclusion of Friday's work. The push hands and jam jong components of the instructor workshop were then more fully explored in the general workshop. Since the pandemic, there has been a renewed interest in both push hands and standing (jam jong). Doug Overholt gave a detailed presentation of the jam jong posture, the nuances which were new to many. Training local instructors in both push hands and standing is growing rapidly. It is inspiring. 
Taskmaster David Carson had us doing rows upon rows of Brush Knees and Partitions with Susan Carson's dictation of "STAND, SIT, STEP, TURN"; the mantra was effectively drilled into our psyches. Susan took centre stage in demonstrating the different aspects that we then put into our movement. It was a great example of team teaching. Additional highlights are the Lok Hup and sword practice at lunch. With the background of stately mountains, vast blue sky, and brilliant sun, it was a spectacular setting for 'Swirling the Inner Universe'. What a treat for me to stay on in Kelowna for a few days after the workshop to soak up a bit of that local paradise, and to have the chance to teach two classes, Anne McKay's and Jackie Meyers'. These smaller groups gave me a chance to continue with the direction of the weekend workshops. I did refrain, however, from bellowing out "MORE ROWS OF BRUSH KNEES!!!!"" Many thanks to the workshop leaders, David, Susan, and Doug, and to all the Kelowna gang who made the event possible - especially the food team and their CTCA Kelowna Cookies! Robin Fulford (CTCA Workshop Coordinator) 
Posted April 10, 2025 Waking up this morning to a winter storm I imagined we might have five or six people at class today. At noon, winds were gusting to 50km/hr and one of our beginner instructors said the roads where she lived were horrible and she wouldn't be in. Many of our members live out in the boonies, so I was surprised to see such a good turnout. I asked the class if we should practise what we worked on during the weekend, and the response was an enthusiastic yes! Our approach was to try and recreate in sequence what we practised on the two days. It didn't take very long before a lot of it started coming back, and with the class giving suggestions, we felt that we had successfully remembered most of the instructions given to us for: jam jongs, tiger's mouth, tor yu's, commencement up to single whip, softening the knees, turning to move, connecting the hands and feet to lift the spine then sink, and turning the forearm bones.  Spirits were high at the post workshop dinner with fifteen attending. Tai chi stories were shared - health recovery being the topic most widely discussed. There were also questions about how soon we could have another workshop. Someone asked if we had to wait until next spring. Hopefully not. Although participation (46) was less than last year's workshop (56) the Arnprior location had a higher percentage of the whole this time with 32 attending. Also in attendance were members from Sharbot Lake, Perth, Almonte, Carleton Place and Orleans. It feels like with this workshop our location has made a leap in the right direction. Many of our newer members have now felt the benefits that one can achieve through working intensely on one's tai chi. Momentum is high, people are excited. Our sincere thanks to Tom Daly and Valerie Way-Nee, and to the CTCA Instruction Committee for sponsoring the event. Bill Ogilvie 
Posted March 20, 2025 The weekend consisted of 4 separate events:
Tom Daly and Valerie Way-Nee were there for the duration - hosting and facilitating all the sessions. We had the pleasure of introducing a new instructor to the CTCA, but long time practitioner, Ron Rotteau. Ron and his partner Joan Warren, who is also an experienced instructor, moved from Toronto to Peterborough. We are thrilled to have them enlivening our tai chi practice. We gave the floor to Ron numerous times throughout the weekend. The exercises and the transfer of those exercises into the moves of the set was priceless. We had all levels of tai chi people in the room and yet all of us were trying to do, trying to mimic, trying not to get overwhelmed. All of us scrambling to try new approaches to movement was entertaining and enlightening. Ron's insights complimented Tom and Valerie's theme of working on simple exercises and foundations to understand connections in our bodies. In turn these feelings manifested in the moves of the set: Toryu's, crossing hands (arms) a little higher, first three moves, Parting of Wild Horse's Mane, Repulse Monkeys, Raise Hands to Step Up, Stork Cools Wings, and more. Thank you to all who came, to all the members that assisted with the weekend, and to the enthusiasm and openness participants exhibited to try new approaches to practicing our arts. Valerie Way-Nee 
Posted February 15, 2025 With a variety of experience in the room, instruction was given in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Warm-ups led into a set, in order that Brent and Gord could assess the groups' needs and prioritize their day's plan to address these. Toryus focused on turning the hips and squaring in order to allow a better sit and better spinal rotation whilst not letting the hips poke out to the side. This led into a series of brush knees that also emphasized the use of the balance step to set up the body position and control it for the next move. Progression into the connection of the arms to the body and spine followed, and moves included Repulse Monkey. After a tasty lunch of soup, sandwiches and apple betty dessert, donyus seemed a little bit harder! Gord's hope of 70 donyus per person may not have materialized. The workshop continued into Parting Wild Horses' Mane. The final set of the day was instructed to be much slower to enable the group to concentrate on positioning and applying what had been taught. This started well, but it appeared that the 'tigers' had other ideas to run off and find lunch left-overs, only to miraculously appear later in the set to have their ears boxed for running away prior to closing! The group ended the set together, to much laughter and feelings of a job well done by all (especially group leaders for holding it all together!). A big thank you to all the team at Innisfail and Brent and Gord for putting together a fun and informative day. PS: for the record, all 'tiger's have been accounted for and returned to a safe location! Jackie D. - Cochrane AB On February 8th, Innisfail / Red Deer hosted a well-received workshop in Innisfail led by Brent and Gordon from Cochrane. They gave us a better understanding of turning the spine with arms and hands following, transfer of weight and more. As well, advice was given to individual participants at all levels from newer members to seasoned instructors. Personally, I received help with the toryus in opening the hips, squaring and settling. We were left with feelings of increased energy, renewed commitment, and a sense of gratitude for tai chi and its leaders in our region. Myrna G. - Innisfail AB
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