Written by Sifu CJ Rhoads
This is a continuation of the series of articles about the three Tai Chi festivals that were inspired by the original Tai Chi Farm, an annual event hosted by Master Jou Tsung-Hwa at his farm in Warwick, NJ back more than 20 years ago.
I’ve already written about the first event the Tai Chi Gala, which is held the first weekend in June. This article is about Master Jou Tsung-Hwa Birthday Celebration and Tai Chi Festival at Tai Chi Memorial Park, which was held the second weekend in July.
As Bruce La Carrubba said in the email he sent out thanking everyone who was involved in the organization of this event:
“Once again, Master Jou’s Spirit was very much in evidence and palpably present every moment of each day, infusing each workshop with beautiful manifestations of friendship, learning, sharing, humor, and positive energy. His energy, and the Jou Family biological energy (daughter Liz, granddaughter Rebecca, and 15 month-old great-grandson Colton) also permeated the conversations and laughter between workshops.”
Bruce bought a property close to the Tai Chi Farm shortly after Master Jou’s untimely death. The new property bears the essence of the Farm with its parkland of fields, woods, and streams. Throughout you will see touches of Master Jou, including the workshop areas: Bagua Garden, Push Hands area, Willow Gate and the wonderful Dragon Hill that overlooks the stream. Bruce named it Tai Chi Memorial Park and spends his summer there.
I can personally attest to the palpably present spirit of Master Jou, along with the beautiful weather and family reunion feeling that infused the entire weekend. It was a treat to see Master Jou’s daughter, Liz Jou, who flew in from Phoenix, Arizona with her fiancé, Miao Tian. Master Jou’s granddaughter Rebecca and her husband Steve were also there. Both Rebecca and Steve are physicians. They are probably especially cognizant of the importance of integrative health arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong for improving health.
I wish I could give a blow-by-blow review of each and every workshop, because they were all terrific, but I’m not intending to write a book (at least not at the present time!). Workshop presenters were:
- David Briggs (Bucks County College, PA),
- David Chandler (Eagle Quest Tai Chi Center, CT),
- Dr. Jay Dunbar & Kathleen Cusick, (Magic Tortoise Taijiquan School, SC)
- Mark Gallagher, (Sparta Tai Chi, NJ)
- Ron Gee & Gar Wang, (Albert Wisner Library, NY)
- Richard Greene, a student of Master Jou
- George Hoffman, (Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong, CT)
- Prof. Luke Jih, (Community College of Philadelphia, PA)
- Bob & Jean Klein (Long Island School of Tai-chi),
- John Loupos (Jade Forest Kung Fu),
- James Martin, a student of Master Jou
- Bee Lee Pileggi (Hidden Gardens),
- Dr. John Painter, (The Gompa, TX)
- David Ritchie, (Central Connecticut Tai Chi Ch’uan, CT)
- Frances Robertson (State University of NY-Broome Community College. NY),
- Jennifer Steffener, (NJ Surf School, NJ)
- Dr. Jon Walker, (Qissage Body Systems, NJ)
- Stephen Watson, (Someday Farm at RMH, NJ)
- Dr. CJ Rhoads (myself, of course, Kutztown University).
For the past couple of years Bruce has done the obligatory Saturday afternoon demonstrations a little differently than previously. Instead of a single-course view of each demonstrator, he gets everyone out there doing his or her forms all at the same time. The advantage is that the demonstrators get a good chunk of time – probably more than 15 minutes – rather than the typical 2-minute peek. And this year, for the first time (I felt) I was ready. I brought my fan and sword, and was able to do a couple of open-hand forms before the gong sounded to end the session. Next year I will bring some speakers so that we can have music – but I was reminded of Master Ma Hailong who refused to allow music to be played during his demonstration at the first International Tai Chi Symposium at Vanderbilt University in 2009 – an especially poignant reminder that Tai Chi is not a dance).
I did get a chance, however, to sneak a peek at everyone else – and it was a beautiful sight. Jay Dunbar did an especially fine acting job as he sniffed around others doing what I can only think was Drunken Tai Chi form (yes, that really is a form) with his cane.
Master Jou’s Birthday cake was excellent, and the mutual feeling of friendship was even better. I’m so glad I could make it for the entire weekend this year (as last year I was only able to make it one day). And from what I heard, the pre-Festival workshops run by Bob & Jean Klein, and the ever-present Dr. John Painter were particularly spectacular.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the presentation of the Master Yoda award (complete with a Yoda bobblehead) presented by Dr. Jay Dunbar to Bruce La Carrubba.
Of course, if you have ever come to these Festivals, you know that often the most interesting part isn’t the official program of workshops. It’s often the story swapping that happens at lunch, and dinner, and after most of the participants have gone home or back to their hotel rooms. I’d start to tell you about them, but then I’d be writing a book again. Perhaps someday.
In the meantime, I hope to see you all at the Symposium for Integrative Health, Tai Chi, and Qigong on the beautiful Maris Stella conference center in Harvey Cedars in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, on September 6, 7, & 8, 2019.
A big Thank-you goes to Sarah Schwartz for all the excellent photos! Sarah is generously sharing her entire album with you. Enjoy it!
(Edited by Sifus William Phillips and Violet Li. Note: The Editorial Board of www.VioletLiTaiChi.com is not responsible for the content of the article.)
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About the Author: Dr. Christine “CJ” Rhoads has been studying Tai Chi for almost thirty years. She is the managing director of HPL501c3 Institute, an umbrella organization with over 30 programs and partners devoted to helping develop Health, Prosperity, and Leadership for everyone, everywhere. Many of those programs are in the Integrative Health world including Tai Chi.