Come celebrate our 25th year of Jung Tao School!

Homecoming Weekend Movement Workshops
June 27 – June 30, 2024

We are excited to see you June 27-30 to celebrate Jung Tao School’s 25th year. This special homecoming event will include time to connect with old friends and classmates, lecture and discussion classes, fun learning activities, and highlights Yangshen movement classes with Grandmaster Su Zifang and her son, Master Zhao Yun.

The entire weekend kicks off on Thursday evening with the beginning of our 25th Celebration Speaker Series with Master Zhao Yun discussing Yangshen practices from the perspective of Chinese Internal Martial Arts. This lecture will also be livestreamed. The weekend will close with a meal together in beautiful Valle Crucis Park Sunday afternoon.

Each day will begin with Coffee Talk on Chinese medicine topics. These morning classes will be an opportunity to connect with the vivid and long history of JTS’s legacy in our region and to build community over morning coffee or tea.

After the Coffee Talk, there will be a 2-hour Yangshen Movement class. Grandmaster Su Zifang and Master Zhao Yun will teach Tai Chi principles and the Qi Gong classical set of Ba Duan Jin (The Eight Brocades). Grandmaster Su will also offer a special short class on Tai Chi Fan on Sunday. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, you can continue with the Movement classes or sample other activities. We are also excited to have a lunchtime presentation by Dr. Dongchen Li on Saturday sharing opportunities to join an Overseas Educational Tour to China in the Fall of 2024 or the Spring of 2025!

As you can see, we have lots of amazing activities with more to come! View our registration page for more detailed information about classes offered. The schedule is continuing to evolve and we will send more emails highlighting classes and workshops as they are added. We are working to arrange low-cost meals on campus for lunches. Morning coffee, tea and snacks will be provided. Your registration includes the Sunday send-off picnic at Valle Crucis Park.

You can choose to come for 1-day only or join us for the entire weekend! Up to 15 CE’s will be available for the Yangshen classes, and up to 9 CE’s for lectures and classes.

Seminars with Grandmaster Su Zifang & Master Zhao Yun

Grandmaster Su Zifang and Master Zhao Yun, her successor and son, will share their wisdom and skills with us during our 25th Celebration Homecoming with movement workshops and a lecture. Everyone is welcome to participate!

Everyone is Welcome
Learn and experience the principles, energy, and movement of traditional qigong and Taijiquan from a grandmaster from China and her successor.

YANGSHEN MOVEMENT & LECTURE SCHEDULE:

View schedule table (PDF)

Thursday Activities

6:00-9:00pm Yangshen Lecture with Zhao Yun

Principles of Yangshen Practice from Classical Chinese Internal Martial Arts

Yangshen, or self-cultivation, spans many practices and traditions of East Asian culture. In this lecture, Zhao Yun will draw from his life-long training in Chinese Internal Martial Arts to explore concepts of Tai Ji and Qi Gong such as Yin Yang, Song Yao, Chan Si, Yuan Dang and Shi San Shi (the 13 principles) from classical sources and their manifestations in our modern day. Examples of movement during the lecture will allow students the opportunity to engage with energetic alignment and mind body connection in real time to inform their understanding of traditional Chinese health cultivation practices. The lecture will also be live-streamed as part of our 25th Celebration Speaker Series. (3 CEUs pending)

Friday Activities

9:00-10:00 Coffee Talk, topic TBA

10:30-12:30 Tai Chi Part I

Tai Chi Principles taught by Grandmaster Su Zifang and Master Zhao Yun

All Jung Tao students learn and practice Yang style Tai Chi Quan during their years on campus. This workshop will build on your movement vocabulary (it’s ok if you don’t remember the form!) to explore principles of alignment, coiling, centering and extending of qi and power. This workshop will focus on root and branch to bridge the gap between Yang style Taijiquan form and application. (2 or 5 CEUs pending depending on participation)

12:30-2:00 LUNCH BREAK (affordable options for lunch purchase will be available on campus)

2:00-5:00 Tai Chi Part II (requires attendance of Part I)
2:00-5:00 Plant Talk and Walk

Weed Walk Through the Wu Xing taught by Erin McKelvy

JTS alumna and Faculty Member Erin will share her knowledge of local plant medicine with a talk about the medicinal properties of Appalachian herb lore and practice, followed by a walk around campus identifying and communing with medicines growing nearby. (3 CEUs pending)

Saturday Activities

9:00-10:00 Coffee Talk with JTS alum and faculty member Stacy Hewitt

Jing Shen & the Mysteries of the Heart

Stacy will share his exploration of theories of the Shen as presented in Nguyen Van Nghi lectures (1 CEU pending)

10:30-12:30 Qi Gong Part I

Ba Duan Jin (The Eight Brocades) taught by Grandmaster Su Zifang and Master Zhao Yun

Ba Duan Jin, or The Eight Brocades, is an ancient practice from the Song Dynasty (more than 1,000 years ago) which harmonizes the sinews, channels and the breath to bring harmony and balance to the whole body. It has only 8 movements, but each one holds a word of wisdom within. This workshop will explore the principles and concepts underlying each movement. Students will also learn traditional warm-ups, or Ji Ben Gong, to build a strong foundation in health and movement practices. (2 or 5 CEUs pending depending on participation)

12:20-2:00 LUNCH BREAK with presentation by Dr. Dongchen Li on an opportunity to join an Overseas Educational Tour to China in the Fall of 2024 or the Spring of 2025 (affordable options for lunch purchase will be available on campus)

2:00-5:00 Qi Gong Part II (requires attendance of Part I)
2:00-5:00 Free Acupuncture and Tui Na treatments by JTS Interns

Sunday Activities

9:00-10:00 Coffee Talk with JTS alum Katie Clifton

Wellness on Wheels, A Story of bringing Acupuncture to Communities in Need

JTS alum Katie Clifton will discuss the evolution of The Wellness Wagon, a 36-foot-long school bus that has been converted into a mobile acupuncture clinic. Topics will include: moving from from a for-profit private practice clinic to a non-profit mobile clinic; conversion of a school bus to a beautiful, functioning mobile clinic; partnering with other community services to make acupuncture more accessible.

10:30-12:30 Tai Chi Fan with Grandmaster Su Zifang

Introduction to Tai Chi Fan

Master Su will share some movements from this beautiful and energizing fan form. No experience required to come explore and enjoy! Fans will be provided to all participants.

1:00-2:30 Herb Making Party
1:00-2:30 SNACKS provided in Lunch Room

Theory and Application of Trauma Liniment in Chinese Medicine

JTS Academic Dean Jen Resnick will provide instruction on the action and use of externally applied herbs for acute trauma and supervise an herb-making party where you can create your own Die Da Jiao (Trauma Liniment) to take home. (1.5 CEUs pending)

3:00-dusk Picnic in the park

Celebration Picnic and send off gathering at Valle Crucis Park

Enjoy time together sharing a meal, stories, and music in beautiful Valle Crucis Park. Food is included in your registration and will include vegan and gluten free options. Bring your appetites and instruments for a fun celebration of our community.

ABOUT GRANDMASTER SU ZIFANG
Grandmaster Su trained full-time since a child with China’s great martial artists in Taijiquan, Baguazhang, and Xingyiquan. She was named one of China’s 100 Outstanding Wushu Practitioners by the Chinese National Wushu Association, a national and international champion in the 1970s to 1990s, and a coach of champions in China and abroad. She established Yi Shui Training Centre, whose mission is to promote the fitness benefits and cultural implications of martial arts. She has a reputation for being an inspiring teacher for students of all ages and abilities. She teaches with a passion for the martial arts and shares her skill and knowledge with kindness and humility to anyone with a desire to learn.

ABOUT MASTER ZHAO YUN
Master Zhao Yun is carrying on the legacy of Grandmaster Su Zifang as her successor. He also studied with other Chinese grandmasters in other styles, bringing comprehensive knowledge, skill, and approach to Yi Shui Training Centre as its co-founder with Grandmaster Su and now head instructor. His deep understanding of martial arts principles and ability to teach complex concepts in an engaging and accessible manner make him a popular instructor who helps students achieve greater physical, mental, and emotional balance.