Symposium-newsletter-3_page22_image1The 2014 International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium is a project of the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Foundation.  The Foundation became a federally recognized 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in 2012. Formed by Grandmaster Yang Jun, the Foundation’s mission is to promote health and longevity to mankind through Tai Chi Chuan.  This mission will be fulfilled in various ways.

One way is the promotion  of Tai Chi Chuan  through  hosting high-standard events, such as the International Tai Chi Chuan Symposium.  The goal is to raise awareness of Tai Chi Chuan in the general public as well as provide quality educational events for beginning and advanced practitioners.  The Symposium is one example of such an  event and  of how support  of the Foundation  increases awareness of not  only Yang style Tai Chi Chuan,  but  awareness of Tai Chi Chuan in general in the greater community.

Symposium-newsletter-3_page23_image2Another  area of the  Foundation’s mission  is the  awareness of traditional Tai Chi Chuan culture. This includes education in traditional customs,  rituals,  morals,  and  protocols  for  teachers  and  students that  have historically been part  of traditional  Chinese martial  arts. In modern society, some teachers and students are not aware of these special traditions.  The Foundation offers teachers knowledge of these cultural traditions so that teachers can pass them on to students if they choose.

Finally, the  Foundation  aims  to  create a standard  curriculum for students, one that includes a traditional direction of study yet fits with modern education.  This approach includes both a Chinese and a Western academic understanding of Tai Chi Chuan.  The Foundation seeks support for developing such a curriculum and inviting specialized experts to teach various topics.

Donations to the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Foundation contribute to an organization dedicated to high quality Tai Chi Chuan education, the promotion of Tai Chi Chuan in the world, and ultimately the support of an art that can positively affect the health, wellness and lives of people around the world.

yangfamilytaichifoundation.org