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Wulin Retreat recently held a five day intensive Tai Chi seminar. The International guests included our master from Taiwan, Mr Chen Yun Ching and his brother Mr Chen Yun Chao. These masters are the sons of Grandmaster Chen Pan Ling, who was one of the greatest masters of Chinese kung Fu of our time. We were very lucky and honored to have both of these great masters willing to share their father’s art with us.
Our items of study for the week long seminar included, the Chen Pan Ling Tai Chi form and for the more experienced students, the Chen Pan Ling Tai Chi Sword form. Other items of study for the week included the 5 elements of Xing Yi, the Chen Pan Ling Bagua form, and push hands. Our own Sifu James Sumarac was kept busy studying the single Sword Bagua form.
Course participants came from all over Australia. We had visitors from Sydney, Perth, Tasmania, and country Victoria. Some participants had never done Tai Chi, while others came from various Tai Chi schools wanting to cross train in another style of Tai chi. All of the students who had prior knowledge and experience in Tai Chi said, they were very impressed with the Chen Pan Ling Tai Chi form and wanted to continue studying this form of Tai Chi to compliment their previous studies.
Master Chen Yun Ching and Master Chen Yun Chao also performed several demonstrations during the seminar. Master Chen Yun Ching demonstrated the Monkey and Swallow forms of Xing Yi, and several weapon forms. His older brother Master Chen Yun Chao demonstrated a Shaolin form. They gave impressive displays of their father’s unique style of Kung Fu.
Finally on the last day of the seminar, Master Chen Yun Ching surprised us with some exciting news. Master Chen told us that when he gets back to Taiwan he is going to set up an official worldwide Chen Pan Ling Association. Master Chen also promoted Sifu James Sumarac as his Personal Advisor, and he will assist Master Chen with seminars in America, later this year.
On a more personal level, I found the seminar both exciting and at the same time demanding. A typical day of training consisted of warm ups, then Tai Chi form revision, Sword form study, Bagua, and push hands. I found the Sword form very challenging but at the same time very rewarding. I have studied several other Xing Yi and Bagua weapon forms, but the recent Sword form that I studied was the hardest and most difficult of all to learn. I now want to focus my energy into perfecting this form because I have so much respect and appreciation for the Tai Chi Sword form. Overall, the seminar was excellent.
Wu Lin Retreat is the perfect location for any kind of study. It has a quiet, peaceful and relaxing atmosphere thats good for the soul. The seminar was well organised and as always Sifu James and Shou Mei were perfect hosts, making everyone feel warm and welcomed. Master Chen Yun Ching and Master Chen Yun Chao were very relaxed and incredibly open with their teachings and knowledge. At every opportunity they had, they would offer advice and assistance, even during their lunch breaks. Master Chen said, he was honored that we all wanted to study his father’s Kung Fu, but the honor was truly ours.
All that is left now to do is practice, practice, practice.
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