We are proud to announce our 11th New England Area Chinese Swordsmanship seminar, taught by Sifu Scott M. Rodell. This learning intensive will take place on December 5th and 6th, 2009. Class begins at 9:00 AM and continues until 5:00 PM (including lunch break). We will be holding the event at the Brattleboro School of Budo in Brattleboro, Vermont. We thank Kyoshi Patrick Donahue for his continued support, as a welcoming host and true gentleman, by offering his dojo for our bi-annual seminars. For directions to the dojo, click on this link:
http://www.brattleboroschoolofbudo.com/Budo_Directions.htm Teacher Rodell instructs students on three continents and has authored several books on taijiquan swordsmanship. Three of these books are now available on Amazon.com. This is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=books+by+Scott+M.+Rodell&x=16&y=18Sifu Rodell founded the
Great River Taoist Center in 1984, to establish a solid foundation for a society dedicated to preserve the art of Yangjia Michuan taijiquan. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the
GRTC, whose sole purpose is designed to educate Western students in the undiluted teachings of this authentic, martial system. For information about this fine lineage, discussion forums and Sifu Rodell's seminar schedule, click on this link:
http://www.grtc.org/While most of the returning students at these seminars are long-time Yang Family taijiquan stylists... the door is wide open for students from any swordsmanship background, as Sifu welcomes sincere students from any lineage/tradition (Eastern or Western). We have participants from paths as diverse as: Chen & Wu family taijiquan, white crane gungfu, Olympic-style fencing, Renaissance rapier and longsword, Japanese kenjutsu-kendo-iaido and even Korean gumdo. Each in turn, has set aside their preconceived notions and accumulated knowledge from prior experiences (in previous schools of swordsmanship)... to embrace a new way and approach. All that is required is an honest desire to learn, a healthy respect for our time-honored methodologies and for the authority of our Teacher.
Given that many of the techniques reviewed and practiced over this weekend-long learning intensive, ultimately stem from the battlefields of Dynastic China, they are most practical and effective. Since our tradition is taijiquan, the core of this training is structured to cultivate, channel and utilize
INTERNAL ENERGY. As the central principles and primary methods comprising this curriculum are derived from an unbroken lineage of taijiquan swordsmanship, this is a unique opportunity to experience this genuine internal martial art. In honoring the transmission of this system, we unswervingly place an emphasis on historical authenticity. Both, an art & science... the fundamental methods being taught, encompass the entire spectrum of historical Chinese swordsmanship.
This upcoming seminar will focus on: the review and refinement of the basic cuts inherent in the Yang Family teachings, applications culled from the taijiquan sword forms, group movements, 2-person partners practice, proper footwork and stepping, cultivating movement from the center
(dantian), offensive and defensive strategies and free-play bouting with wooden jian swords (with protective equipment). This training is appropriate for the seasoned martial artist and beginner, alike.
Please feel free to email me at:
jonpalombi@comcast.net for contact information, suggested attire, affordable motel accommodations, equipment or weapons to bring along. The cost of this seminar is $175.00 for the 2 days or $90.00 for a single day. While being present for both days is optimum, students may attend a single day if they are unable to make the entire weekend's activities. After all, it is better to gain some knowledge, than none at all. Thus, if only attending for a single class, do try and make an effort to show up for the Saturday lessons. If this is not possible, attendance for the Sunday lessons is allowed, if need be. OK?
Please do register early, as Sifu needs to know approximately how many wooden jian swords to bring, etc... also, we are limiting participation to only 20 students, in total.
While this training is ideal for students of Chinese martial arts, especially taijiquan practitioners, the core principles and methodologies are quite universal. In a nutshell, both beginners and advanced students, from any tradition or background, may join us for this event. Everyone attending will be leaving this seminar with valuable knowledge, an understanding of practical-application drills and solo routines, to work on at home (in your own personal practice).
For a window into our specific history, as a regional
GRTC study-group, click on this link:
http://nebgrtc.blogspot.com/ For a purely pictorial journey through our Chinese Swordsmanship seminars, check this blog out:
http://cssphotos.blogspot.com/Thanks for taking the time to read this notice. We welcome any sincere students of swordsmansip to join us. Hope to see some of you folks in early December.
Be well and practice often, Jon Palombi 
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