www.Longfei-Taiji.co.uk	Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain
		Longfei Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 2

Letter from the Chairman

New venue for Summer Camp: It was entirely coincidental that in the year of our 20th anniversary we would change the venue for our summer camp. But what a change it turned out to be! For several years there had been a deterioration of the service at the Walsall Campus of Wolverhampton University. The shoddy service embraced all areas: accommodation, administration, public relations, catering. However the one saving grace was the canteen staff who were friendly and considerate. Our contacts continually changed and we were served with price increases that did not appear to relate to any rational fiscal policy. After 13 years of attendance there has been no enquiry from the so-called management as to why we have terminated our association. Amen to their PR department.

On to pastures new. The change to Hertfordshire University proved to be so positive. The venue has only been in existence for a few years, so everything is quite fresh. The accommodation was all single rooms with en-suite facilities, the food was good and plentiful, the staff were considerate and helpful and the sports hall spacious and airy.

Of course the instruction was always of the highest quality and for this year was supplied by Professor Li Deyin, Master Wang Yanji and Simon Watson, all ably assisted by Tary Yip and Mrs Li. The attendance was excellent with 70 people sitting down to Saturday's dinner. Elsewhere in the newsletter I have published an email from Veronica Ashcroft with her comments on the summer camp.

The Tai Chi Union for Great Britain: Many of you are members of the organisation above and will have read David Hackett's report in the summer issue of their journal. David attended the camp with his teacher Michael and was kind enough to record his impressions. The journal normally only publishes reports on their own functions. However David is a member of the Union's Executive Committee and I record a few of his general comments below:

It promised to be an excellent Tai Chi event and my expectations did not go unrewarded. There was some top tuition by various masters in attendance. Professor Li Deyin, Wang Yanji, Tary Yip and finally Simon Watson who organised this wonderful event, along with his wife Karen and his father Richard Watson.

On arrival Friday afternoon I got a warm and friendly reception by the staff at University of Herts. Hatfield. The accommodation was first class as was the whole venue set up. Those who stayed at the venue overnight had their own room which was en suite, and each floor had its own kitchen area. The meals were of high quality with plenty of choice.

Extracts from a report by David Hackett

A very special event: An unpublicised event was to take place on Saturday evening before dinner. Professor Li was to announce his intention to nominate three Bai Shi Disciples, Wang Yanji, Tary Yip, and Simon Watson.

Bai Shi: The Bai Shi ceremony is the formal acceptance of a Master/Teacher, of a student or group of students and the invitation to join their teacher in the inner sanctum (a persons private room, study or den). This formal ceremony/ initiation is referred to as entering the door, or to become an indoor person (disciple). (In the west we could make a comparison with levels of friendship/ relationships when we keep someone standing in the porch, or invite them over the threshold to eventually arrive in the dining room with their feet under the table. This is not to trivialise the importance of Bai Shi for which there is greater mutual commitment involved than an informal or formal friendship). You may refer to the article in this issue on the Duan system of DYYSG (2) "Requirements of Charitable and Pious Deeds".

When we greet our teachers we have learned to salute and say hello: Lao Shi Hao. In this Mandarin expression and the term Shi Fu, Shi refers to teacher while Fu implies father figure; the one to look up to as a guide and mentor. In the same way Lao refers to old or the elderly, in most eastern societies the elderly are cherished for their knowledge and wisdom.

This is the context in which the ceremony takes place and the student is invited to become a Rushi di Zi, an outstanding and close disciple.

The Ceremony: In the background to the ceremony were photographs of the dignitaries of the Li family: Grandmaster Li Yulin (the founder), his son Master Li Tianji, and grandson Professor Li Deyin.

The ceremony consisted of a tea taking ritual, an exchange of gifts, the disciples receiving engraved swords and presenting Professor Li with the traditional red envelope. The conditions and meaning of Bai Shi are recorded and the incoming disciple bows three times before the master.

Professor Li spoke at some length recording his journeys to, and his friends in England. Many people told me how they were emotionally moved by his address. David Hackett reported that Professor Li gave a momentous speech to finalise the ceremony. I would like to record my congratulations to all three recipients, Wang Yanji, Tary Yip, and Simon. They are now brothers in the art.

In Dan Docherty's book Complete Tai Chi Chuan (ISBN 1-86126-033-4) you can find information on the subject of students and "Inside the Door Students".

Richard Watson

Assessments: On Sunday 11th October 2009 we held our second grading assessment. This took place in the Peace Memorial Hall, Codicote. The assessment panel consisted of: Simon Watson, (Chief Assessor), James Drewe, (Vice Chairman), Steve Price, Gill Hughes, David Arnold, Richard Watson, (Members of the, Committee of Assessment Panel). Assessments will take place annually. Watch this space for next years date.

Congratulations to 12 members took advantage of this years opportunity:

24 Step Taijiquan: Level One

Daren Prentice - Pass

Nicholas Clark - Pass with Credit

Irene Arbar - Pass with Credit

Matt Scott - Pass with Distinction

Claire Smith - Pass with Distinction

Derek Romany - Pass with Distinction

Michael Foote - Pass

32 Taiji Jian: Level One Taiji Fan: Level One

Patrick Dadson - Pass with Credit

Claire Smith - Pass with Distinction

24 Step Taijiquan: Level Three 42 Taijiquan Competition Routine

Ruth Shadwell - Pass with Credit

Irvin Morris - Pass with Distinction

Barbara Isaac - Pass with Credit

Daoyin Yangsheng Gong: In this issue I have included an insight to the Duan grading system of DYYSG. The notes are self explanatory. They come as they were written by the Chinese author. They are instructive both for those who wish to work with Professor Zhang and those of you who wish to be assessed by your Longfei assessment panel.

Richard Small luv's a Bunny! I hope you find Richard Small's contribution absorbing, I have mulled it over a number of times and find the insights enchanting and typical of Richard's philosophical nature. Abstract, anecdotal, metaphorical, amusing, yes, but carrying some simple and important insights for posture. I think I got the message Richard? See you down the pub? or should that be, "See you down the warren!"

Richard Watson

The honorable Watson: Richard Watson has been made Honorary President of the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain for his contribution and continued support. I would like to congratulate him personally and on behalf of our members. Well done!

Simon Watson

Longfei Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 2 Table of Contents