Location: Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center
Date: July 22-25, 2021
The North American Practical Method Training Camp is back on! Most people have not physically practiced Taiji with another person for over a year due to the pandemic. In organizing this we had to make some adaptations and innovate as a means of overcoming our current challenges that is presented to us by this global crisis. Master Chen Zhonghua will not be physically present; however, he will teach a daily lesson by way of Zoom. All adult participants will be required to have been vaccinated.
The taijiquan training, lodging and dining will be at one location with one cost at the same location as last year. Master Chen will provide a daily online Zoom class as previously mentions, his disciples will be providing all other instructions. This will be an intensive workshop focused on foundations, drills, form, push hands and applications. Other areas of instruction may include Chen Style Jian and Broadsword.
There are 32 accommodations on-site and 2 single occupancy cottages. However, there is a possibility we will limit the number of participants, which will depend on the current situation.
Price:
1 day with lodging $180
2 days with lodging $360
3 day with lodging $500
9am check in and check out is following your last day breakfast.
For more information please contact:
Levi Sowers lpsowers@gmail.com (515) 321-3747
John L. Upshaw johnnyupshaw@yahoo.com (319) 404-3962
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I recently posted the schedule…it had mistakes, my apologies. It will be reposted tomorrow.
Thanks
John Upshaw,
2021 North American Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method Training Camp Schedule
The camp training schedule was designed to reflect previous workshops that were held in Iowa before the camp was established. During those times disciples slept in sleeping bags and such in Levi’s basement…the last time the entire floor space was occupied. In the early mornings some awaken to do yilus out on the street, while others slept in, recovering from the previous day. We would consume mass quantities of coffee before heading to the workshop location. After the 1st session of the day’s workshop we would all head to a restaurant for lunch then meet back at the workshop location for the 2nd half of the day’s lesson under Master Chen. Following that we, Master Chen and a couple of car loads of his disciples, would head to Levi’s house. We cooked and ate supper, shared in clean up and worked together as a family would. Serious and not so serious discussions occurred…laughter occurred with great frequency. Master Chen would drift in and out of these interactions sharing his stories, wisdom and humor. Impromptu training sessions occurred in evenings, some lead by Master Chen and some not. Our intentions are to create an environment for optimal learning, fellowship amongst hardcore Taiji practitioners and memorable experiences.
Due to COVID, Master Chen is not able to attend in person, however, we have set up Zoom sessions with him, which students have found most beneficial during this pandemic. It also allows for disciples to “step up to the plate” and continue passing down this martial art that has been passed down to us by Master Chen Zhonghua.
Please note schedule may change depending on participants’ needs or other circumstances.
Thursday July 22nd
AM
08:00 Organizers set up conference room (All are welcomed to assist)
09:00 Check into rooms
10:00 Foundations and Yilu
Noon Lunch
PM
01:00 – 02:15 Broadsword or other breakout session
03:00 – 04:30 Zoom lesson with Master Chen
05:00 dinner
08:00 – 09:30 Push hands instructions (Master Chen Zoom)
Friday July 23rd
AM
06:00 Foundations
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 10:00 Lesson led by Disciples
10:00 – 11:30 Zoom lesson with Master Chen
Noon Lunch
PM
01:00 – 02:15 Broadsword or other breakout session
03:00 – 04:30 Lesson led by Disciples
05:00 Dinner
08:00 – 09:30 Push hands instructions (Master Chen zoom)
Saturday July 24th
AM
06:00 Foundations
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 – 10:00 Lesson led by Disciples
10:00 – 11:30 Zoom Lesson with Master Chen
Noon Lunch
PM
01:30 – 02:30 Broadsword
03:00 – 04:30 Lesson led by Disciples
05:00 Dinner
08:00 – 09:30 Push hands instructions (Master Chen zoom)
Sunday July 25th
AM
06:00 Foundations and reflection on lessons learned from camp
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Room clean up, confrence room pack up and check out
Time is listed in Central Time.
Modifications and impromptu lessons will occur. If you have a specific practical method training need, please let us know as this training camp is attended by a high number of disciples that have been with Shifu Chen for many years. Our numbers are small this year due to COVID…our intentions is to carry on the traditions of the North American Practical Method Training Camp and pass down the teachings Master Chan Zhonghua.
Thank you
John Upshaw & Levi Sowers
Prariewood Retreat Center have rooms available the day before if you are arriving early. It is much less expensive than a hotel. For those arriving early and wish to do so, let me know. Also, I think they serve meals, so those that are getting early check in, and want to eat there, let me know so I can inform them.
Thanks
John Upshaw
I’m very happy I attended the retreat this year. Prairiewoods delivered the same exceptional experience for us they always do and Master Chen’s lessons were aided greatly by the technology they had invested in during the past year.
It was wonderful to get to see those who could attend and an unexpected surprise to get to chat with those who dropped in on the Zoom classes.
Lou deserves a public thank you for cutting an armload of wooden swords of each type for us to practice with!
Everyone stay safe from the 2020 chaos that is continuing through this year, and I hope to see us at capacity for PrairieWoods again in 2022.
As always thanks so much to John and Levi for organizing and cat herding, and a personal thank you to Aaron and Chris for being willing to pick me up at the airport after I procrastinated on deciding to come to the workshop.
ALSO! THANK YOU KELVIN for running technology in the background and your awesome work as a director and producer!
You are welcome.
I came away from this year’s retreat with renewed focus and clarity. Glad to feel the camaraderie and training spirit again. Thanks to everyone – Levi, John, Kelvin, and all the attendees for making this happen.