13th Tai Ji Rhénan - La Chaux-de-Fonds

In what is probably the last European gathering of the year approximately approximately 180 people from various European countries came to share their various skills at the 13th International Tai Ji Rhénan. Organised by Cornelia Gruber and her invaluable team of assistants, the event was staged in a number of locations in the ountain town of La Chaux-de-Fonds.

An opening meeting was staged at the intimate cellar venue of the Café du P’tit Paris where the local mayor offered his support and provided a short introduction to the history and social make of up their town. This was followed by a lecture of various aspects of the Tai Chi Canon, presented by Mr Dan Docherty. The talk was considerately translated simultaneously between the three prominent languages; French, English & German. The material presented proved challenging for many and the three discussion groups (one for each language) found much in the way of ambiguity, uncertainty and dubiety in the texts presented. The discussions were deemed to have stimulated many to consider these arts at a deeper level.

On Saturday morning, after the early-birds had completed their morning exercises everyone gathered at the "maison du peuple" where the instructors were introduced. They included: Karin Amberger (Austria), Marc Appelmans (Belgium), Wang Haijun (China), Thierry Alibert, Song Arun, Christian Bernapel & Michel Bossert (France), Dan Docherty, Robbie Gray & Ronnie Robinson (Scotland), Michael Konarkowski (Germany), Cate Willis, Cornelia Gruber-Bilgeri, Beat Haensli & Anne-Marie Kaeppeli, Didier Huguenin, Jean-Marc Geering (Switzerland). The programme offered something for everyone including 8 Brocade, Sound and Dayan Qigong systems, Principles like 10 Essentials, Rooting and Reeling Silk, a variety of approaches to Tui Shou including: Elastic Force, Tui Shou & Vigilance and Stepping Routines, Weapon Work including: Fan, Sword & Sabre Applications, and Bodywork exercises working on Body Mechanics, the Pelvis and the Bone and Tai Chi Chuan. Aside from quality instruction there are many factors which can contribute to the success or otherwise of a major internal arts event and great care had been taken to ensure that the meals were well presented with good, healthy vegetarian food, well presented by cheerful assistants to each table. The timing of workshops was well organised and the service at the bar, for coffees and suchlike was efficient and fast. The aesthetic appearance of the event was also well considered with natural plants, flowers and candles on each table.

On Saturday evening we were treated to outstanding displays by Dan Docherty: Sword & Sabre, Wang Haijun: Chen Hand, Sword & Sabre Form: Thierry Alibert: Tai Chi Knives and Cornelia"s School performing a very nice group sword form. In addition to these impressive displays of Chinese Internal Arts participants also enjoyed extracts from an interesting video on Japanese Sword making by Luigi Carniel who was also on hand to perform a stunning demonstration of Japanese Iaido. The social aspect of the event was also well enjoyed and the open tui shou sessions were well attended and relaxed, not least by the playing of various styles of European music in the background which helped to create an almost playful feeling between partners.

Tai Chi Rhenan was an enjoyable, educational, social event which brought people together in a spirit of open exchange between all. The hard work and good spirit of all who made it possible paid dividends to all who attended.