2009 Supporters Festival Summary

8 September 2009

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and the Retreat Center students held a small but enjoyable Supporters Festival on August 22, 2009. The festival began with a tea ceremony, followed by a questions-and-answers session. Sponsors had the opportunity to get to better know the Retreat Center, the students, and Dr. Yang one-on-one.

Topics discussed included: the application process, how students were selected, and student feedback about the first year of training, including individual questions for each student. Students revealed their tentative plans on what they want to do after graduating and why they feel so compelled and passionate to continue the program now. Several of the students seek to teach seminars, classes, or possibly open a school of their own once they complete the 10-year program.

Photos from the event have been posted in the photo gallery.

After taking the Taiji Ball seminar during the last week of the seminar season, Mr. Charles Vita and Mr. Roger Blough, two of our core sponsors, extended their stay at the center to attend this event. Other core supporters, such as Mr. and Mrs. Bill Buckley, were also able to attend the festivities. Additional sponsors, such as Dr. Thomas Gutheil, Mr. Chen-Hung Chang, and Mrs. May Chang were unfortunately unable to participate, having already visited the center recently. Several invited special guests, such as Gene Ching from Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine and Lee Holden of the Santa Cruz Chi Center, were also unable to attend at this time. Nevertheless, Dr. Yang, the disciples, and the participants had an eventful, informative, and relaxing weekend.

To give an idea of the history and progress of the Retreat Center thus far, photograph compilations of the Retreat Center from 2005-2008, including the 2-week working/training camp sessions during the development phase, were presented. The sponsors also viewed the students' video projects from the first year of training. Students also treated the sponsors to a martial arts demonstration, including performances in the Taijiquan form, Taiji Saber, and Shaolin Kung Fu sequences such as Lian Bu Quan, Xiao Hu Yan, and the White Crane Qi Xing sequence. There were also miscellaneous performances in juggling and nunchuku. The demo was followed by lunch and a trip to Shelter Cove, 15 miles west of the coast.

The event was good fun and a good time. It allowed the sponsors a first-hand opportunity to get to know Dr. Yang and the students on a more personal level, and to gain a better understanding of the 10-year program.