International

International

CLEAR TAI CHI
GATHERING

Maryville, TN

(Tai Chi is
 BEST when
SHARED!!)

Get an Event T-shirt INCLUDED* with Admission!
(*T-shirt is included with registration before April 30th)

Whether you are a long-time student or brand new to Tai Chi,
there is something special waiting for you at the Clear Tai Chi Gathering.
Featuring live workshops with Presenters from all over the United States
(and abroad!), the Gathering is an immersive Tai Chi experience complete with
training sessions for all skill levels, off-the-floor festivities, breakout activities,
and plenty of Tai Chi games!

Join us at the 

Whether you are a long-time student or brand new to Tai Chi,
there is something special waiting for you at the Clear Tai Chi Gathering.
Featuring live workshops with Presenters from all over the United States
(and abroad!), the Gathering is an immersive Tai Chi experience complete with
training sessions for all skill levels, off-the-floor festivities, breakout activities,
and plenty of Tai Chi games!

Join us at the 

International Clear Tai Chi Gathering
June 6-8, 2025

Join the Fun!

Three Days of high quality Tai Chi instruction from Sigung Richard Clear and his top students from around the world!

Come together for a great weekend of fun & learning at Clear Tai Chi's National Headquarters in Maryville TN!

Once Registered- you can attend as many of the events as you want all weekend long!

Help share the Tai Chi Love
right now!

Share the Tai Chi Love!

Sigung Richard Clear has dedicated himself to sharing the indoor, rarely seen skills of Tai Chi Chuan with everyone!

Our organization is growing with skilled and licensed instructors all over the world.

The Clear Tai Chi International Gathering is a chance to see many of Certified Instructors in one place, learn directly from them, and meet other Clear Tai Chi students from around the world!

(You can help share the 
Tai Chi Love right now!)

Meals

Dinner and Lunch plans are being arranged now, and more information will be provided in the near future

Events

The International Gathering is a collection of Tai Chi mini-events, all in one immersive weekend.

This includes demonstrations, mini-workshops,  healing sessions, and push hands play, along with this year's Keynote presentation from Sigung Richard Clear, himself!

Join us for all the festivities, including our Friday Meet-and-Greet, Saturday Workshops, and Sunday Awards Ceremony.

FRIDAY:

Noon -  6pm : Certified Clear Tai Chi Member School Instructors Only Session with Sigung Clear 
 
* Requires Certified Member School status or invitation from Sigung Clear

6pm - 7:30pm : Participant Check-In, Meet & Greet, & Push Hands Practice 

7:30pm - 9pm : Opening Speech & Demonstrations

9pm - Bedtime: After-hours Push Hands Play

FRIDAY:

      Noon -  6:00pm – Certified Clear Tai Chi Member School Instructors Only Session with Sigung Clear 
               * Requires Certified Member School status or invitation from Sigung Clear

      6:30pm - 7:30pm – Participant Check-In, Meet & Greet, & Push Hands Practice 

      7:30pm - 9:00pm – Opening Speech & Demonstrations

      9:00pm - Bedtime – After-hours Push Hands Play

SATURDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

9:00am - 10:00am – TBD
10:00am - 11:00am – TBD
11:00am - 12:00am – TBD
12:00am - 1:00pm – TBD
      
1pm - 2:30pm – Lunch
      
2:30pm - 3:30pm – TBD
3:30pm - 4:30pm – TBD
4:30pm - 5:30pm – TBD
      
5:30pm - 6:30pm – Free Push Hands Play

6:30pm- 8:00pm : Dinner

8:00pm - 9pm : Awards, Presenter Demonstrations

9:00pm - Bedtime : After-hours Push Hands Play

SATURDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

      9:00am - 10:00am – Jim Kanter: Fire Your Chiropractor!
      10:00am - 11:00am – TBD
      11:00am - 12:00am – TBD
      12:00am - 1:00pm – TBD

      1pm - 2:30pm – Lunch
      
      2:30pm - 3:30pm – TBD
      3:30pm - 4:30pm – TBD
      4:30pm - 5:30pm – TBD
      5:30pm - 6:30pm – TBD

      6:30pm- 8:00pm – Dinner

      8:00pm - 9:00pm – Awards, Presenter Demonstrations

      9pm - Bedtime – After-hours Push Hands Play

SUNDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

9:00am - 10:00am – TBD
10:00am - 11:00am – TBD
11:00am - 12:00pm – TBD
11:00am - 12:00pm – TBD

1pm - 2:30pm – Lunch

2:30pm - 4:30pm – Keynote Address and Workshop with Sigung Richard Clear

4:30pm - 5:00pm:
Remembrance of Teachers and Fallen Heroes, Closing Remarks

5:00pm - 6:15pm : Clear Tai Chi Level 1 Instructor Testing (Requires Additional Testing Fee)

6:15pm - 7:30pm : Clear Internal Push Hands Level 1 Testing (Requires Additional Testing Fee)

SUNDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

      9:00am - 10:00am – TBD
      10:00am - 11:00am – TBD
      11:00am - 12:00pm – TBD
      11:00am - 12:00pm – TBD

      1pm - 2:30pm – Lunch

      2:30pm - 4:30pm – Keynote Address and Workshop with Sigung Richard Clear

      4:30pm - 5:00pm : Remembrance of Teachers and Fallen Heroes, Closing Remarks

      5:00pm - 6:15pm : Clear Tai Chi Level 1 Instructor Testing (Requires Additional Testing Fee)

      6:15pm - 7:30pm : Clear Internal Push Hands Level 1 Testing (Requires Additional Testing Fee)

MONDAY:

       Private Lessons + Other Certification Tests:

                  –Limited availability- must schedule in advance. 
                    Please send requests to MHolker@ClearTaiChi.com.

MONDAY:

Private Lessons + Other Certification Tests:

*Limited availability- must schedule in advance.
 
Please send requests to MHolker@ClearTaiChi.com.

Workshops

Incoporating Jins in Sticky Hands / Flow Drills

Class day / time: TBD

With such a high demand for the health benefits of the Tai Chi, many schools have lost the fighting spirit and the martial applications of Tai Chi ‘Chuan.’  INTERNAL POWER is the part of what makes Tai Chi Chuan work as a self-defense art. 

In this workshop, we will do a series of training drills designed to put Internal Power in action. We will cover 5 main flow drills and Tai Chi Sticky Hands games to help prepare students of Tai Chi Chuan for its unique fighting style.

Jim Kelly
(Boca Raton, Florida)

Incoporating Jins in Sticky Hands / Flow Drills

with Jim Kelly
(Boca Raton, Florida)

Class day / time: TBD

With such a high demand for the health benefits of the Tai Chi, many schools have lost the fighting spirit and the martial applications of Tai Chi ‘Chuan.’ INTERNAL POWER is the part of what makes Tai Chi Chuan work as a self-defense art.

In this workshop, we will do a series of training drills designed to put Internal Power in action. We will cover 5 main flow drills and Tai Chi Sticky Hands games to help prepare students of Tai Chi Chuan for its unique fighting style.

TBA

with Caroline Clear
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Saturday (TBA)


Light Force Applications of Tai Chi

Class day / time: TBD

The martial art of Tai Chi Chuan is famous for its Effortless Power. The popular quote from the Tai Chi Classics says that "Four Ounces Moves One Thousand Pounds."

In this workshop we will explore this concept with several drills (with safety in mind!) that will give participants a hands-on understanding of this "Light Force" principle in action. Any student of Tai Chi – from Beginner to Advanced – will gain understanding and skill at using minimum force for maximum power! 

Chris Walsh
(Hallowell, Maine)

TBA

with Dr. Chad Bailey, A.P.
(Miami, Florida)

Class day / time: TBD


Harry Legg
(Verona, New Jersey / NYC)

Yi (Mind) Skills in Push Hands

Class day / time: TBD

In Internal Martial Arts, "Yi" refers to the core of your mind that initiates
movement. It is not imagination. Yi is the actual mental impulse to act. Yi training improves awareness, sensitivity, and precision of action, among other things.In this Workshop we will cover some of the uses of Yi as it relates to your
Internal Push Hands practice. This was designed for everyone from beginner to advanced students.

Body SPARKS

Class day / time: TBD

Breath is our most urgent and constant physical need. Beyond our need for oxygen, on an emotional level, deep and full breathing is associated with many positive sensations like freedom, change, relaxation, and self-expression. Shallow or irregular breathing is known to cause unpleasant emotions, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, panic, and need to escape. In this workshop, we will use simple techniques to take control of our breath to create better outcomes for our lives.

Sheila Bell
(Guanacaste, Costa Rica)

(Las Catalinas,
Costa Rica)

Fire Your Chiropractor

Class day / time: Saturday, 9-10 AM

I fired my Chiropractor, and this quick morning routine is a big part of how I did it. This is my personal daily regimen to get warmed up, loose, and energized for the day. Once you learn the routine, it only takes 12-15 minutes to complete when practiced at "full speed." It is excellent for warming up and loosening the upper body, especially the back and shoulders, and it should be a great way to get started on Saturday morning!

Solo Training for Internal Power

Class day / time: TBD

Tai Chi Chuan is all about Internal Power and Internal Skill. In this workshop I will share training methods that can be done without partners, or with minimal need for partners. Solo training is ideal because you can do it in your own time, on your own schedule. Internal Power is tricky to train solo, but not impossible! These are some of my favorite solo training methods.

Daniel Hill
(Phoenix, Arizona, for now...)

Art Donn
(Greenbelt, Maryland / Washington DC)

Visualization in Tai Chi

Class day / time: TBD

This year, my focus will be on Visualization and Tai Chi. 

Visualization is known to benefit athletes and improve physical performance. It should be no surprise that visualization can improve Tai Chi performance as well. In this workshop I will share my favorite, proven methods of using the "Mind's Eye" to augment one's Tai Chi and related skills for Health and Self-defense.

Everyday Applications of Tai Chi

with Mark Michaud
(Lansing / Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Class day / time: TBD

The benefits of Tai Chi are starting to become known in the West. Reputable universities are conducting experiments that reveal some of the health benefits. This information is working its way into our society. 

However, there is a tendency to see Tai Chi as a practice, instead of a lifestyle. Too often, we leave our Tai Chi in the classroom, when we could easily be incorporating it into everyday life.

This class will demonstrate how to apply your Tai Chi to the physical and mental activities in your everyday life.

Body SPARKS

Sheila Bell
(Guanacaste, Costa Rica)

Saturday (TBA)

Breath is our most urgent and constant physical need. Beyond our need for oxygen, on an emotional level, deep and full breathing is associated with many positive sensations like freedom, change, relaxation, and self-expression. Shallow or irregular breathing is known to cause unpleasant emotions, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, panic, and need to escape. In this workshop, we will use simple techniques to take control of our breath to create better outcomes for our lives.

Visualization in Tai Chi

Art Donn
(Greenbelt, Maryland / Washington DC)

Sunday (TBA)

This year, my focus will be on Visualization and Tai Chi.
Visualization is known to benefit athletes and improve physical performance. It should be no surprise that visualization can improve Tai Chi performance as well. In this workshop I will share my favorite, proven methods of using the "Mind's Eye" to augment one's Tai Chi and related skills for Health and Self-defense.

Sweeping Motions in Tai Chi

Class day / time: Saturday 4:30pm - 5:30pm

This workshop will feature the use and applications of the "Sweeping" motions in Tai Chi Chuan.

In this session Sigung Clear will teach applications of Large Sweeping Movements for Countering Strikes, Escaping Holds & Grabs, and Performing Take Downs & Throws.

(Knoxville, TN)

Tai Chi Says, "YES!"

Class day / time: TBD

Saying "Yes" sounds simple, but in Tai Chi practice it can often be difficult and confusing. You might try to say yes to an opponent’s action and still find yourself getting moved, punched, or find yourself swimming endlessly through the opponent’s movements but without being able to act on the opponent effectively with power. In this session, we'll be going over some of the important ingredients a practitioner will want in order to be able to say yes to their opponents actions with greater ease and effectiveness.

Training with Intention

Class day / time: TBD

In Clear Tai Chi, we use a short Form (usually 8 or 13 moves) to help us train and fully internalize Tai Chi skills. Ultimately we hope to use these skills in helpful ways that benefit us in our day-to-day lives.

Because the Forms are short and easy to learn, they can also become "rote," and it can be easy to lose focus on your study and training. Over the years I have collected several simple ways to "mix things up" that help students fully engage with their daily Form practice. If your Form practice has started feeling stale (or you recognize that someday it might), this workshop will help keep it fresh and fruitful.

Matt Holker
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Phil Coyle
(Chappaqua, NY)

5 Element Theory in Tai Chi

Class day / time: Sunday 10:00am - 11:00am

5 Element Theory is a critical part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, yet it is often overlooked in Tai Chi training.

This workshop will give students a functional exposure to classical 5 Element Theory, as well as several practical ways to use the 5 Elements in and with the Art of Tai Chi.

Fighting Footwork of Tai Chi Chuan

Class day / time: Sunday 11:00am - 12:00pm

This workshop will cover specific applications of the "obvious" Tai Chi footwork, as well as unique drills for becoming an expert stepper!

Ty Talbert
(Los Angeles, California)

Fighting Footwork of Tai Chi Chuan

Ty Talbert
(Los Angeles, California)

Sunday (TBH)

This workshop will cover specific applications of the "obvious" Tai Chi footwork, as well as unique drills for becoming an expert stepper!

Structure for the Arms

(Knoxville, TN)

Class day / time: TBD

Clear Tai Chi begins with developing "Structure" through the whole body. This gives us integrity from body shape, rather than tension.

When applying Tai Chi skills, it is important to keep this same shape and integrity in the arms. This workshop will begin with the Hold the Bowl shape, and we will practice keeping this shape and integrity while moving through the many Tai Chi postures. 

5 Element Theory in Tai Chi

Phil Coyle
(Chappaqua, NY)

Class day / time: TBD

5 Element Theory is a critical part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, yet it is often overlooked in Tai Chi training.

This workshop will give students a functional exposure to classical 5 Element Theory, as well as several practical ways to use the 5 Elements in and with the Art of Tai Chi.

Training with Intention

with Matt Holker
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Class day / time: TBD

In Clear Tai Chi, we use a short Form (usually 8 or 13 moves) to help us train and fully internalize Tai Chi skills. Ultimately we hope to use these skills in helpful ways that benefit us in our day-to-day lives.

Because the Forms are short and easy to learn, they can also become "rote," and it can be easy to lose focus on your study and training. Over the years I have collected several simple ways to "mix things up" that help students fully engage with their daily Form practice. If your Form practice has started feeling stale (or you recognize that someday it might), this workshop will help keep it fresh and fruitful.

Yi (Mind) Skills in Push Hands

Harry Legg
(Verona, New Jersey / NYC)

Sunday (TBA)

In Internal Martial Arts, "Yi" refers to the core of your mind that initiates
movement. It is not imagination. Yi is the actual mental impulse to act. Yi training improves awareness, sensitivity, and precision of action, among other things.In this Workshop we will cover some of the uses of Yi as it relates to your
Internal Push Hands practice. This was designed for everyone from beginner to advanced students.

TBA


Avi Schneier
(Asheville, North Carolina)

Sunday (TBA)

Solo Training for Internal Power

Daniel Hill
(Phoenix, Arizona, for now...)

Dissolving Energy

Sunday (TBA)

Tai Chi Chuan is all about Internal Power and Internal Skill. In this workshop I will share training methods that can be done without partners, or with minimal need for partners. Solo training is ideal because you can do it in your own time, on your own schedule. Internal Power is tricky to train solo, but not impossible! These are some of my favorite solo training methods.

An Exploration of Chen Style Stance Work

Jared Blakesmith
(Berea, OH)

Sunday (TBA)

This Workshop will take a look at what Chen Style stances do and don't do, what are commonly misunderstood mechanics in these stances, and how they translate to internal skills.

Internal Body Skill

Class day / time: TBD

Professor Thabiti Sabahive will share Internal Body training from his extensive background in Jiujitsu.

That's right. Jiujitsu. And anyone curious about Combat Tai Chi will want to be there!

Internal Body Skill

Sunday (TBA)

Professor Thabiti Sabahive will share Internal Body training from his extensive background in Jiujitsu.
That's right. Jiujitsu. And anyone curious about Combat Tai Chi will want to be there!

Fire Your Chiropractor

(Las Catalinas,
Costa Rica)

Class day / time: TBD

I fired my Chiropractor, and this quick morning routine is a big part of how I did it. This is my personal daily regimen to get warmed up, loose, and energized for the day. Once you learn the routine, it only takes 12-15 minutes to complete when practiced at "full speed." It is excellent for warming up and loosening the upper body, especially the back and shoulders, and it should be a great way to get started on Saturday morning!
There is wisdom and value in this method, but there are also many benefits to be had from going Fast even as a beginner. In this workshop, we will explore ways that adding Speed can enhance Tai Chi training for beginner and intermediate students.

Keynote Address and Workshop with Sigung Richard Clear

Class day / time: Sunday 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Let's be honest... this is probably going to be the highlight of the event! Always helpful, always memorable, and always clear, the Keynote Address of the Gathering will feature Clear Tai Chi founder Sigung Richard Clear.

Surprise Guest Teacher

And a SURPRISE Guest Instructor!!

Class day / time: TBD

The topic of the Instructor for 2024 is still to be announced.

Keynote Address and Workshop with Sigung Richard Clear

Saturday Workshop (TBA)
Sunday Keynote (TBA)

Let's be honest... this is probably going to be the highlight of the event! Always helpful, always memorable, and always clear, the Keynote Address of the Gathering will feature Clear Tai Chi founder Sigung Richard Clear.

This year the topic will be the use and applications of the Sweeping motions in Tai Chi Chuan.

In this session Sigung Clear will teach applications of Large Sweeping Movements for Countering Strikes, Escaping Holds & Grabs, and Performing Take Downs & Throws.

Tickets: $365

Admission Includes T-Shirt*
(*T-shirt is included with registration before April 30th)

Lodging

Airport Hilton

Located just a few steps from MgGee Tyson Airport, and a short drive / Uber from the venue.

Quality Inn

One of the more affordable hotels located right beside MgGee Tyson Airport, and a short drive / Uber from the venue.

Holiday Inn Express

Mid-priced Hotel located right beside McGee Tyson Airport, and a short drive / Uber from the venue.
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