International

International

CLEAR TAI CHI
FAMILY GATHERING

Knoxville, TN

(Tai Chi is
 BEST when
SHARED!!)

(Tai Chi is BEST when SHARED!!)

Get a Banquet ticket and 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 Family 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 Family 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 Family Gathering
June 2-4, 2023

Hilton at the Knoxville Airport - 2001 Alcoa Hwy

Hilton at the Knoxville Airport - 2001 Alcoa Hwy

Join the Fun!

You'll get 3 Days of high quality Tai Chi instruction from Sigung Richard Clear and his top students!

Come together for a great week-end 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!

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 Family 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!

Meals

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

Events

The International Family 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 Banquet, 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
 
** This session will be at the school, not the Hilton. Go to 113 E Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN

6pm - 7:30pm : Participant Check-In, Meet & Greet, & Push Hands Practice 
 
**This session begins the events at the Hilton at the Knoxville Airport - 2001 Alcoa Hwy

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

9pm - Bedtime: After-hours Push Hands Play

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
               ** This session will be at the school, not the Hilton. Go to 113 E Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN

      6pm - 7:30pm : Participant Check-In, Meet & Greet, & Push Hands Practice 
               **This session begins the events at the Hilton at the Knoxville Airport - 2001 Alcoa Hwy

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

      9pm - Bedtime: After-hours Push Hands Play

SATURDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

9am - 1pm :
Workshops To Be Announced

1pm - 2:30pm : Lunch

2:30pm - 6:30pm :
Workshops To Be Announced

6:30pm- 8:00pm : Dinner Banquet + Annual Panel Discussion  -  Get Extra Meal Tickets Here

Panel Discussion Topic: (TBA)

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

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

SATURDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

      9am - 11am: Being in the Moment - Jim Kelly
     
      11am - 1pm: Relaxing, Melting and Mindful Listening w/ Clear Internal Push Hands
                             - Jared Voelker

      1pm - 2:30pm: Lunch
      
      2:30pm - 3:30pm: TBD - Special Guest
                                   Level 1 Tai Chi and Beyond (Tune-Ups) - Matt Holker

      3:30pm - 4:30pm: Ti Feng: An Aspect of Root - Harry Legg

      4:30 - 5:30: Internal Body Skill - TBA - Special Guest

      5:30 - 6:30: Full Body Integrity and Power - Sigung Richard Clear

      6:30pm- 8:00pm : Dinner Banquet + Annual Panel Discussion  -  Get Extra Meal Tickets Here
      Panel Discussion Topic: Coherence of Consciousness for mind, body and spirit health and wellness. 

           A roundtable discussion focusing on how to Share the Tai Chi Wealth. Featuring Sifu Clear
           and several Clear Tai Chi Instructors. 

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

      9pm - Bedtime : After-hours Push Hands Play

SUNDAY:

      Workshop Sessions

9am - 1pm :
Workshops To Be Announced
1pm - 2:30pm : Lunch

2:30pm - 3:30pm :
Workshops To Be Announced

3:30pm - 4:30pm : Keynote Workshop and Closing Remarks (by 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

      9am - 10am: Four Levels of Chi in the Human Body - Sheila Bell

      10am - 11am: Movement for Tai Chi Fighting Apps - Mark Michaud

      11am - Noon: Sticky Legs - Dr. Chad Bailey A.P.

      Noon - 1pm: TBD - Special Guest OR
                            Level 1 Tai Chi and Beyond (Tune-Ups) - Matt Holker

      1pm - 2:30pm : Lunch

      2:30pm - 3:30pm : Spherically Centered & Keys to Solving the Double Weighted Error
                                            - Sigung Richard Clear

      3:30pm - 4:30pm : Maintaining Excellent Structure while in Motion (Keynote Workshop)
                                            - 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

In Tai Chi -Pushing Hands is NOT The Goal (So What Is It?)

The goal in push hands is to move the opponent and not be moved yourself, right?

Wrong. 

The goal of push hands is internal development for combat and healing. 

The only way to reach the "real goal" is to prioritize and commit to listening while you play. Push hands is a means to an end, not the end itself. So how can you start making your push hands work for you instead of the other way around? 

This seminar will take you through how to approach the game of push hands so you can get the most out of it! Through this seminar you will:

  • ​Develop effortless power through increased awareness
  • ​Begin to see fast things in slow motion (frame rate of perception)
  • ​Build a calm, steady, powerful mind
  • ​Identify and release mental tension and fear
  • ​Heal aching muscles & joints
  • ​Enjoy the process!

Steve Robertson
(Knoxville, Tennessee)

Tai Chi as a Supplement in the Treatment of Mental Illness

Saturday 11am - 1pm

When experiencing mental health trauma, there is no limit to the damage an episode can have on the mind, but, thankfully, with proper Tai Chi training, there is no limit to how strong the mind can become.

In this workshop, I will discuss with you how Tai Chi saved my life from the crippling effects of long term mental illness then I will take you step by step through the qigong and mind training exercises I used to restore my mind to its high functioning state.

Tai Chi for Mental Illness

with Steve Robertson
(Knoxville, Tennessee)

Saturday (TBA)

When experiencing mental health trauma, there is no limit to the damage an episode can have on the mind, but, thankfully, with proper Tai Chi training, there is no limit to how strong the mind can become.

In this workshop, I will discuss with you how Tai Chi saved my life from the crippling effects of long term mental illness then I will take you step by step through the qigong and mind training exercises I used to restore my mind to its high functioning state.

Freeing the Breath & Unlocking the Torso

Saturday (9am - 10am)

In this class, I'll show you how to wildly increase your lung capacity, and quality of breath.

This workshop will take you through various methods to unlock your diaphragm, free up your ribcage, regain motion in your shoulder blades/upper back, and fix sneaky issues with your windpipe being chronically restricted.

Your voice might drop an octave.

Logan Shaw
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Freeing the Breath & Unlocking the Torso

with Logan Shaw
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Saturday (9am - 10am)

In this class, I'll show you how to wildly increase your lung capacity, and quality of breath.

This workshop will take you through various methods to unlock your diaphragm, free up your ribcage, regain motion in your shoulder blades/upper back, and fix sneaky issues with your windpipe being chronically restricted.

Your voice might drop an octave.

Being in the Moment

Saturday 9am - 11am

This year, my workshop will be going further into the concept of "Being in the Moment." I will give a number of examples martially using the 8 and 13 forms to work the skill.

Jim Kelly
(Boca Raton, Florida)

Being in the Moment

with Jim Kelly
(Boca Raton, Florida)

Saturday (TBA)

This year, my workshop will be going further into the concept of "Being in the Moment." I will give a number of examples martially using the 8 and 13 forms to work the skill.

Caroline Clear
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Yi Skill - Inside and Out

Saturday (11am - Noon)

Mind training in Tai Chi Chuan begins by developing keen perception. This includes sensing things in your own body, inside another person's body, and even in the space around you. 

In this session, Carly will teach how to use your everyday Tai Chi Form to build each of these skills using a simple change in your "focus point." Participants will learn powerful Form Meditations, along with one simple but surprising tactic that makes a big difference. When all the pieces are put together, students can supercharge Yi and Ting as a regular part of their daily practice.

TBA

with Caroline Clear
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Saturday (TBA)


Matt Holker
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Level 1 Tai Chi, and Beyond

Saturday 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Matt has administered numerous Clear Tai Chi Level 1 tests. This workshop will include Matt's tips for Level 1 students and graduates alike. Join us and go BEAST MODE on the Basics!

TBA

with Matt Holker
(Maryville, Tennessee)

Saturday (TBA)


Sticky Legs

Saturday 11am - Noon

The practice of "Sticky Hands" is fairly well known in the martial arts, and playing Sticky Hands games can develop a high level of hand-skill.

Tai Chi Chuan is famous for its deceptive footwork and the use of the legs for trapping and tripping. Good "leg-skill" is a critical part of Tai Chi Chuan, yet training methods are rarely seen. In the Sticky Legs workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of the game, get "legs-on" practice, and leave with a new fun way to train!

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


TBA

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

Saturday (TBA)


Mark Michaud
(Lansing / Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Movement for Tai Chi Fighting Applications

Sunday 10am - 11am

In Tai Chi Chuan, students often struggle to make the leap from theory to practice, and again from practice to effective use. Many practitioners will focus most of their attention on techniques and neglect their footwork.

Tai Chi is not chess. It is more akin to the Japanese game of “Go”; it’s about controlling space. If you control the space, you control the conflict. Getting the feel for the principle of proper movement will give new life to your Form, and new purpose to your training.

NOTE: If you do Tai Chi exclusively for health and longevity, this training will change the way you practice your Form, and it might be the most valuable workshop you attend at the entire event!

Movement for Tai Chi Fighting Applications

Mark Michaud
(Lansing / Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Saturday (TBA)

In Tai Chi Chuan, students often struggle to make the leap from theory to practice, and again from practice to effective use. Many practitioners will focus most of their attention on techniques and neglect their footwork.

Tai Chi is not chess. It is more akin to the Japanese game of “Go”; it’s about controlling space. If you control the space, you control the conflict. Getting the feel for the principle of proper movement will give new life to your Form, and new purpose to your training.

NOTE: If you do Tai Chi exclusively for health and longevity, this training will change the way you practice your Form, and it might be the most valuable workshop you attend at the entire event!

Four Levels of Chi in the Human Body

Saturday 9am - 10am

For my workshop this year, I will be talking about the four levels of chi in the body with an exercise and example for each. In this way we will be able to feel and affect different aspect of Chi in our body to learn what it does and how to be more sensitive to each and all of them in particular.

Sheila Bell
(Guanacaste, Costa Rica)

Four Levels of Chi in the Human Body

Sheila Bell
(Guanacaste, Costa Rica)

Saturday (TBA)

For my workshop this year, I will be talking about the four levels of chi in the body with an exercise and example for each. In this way we will be able to feel and affect different aspect of Chi in our body to learn what it does and how to be more sensitive to each and all of them in particular.

Art Donn
(Greenbelt, Maryland / Washington DC)

Yi - Mind Intent and the "Mind's Eye"

Sunday 10:00am - 11:00am

For my workshop this year, I will be talking about the "Mind's eye," as it relates to Yi - intellectual mind intent. Since many people have a common understanding of this, it will be a good way to lead more into using the mind in Tai Chi Chuan.

Yi - Mind Intent and the "Mind's Eye"

Art Donn
(Greenbelt, Maryland / Washington DC)

Sunday (TBA)

For my workshop this year, I will be talking about the "Mind's eye," as it relates to Yi - intellectual mind intent. Since many people have a common understanding of this, it will be a good way to lead more into using the mind in Tai Chi Chuan.

Dance Your Way to Great Tai Chi

Sunday (TBA)

My workshop will be on how to "Learn Tai Chi Faster."
Both by using the world of Dance and also through techniques taught to me at the military 'Escape and Evasion' course.

Ty Talbert
(Los Angeles, California)

Dance Your Way to Great Tai Chi

Ty Talbert
(Los Angeles, California)

Sunday (TBH)

My workshop will be on how to "Learn Tai Chi Faster."
Both by using the world of Dance and also through techniques taught to me at the military 'Escape and Evasion' course.

Harry Legg
(Verona, New Jersey / NYC)

Ti Feng: An Aspect of Root

Saturday 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Root is the first of the 36 Primary Jins taught in Clear Tai Chi. This is because root skill will overcome approximately 85% of all other Jins and bring about significant health benefits. Root, by itself, comprises its own body of study and in this workshop you will learn a very useful aspect of root - Ti Feng.

Ti = To Lift
Feng = Release

We will be learning how to get on and under the root of your opponent as well as how to counter their Ti Feng used against you. This will greatly enhance your Internal Push Hands abilities as well as many related Martial Applications.

Relaxing, Melting and Mindful Listening w/ Clear Internal Push Hands

Saturday 11am - 1pm

Most Tai Chi students are interested in deep relaxation. They are drawn to the slow-motion choreography as a calming practice to release stress. For many such students, Clear Tai Chi's focus on Internal Push Hands can seem foreign and confusing. 

With this in mind, we will be going over a method for teaching Clear Internal Push Hands that focuses on the same deep, relaxed state most Tai Chi students are looking for. By emphasizing these specific aspects of Internal Push Hands early on, this powerful training method can benefit and appeal to every student of Tai Chi.

(Knoxville, TN)

Dissolving Energy

Sunday (TBA)

The general topic for this years Workshop will be on Dissolving Jin. We will experimenting with the different ways this Jin can be applied both for healing ourselves and others and also for self defense. We'll be exploring the 'Now' state and how it helps us achieve this state and we will also be using it in a Push hands setting. This will be a fun hour of exploration!

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

Ti Feng: An Aspect of Root

Harry Legg
(Verona, New Jersey / NYC)

Sunday (TBA)

Root is the first of the 36 Primary Jins taught in Clear Tai Chi. This is because root skill will overcome approximately 85% of all other Jins and bring about significant health benefits. Root, by itself, compromises its own body of study and in this workshop you will learn a very useful aspect of root - Ti Feng.

Ti = To Lift
Feng = Release

We will be learning how to get on and under the root of your opponent as well as how to counter their Ti Feng used against you. This will greatly enhance your Internal Push Hands abilities as well as many related Martial Applications.

To Be Announced


Avi Schneier
(Asheville, North Carolina)

TBA


Avi Schneier
(Asheville, North Carolina)

Sunday (TBA)

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

Dissolving Energy

Sunday (TBA)

The general topic for this years Workshop will be on Dissolving Jin. We will experimenting with the different ways this Jin can be applied both for healing ourselves and others and also for self defense. We'll be exploring the 'Now' state and how it helps us achieve this state and we will also be using it in a Push hands setting. This will be a fun hour of exploration!

Competitive Push Hands

(Time slot – TBD)

Since many Clear Tai Chi students are interested in competing, Avi would like to help them use the Clear Internal Push Hands skills in open competition. The workshop will explore the three most used rule sets: Fixed, Limited Step, and Moving Step. The goal is to give Internal Push Hands players an understanding of what competition will be like, and how to adapt the training for the rules of national and international tournaments.

Avi Schneier
(Asheville, North Carolina)

An Exploration of Chen Style Stance Work

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.

Jared Blakesmith
(Berea, OH)

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

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!

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!

And a SURPRISE Guest Instructor!!

Sunday (TBA)

The topic of the Instructor for 2023 is still to be announced.

Surprise Guest Teacher

Keynote Address and Workshop with Sigung Richard Clear

Saturday 5:30 - 6:30: Full Body Integrity and Power
Sunday 2:30pm - 3:30pm: Spherically Centered & Keys to Solving the Double Weighted Error
Sunday 3:30pm - 4:30pm : Maintaining Excellent Structure while in Motion (Keynote Workshop)

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. The theme of the Keynote for 2023 is Maintaining Excellent Structure while in Motion.

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. The theme of the Keynote for 2023 is still to be announced.

Unbending Jin

Learn unbending Jin. Discover the quality of unbending arm that leads to unyielding body. Put power in your form by utilizing unbending jin through your internal structure. Learn how unbending jin enables the moves of the form to capture your opponents structure and unbalance them with minimal effort.

Ting Jin & Awareness in Yourself and Others

 With FORREST OBNAMIA

(DESCRIPTION COMING SOON)

Using Sonar to Develop Ting Jin

Learn how to develop sensitivity by bouncing subtle energies into your opponent and seeing how you and they respond. We will start with gross mechanics and end up very subtle and internal. 

It will culminate with simply noticing how internal changes in yourself show you different information in yourself and your opponent.

Waving Goodbye to The Double Weighted Error (and Your Partner)

 With GREG KNOLLMEYER

We’ll develop wave in both solo practice and applying it in push hands. We’ll worktoward perpetuating the wave through every joint and passing it seamlessly onto your opponent. 

Exercises in proper receiving of an incoming wave will make obvious and help fix the double weighted error.

Chi Na vs. Internal Chi Na. What’s the difference?

    -TY TALBERT

Chi Na = Grabbing & Seizing (joint locks, grappling etc)
 
Everyone has a Chi Na move!

Self Defense Class Participants
-Traditional Martial Artists 
-Mixed Martial Artists 
-Law Enforcement 

From this workshop, practitioners will learn (and be able to show) the difference between external and internal using Chi Na. 

Included will be how to use Chi Na techniques that folks already know and teach them how to do it better, faster and with less effort using internal chi na.  

The Power of Breath

 With HARRY LEGG

In this workshop you’ll learn how to put your mind in everypart of your body and breathe through it. If you already know how to do this, you’ll learn how to convey this concept to other practitioners and we’ll use Master Clear’s Internal Push Hands to gauge your breath – this will increase your ting jin (listening energy). 

  • ​Feel how whole body breathing helps to loosenyour body and any tight joints you may have.
  • ​Learn breath techniques for relieving pain inyourself and in others.
  • ​Discover how this breathing gives you even moremartial power.

Intro to Silk Reeling, Dan Tian Rotation & Applications

Silk reeling exercises are a set of movements used by Chen Style Taijipractitioners to build a body that is relaxed, connected and able to emit power from the ground and out to the extremities. These movements use spiraling through the limbs and rotation of the body’s center, known as the lower Dan Tian. 

This set was developed by my teacher Sifu Tony Wong which uses movements he learned from the late Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang and the representative of Chen style Taijiquan, Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. 

In an introduction to silk reeling we will take a look at some of these exercises and 
explore why they are great for the major joints of the body and how they can
be applied in push hands and martial application.

Clear's Internal Push Hands for Power... and MOBILITY!

 With JARED VOELKER

Having trouble getting your internal power gains to cross over from push hands tosparring? 

That means that you're probably playing push hands while double weighted, and a big cause of being double weighted in push hands is bad Zhong Ding. During this seminar, we'll talk about common ways people use small leans to stabilize during push hands, the combat and health problems associated with it, and how to fix it. 

Fixing this common error will help put you on the road to soft, effortless power that can also MOVE.

Tickets: $365

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

Lodging

Airport Hilton

This is the location of our event! 
Get a discount, stay on site, and enjoy the entire Gathering experience. 
(Most Recommended. Even Sigung Clear will have a room here during this year's event!)

Quality Inn

One of the more affordable hotels located right beside MgGee Tyson Airport, and a very short drive / Uber from the venue. (We do not recommend trying to walk across the very busy highway between this hotel and the event venue)

Holiday Inn Express

Mid-priced Hotel located right beside McGee Tyson Airport, and a very short drive / Uber from the venue. (We do not recommend trying to walk across the very busy highway between this hotel and the event venue)
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