Master Yang Jun Travels North of 60*
(click on the photos to see a larger view)

(*North of 60 is a term is used by northerners to describe the 60th parallel, the southern boundary of Canada’s northern territories.)

Last September, Master Yang Jun, 6th generation Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan master, visited Whitehorse, Yukon Territory to conduct a three-day seminar in traditional Yang style long form. This was Master Yang’s first visit to western and northern Canada, a tremendous honour for our small association. The executive of Tai Chi Yukon put in a busy year of planning, promotion and fundraising to ensure that this would be a successful weekend with a distinctly northern flavour.

We began by setting up this website to promote the event as well as communicate with members and potential visitors. We advertised with pamphlets, posters and on any tai chi site that would post our announcement. Over the winter of 2003/2004, our senior instructor Pam Boyde taught several classes focussing on the Yang style long form as well as three special intensive workshops to prepare Yukon students for the seminar. We obtained generous community support including funding from the Yukon Lotteries Commission and the City of Whitehorse Parks and Recreation Board. Local businesses helped out with everything from Master Yang’s airfare and donations for our draw, to goodies for Master Yang’s hotel room.

On Friday evening, September 17th, seminar registration and the welcoming reception took place at the Beringia Interpretive Centre. Models of sabre tooth tigers and ice age mammoths looked on as our rather nervous seniors group bravely demonstrated the Yang style 13 form for Master Yang. Chief Mike Smith, leader of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, welcomed Master Yang and the seminar participants to the traditional territory of his people. Master Yang then took to the stage to give us a fascinating talk on the history and principles of tai chi.

Saturday and Sunday were full days of detailed instruction. About thirty people listened and watched intently then worked hard to make the best of this opportunity to improve their understanding and practice of the long form. Participants enthused about “Master Yang’s impeccable technique and guidance” and the “excellent learning environment.”

Our out-of-towners also visited Takhini Hot Springs, the dog-mushing operation of renowned Yukon Quest winner Frank Turner, and practiced in a wilderness dojo reached by a one-km walking trail about an hour’s drive from Whitehorse. On Sunday night it all ended at a hilarious and joyous closing banquet at a local Chinese restaurant. Then it was goodbye to our new friends and a general agreement that, although it was all a lot of work, we were amply rewarded by the experience of excellent tai chi, the opportunity to practice together and the inspiration to continue our studies with greater diligence.

Master Yang demonstrating high pat on puppy
at Muktuk Kennels. Judy Wenning photo

Yang Jun learns how a dog team trains when
there is no snow. Judy Wenning photo

Master Yang with most of the seminar
participants on Sunday afternoon.

Master Yang and Tai Chi Yukon president, Pam
Boyde, at the Sunday night banquet.

Some comments from our seminar evaluation forms:

 I think the whole seminar was great – not one complaint! Thank you to all those who worked to put this together.

It has truly been a privilege to be here with Tai Chi Yukon and the other visitors and, of course, to learn from Master Yang Jun.

Great instruction. World Class event. Thanks Tai Chi Yukon for making it possible.

To all the helpers & organizers, you all did a great job.

The Yang Family Site

For more on theYang family please visit the Yang Family Tai Chi Site.