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All are welcome to join the family of students, colleagues and friends of the late Master Jou, Tsung Hwa in honoring and celebrating his memory by sharing his Tai Chi principles, practices, and philosophies on the anniversary of his birth (on July 13, 1917).

In 2023 Master Jou Tsung Hwa's Birthday Celebration and Tai Chi Festival was held as a hybrid on July 14, 15 and 16, 2023.

The Latest News on the Festival

The Latest News

After an extremely successful Master Jou Tai Chi Festival in July, in September of 2023, Bruce called CJ on the phone and asked her to run the Festival again, just like in years past. Bruce wanted it to be done over 2 weekends, just like we did in years prior. So the committee got together and started planning for 2024 despite Bruce’s health issues that kept him down in Florida instead of returning to New Jersey. You may have taken the survey that the committee sent out.

But things didn't turn out like we hoped. Bruce recovered somewhat, but he needs more recovery time. After much consultation, Liz Jou was able to convince Bruce to focus solely on his health this year. We were finally able to get Bruce (though regretfully) to put the Master Jou Tsung-Hwa Birthday Celebration and Tai Chi Festival "on the back burner". We hope perhaps to be able to have some kind of small, maybe online, gathering on July 13, on Master Jou's Birthday, but we will not be having a festival that requires planning and a venue. Liz and Bruce will decide what to do, and the committee and I will help as we can at that time.

Furthermore, our sister festival (Tai Chi Gala) might also be happening in the next year or two, and we'd like to coordinate with Loretta Wollering to ensure that we are able to support each other's events. Tai Chi Gala may be happening in the Tennessee or Georgia area, so we will keep you posted on that event as well.

In any case, make sure your email is on the distribution list so that we can keep you updated on what, if anything, will be happening.

Peace,
Liz Jou & CJ Rhoads

Go to the Festival Page to hear about last year

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About Master Jou

Grandmaster Jou, Tsung Hwa
Grandmaster Jou, Tsung Hwa
July 13, 1917 – August 3, 1998
 It has long been my dream that one day Americans of all ages, creeds and colors will be practicing taijiquan in the parks of this nation as they do in China. Few places in the world have such beautiful open spaces which can and should be used productively at no expense. The result would be tremendous improvement in mental and physical well-being. Now, after more than 30 years of researching taijiquan, I understand that it is becoming a lost art. It is my hope that through this book we can work to revive taijiquan. - Jou, Tsung Hwa
*Reprinted from The Dao of Taijiquan – Way to Rejuvenation With the Permission of The Tai Chi Foundation, Publisher.

In pursuit of his dream…

In 1984 Master Jou founded the legendary Tai Chi Farm on 103 beautiful acres in Warwick, NY. It was there that he held classes and hosted workshops in taijiquan, qigong, and meditation, invited other world-renowned teachers to share their arts, and hosted the Annual Chang San Feng Festival which was attended by Tai Chi enthusiasts from all over this country and the world.

After Master Jou’s death on August 3, 1998 his students continued classes, workshops and the Annual Festival at the Farm until it was sold in 2000.

It was then that Master Jiang, Jian-ye, a great friend and colleague of Master Jou, suggested that the students approach the Jou Family for their approval to continue to carry on teaching their father’s principles, practices, and philosophies in his name on the grounds of an old farm owned by one of the students in Wantage, NJ, 12 miles due west of Tai Chi Farm. The Family gave their approval and The Master Jou, Tsung Hwa Memorial Tai Chi Park was dedicated in 2001, with the Family cutting a ribbon at the Willow Lawn Gate on the property. Master Jou had visited the grounds several times during his lifetime and always remarked on the wonderful, peaceful energy he felt there. He also noted the remarkable physical similarities to Tai Chi Farm: the open fields, deep woods with old-growth trees, and the steep slopes running down to the meandering stream bisecting the property. At one point he said, “You can have a Tai Chi festival here” and motioned where the tents for the workshops should be set up.

In 2003, Master Jou’s daughter, Liz Jou, The President of the Tai Chi Foundation (which continues to publish his three brilliant books) flew from her home in Phoenix, Arizona, to attend her father’s 3rd Annual Birthday Celebration. Since then, she has attended each year and has been a wonderful friend and advisor to The Park. We would like to express our most profound and heartfelt gratitude to Liz for her unflagging support and encouragement in sustaining our efforts to help keep her father’s teachings alive and to advance his dream.