Retreat-The T'ai Chi Ch'uan Study Center of the Wash., DC Metro Area

The T'ai Chi Ch'uan Study Center
of the
Washington, DC Metro Area

presents its fourteenth annual

Return to the Mountain T'ai Chi Retreat

Held near Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

at the beautiful, historic Claymont Mansion.

Featuring three plans to choose from:

Plan #1: June 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2008

Wednesday evening,
all day Thursday, Friday and Saturday
and Sunday through early afternoon

Plan #2: June 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2008

Thursday evening,
all day Friday, Saturday
and Sunday through early afternoon

Plan #3: June 6, 7 & 8, 2008

Friday evening,
all day Saturday
and Sunday through early afternoon

Please see schedules below.

Registration by mail

Registration with a credit card via Google Checkout

The Claymont Mansion

Residing on 370 beautiful acres of Shenandoah Valley forest and farmland, the Claymont mansion was constructed following a design of George Washington and built by his grand-nephew Bushrod in 1820. (Bushrod's older brother inherited Mt. Vernon.) Claymont is the only home of the original Washington family in which one can stay overnight. We will have exclusive use of this stately, colonial style mansion which is currently undergoing careful restoration. Featuring large lawns, quiet woods and tempting, tranquil paths, it offers a serene setting for our T'ai Chi practice as well as for leisurely contemplation and good old, country style, laidback, smell the roses relaxation.

Meals featuring fresh vegetables and delicious salads will be prepared in the mansion's kitchen by the Claymont staff and served in the elegant wood-paneled dining room. Food will be primarily, but not exclusively, vegetarian (i.e., there will be a fish course for Sat. lunch.)

Accommodations in the mansion are genuinely historic, somewhat rustic and comfortable. There will be shared, separated by gender, rooms and baths. There are a very few double rooms for couples. Rooms will be assigned. Beds within a room are first come, first served.

Bed linens and towels will be provided.

While not modern, Claymont is quite charming and, well, historic.

This is the view that greets you as you drive up the driveway.

(Photos by W. D. Conner.)

Terms and General Information

Space is limited.

This retreat offers a great deal of T'ai Chi instruction
including form, ch'i kung, t'ui shou, ta lu, discussion periods and rare videos.

All levels are welcome.
There will be special, separate classes for beginners.

Head instructor Warren Conner has taught T'ai Chi since 1975.

Beginners' instructor Casey Willson has taught T'ai Chi since 1994.

T'ai Chi classes are held in the mansion's ballroom, on the huge porch and on the lawn under the trees. Special rare T'ai Chi videos will be shown. (These will feature videos of Cheng Man-ch'ing doing form, t'ui shou and sword, and of Robert W. Smith and Benjamin Lo doing t'ui shou and ch'in-na and others.)

There will also be a large amount of free time to encourage everyone to unwind and enjoy the beautiful setting. There are no recreation facilities other than the lawns, gardens, paths, and acres and acres of countryside. Ergo, be prepared to enjoy a great deal of quiet nature.

Claymont Court is not a hotel. Therefore, students should bring their own toiletries. Also, you might bring: walking shoes; Frisbees; a book to read, etc.

Students are responsible for their own transportation. Carpools are encouraged. Claymont is an easy drive from the Washington area, approximately one hour from Dulles Airport, and easy to find.

The huge porch which faces out unto the giant lawn is a popular place to hang out.

Retreat Schedule 2008
(possibly subject to minor revision)

Plan One

Arrive Wednesday evening, June 4, 2008

7 - 7:30 p.m.............Arrive at Claymont; settle in
8 - 9 p.m.................T'ai Chi class

Plus all of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

(Note that Plan One does not include Wednesday dinner.)

Thursday, June 5, 2008

7 - 8 a.m.................T'ai Chi class and Ch'i Kung
8 a.m......................Breakfast
8:30 - 11 a.m...........Free Time
11 a.m. - 12 noon....T'ai Chi class
12:30 p.m...............Lunch
1 - 5 p.m.................Free Time
5 - 6:30 p.m................T'ui Shou, Ta Lu, Pa Kua (T'ai Chi form for Beginners)
6:30 p.m.................Dinner
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.......T'ai Chi class

Plan Two

Arrive Thursday evening, June 5, 2008

7 - 7:30 p.m.............Arrive at Claymont; settle in
8 - 9 p.m.................T'ai Chi class

Plus all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday

(Note that Plan Two does not include Thursday dinner.)

Friday, June 6, 2008

Plus all of Saturday and Sunday

Plan Three

Arrive Friday evening, June 6, 2008

(Note that Plan Three does not include Friday dinner.)

7 - 7:30 p.m.............Arrive at Claymont; settle in
8 - 9 p.m.................T'ai Chi class
9 - 9:30 p.m.............T'ai Chi Theory and History

Saturday, June 7, 2008

7 - 8 a.m.................T'ai Chi class and Ch'i Kung
8 a.m......................Breakfast
8:30 - 11 a.m...........Free Time
11 a.m. - 12 noon....T'ai Chi class
12:30 p.m...............Lunch
1 - 5 p.m.................Free Time
5 - 6:30 p.m................T'ui Shou, Ta Lu, Pa Kua (T'ai Chi form for Beginners)
6:30 p.m.................Dinner
7:30 p.m....................T'ai Chi videos

Sunday, June 8, 2008

This schedule is approximate and subject to revision.

Check the bulletin board
in the mansion's front hall for any announcements.

Directions

From the DC beltway, take the Dulles Access Rd. towards Dulles Airport.

Just before Dulles Airport, take the Greenway Toll Road towards Leesburg.

At the end of the Toll Road, take Exit 1A to Rt. 7 West to the Berryville, Va. area.

Near Berryville, take Rt. 340 North (towards Charlestown) and go about 10 miles.

Turn left onto Augustine Ave. and immediately turn left again onto Huyett Rd. (Watch for potholes!)

Go approx. one and one half miles and turn right into Claymont's driveway.
(It's the first right turn about one tenth of a mile after you go under the railroad bridge.)
Look for the small Claymont sign.

Follow the very long driveway to parking behind the mansion.

Driving time from the Dulles Airport area is approximately one hour.

Registration by mail

Registration with a credit card via Google Checkout

The annual Egg Toss Olympics on Claymont's huge lawn

is a fun test of soft hands for gentle catches and accurate throws.

(Can you spot the egg in mid air in this photo?)

Questions

Warren@TaiChiCenter.com

703 - 759 - 9141, days

Contact W. D. Conner via Email

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