Retreat-The Tai Chi Ch'uan Study Center of the Wash., DC Metro Area

The Tai Chi Chuan Study Center
of the
Washington, DC Metro Area

presents its seventeenth annual

Return to the Mountain Tai Chi Retreat

Held near Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

at the beautiful, historic Claymont Mansion.

Featuring three plans to choose from:

Plan #1: June 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2011

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

Plan #2: June 2, 3, 4 & 5, 2011

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

Plan #3: June 3, 4 & 5, 2011

Friday evening,
all day Saturday
and Sunday through early afternoon

Please see schedules below.

Register Now for Retreat 2011

The Claymont Mansion

Residing on 340 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 guests 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 Tai 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 salmon 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.)

Register Now for Retreat 2011

Terms and General Information

Space is limited.

This retreat offers a great deal of Tai Chi instruction
including form, Qi Gong, 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 Tai Chi since 1975.

Beginners' instructor Casey Willson has taught Tai Chi since 1994.

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

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.

Register Now for Retreat 2011

Retreat Schedule 2011
(possibly subject to minor revision)

Plan One

Arrive Wednesday evening, June 1, 2011

7 - 7:30 p.m.............Arrive at Claymont; settle in
8 - 9 p.m..................Tai Chi class

Plus all of Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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

Thursday, June 2, 2011

7 - 8 a.m.................Tai Chi class and Qi Gong (aka Ch'i Kung)
8 a.m......................Breakfast
8:30 - 11 a.m...........Free Time
11 a.m. - 12 noon....Tai 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 (Tai Chi form for Beginners)
6:30 p.m.................Dinner
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.......Tai Chi class

Plan Two

Arrive Thursday evening, June 2, 2011

7 - 7:30 p.m.............Arrive at Claymont; settle in
8 - 9 p.m.................Tai Chi class

Plus all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday

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

Friday, June 3, 2011

7 - 8 a.m.................Tai Chi class and Qi Gong
8 a.m......................Breakfast
8:30 - 11 a.m...........Free Time
11 a.m. - 12 noon....Tai 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 (Tai Chi form for Beginners)
6:30 p.m.................Dinner
8:00 - 8:30 p.m.......Tai Chi class
8:30 - 9:30 p.m.......Tai Chi Theory and History

Plus all of Saturday and Sunday

Plan Three

Arrive Friday evening, June 3, 2011

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

7 - 7:30 p.m.............Arrive at Claymont; settle in
8 - 8:30 p.m.............Tai Chi class
8:30 - 9:30 p.m........Tai Chi Theory and History

Saturday, June 4, 2011

7 - 8 a.m.................Tai Chi class and Qi Gong
8 a.m......................Breakfast
8:30 - 11 a.m...........Free Time
11 a.m. - 12 noon....Tai 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 (Tai Chi form for Beginners)
6:30 p.m.................Dinner
7:30 p.m.................Tai Chi, etc., moving pictures

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Register Now for Retreat 2011

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.

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 the "front" door of the mansion.

Pull up to the door to unload your bags in the foyer and then park in the designated area.

Then check in with Warren to receive your room assignment.

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

Register Now for Retreat 2011

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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