Summary of Professor Yan Zijie's seminars.
September 11 — October 12 1995

Special Lectures

Thursday September 21	Lecture to University of Regina Theatre Movement Class Upon invitation by teacher Robin Poitras, master Yan Zijie taught classes focusing on the Chinese martial art tradition and its theories on natural body movement, footwork, coordination, relaxing the shoulders, hips and entire body. Master Yan was assisted by Alice Lee, Ray Ambrosi and Jeffrey Quinn. Course lasted 3 hours and a videotape is available. Master Yan Zijie on balance beam teaches meihuzhunag training methods and principles of movement to 3rd and 4th year students in the Theatre department of the University of Regina. (Sept 1995)
Tuesday September 26	Master Yan Zijie continued the lecture of the previous week, reviewed key principles and exercises and introduced new material to students of the University of Regina Theatre Movement Class. Special thanks to class instructor Robin Poitras for inviting master Yan and giving her students such an unusual and rare opportunity. I think the students enjoyed the course just as much as did professor Yan and his assistants! Course lasted 1 hour and a videotape is available. Master Yan Zijie teaches 3rd and 4th year students in the Theatre department of the University of Regina. Meihuazhuang instructors Jeffrey Quinn (front left) and Alice Lee (front right) (Sept 1995)
Wednesday October 4	Lecture at University of Regina. Hosted by the Department of Religious Studies. Lecture presented by the Religious Studies Student's Association and by the Anthropology Student's Association. Professor Yan Zijie's lecture topic discussed the relationship between meihuazhuang and folk religion in rural Chinese society. 1 hour. Videotape and transcript available on request. Poster at the University of Regina advertising the lecture “Religion reflected in the martial arts”. A talk presented by the Religious Studies Student's Association and by the Anthropology Student's Association, University of Regina. (Sept 1995)
Thursday, Saturday October 5 and 7	Lecture and discussion with Amelia Itcush of the Mitzvah Technique Studio of Saskatoon. Professor Yan Zijie talks about the history of Meihuazhuang, its health and body movement theory. The ensuing discussion with Amelia Itcush in relationship to Mitzvah Technique theories was a fascinating meeting between Eastern and Western experts on their understanding of body movement, energy and mechanics.
Sunday October 8	Lecture and demonstration presented to the Regina City Police. Lecture topics included a short talk on the history of Meihuazhuang, its basic training methods. This was followed by a short demonstration of basic training methods, and practical techniques and skills useful to law-enforcement personnel such as joint-locking control skills and free-fighting skills. 1.5 hours. Videotape available on request.

Weekly Lectures

Meihuazhuang Courses

An intense and comprehensive training course in meihuazhuang martial training methods was presented through 29 lectures and courses during the autumn of 1995. The courses were held weeknights Monday to Friday, September 11 to October 12. Course content included: history of meihuazhuang; Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian theory and its relationship to meihuazhuang; qigong theory; basic practice through the Jiazi training routine; advanced chengquan training in two-person fighting routines; two-person free-fighting; joint-locking skills. In the “weaponry basics” course, master Yan taught fundamental techniques and forms in spear play, straight sword (jian) and daggers and talked at length about how to train individually and in sparring exercises. Assistant instructors were Alice Lee, Ray Ambrosi, Jeffrey Quinn. The course provided over 58 hours of instruction. Videotapes and information available on request.

Students study spear techniques from master Yan Zijie during the summer intensive seminars. University of Regina, Canada (Sept 1995)

Master Yan Zijie explaining spear techniques to Ray Ambrosi during a break. University of Regina, Canada (Sept 1995)

Master Yan Zijie explains spear techniques to the group while Ray Ambrosi translates. University of Regina, Canada (Sept 1995)

Master Yan Zijie practices spear during a break while teaching seminars at the University of Regina. (Sept 1995)

Qigong Courses

An intense and comprehensive training course in meihuazhuang's qigong and meditation methods was presented through eight lectures and courses presented weekends September 11 to October 12, 1995. Course content included: history of meihuazhuang, introduction to qigong theory; explanation of essential terms including Jing, Qi and Shen; Daoist and Buddhist methods of breath regulation meditation exercises; Buddhist and Daoist theory and its relationship to qigong training and health; relationship of qigong to martial arts; relaxation techniques. Ray Ambrosi served as assistant instructor and translator. Cameraman was Jeffery Quinn. Over 20 hours of instruction was provided. Videotapes and information available on request.

Master Yan Zijie taught a series of 8 weekend qigong seminars during the autumn of 1995. The seminar series attracted a wide range of interested people of all ages and backgrounds. (Sept 1995)

Professor Yan explains the ancient texts of meihuazhuang and talks at length about basic Chinese cosmology, philosophy, traditional medical beliefs. Mr. Yan is an engaging and animated speaker and was able to convey the concepts to his audience in a fashion which captured their attention and stirred their interest in meihuazhuang training methods for self-improvement. (Sept 1995)

Summary

Master Yan Zijie's visit to Canada marked the first time a prominent meihuazhuang master taught in North America. The master taught a great number of practice methods and routines which contributed greatly to improving the skill level and knowledge of Canadian students and instructors. To commemorate the knowledge imparted during his visit, a book entitled “Meihuazhuang Qigong Methods: Eight Lectures” was published in 1997. The work condenses the fundamental teachings of the qigong seminars, serves as an invaluable handbook for practitioners, and documents the qigong methods of meihuazhuang. We wholeheartedly thank master Yan for imparting us with this valuable knowledge through his volunteer efforts.

The Canadian Meihuazhuang Association has continued to offer seminars in qigong and martial arts to a variety of groups including dancers, actors, performing artists and bodywork therapists. For a complete list of seminars taught by the Association, please see Past Seminars by the Meihuazhuang Association.

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