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Contributors · Biographies
Scott Rodell
Scott M. Rodell is the Director of the Great River Taoist Center, which
has just celebrated its seventeenth anniversary. The Center, based in
Washington, D.C., has branches in Baltimore and across Russia, Estonia and
Finland.
He began teaching in the Soviet Union at the request of the Soviet
Wushu Federation in 1991 and in 1992 the Moscow school officially opened
as a branch of Great River, with satellite groups later forming in other
cities. While in Russia and Estonia, Scott has made TV programs about Yang
Family Taijiquan and has been featured in various national publications.
He was also one of the first ten Americans to enter the door of the Jin
Shan
Pai, a traditional school of Taoist Nei Gong. Rodell, initiated into the
Jin Shan Pai by Wang Yen-nien, is a sixth generation teacher in this
tradition. Through the Center, local students in the Jin Shan Pai are
working to create a Retreat Center for the development of Taoist practice.
Advance Praise for the upcoming book "Chinese Swordsmanship" coming soon:
"Scott Rodell's book is not only a long-awaited
introduction to the fencing
techniques of the Yang Family taiji tradition, but is also an invaluable
guide to advanced students as well. It provides a comprehensive and
insightful exposition of the practical aspects of the art, along with a
concise historical background. This well-organized and
profusely-illustrated tome does a great deal to present taijijian as an
effective system of combat, in contrast to the "health spa version" of
taiji practice which has unfortunately become common today, not only in
the West but in the Chinese-speaking world as well. The sections dealing
with the sword itself, and its role in Chinese culture, are also useful in
dispelling the numerous misconceptions of this subject which have been the
staple of various literary and cinematic genres for years. I give this book
a most enthusiastic "thumbs up", not only for the martia! l arts
practitioner, but for anyone wanting a beter understanding of a
sophisticated and enduring elements of China's traditional culture." - Phil Tom
Some highlights of his career include:
- Began studying martial arts at the nine years of age. Rodell practiced
Karate, Judo, Tournament & Instinct Archery, Wrestling, Olympic Fencing &
Marksmanship before devoting his training full time to taijiquan.
- Has over 20 years taijiquan training in two branchs of Yang
Taijiquan.
- Studied with several senior students of Cheng Man-ching, including
noted
masters William C.C. Chen & T.T. Liang. He studied push hands & free
fighting with Chen & push hands & sword with Liang. Rodell is also a
disciple student of Master Wang Yen-nien of Shanxi province with whom he
studied all aspect of Yang Family Michuan (Secret
Teaching) Taijiquan.
- During the late '80s was Push Hands Champion at several Nationally
Sanctioned tournaments & placed Second in Push Hands at the International
Championship held in the Republic of China in '91.
- Director & Founder of Great River Taoist Center, founded 1984. GRTC is
headquatered in Washington, DC & has branches in the US & across Estonia &
Western Russia. (http://www.grtc.org/)
- Has been teaching regular seminars from beginners taijiquan to
advanced
Chinese Swordsmanship in Europe since '91. Rodell began teaching in Europe
at the request of the Soviet Wushu Federation.
- Awarded 'Honored Judge' rank by the Russia Wushu Federation (their
highest rank), '01.
- Author of "Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists and "Chinese
Swordsmanship
in the Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition" (Fall '01).
- Proprietor of Seven Stars Trading Co. (http://www.sevenstarstrading.com/), specializing in Imperial Chinese Arms &
Armor.
- Rodell has a diverse teaching experience. In addition to his regular
weekly classes in Washington, DC he has taught taijiquan to Vietnamese
refugee children, at the the Alexandria Jail, at Health Clubs & a seniors
group at the Library Of Congress.
- Moderator of the Chinese Swords & Swordsmanship Discussion Forum of
Sword Forum International's website (SwordForum.com)
WEBSITE
Great River Taoist Center - http://www.grtc.org
Seven Stars Trading - http://sevenstarstrading.com
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