Center & School Criteria

Yang Family Tai Chi Center Information

Yang Family Tai Chi Centers are the primary organization of Yang Family Tai Chi. Formerly called Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Centers in honor of Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo’s father, it is through the Centers that the art of Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan, embodied by its martial, cultural, and health attributes, is disseminated and advanced around the world. 

Yang Family Tai Chi Centers represent Yang Family Tai Chi in their communities.  The courses they offer are in accordance with the principles and standards of Yang Family Tai Chi.

Yang Family Tai Chi School Information

The Association created the category of Yang Family Tai Chi School, formerly called Affiliated School, for Tai Chi Chuan instructors who want to be affiliated with our Association but whose schools do not meet the requirements to be an Association Yang Family Tai Chi Official Center. Yang Family Tai Chi Schools allow these instructors and their schools to be an official part of the Yang Family Tai Chi association.

Proximity of Applicant’s School to a Center

Before applications are reviewed for consideration, the Association will determine if the proximity of the applicant’s school is too near a Yang Family Tai Chi Center and would cause a problem for the Center. The Association will always consult the nearest Center to the applicant to obtain the Center Director’s input before proceeding with the application review. Each case will be determined individually because the circumstances are different for each Center. For this reason, distance from the Center will not be the sole determiner.

Prerequisites:

Instructors applying for a Yang Family Tai Chi School are required to:

  • Be of good moral character;
  • Follow the Association’s Conduct Code and Ethics and its Morals and Commandments;
  • Have 10 Association members in their school;
  • Have a history of dedication to the art of Tai Chi Chuan.

Application Process

  • The applicant must complete and submit a Yang Family Tai Chi School application form.
  • Application forms may be downloaded from the Association website or obtained from a Yang Family Tai Chi Center.
  • Each Yang Family Tai Chi School will have only one School Director.
  • In cases where more than one person applies for Yang Family Tai Chi School designation at the same school, the Association wants the applicants to decide who will be the Director and who will be the Co-Director. If the applicants are unable to make this decision, the applicants should submit to the Association in writing the reasons why he or she should be the person to be designated as the School Director.
  • The Association will review the applicants’ reasons for wanting to be the designated director and may or may not conduct interviews to decide who will be the School Director and who will be the Co-Director. The Association’s decision will be based on the applicant’s experience, Association rank, and the applicant’s abilities and desire to conduct the organizational and administrative responsibilities of the school.
  • The Co-Director is a partner in the Yang Family Tai Chi School and will share the management and administrative responsibilities for the school with the school director.
  • Send a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 US: By PayPal to: members@yangfamilytaichi.com or Mail to: Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association – PO Box 786, Bothell, WA 98041 USA
  • Send the completed application form along with a copy of the application fee payment receipt to: Email: administration@yangfamilytaichi.com or Mail to: Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association – Administration Department P.O. Box 786 – Bothell, WA 98041 USA

Successful Applicant Requirements

  • Pay the $150 USD annual Association Instructors Registry fee required for all instructors. This fee covers the School Director’s annual fee.
  • Meet the continuing education requirements regarding seminar attendance for the specific instructor level of the applicant.

Benefits

Yang Family Tai Chi School Director:

  • Receive a 10% discount off the member’s price on Association products for orders of 5 items or more of one item;
  • Receive 20% discount on regular Association Seminars based on non-member price;
  • Are allowed to attend Association’s Tai Chi Chuan Teacher Academy;
  • Are allowed to attend Directors and Instructors Seminars;
  • Receive a free seminar for bringing 8 or more fully paid students to a seminar;
  • Have their school’s schedule of classes listed in the Association’s website.

Expectations

The School Director is expected to:

  • Support the mission of the Association and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan;
  • Adhere to and follow the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Morals and Commandments;
  • Teach and follow the Association’s Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan curriculum content and sequence;
  • Support and participate in Association events e.g. China Adventures, symposiums, workshops and seminars;
  • Operate their schools and classes in a professional and safe manner;
  • Be totally honest and above board in financial matters with everyone: the public, students, members, and the Association;
  • Participate in the Association’s ranking system by organizing ranking events, participating as a judge or in other Association roles or responsibilities to help the Association grow and develop; and.
  • Continue their education in theory and practical application of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan, Chinese culture and other recognized styles of Tai Chi Chuan.

Administration

The following are the administrative responsibilities of the School Director:

  • Manage Association membership;
  • Have a minimum of 10 Association members enrolled each year. There are no penalties for having fewer than 10 members if there are serious efforts to increase membership;
  • Complete applications for new members in full and send the membership fee in a timely manner to the Association’s Membership Department by PayPal at members@yangfamilytaichi.com;
  • Conduct and oversee classes, workshops and seminars;
  • Build and maintain Association memberships;
  • Maintain and keep current the records of membership for their school. This includes reminding members of renewal dates prior to expiration of membership;
  • Submit changes of membership address, telephone and email address information to the Association at members@ yangfamilytaichi.com as they occur;
  • Keep members apprised of Association news and events;
  • Pay yearly dues and fees required by the Association; and
  • Resolve the grievances and disputes in their schools. Every effort should be made to resolve a grievance or disciplinary issue at the school level.