Expectations

The Black Butte retreat is an intensive and immersive training experience akin to my training days in Beijing. During our four days together I will teach a wide range of classes from the traditions of BaGua, ShuaiJiao, Sanda and Taiji. Classes will be taught at a second to third year level. Some of you will feel lost at times. No one will think less of you for struggling. I will not break the groups into beginner and intermediate sections as that will make it impossible for me to teach more complex information with proper supervision.

During training I will push the group hard and expect all of you to compose yourselves. If a class is beyond your experience I expect you to do your very best and not complain. If the training is too much and you need a break or to skip a class you are always welcome to do so. However, I will be catering the majority of my attention to those who are putting in the work over the full measure. They will need support to sustain over the eight listed classes and will have a different experience than those who do not. This is a safety issue not a punitive one. A person in their 7th class will be facing significantly more fatigue and need greater supervision than someone in their 4th,

Please bring enough protein bars/ science food for AT LEAST one snack for every class. I recommend bringing a couple extra just in case. It is common during this sort of training to crash due to calorie deficit and if left unchecked this can ruin a day.

Meals and Cleanup:

We are a large group. Feeding and cleaning will be a significant endeavor. Make yourself useful. If you don't cook, be sure to help clean. The meal is done when the space has returned to a pre meal prep level of cleanliness.

Evenings and Downtime:

After our last class we will all be tired. We will all need a degree of downtime. Respect the needs of your peers. Some of us will want to be social and others will not.
Between the hours of 5:30-7pm I will be focused on my children and will not be available for training related activities.
We will have discussions at night on the history, practice and implications of what we are training. There are 11 of us in this group with unique perspectives and experiences. Please give space for everyone to partake in conversations and avoid taking all the oxygen out of the room. If you are newer to the group expect to spend more time listening than talking during these conversations.

Once the first person goes to sleep it will be incumbent upon the rest of us to keep noise levels respectful.

Substances:

Will be limited to cannabis and alcohol. If you choose to partake I recommend you do so in moderation as I will give no slack for hangovers. There is to be NO smoking of any sort in any common area or within the house and no pressure is to be placed on anyone to participate who does not wish to.

Details and Packing List

*Failed test will result in refund. Please be consider being extra careful in week lead up to retreat so you can make sure you have a negative test. Please remain careful after you test negative to assure that you do not bring COVID to the retreat or our kids. Thank you for your care and efforts.

There will be 8 classes on this trip. Beijing tales and shenanigans as well as visions for the schools future may regale your evenings. Details are in the group text thread and will appear here by the September 27th. You must have confirm your interest in attending with Joey prior to registering. All those on current text feed are considered confirmed. You will be registered when payment is received.

MEALS

• If you don’t cook, your help will be needed cleaning

• Please reffer to Karro’s Google sheet for planning

• We will provide Whey Protein Powder to supplement snacks as needed (We ask someone to provide a vegan option as well)

• We will provide the beef needed from our stash of Carman Ranch beef.

ADDRESS

Will be texted to students a few days prior to the event.

PACK

• Warm weather clothes: Weather is 74 degrees during the day

• Cold weather clothes: Weather gets down to 38 degrees at night

• Rain Gear

• Snacks: at least 8 high protein personal snacks

• Water bottle

• Extra socks and shoes

• Toiletries / Medications

• Swim Suit (as requested, there is a hot tub)

SCHEDULE

• Friday, October 1

  • 2:00pm - 4:00pm workshop at predetermined Black Butte Outdoor Common Area

  • 4:00 Check in to house

  • Cook Dinner / Eat / Clean

• Saturday October 2

• Sunday October 3

• Monday October 4