Scott M. Rodell is a martial artist, author, and teacher of Yang-style taijiquan.Roth, Steven M. "Why Learn Chinese Swordsmanship in this Age of Smart Bombs and Terrorism?" Kung Fu Tai Chi, September/October 2004, pg. 102 He is the founding director of Great River Taoist Center, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.
Training & Lineage Rodell began studying martial arts at the age of nine. He practiced karate, judo, tournament and instinct archery, wrestling, Olympic fencing, and marksmanship before devoting his training exclusively to Yang-style taijiquan in 1981.Zhang, Xinhua, "Follower of the Dao of Taiji." (trans.) Wu Jian Shen, Sept. 1992, pg. 9.
Rodell studied taijiquan with two senior students of Cheng Man-ch'ing,Douwes, Joppe. "A Weapon's Weekend with Scott Rodell." (trans.), Taiji-Vizier, 2005-4, pg. 6. William C.C. Chen and T.T. Liang, before finding his principal teacher, Wang Yen-nien. From Wang, Rodell learned the entire Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan (“Yang Family Hidden Teaching”) system.Douwes, Joppe. "Weapon Workshop: Training with Scott Rodell" (trans.), Mix Fight, December 2005, pgs. 16-17. Wang Yen-nien is a disciple student of Zhang Qinlin,Zeng, Huiping. "Wang Yen-nien 'Famous Yang Style Taijiquan Martial Artist'." (trans.) Great Sports Daily, Taipei, Taiwan, December 7, 1999, pg. 8. who in turn studied with Yang ChengfuYang, Chengfu. Taijiquan Yongfa Tujie, Taipei, Hua Lian Publishing Co., August, 1984, pg. 2. and later Yang Jianhou.
Teacher Material Wang Yen-nien Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan form, applications, tuishou, fan, spear, jian William C.C. Chen Tuishou, sanshouParks, Howard D. "Interview with Scott M. Rodell." The Journal of Well-Being, January, 1991, pg. 27. T.T. Liang Yangshi ("Yang style") taijijian, tuishou
In addition to his martial studies, Rodell was one of the first ten Americans to enter the door of the Jin Shan Pai, a traditional school of Taoist neigong. Rodell, initiated into the Jin Shan Pai by Wang Yen-nien, is a sixth generation teacher in this tradition.Rollins, Jonathan. "Taiji Jian: The Way Of The Sword." Inside Kung-Fu, April 2005, pg. 88.
Teaching career In 1984, Rodell founded and became director of Great River Taoist Center, a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and transmit the Yang family arts.
In 1991, Rodell began teaching in the Soviet Union at the request of the Soviet Wushu Federation.Sullivan, Mark. "An Historic Meeting of the Minds: Russians Receive Tai Chi Word." Inside Kungfu, Nov. 1992, pg. 16. In 1992, the Great River officially opened a Moscow branch. Since then, Rodell's seminars and training camps have expanded Great River Taoist Center to include many branch groups and affiliates located throughout the continental United States, Northern Europe, and Australia. Northern European locations include the Estonian cities of Tallinn, Tartu,"Martial Arts Master Has Students in Tartu." (trans.) Tartu Börs, Nov. 24, 2000, pg. 1. and Narva;Kalkun, Kristjan. Sports Star, February, 2001, pg. 41. Amsterdam, Netherlands;Doeve, Petra. "Workshop with Scott Rodell." Taiji-Vizier, 2006-1, pg. 9. Angers, France; and Malmö, Sweden.
Tournament Record USAWKF Northeast Regional Competition, June 24 & 25, 1995, NYC Men’s Advanced Light Weight Restricted Step Push Hands Champion Men’s Middle Weight Moving Step Push Hands, Third Place International Taiji Quan Championship, 1990, Republic of China Men’s featherweight Push Hands, Second PlaceRodell, Scott M. "Yang Family Taijiquan: The Hidden Tradition." Inside Kungfu, Mar. 1993, pg. 46.
Further reading Rodell, Scott M. (2008) A Practical Guide to Test Cutting for Historical Swordsmanship. Seven Stars Books and Video. Rodell, Scott M. (2003) Chinese Swordsmanship – The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition. Seven Stars Books and Video. Rodell, Scott M. (1991) Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists. Seven Stars Books and Video. Garsson, Steven. "Serious About Swords: Advanced Students of Sword Meet at Ashokan Sword to Discuss the Weapon's True Place in History." Tactical Knives, May 2006. Rollins, Jonathan. "Steel Wrapped in Cotton: The Forgotten Martial Side of Tai Chi Chuan." Black Belt Magazine, November 2005. Pol, Epi van de. "Interview with a Chinese Weapon Specialist." (trans.), Taiji-Vizier, August 2004. Rodell, Scott M. "Yang Family Taijiquan: The Hidden Tradition." Inside Kungfu, Mar. 1993.
References
External links Great River Taoist Center (GRTC) Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan International Still Mountain Tai Chi Center GRTC Australia GRTC Estonia