SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
CLOSED Monday November 11, Veterans Day Holiday
12th Fall Tai Chi Push Hands Retreat-Lakeland, Florida November 23 &24
Closed Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2024
FALL GATHERING 2024
On Sunday October 13, 2024 Wu Shen Tao hosted a Potluck Gathering at the Indian Springs Terrace Activity building located at 9717 Lawndale DR, in Silver Spring, MD. Prior to COVID closings we conducted this gathering yearly to welcome new students and to celebrate with current students, family and friends. About 30 participants came to share food, drink, and interesting conversations. Alex Zito and Micheal Kascic- Ramos manned the grills and cooked Chicken, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Steak, much to the enjoyment of the hungry assembled group. Many contributions such as salads, vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes and deserts rounded out the varied and tasty dishes. The weather was warm and clear and made the event even more delightful. Students as well as family members and their children enjoyed the food and hospitable atmosphere of the venue and its surrounding grounds. Sifu’s Raymond Wong, Joanne Chang, George Harris, and Kung Fu siblings such as Camille Connelly joined us in the festivities. We’d like to thank Kristen Fang for her assistance in organizing and inviting some of her students to attend. Barring unforeseen circumstances we will go back to continuing our yearly gathering in 2025.
STREET INTERNAL SELF DEFENSE WORKSHOP
On Saturday October 19th, Paul Ramos conducted an Internal Self Defense Workshop whose aim was to practice classic Internal methods, techniques, and options, geared toward defending against common street attacks. A good sized group worked on awareness training methods, footwork drills, pressure point striking exercises, emitting types of Jing and a variety of other mental and physical training methods. The 4 hour workshop seemed to fly by as people paired off to practice the various strategies and techniques presented. It took place at our location at 3811 Nicholson Street, Hyattsville MD. Those present all expressed their appreciation for the material presented and were happy with the information given. Our next Workshop will take place in early 2025 and will cover either Swordplay or Advanced Push Hands methods. More information to follow as we approach the New Year’s break.
WONG PEOPLE TAI CHI / INTERNAL M.A. TOURNAMENT
This all internal style event took place on Saturday October 26 at the Chinese Cultural Center in Washington DC, located at 616 H Street. The events started on time at about 10 am with the woman’s Push Hands competition. Kristen Fang from our school placed 2nd in this, her first push hands competition. This was followed by the Men’s divisions broken down into below 185 lbs and above 185 lb weight categories. Our students Toba Adewusi and Erik Dubois finished first and second place in the lower weight division while our Michael- Kascic Ramos won the heavier weight division against an opponent who outweighed him by about 100 lbs. Tai Chi forms followed push hands with Toba and Erik also coming in 1st and 2nd respectively in Men’s mixed Tai Chi forms. Kristen Fang came in 3rd in Women’s empty hand Tai Chi as well as in Women’s Tai Chi weapons. Eric also took second in the Tai Chi weapons division with his Yang Saber form. Kudos and honorable mention to Sam Lebovic who did not place but scored highly in the Men’s Mixed Tai Chi empty hand division during his first tournament experience.
Erik Dubois also came in second to a strong field in Mixed Bagua/ Xing-I empty hand form. The event finshed with Bagua/ Xing-I weapons. Students from Sifu Alexander King showed their good skills in the Xing-I/ Bagua divisions and noteworthy were the students of Sifu Chris Pei (apologies, I don’t remember their last names) Oleg and Michelle showed high skill during their Chen Tai Chi performances to win those events. The event was friendly, efficient and of good skill. The judges present were all very experienced and made the event run smoothly and without undue interruptions. Without them the event could have lasted hours longer. Joining Paul Ramos were Sifu’s- Edward Pratt, Stephen Genus, Dante Gilmore, Alexander King, George Harris, and Norman Smith.
After the tournament a group of us followed SiFu Wong’s advice and enjoyed good Cantonese food and great conversation at the Full Key restaurant a 5 minute walk from the venue. In my opinion it was a great way to end tournament season!
Tai Chi Push Hands Fall Retreat
The Tampa Bay Martial Arts group is hosting its 12th Fall Tai Chi Push Hands retreat and we are bringing a group of 8 WST push hands regulars for a road trip down to Lakelands Florida to attend this inspiring and fun event. Last years event was friendly with many skilled participants attending. The attitude was warm with each bout ending with a hug. This year the event takes place on November 23rd and 24th with a welcome dinner on Friday the 22nd at a local Restaurant. There will be 6-8 hours of free pushing on Saturday and a 4-6 hour session on Sunday. We had a great time last year and we’re looking forward to repeating the vibe this time too.
HYATTSVILLE LOCATION
Our Adult classes have moved from Takoma Park to Hyattsville, MD. Our Community Tai Chi Push Hands gathering takes place there from 7:30-9:30 pm each Thursday evening. This free community gathering focuses on developing the skills of using the least amount of force to accomplish the maximum effect. This is known as the classic “Use softness to overcome hardness”.
On Saturdays from 10 am-11am we continue with our Tai Chi Form and basics class followed by Tai Chi Pushing Hands instruction at 11am.
Beginning at 12 noon, we begin the Xing-I Chuan / Bagua Zhang training, as well as our advanced practitioner training block which runs until 2 PM.
The address for the location is:
3811 Nicholson Street
Hyattsville MD, 20782
Be aware that the space is on the right side of the residential building across the street from the Vanadu Museum.
Also be aware that the Children’s Kung Fu program will continue to take place at the Dance Exchange in Takoma Park on Saturdays from 11:45 AM -12:45 PM.
WU SHEN TAO-CLEAR CIRCLE TRAINING CENTER, GAITHERSBURG
The Clear Circle Training Center located at 329 B Main Street, Gaithersburg MD continues to host private and semi-private instruction throughout the week in a variety of health and internal martial arts disciplines. Instruction in Qigong, Tai Chi, Xing-I, Bagua, weapons, and self-defense training are just a few of the options available there. Call Paul to discuss your needs and schedule availability by calling 301-651-3617 or by emailing to Longmen987@gmail.com. More information may be obtained on our website: DCMDTaichi.com
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
Suzy Kassem
Freedom is not just the absence of chains; it’s overcoming the brutality of reality and, despite it all, daring to be happy.
Mario Escobar
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.
Maya Angelou