SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
Potluck Fall Fun Gathering- Indian Springs Terrace Park- October 13, 2024 10a-4pm
Columbus Day Federal Holiday- October 14, 2024 -NO Classes
Internal Street Defense Workshop- Hyattsville, MD school, October 19, noon -4pm
Wong People Internal Style Tournament- Chinatown Cultural Center WDC, Oct. 26 10a-4pm
12th Fall Tai Chi Push Hands Retreat-Lakeland, Florida November 23 &24
FALL GATHERING 2024
On Sunday October 13, 2024 we will host a Potluck Gathering at the Indian Springs Terrace Activity building located at 9717 Lawndale DR, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, from 10 am-4 pm. Prior to COVID closings we conducted this gathering yearly to welcome new students and to celebrate with current students, family and friends. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish or something to cook on the barbecue. The building has bathrooms, a small kitchen area, an open room for gathering as well as an outside area for talking, exercising, playing games, doing the arts, or enjoying the weather. There is a children’s play area nearby also. On occasion students have brought drums and other instruments to have an informal jam session which is always a lot of fun. Those of you wanting to attend should contact Paul or Kristen Fang so that we can have an accurate headcount to ensure sufficient food, utensils, plates etc. We will also have a sign up list for those who can assist with set up at 10 am and cleanup at 3:30 pm. The event has normally been a lot of fun and we hope to see you and yours there!
STREET DIRECTED INTERNAL SELF DEFENSE WORKSHOP
On Saturday October 19th, Paul Ramos will conduct an Internal Self Defense Workshop whose aim is to practice classic Internal methods, techniques, and options, geared toward defending against common street attacks. In the past internal self defense was shown as applications and variations pulled directly from Tai Chi Chuan, Xing- I Chuan, and Bagua Zhang forms. This workshop will adapt the essence of these methods so that they may be useful against grabs, holds, punches, and other frequently encountered scenarios taken from real life situations. The cost is $100 pp and will take place at our Hyattsville location at 3811 Nicholson Street, Hyattsville MD from 12 noon to 4 pm. Spaces are limited to the first 20 who register for the event. Contact Paul at either 301-651-3617, via email at longmen987@gmail.com or in person at either the Hyattsville or Gaithersburg MD locations.
WONG PEOPLE TAI CHI / INTERNAL M.A. TOURNAMENT
This all internal style event will take place on Saturday October 26 beginning at 10 am at the Chinese Cultural Center in Washington DC, located at 616 H Street, 2nd floor, Chinatown. (Gallery Place Metro station). Push Hands begins at 10 am followed by empty hand and weapons forms. This event has no fees so come as a spectator or competitor in this rare free event.
AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL
On Saturday September 14, 2024 WST celebrated the Mid Autumn Moon Festival Holiday. It was a double event in that it also celebrated Paul Ramos’ birthday which happened the week prior. The gathering took place at the Sichuan Jin River Restaurant in Rockville, MD. A group of 15 participants ate, drank, and were merry while enjoying a wide variety of sumptuous Asian dishes. The conversations were lively and lasted throughout the two hour meal. It appeared that a good time was had by all. Our next such event will be for Chinese New Year which will be on January 29th this year and will bring in the year of the Green Snake. Our celebration will take place on the weekend before or after since the 29th falls on a Wednesday in 2025. The exact gathering date to be announced later.
Autumn Moon Lunch Gathering 2024
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 interested individual to participate. Last years event was fun and friendly and with many skilled participants attending . The attitude was warm and each bout ended 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. We are looking to raise funds to cover some housing and transportation costs to make the road / Air trip a rare and enjoyable experience for all. All donations will be accepted beginning at our October 13th Fall Gathering or on Saturdays during class hours. We had a great time last year and we hope to see many of you there!
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
I realized that I don't have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.
Kerry Washington
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
Malawi saying
Talent is a pursued interest … Anything that you're willing to practice, you can do.
Bob Ross