NOVEMBER 2023 WST NEWS

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

Tampa Bay Push Hands Retreat- November 11 & 12, 2023 at the Maddox Ranch in Lakeland Florida

SCHOOL CLOSED- Saturday November 25, 2023 for Thanksgiving Holiday weekend

SCHOOL OPEN Saturday Nov, 11 for all classes

 PUSH HANDS WORKSHOP AT SUI  LUM PAI SCHOOL

On Sunday October 22, Sifu Paul Ramos conducted an intensive training seminar at the Sui Lum Pai Kung Fu school in Haverton PA. This seminar covered aspects of structure, force generation, and sensitivity training. We then moved into using specific Tai Chi postures to break the opponents root within a push hands context. The goal was to truly work towards developing the skill of “using softness to overcome hardness” as expressed in many of the Tai Chi Classics.  Sifu Stephen Genus assisted throughout the training as we explored how to utilize methods such as Ward off, Wipe and Push, Needle to the Sea Bottom and other methods in a realistic fashion. The information was well received, and we all had a good time as we expanded our definitions of Push Hands and how to take it from “pushing” to becoming a physical expression of Tai Chi principles.

Those interested in obtaining information on scheduling your own event or receiving info on upcoming events should contact Paul at 301-651-3617 or email him at longmen987@gmail.com

ANNUAL TAMPA BAY MA CLUB RETREAT

On November 11 and 12th, 2023 the Tampa Bay Martial Arts Club will be conducting its 11th Annual Push Hands Retreat. Thie event attracts many of teachers, students, and fans of Tai Chi in general and Push Hands in particular. This retreat is unique in that there are no workshops, classes, or formal instruction of any kind. It is 2 days of open sharing of push hands, and any variation of Tai Chi form or weapons work in an unstructured and free flowing way. Several teachers and many enthusiasts from this area will be attending to include several members of the WST/ Wudang community. We look forward to participating and will report back after the events’ completion.

HYATTSVILLE LOCATION

Our Adult classes are located in 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 12-1 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

 We all have ability. The difference is how we use it.

Stevie Wonder

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.

Henry David Thoreau

Creativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.

Ai Weiwei

OCTOBER 2023 WST News

WU SHEN TAO OCTOBER 2023 NEWS

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

Private Instruction Only taught Monday October 9 for Columbus Day holiday .
October 22, 1-5 PM –

Sui Lum Pai Push Hands Workshop, October 22,2023- Haverton, Pennsylvania

Tampa Bay Push Hands Retreat- November 11 & 12, 2023 at the Maddox Ranch in Lakeland Florida

HAPPY AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL

The Mid -Autumn or Autumn Moon Festival is one of the major holidays in Chinese culture where friends and families gather to enjoy each others comapny and feast during the Fall season. It derived from the days when farmers, who toiled all Spring and Summer, could bring in the last of their bountiful harvest and relax a bit. This end of the growing season allowed them to eat, drink, be merry, and be thankful for a year of sucessful crop nurturing. Today many gather to celebrate in much the same way with friends, family, and acquaintances.

Senior members or Wu Shen Tao gathered for a late lunch to share food, ideas and laughs. It also helps participants to begin to start thinking about plans for their progress in the coming year. Traditional Moon cakes were available and appreciated by all!

PUSH HANDS WORKSHOP AT SUI LUM PAI SCHOOL

On Sunday October 22 from 1-5 pm Sifu Paul Ramos will be conducting an intensve training seminar at the Sui Lum Pai Kung Fu school in Haverton PA. This seminar will look at aspects of structure, force generation, and sensitivity training. The goal will be to truly work towards developing the skill of “using softness to overcome hardness” as expressed in many of the Tai Chi Classics. Those interested in attending or who wish to obtain mare information on the event should contact Paul at 301-651-3617 or email him at longmen987@gmail.com

ANNUAL TAMPA BAY MA CLUB RETREAT

On November 11 and 12th, 2023 the Tampa Bay Martial Arts Club will be conducting its 11th Anual Push Hands Retreat. Thie event attracts many of teachers, students, and fans of Tai Chi in general and Push Hands in particular. This retreat is unique in that there are no workshops, classes, or formal instruction of any kind. It is 2 days of open sharing of push hands, and any variation of Tai Chi form or weapons work in an unstructured and free flowing way. Several teachers and many enthusiasts from this area will be attending to include a few members of the WST/ Wudang community. We look forward to participating and will report back after the events’ completion.

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 12-1 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

October is a fine and dangerous season … It is dry and cool and the land is wild with red and gold and crimson, and all the lassitudes of August have seeped out of your blood, and you are full of ambition. It is a wonderful time to begin anything at all.

Thomas Merton

Your world is a living expression of how you are using and have used your mind.

Earl Nightingale

Do or Do Not; There is no try!

Yoda, Jedi Master

SEPTEMBER 2023 WST NEWS

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

CLOSED Monday October 9 for Columbus Day holiday
October 22 – Sui Lum Pai Push Hands Workshop, Delaware

US CHALLENGE TOURNAMENT

 On August 12-13, 2023 the US Wushu Academy headed by Master Christopher Pei held the US Challenge Tournament at the Washington Education Zone in Lanham MD .  This 2-day event showcased Modern Wu Shu, external form and combat soft weapons divisions on Saturday while the internal events took place on Sunday.  The large spacious venue was more than sufficient for the competitors and spectators to feel comfortable. The skill level was moderately high in the advanced divisions and the judges were experienced and fair. This event has grown significantly after its absence related to COVID 19 cancelations.  With the increase in interest, competitors, and events, it appears this may become one of the premiere tournaments of the mid- Atlantic region during the next couple of years. We are planning to attend next years’ event and hope that many of you may join us for the 2024 edition of the US Challenge tournament.

WUDANG DRAGON GATE SECT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS in the U.S.

A group of 25 individuals attended the 30th Anniversary of the Wudang Dragon Gate’s growth in the USA. The event was held at the Bethesda MD restaurant Q by Peter Chang on Saturday August 19, 2023.  The group was lively and talkative with 3 generations of WDLM members there.  GM Liu Xiao Ling spoke about the current level of growth and encouraged attendees to continue to spread the principles of health, consciousness expansion, and martial arts for health and self-protection into the future.                                                                                                                                                                                     After consuming the varied and excellent selections of Chinese cuisine the group watched a picture show showing Masters Liu and Gao as well as George, myself and other Americans who were there in Shanghai in 1993 and 1994.  This led to photos of GM Liu’s arrival to the US in 2000 and continued forward to the present.  Disciple ceremonies, group pictures over the years and pics showing current and past members were shown.  The display concluded with archival video footage of Great GM Pei Xi Rong performing the Staff, Fan, and Wudang Yuan Gong sets. He was about 80 years old at the time and was an inspiration to us youngsters who attended.  The festivities concluded with a group picture and multiple conversations.  Participants all seemed to have enjoyed the gathering and we look forward to having similar events every 5 years.

COMBAT SWORPLAY WORKSHOP

The workshop was canceled due to the timing of the workshop.  Many who wanted to participate could not attend due to trips and the final attempts at vacationing before the summer officially ended.  The workshop will be rescheduled most likely in October or November of 2023.  We are excited to conduct this event at a later time for those who really wanted to attend but could not because of previously scheduled events. Updates will follow in the next newsletter(s) or by contacting Paul at longmen987@gmail.com .

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 12-1 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 learned that the moment you want to slow down is the moment you should accelerate.

• James Dyson

 He who has a why in life can tolerate almost any how.

• Friedrich Nietzsche

 Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.

• African Proverb

AUGUST 2023 WST NEWS

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

30th Anniversary Celebration, Wudang Dragon Gate in USA August 19, 2023

Combat Swordplay Intensive Workshop, Sunday August 20, 2023, 2-6PM

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE 2023

US Kuoshu Championships- July 28-30, 2023 at the Delta Hotel Hunt Valley MD : usksf.org

US Capitol Classics- August 5-6, 2023 at Gaylord Resort, National Harbor MD : uscapitolclassics.com/chinaopen

US Challenge- August 12-13, 2023 at Washington Education Zone, 6511 Princess Garden Parkway, Lanham MD 20706 : uswushuacademy.com

JOU TSUNG HWA TAI CHI/ QIGONG FESTIVAL

This gathering was first started by Master Jou Tsung Hwa who wrote one of the first authoritative books on Tai Chi in English called ‘The Tao of Tai Chi Chuan’. For more than 20 years this gathering has hosted many of the top Tai Chi instructors from around the country to come together and share different styles and methods. The event was held at the beautiful Mountain Lake Park Retreat Center in Warwick NY. Over a dozen experienced teachers shared their expertise with about 60 participants while teaching Tai Chi and Qigong aspects during the weekend of of July 14-16, 2023. Classes covered aspects of empty hand and/ or weapons forms, Pushing Hands, Self Defense, Theory, and energy cultivation.

The mood was friendly and informative with classes held in and outdoors in various comfortable or beautiful spaces. The teachers were relaxed and pleasant and the mood persisted throughout the weekend. There were also impressive demonstrations performed on Friday and Saturday evening for those online as well as for those who attended. It was an excellent gathering of like-minded individuals and we plan to be a part of the event again which is scheduled to take place July 19-21, 2024.

WUDANG DRAGON GATE SECT CELEBRATES 30 YEARS in the U.S.

In the summer of 1993 Paul Ramos and George Harris went to Shanghai, China to increase their knowledge of Tai Chi and other Internal Martial Arts. They were fortunate to meet and train with Master’s Gao Tie Niao and Liu Xiao Ling, the top masters under Grand Master Pei Xi Rong. They were 18th and 17th Generation Wudang Long Men Pai inheritors. During the training process it became clear that there was a vast wealth of skill and knowledge to be obtained through training with these masters and George and Paul were allowed to take part in the traditional Bai Shi ceremony after which they became 19th Generation disciples of this 700+ year old Taoist based sect.

This summer marks 30 years as members of the order and we will be hosting a celebration of this pivotal moment in our training history. We hope that those of you who care to celebrate with us please feel free to do so. Here are the details:

Q by Peter Chang

4500 East west hwy.

 Bethesda, MD. 20814

August 19, 2023

Time: 2:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Cost $40-$50

Reserve your place for this event by contacting Eric Putney at:

eaputney25@gmail.com

Questions may also be answered by Paul Ramos via longmen987@gmail.com or by calling 301-651-3617.

COMBAT SWORDPLAY INTENSIVE WORKSHOP

Join us for this event

1st hour- Fundamental hand and foot basics

2nd hour- Basic hand and foot drills/ training methods

3rd hour- strategies, drills, feints, counters

4th hour- Free play sword sparring

The main focus will be on Chinese swordsmanship

Date-Sunday August 20, 2023 from 2-6pm

location-'Roda Movement

11226 Triangle Lane, Silver Spring MD, 20902

Cost- $100 per person

for more info or to reserve your space contact:

Paul Ramos (30+ years of swordplay experience)

DCMDTaichi.com

longmen987@gmail.com

301-651-3617

Let me know if you have any questions

Paul 301-651-3617

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 12-1 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

“Not in doing what you like, but in liking what you do, is the secret of happiness.” —J.M. Barrie (August 1933)

“My father gave me the best advice of my life. He said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t wake up at 65 years old and think about what you should have done with your life.'” —George Clooney (July 2006)

“A pessimist is one who makes difficulties out of his opportunities; an optimist is one who makes opportunities out of his difficulties.” —Robert Mansell (August 1933)