Fall Gathering/ Autumn Moon Festival group picture 10/5/25
SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
Tampa Bay Martial Arts Group Push Hands Retreat- November 22-23, 2025 Lakelands Florida
CLOSED SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29th for Thanksgiving Holiday
NO CLASSES DECEMBER 24- JANUARY 1 - Winter Break- Classes resume Jan 2, 26
FALL PUSH HANDS GATHERING
Sifu Joanna Chang of WuWei Tai Chi hosted their quarterly Push Hands gathering at the Tai Chi court at the Cabin John Regional Park in Rockville, MD. This event, initiated by her late husband David Chen has continued for over 2 decades now and attracts local Cheng Man Ching and other style Tai Chi practitioners who come together and share skills in a lovely outdoor location. Pushing is done on a large Yin Yang symbol which can hold over 30 players at a time. It took place on Saturday October 4 with a group of about 36 participants. Taiwan Push Hands Master Fu Zhong-Hsiang and his two sons, Fu Guo-Gui and Fu Kian-Chieh (Jay Fu) attended and demonstrated their skills at Taiwanese competition style push hands. The weather was good and the crowd was friendly and enthusiastic about pushing. The gatherinng was fun and informative.
ANNUAL FALL CELEBRATION POTLUCK GATHERING- OCTOBER 5
This years Fall celebration and gathering happened to coincide with this years’ beginning of the Autumn Moon Festival . This holiday was originally inspired by farmers who celebrated a good year’s harvest and always included food, family and friends coming togather to enjoy each others company, eat moon cakes and to be thankful for another fruitful season.
About 52 people attended the event and enjoyed a variety of foods, drinks, and lively conversation.
GM Liu attended as did a dozen members of the Wudang Dragon Gate 19 and 20th generations.
Several demonstrations depicting Self Defense, Tai Chi, Xing I Chuan and Bagau Zhang also took place. After demonstrations a groups went outside and did Push Hands, Push Sword and Sword Sparring. The weather was warm and the event was enjoyed by those who attended. It took place at the Ashburton Elementary School in Bethesda, MD. We look forward to continuing this annual event and hope to see everyone plus new faces at our next Fall event in 2026!
TAMPA BAY MARTIAL ARTS PUSH HANDS RETREAT
We have organized another road trip down to Florida to join the retreat that happens each Fall and Spring in Lakelands FLA. We went last November and had a great time. We will again rent a vehicle and a nearby house. We drive down Thursday night to join the festvities.
This retreat is meant to act as a laboratory where people come together, agree upon what aspect or style of push hands they want to work and then they have fun and play without a competitive mindset. It’s more about connecting with new and old friends and exploring various aspects of the art. Here is their preliminary notice concerning the current details of the retreat
TBMAG 2025 Fall Retreat
Nov 22–23 @ Maddox Ranch – Lakeland, FL
Mark your calendar.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TampaBayMartialArtsGroup/about
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Kristin Fang represented herself and our school at the 10th World Kung Fu Championships held at Ermei Mountain in mainland China. It took place mid-month October for several days and attracted teams from all over the US and 52 other countries. She competed in empty hand and Tai Chi Straight Sword. She barely missed placing in empty hand and received a Bronze medal in Tai Chi Jian.
She did herself and our school a great honor in representing us and we appreciate and applaud her efforts. We look forward to her and other members of our Wu Shen Tao competition team to continue their march forward, striving for excellence and representing our school at events here in the US and abroad.
Kristen Fang competing at 2025 World Championships
US team group pic at 10th World Championships, Ermei China
On the last Saturday of each month, we will take the last few minutes of forms class to have some of our more advanced members demonstrate forms and methods not seen unless one participates in tournaments. This should allow newer students to see where they should be moving toward in their learning process. Competition is not necessary but getting better is always the goal.
We also are putting out a call to all members to let us know if they are in contact with companies or organizations that may be able to sponsor or support our National Level competition team. We have earned 60+ National Championship titles over the years. Sponsorship would assist team members to defray the costs of air fare, competition fees, and hotel expenses since we are invited to attend events all over the US as well as internationally. We truly appreciate your support. Without the students and allied members there would be no Wu Shen Tao. We have sought to produce high level practioners and teachers for the last 35 years and look forward to keeping that tradition alive and well for decades to come.
SHOUT OUT SHOT!!
Congratulations KF brother Sifu Alexander King !! Your students Tom and Quinn raked up half a dozen medals at the US Kuoshu World Championships that are currently going on in Sao Paoulo Brazil as I write this. Way to go Roots and way to go Quinn and Tom!!!
SHAOLIN KUNG FU
Wu Shen Tao offers training in traditional northern-style Chinese martial arts forms and techniques passed down through the Wudang Dragon Gate lineage, as well as Tien Shan Pai and other Shaolin styles. Sessions include intense physical workouts which build strength, balance, mind/body coordination, and skills for self-defense. Training is tailored to each individual, so beginners of all ages are welcome. Classes are led by Lao Shr Jeff Bandy who has taught our Shaolin program for more than a decade. If you are interested, or have questions, please reach us via email, wstkungfu@outlook.com
Kids Kung Fu at Liz Lerman Dance Exchange in Takoma Park), Thursdays 4:45-5:45pm and Saturdays 11:45-12:45pm
Adult/Teen Kung Fu - Contact us for details at wstkungfu@outlook.com
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 / private training block which runs until 1 PM.
The address for the location is:
3811 Nicholson Street Hyattsville MD, 20782
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
Pay attention to what you pay attention to.
Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Loyalty to petrifed opinions never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul in this world- and never will.
Mark Twain
Alway do right. This will gratify some and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain
