WU SHEN TAO 3RD ANNUAL PLAYFUL DRAGON COOKOUT
35-40 participants came and enjoyed a sunny day with the Wu Shen Tao folks in Silver Spring at the Indian Springs Creek Park facility. There was plenty of food, drink, conversation and camaraderie at the event which took place from 2-6PM on July 16th. The participants enjoyed a demonstration which included demos by students and teachers in several styles of Tai Chi, Bagua Zhang, Xing-I Chuan, Tai Chi Sword, Push Hands, Push Sword, and Tai Chi applications. We’d like to thank the teachers who came and participated &/ or demonstrated. Teachers who participated include CP Ong, Dante Gilmer, Joanna Chang, Charles Cashell, Katheryn Yasioka, and Edward Pratt and we appreciate their support and contributions to the event. We also want to thank the students who helped to set up, cook, and close down after the cookout. It would have been much more difficult without the support and efforts of our Wu Shen Tao family. We thank you all so much!
US KUOSHU CHAMPIONSHIPS
On the weekend of July 28-30, we, once again, took part in these yearly competitions that were held at the Hunt Valley Marriott in Hunt Valley MD. This year’s event is the national qualifying event which selects the team which will represent the US at the 2018 Kuo Shu World Championships which will take place at the same venue in July 2018. Paul Ramos again taught part of the judges training program on Friday before working as a Chief Judge on Saturday and Sunday. Several students competed for the school and did a fine job of representing us. We thank Julian Weaver, Evan Colton, Toba Adewusi, Michael Daryabeygi, Daniel Nightingale, and Steven Genus, and my Kung Fu brother and WST children’s instructor, Terance Nicholson, for representing our school. I also want to thank Eric Putney, Bob Burmeister, Meghan Jackson, and Paul Morgan, for coming in to root on their classmates as well and those who watched the event on live stream. All of our competitors did very well and almost all medaled in various events. Honorable mention goes to Terance Nicholson for winning Advanced Sword and being first alternate for the US team in Xing-I as well as taking home another Silver in advanced empty hand. Most forms divisions had 15-25 competitors so competition was strong. Finally we wish to congratulate Steven Genus for medaling in 6 out of 7 events and qualifying to be on the US team for next year’s World Championships in both Bagua Zhang and Xing-I Chuan. Make plans now to attend next years’ Kuo Shu World Champion Tournament to be held the last weekend in July 2018 in Hunt Valley MD.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TOURNAMENTS
Capitol Classics / China Open- Saturday August 5, 2017 at the Gaylord Resort and Hotel, National Harbor MD.
Symposium for Integrative Health Tai Chi Retreat- September 8,9,10 held at Maris Stella Retreat Center, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Island, NJ http://syihtq.org/index.html
US Open Martial Arts Championships – Sunday October 1, 2017 -Queens College NYC
US Challenge Tournament. Saturday October 7th from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at the Marriott Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg MD
AUGUST SWORDPLAY CLASS
We will meet for sword basics and application class this month on Wednesday August 9, 2017 from 7:30-9 PM. Bring a sword, eye protection and groin protection (optional). All students are encouraged to attend regardless of experience.
WEB SITE CONTACT PAGE IS UP- PLEASE SIGN IN!
Our newly designed web site is up and running at present. Although most of the information has been set up; small additions to text, video, and pictures will be added to make the school’s curriculum and goals more accessible. New elements to the site include a sign up contact page for those wanting to receive our newsletters and announcements, we’ve also added more videos to give examples of the various arts that we teach. Schedules of our Takoma Park as well as our Gaithersburg locations are now online. We plan to get the members only page set up soon. This page will allow members access to areas of the site where one may find articles, videos and archival information concerning the programs taught as well as historical information related to internal martial arts. We also plan to have online payment options available for those persons seeking to sign up for introductory classes, or to buy uniforms, books, or to pay for classes. We also humbly accept suggestions as to how we may improve the site so that it may be easier and more usable to current and future members.
FREE COMMUNITY PUSH HANDS -
Our weekly Community Tai Chi and Push Hands Open workout is alive and well (25 years and counting). We hold the Free Community Workout, 3 blocks away, at the Roda Movement Center which is located at 7014 Westmoreland Avenue (just off Carroll Avenue) in Takoma Park, MD. It is located just behind the Gazebo located on Carroll Avenue and across from the House of Musical Traditions. The workout takes place on Thursdays from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Feel free to contact us at longmen987@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns.
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.
-Washington Irving
Success is the good fortune that comes from aspiration, desperation, perspiration, and inspiration.
-Evan Esar
Sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character, sow a character and you reap a destiny.
.-George Dana Boardman