SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
May 31 2025- M.U.S.T. Application Workshop, May 31, 9am-6pm, Jing Ying Academy, Annapolis MD
ICMAC International Championships June 26-30th, at the Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando Florida
CLOSED JULY 4-6 for Independence Day Holiday
USKSF National Qualifier Championships to World Championships, July 26-27 Marriott Bethesda MD
Punch Hands Workshop, taught by Master Christophe Clark, Thursday July 31 at Hyattsville MD location
BAGUA ZHANG FUNDAMENTALS WORKSHOP- DENVER COLO.
Paul Ramos conducted a workshop at the Chi Life Academy in Denver Colorado the weekend of April 25-27th , 2025. The intensive covered Bagua Zhang fundamental theory, training methods, and principles. Bagua seeks to utilize precise footwork and body turning to generate power utilizing coiling and uncoiling within its form and applications. It is one of the three related Chinese internal sister styles of Tai Chi Chuan, Xing- I Chuan and Bagua Zhang. An enthusiastic group of 16 participants worked diligently to understand and to practice the fundamental skills over several hours on a beautiful day under the Denver Colorado skies. The intensive was well received and there are plans to schedule a part 2 of the instruction in the coming months. Many positive comments were expressed and we look forward to returning to the Denver Colorado area to continue the training in Bagua Zhang and other internal martial arts systems.
SWORDPLAY WORKSHOP PART 2
On Saturday May 3, 2025 Sifu Paul Ramos conducted a followup workshop on combat swordplay methods and strategies. This follows on the base of information presented in February 2025 which focused on fundamentals such as hand control, basic foot work, stationary and moving hand and leg drills, and finished up with free sword sparring rounds, This intensive reviewed previously given material for the first hour then moved into more advanced moving drills, compound attacks,, and irregular timing strategies. The group paired off and worked the drills and exercises for the second and 3rd hours before finishing up with free sparring so that partcipants could put into practice the skills just taught. The group was lively and stated that they really enjoyed the experience and requested a part 3. This third part will most likely take place in September on a date to be announced by mid summer.
M.U.S.T WORKSHOP SERIES CONTINUES
On May 3, 2025 the MUST workshop group (Martial Unity Special Trainings’ group), will be presenting their next installment of martial Art gems for the public to enjoy. This time the focus will be on kung fu principles as they apply to self defense applications. Sifu Billy Greer will be presenting Qin Na applications from Tien Shan Pai and Chen style Tai Chi Chuan. Sigong Norman Smith will teach striking methods and applications of Wing Chun kung fu. Sifu Paul Ramos with help students understand and practice take down and throwing applications of Bagua Zhang. All 3 instructors are advanced senior level teachers who have a wealth of knowledge and detail pertaining to their chosen subjects. The Seminars will take place at the Jing Ying School of Martial Arts in Annapolis MD. More info at 410-431-5200.
PUNCH HANDS WORKSHOP
On Thursday July 31, 2025 Master Christophe Clark, multiple time full contact fighting National Champion and former full contact World Champion will be conducting his introductory internal Punch Hands workshop at our Hyattsville location (3811 Nicholson St). This method serves as an intermediate practice which sits between moving push hands and Tai Chi fighting. This 3 hour intensive will combine Tai Chi principles with medium contact strikes and techniques leading to a more realistic way of looking at Tai Chi as a fighting/ self defense art. With his 40+ years of Tai Chi experience and even more fighting experience his insights can be invaluable to those seeking usable strategies which lead to combat Tai Chi. He asks all participants to bring chest protection gear since contact will be made. The training will be conducted in a controlled and safe manner. Those interested may order chest protectors in advance from our school to be ready the day of the event. The workshop space, which is limited to 16 participants can be reserved starting June 1, 2025 by contacting us via phone at 301-651-3617 or via email at longmen987@gmail.com. Chest protectors, if needed, can be ordered at this time but not later than June 15, 2025. The workshop itself will cost $75 per person and chest protectors may be purchased for $50 each. This introductory intensive will lead to a longer, more complete followup event should there be sufficient interested individuals. Spaces will go quickly so sign up asap. There is also more information available on the website which may answer many additional questions (DCMDTaichi.com/ News).
ADULT/TEENS SHAOLIN KUNG FU
Wu Shen Tao is soon to restart our Adult/Teens Shaolin Kung Fu program. The class includes traditional northern-style Chinese martial arts forms and techniques passed down through the Wudang lineage, as well as Tien Shan Pai and other Shaolin styles. The class will be held Thursday evenings at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mt. Rainier. The class will be taught by Lao Shr Jeff Bandy who has taught our Shaolin program for more than a decade. More information will be released soon. If you have questions, please reach us via email, wstkungfu@outlook.com
Thursdays, 4:45-5:45pm -Kids Kung Fu (new) - Liz Lerman Dance Exchange **Beginning 8-May** Note that Saturdays Kids class continues starting at 11:45am
Thursdays, 6:30-7:45pm -Adult/Teens Kung Fu (new) - Joe's Movement Emporium Beginning 5-June**
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 / private 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 and older children can also come on Thursdays from 4:45-5:45 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.
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it.
Margaret Deland
It’s never too late to start. It’s always too late to wait.
Jeff Olson
If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.
Martin Luther King Jr.