SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
US Challenge Championships August 9th and 10th, 2025 in Lanham, MD. https://uswushuacademy.com/index.php/en-us/
Greater Washington Area Push Hands Gathering- October 4, 2-6 pm At Cabin John Regional Park David C Chen Memorial Tai Chi Court
7400 Tuckerman Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817
Fall Celebration/ Potluck Autumn Moon Festival Gathering, October 5, 2025 Ashburton Elementary school, Bethersda MD
Tampa Bay Martial Arts Group Push Hands Retreat- November 22-23, 2025 Lakelands Florida
US CHALLENGE EVENT
On August 9 & 10th, 2025 the US WuShu Academy put on this years event at the Washington Educational Zone in Lanham, MD. This annual event is held in a large space formerly the gym fof a former Women’s college . We congratulate Bethany Bethel-Pierre an 8 year old from the WST children’s class who earned a Bronze medal in the beginner childrens division. She is the first child to resume competeing since prior to COVID
Kristen Fang represented our Tai Chi program to earn Gold in Cheng Man Ching 37 Tai Chi form as well as in Tai Chi Sword. She also secured a Silver medal in Yang empty hand form. Her placing high in these events allowed her to qualify as a member on the US Kung Fu team . She will join a team of 300 from all over the US to compete at the 10th World Kung Fu Championships, Oct. 14th- 20th in the Ermei Mountains in China. We heartily congratulate both competitors for representing us well.
We also were represented by 3 Wudang Dragon Gate teachers who served as Judges .
Sifu George Harris, Sifu Alexander King, and Sifu Stephen Genus evaluated the competitors on Sunday during the internal martial arts events. Below is their pcture along with the other experienced judges at the event.
The Internal Division judges at the 2025 US Challenge
ANNUAL FALL CELEBRATION POTLUCK GATHERING- OCTOBER 5
This years Fall celebration and gathering happens 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.
Among those invited are members of other associated schools as well as 18th through 20th generation WuDang Dragon Gate teachers and practitioners, our sister schools such as the Dragon Gate DC, Sky Valley Tai Chi, the WST Shaolin Kungfu Children's School, and ALL students, families, friends and guests.
It will take place at the Ashburton Elementary School
in the large All Purpose Room.
6314 Lone Oak Dr,
Bethesda, MD. 20817
Oct. 5th, 2025, Sunday.11:30 am - 4:30 pm.
As is our custom we hope to include:
Indoor/ Outdoor Push Hands, Push Sword, for those interested musical instruments will be available for an impromptu jam session, games, or If anyone wants to sing or join us for a short MA demo on the stage there we would encouarage it and probably start the demo around 2 pm ish.
All attendees are encouraged to bring a dish or something to share with the group. Please let us know if you and however many friends or family members will attend so that we can make sure we have an approximate headcount and sufficient supplies for the group.
Those volunteering to set up at 11 or breakdown beginning at 4 pm please contact Kristen Fang at kristenwufang@gmail.com.
Any suggestions or ideas on how we can make this years’ event even better please contact Paul or Kristen asap.
We hope to celebrate with you so please join us on October 5th!
TAMPA BAY MARTIAL ARTS PUSH HANDS RETREAT
We are organizing another roadtrip 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 rent a nearby house to drive down the night before and 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 the preliminary notice concerning the current details of the retreat.
TBMAG 2025 Fall Retreat
Nov 22–23 @ Maddox Ranch – Lakeland, FL
Mark your calendar.
You know the deal.
Push hands under the oaks.
Partner work that levels you up.
Camping. Breeze. Cows. Maybe a train at 2 AM.
Same tribe. Same vibe. Just more of us this time.
74 showed up last fall.
Let’s break 100.
We need an accurate headcount to determine who is driving down, flying down, or meeting us down to determine what vehicle(s) we wil need as well as figuring out how many will be staying at the rental home{s}. For questions, confirmations, or inquiries contact Paul Ramos at Longmen987@gmail.com.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Kristin Fang has taking a chief organizational management role at WST and her duties include setting up administrative meetings, and addressing current and future plans to evolve the school. She will also handle correspondence with external martial art groups and organizations. She will also be instrumental in assisting with WST events such as the Fall Gathering / Cookout ( October 5th), as well as being the contact person for ordering of uniforms and supplies. T shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies are available for ordering. (Persons wishing to order uniforms and equipment should speak with her directly or email her at kristenwufang@gmail.com). We welcome her to the Wu Shen Tao staff!!
On the last Saturday of each month beginning in September we will take the last few minutes of forms class time 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 and are considered a powerhouse in the internal martial arts arena. 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 the next 35 years!
SHAOLIN KUNG FU
Wu Shen Tao offers training in 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. 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 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 1 PM.
The address for the location is:
3811 Nicholson Street Hyattsville MD, 20782
QUOTES OF THE MONTH
You cannot wait for an untroubled world to have an untroubled moment … In the meantime, it is best to grab what wonderful moments you find lying around.
Lemony Snicket
I now understand that life, and living it, is more about being present. I’m now aware that the not-so-happy memories lie in wait; but the hope and the joy also lie in wait.
He who asks a question might be a fool for five minutes; he who doesn’t ask a question remains a fool forever.
Chinese proverb