Sifu Paul Ramos is working on a video series where he addresses a variety of questions and issues related to Tai Chi, holistic health, and the internal arts. Got any questions you've been mulling? Share them here and maybe it can become a video for the whole community.
July 2017 News
SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
CLOSED MONDAY JULY 3 for Independence Day Holiday
Saturday July 8- Class location changed to Sligo Creek Park (Piney branch Rd East to Dale Drive, Park entrance 100 ft. on right after Piney branch and Dale Drive intersection in lot on Dale Drive. (Change related to DX Summer Intensives).
No Children’s Kung Fu class on Saturday July 8 and July 22 (r/t DX Summer Intensives. Children will be billed at ½ rate for July.
PLAYFUL DRAGON COOKOUT- Sunday JULY 16, 2-6 PM- Everyone invited
DX SUMMER INTENSIVES
The Annual Summer Dance Intensives from July8-23 will utilize the entire space. Therefore all daytime classes during this time period will not take place. NO Monday or Thursday noon classes are available from July 8-22nd.
On Saturday July 8 classes will be moved outside to the park just off Piney Branch Rd. on Dale Drive. There is a parking lot available and a field to workout in on the left about 200 yards after the turn onto Dale Drive from Piney Branch Rd. On Saturday July 22, all Tai Chi and self- defense classes will all take place in Studio 2.
We apologize for any inconvenience and will resume normal scheduling after July22.
WU SHEN TAO 3RD ANNUAL PLAYFUL DRAGON COOKOUT
We are looking to have this year’s celebration at our usual place in Silver Spring at the Indian Springs Terrace Park facility. It is located at 9717 Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring MD 20901. We will meet at 1:30pm -6 PM on Sunday July 16th
Feel free to invite friends, families, students and teachers from the area. Join us for food, demos, games, stimulating conversation, and an impromptu live music jam performed by the attendees. There is usually a push hands group, a discussion group, and a play area nearby for children to climb and run around in. There is an indoor facility with bathrooms and a kitchenette and open areas outside for cooking, playing, and enjoying the weather. It is always a lot of fun and we encourage you to keep the 3rd Sunday in July available to come join us. We will still have AM classes that day so come work out and then join us for fun in the sun! Please RSVP so that we can prepare properly! A somewhat accurate headcount helps us make sure we have enough fun for everyone!
We also seek volunteers to help with assorted set up and break down tasks such as help with barbequing, transporting food to the venue, etc. A signup list will be brought to the school soon and those in attendance will be asked to help during the announcements at the end of class.
See you all then!!
WELCOME AND CONGRATULATIONS!
We’d like to welcome new members Patricia Vrabel, Holly Vaughn, James and Ellen Salkeld, Christin Melendez, Rex Durairg, Yonas Le Baron, and Gerald Lucas to the Wu Shen Tao family. Speaking of families, we send belated congrats to Emily and Hieu Duong on the birth of their son and congrats as well to Andrea and Kevin Koo on the birth of their daughter Abigail. Hopefully we’ll see you all at our cookout on July 16th.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TOURNAMENTS
Playful Dragon Gathering- Indian Spring Terrace Park, SS MD -July 16 2-6 PM
Kuoshu International Championships –Hunt Valley Marriott, Hunt Valley MD -July 29 & 30th.
Capitol Classics / China Open- Saturday August 5, 2017 at the Gaylord Resort and Hotel, National Harbor MD.
US Challenge Tournament. Saturday October 7th from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at the Marriott Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg MD
JULY SWORDPLAY CLASS
We will meet for sword basics and application class this month on Wednesday July19, 2017 from 7:30-9 PM. Bring a sword, eye protection and groin protection (optional).
NEW WEB SITE 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
Self-trust is the first secret of success.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
If there is no struggle; there is no progress.
-Frederick Douglas
Success doesn’t come to you…you go get it.
-Marva Collins
June 2017 News
SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS
No Noon Class – Monday June 12, 2017 at the DX
Closed Monday July 3, 2017 for Independence Day Holiday
WU SHEN TAO 3RD ANNUAL PLAYFUL DRAGON GATHERING
We are looking to have this year’s celebration at our usual place in Silver Spring at the Indian Springs Terrace Park facility. It is located at 9717 Lawndale Drive, Silver Spring MD 20901. We will meet at 1:30pm -6 PM on Sunday July 16th
Feel free to invite friends, families, students and teachers from the area. Join us for food, demos, games, stimulating conversation, and an impromptu live music jam performed by the attendees. There is usually a push hands group, a discussion group, and a play area nearby for children to climb and run around in. There is an indoor facility with bathrooms and a kitchenette and open areas outside for cooking, playing, and enjoying the weather. It is always a lot of fun and we encourage you to keep the 3rd Sunday in July available to come join us. We will still have AM classes that day so come work out and then join us for fun in the sun! Please RSVP so that we can prepare properly! A somewhat accurate headcount helps us make sure we have enough fun for everyone! Volunteers for setup and breakdown sincerely appreciated.
See you all then!!
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TOURNAMENTS
Playful Dragon Gathering- Indian Spring Terrace Park, SS MD -July 16 2-6 PM
Kuoshu International Championships –Hunt Valley Marriott, Hunt Valley MD -July 29 & 30th.
Capitol Classics / China Open- Saturday August 5, 2017 at the Gaylord Resort and Hotel, National Harbor MD.
US Challenge Tournament. Saturday October 7th from 8:30 AM to 5 PM at the Marriott Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg MD
JUNE SWORDPLAY CLASS
We will meet for sword basics and application class this month on Monday June 19, 2017 from 7:30-9 PM. Bring a sword, eye protection and groin protection (optional).
PLEASE LIKE US ON OUR WU SHEN TAO FACEBOOK PAGE
-and join some of our online conversations and discussions- Thanks again!
NEW WEB SITE 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
Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Mark Twain-
Try not to be a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.
Albert Einstein-
The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.
Theodore Roosevelt-
May 2017 News
SPECIAL EVENTS/
Silver Spring Fiesta Asia Street Festival- Sunday May 7- 9am- 6 PM-Downtown SS- Update- UNFORTUNATELY CANCELED
Asian Heritage Festival- Saturday May 20, 2017 – 11 am -7 Pm- WDC- UNFORTUNATELY CANCELED
CLOSED Monday May 29th for Memorial Day
TIEN SHAN PAI LEGACY TOURNAMENT
Judges Paul Ramos and Eric Putney participated in the tournament along side competitors Kenneth Traeger, Rodney Schmidt and Andrea Koo. Linda Krakauer also attended to observe and take pictures. Both Kenneth and Rodney competed for the first time and entered the beginner Yang Tai Chi empty hand division. They both did very well with Rodney finishing just out of medal contention. Andrea competed in Advanced Yang Tai Chi empty hand and sword form, as well as performing Bagua in the Other Internal division. She earned a bronze in Sword and took gold in both advanced Yang and advanced Other Internal divisions. The event began with a Masters Demonstration where Paul Ramos demonstrated Liu He Ba Fa (6 Harmony, 8 method fist) as part of an all internal martial arts display. The tournament was well organized with a good number of competitors and well qualified judges. We look forward to participating in next years’ event.
Rodney- Tai Chi form
Kenneth- Yang Tai Chi
Andrea - Tai Chi Sword
WORLD TAI CHI DAY
As is our custom we celebrated World Tai Chi and Qigong Day again this year. This annual event has taken place since 1999 and we have joined the international community in having free Tai Chi since the very first year. At 8:30 am we met at the Takoma Park Gazebo where about a dozen students practiced and worked their empty hand forms as well as some push hands basics. We returned to the DX about 10 am to do some free style push hands and to train in the internal self-defense class.
The Tai ji Festival was also held that day at Cabin John Park at the David Chen Memorial Tai Chi Court. Demonstrations started at about 1 pm and lasted for a couple of hours. Several mini- workshops took place at pavilions in the vicinity. It was a very warm and humid day but there was much to see and many talented and appreciative teachers, students, and spectators there who seemed to enjoy the festivities.
WU SHEN TAO 3RD ANNUAL PICNIC
We are looking to have this year’s picnic at our usual place in Silver Spring at the Indian Springs Recreation area. It will most likely be arranged for the last weekend in June.
We normally invite friends, families, students and teachers from the area to attend and join us for food, demos, games, and impromptu live music performed by the attendees. There is usually a push hands group, a discussion group, and a play area nearby for children to climb and run around in. There is an indoor facility with bathrooms and a kitchenette and open areas outside for cooking, playing, and enjoying the weather. It is always a lot of fun and we encourage you to keep the last weekend in June available to come join us. We will update this newsletter during this month with the final particulars
UPCOMING EVENTS AND TOURNAMENTS
Wu Shen Tao will be performing demos and two local Street Festivals this month. They are the Silver Spring Fiesta Asia Street Fest which takes place in downtown Silver Spring between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Streets this year on Sunday May 7th from 9 AM -6 PM. We will participate by showing Kids and Adult Kung Fu to the crowds who attend.
The next event will be the Asian Heritage Festival Street Fair which is held in WDC between 3rd and 6th Street NW on Saturday May 20th. The time of the event is 11 Am -7 PM.- UPDATE-UNFORTUNATELY CANCELED THIS YEAR!
Both of these events display the variety of dance, culture, martial art and foods of the various Asian peoples. There are many vendors selling all sorts of foods, crafts, clothing, and other interesting goods. These are fun events and although we have not yet been given the times that we are to demonstrate we look forward to these events each year. We will update this post when we know which times we will be performing.
Other events we will participate in are:
Wu Shen Tao Picnic- date TBA in June
Kuoshu Championships- July 29-31, at the Hunt Valley Marriott
Capitol Classics/ China Open -August 5 2017 at the Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor
Chris Pei Tournament- October Gaithersburg Marriott
MAY SWORDPLAY CLASS
This month’s swordplay class will take place on Monday May 15th, 2017 from 7:30-9PM. Please plan to bring eye protection (and groin protection as necessary).
NEW WEB SITE 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
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
-American proverb
Fear less, hope more, eat less, chew more, talk less, say more, hate less, love more, and good things will be yours.
-Swedish Proverb
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
-Robert Collier