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

April 2017 News

SPECIAL EVENTS/

Tien Shan Pai Legacy Tournament – Saturday Apri; 22, 2017 10 AM -5 Pm

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day- Saturday April 29, 20178:30-9:30 am

Silver Spring Fiesta Asia Street Festival- Sunday May 7- 9am- 6 PM-Downtown SS

Asian Heritage Festival- Saturday May 20, 2017 – 11 am -7 Pm-  WDC

TIEN SHAN PAI LEGACY TOURNAMENT

This, by invitation only event will take place on Saturday April 22nd, beginning at 10 am, in Timonium MD. Previously this event only eligible for students of the Tien Shan Pai lineage but they have invited a few schools outside of the system to expand the event. There will be kids and adult Shaolin Kung Fu divisions as well as Tai Chi, Xing-I, Bagua empty hand and weapons division and Pushing Hands. I would like to have several of our students compete to gain practice at this smaller and less formal event. It is also a good tune up for the qualifier for the Kuoshu World Championships to be held near Baltimore the last weekend in July.

Let Paul know if you plan to attend so that he can make sure your event(s) are up to snuff.  Online registration is available by going to http://www.tienshanpai.org/ by April 15, 2017. Registration is available at the door but a bit more expensive beyond the first event.

APRIL SWORD PLAY CLASS

Swordplay class will take place on Wednesday April 12 from 7:30-9 PM. Please bring a foam or wooden sword, eye protection, and perhaps groin protection. See you there.

WORLD TAI CHI DAY

As is our custom we will be celebrating 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.                                                                                           Feel free to invite your friends and acquaintances to join us on Saturday April 29th from 8:30-9:30 am. If the weather is good we meet up at the Takoma Park Gazebo and have class outdoors. We may have the Tai Chi Push hands and self- defense classes there also if the weather permits. Join us and we will hopefully enjoy some good weather, fresh air, and good Tai Chi.  The Gazebo is located at the corner of Carrol Ave and Westmoreland Ave., about 3 blocks from the school.

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

Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.

-Peter Drucker

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.

-Chinese Proverb

Happy are those who dream the dream and are ready to pay the price to make them true.

-Leon J. Suenes

March 2017 News

Internal Push Sword / Sword Sparring Workshop

Paul Ramos conducted a 4 hour workshop on the fundamentals of Push Sword and Combat Sword Play on Sunday February 12, 2017.  A capacity crowd filled the training hall at the DX Center in Takoma Park.  Teachers, students, and newcomers attended the intensive sessions that spanned sword basics, hand drills, two man drills, evasion and cutting drills followed by about an hour of free push sword play. Then we added additional hand drills, line drills, reciprocating body attack and defense drills, and point control drills, followed by about an hour of free style combat sword play bouts. The bouts were broken into 3 minute rounds while participants rotated through all the other participants in the room. By the end of the workshop a tired but excited group of swordspersons all stated their enjoyment and appreciation of the skills covered.

Inclement Weather Policy

 Although thus far this has been a mild and warmer than usual Winter there is still almost 2 months left of possible wintry weather.  We again wish to remind everyone that when Montgomery County schools are closed due to bad weather- we are also closed. Call 301 651-3617 if there are any questions or if the weather clears up and you wish to make sure that classes will not take place. Also remember to stay home and allow yourself time to be well if you are feeling ill.  We like to share information and skill but we do not need to share the flu or other communicable illnesses.

New Website Setup - Please Sign In!

Our newly designed web site is up and running. 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.  Sign up for our mailing list on the contact page to receive our newsletters and announcements. We’ve also added more videos to give examples of the various arts that we teach. You can also find our Takoma Park and Gaithersburg class schedules online, here.

We plan to get the members only page set up soon. This page will allow members to access 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 soon to sign up for introductory classes, pay for class, or buy uniforms and books. Got any suggestions for how we might improve the site? Let us know!

Daytime Class Schedule

Daytime classes take place from 12 noon to 1 PM on Mondays and Thursdays. All subjects  taught in the evenings will also be taught at these times.. This schedule will continue through 2017. Watch this news page or check schedule page for updates or changes.

Free Community Push Hands

Our weekly Community Tai Chi and Push Hands Open workout is alive and well (23 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

To have joy, one must share it. Happiness was born a twin.

-Lord Byron

It is the responsibility of leadership to provide opportunity, and the responsibility of the individuals to contribute (to the cause).

-William Pollard

The secret for success in life is for a man (or woman) to be ready for their opportunity when it comes.

- Benjamin Disreali