APRIL 2021 WST NEWS

COVID -19 Update


Beginning Friday March 26th, the Dance Exchange studio capacities grew. County guidelines will now permit fitness studios to operate at 50% capacity. For their spaces, this means:

Studio 1: = 22 people maximum

Studio 2: = 15 people maximum

Studio 3: = 7 people maximum

If there is sufficient interest in returning to in-person training then we may be able to resume classes in April. If not, we can look toward returning to classes at the DX in May or June. Please contact Paul at longmen987@gmail.com to say whether you feel ready to get back to class or not. We would be using Studio 1 and limit class size to 15 persons even though there are up to 22 people permitted in the room at this time.

We continue to offer Zoom classes in all form, theory, history , and principle tranings as well as in Qigong / meditation classes. There are also students who come to Gaithersburg to do private outdoor or indoors instruction in or outside of the Clear Circle location. Contact Paul via email or phone (301-651-3617) to discuss options. Since Spring is here, outdoor classes have become more fun and popular so if you’d like to schedule your outdoor lesson do so quickly because available time slots are disappearing rapidly!

Many students who have continued to practice via Zoom or in outdoor classes have been pleasantly surpirised at how much progress they have made during this time period. Feel free to inquire if you have questions or concerns about resuming your lessons in these ways.

Have a Great Spring!!

KUOSHU LEGACY TOURNAMENT IN JUNE

They are accepting Registrations for competition now. See Flyer below.

TSP Legacy 2021 Flier.jpg

QUOTES of the MONTH

Nobody can hurt me without my permission.

- Mahatma Gandhi


The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.

- Oliver Wendell Holmes


All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.

- Henry Ellis


March 2021 WST NEWS


TAI CHI and QIGONG CLASSES CONTINUE

 

The statistics currently announce a decreasing number of new cases of the COVID-19 virus. Some health officials have publicly stated that it may be still too soon to return to normal pre- COVID activities such as group indoor classes. One reason is that new variant strains coming from Brasil, Africa and England may lead to a 4th wave of infection. We are therefore continuing our current policy of Zoom training with some outdoor training available for those wishing closer contact but still requiring social distancing and masking requirements.

Group classes via Zoom continue to take place on Mondays and Wednesday evenings beginning at 6 PM (Tai Chi form and basics), while the sitting Qigong and Theory class continues on Fridays at 12 noon. Some students have opted to receive half hour private Zoom instruction each week or a one hour Zoom lesson every other week, at a mutually available time slot. Good for any and all who have the desire to continue their training from the convenience of their home. There are also a few in-person (Outdoor) class times available to those wishing to meet in person in Gaithersburg near the Clear Circle school location

Other options include Xing-I Chuan or Bagua Zhang instruction. Please note that Online training is best utilized for instruction of form, choreography, weapons, history, principles and relevent theories. Self Defence methods can only taught when both sides of the lesson have traaining partners present.

QUOTES of THE MONTH

If we all did the the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.

-Thomas Edison

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.

-Doug Firebaugh

The only real failure in life is not to be true to the best one knows.

- Buddha

FEBRUARY 2021 Wu Shen Tao News

 UPCOMING EVENTS

No Classes – Monday February 15, 2021 - Presidents Day

Year of the Metal Ox – begins February 12

 HAPPY YEAR OF THE METAL OX

2021 is a year of the Ox, starting from February 12th, 2021 (Chinese lunar New Year Day) and lasting until January 30th, 2022.  Here are some aspects noted from Chinese horoscope sources.

 Having an honest nature, Ox’s are known for diligence, dependability, strength and determination. These reflect traditional conservative characteristics.

Women Oxes are traditional, faithful wives, who attach great importance to their children's education.

For male Ox’s, they are strongly patriotic, have ideals and ambitions for life, and attach importance to family and work.

Having great patience and a desire to make progress, Ox’s can achieve their goals by consistent effort. They are not much influenced by others or the environment, but persist in doing things according to their ideals and capabilities.  Before taking any action, Ox’s will have a definite plan with detailed steps, to which they apply their strong faith and physical strength. As a result, people of the Ox zodiac sign often enjoy great success.

Ox’s are weakest in their communication skills. They are not good at communicating with others, and even think it is not worthwhile to exchange ideas with others. They are stubborn and stick to their own ways. 

Last year, in the Year of the Rat, the force was the fast, hard, active yang while the element was water, which Hong Kong astrologer, Jupiter Lai says is known for “changing all the time.” The ox’s earthly branch, meanwhile, is associated with yin, which is slow, soft and passive. Its element is Metal (or eather), representing “stability and nourishment. It is believed these additional associations and the characteristics of the ox have great synergy and are mostly favorable.  Every Chinese zodiac year is defined by one of the five elements. The upcoming 2021 will be the year of the Metal Ox, and its message couldn’t be clearer: Success will come to those who work hard. Really hard. “It’s hard work, duty, discipline,” says Susan Levitt, a professional astrologer and author of five books, including Taoist Astrology. 

 

TAI CHI and QIGONG CLASSES CONTINUE

 

Group classes via Zoom continue to take place on Mondays and Wednesday evenings beginning at 6 PM (Tai Chi form and basics), while the sitting Qigong and Theory class continues on Fridays at 12 noon. Other students have opted to receive half hour private Zoom instruction each week (or a one hour Zoom lesson every other week), at a mutually available time slot for any and all who have the desire to continue their work from home. There are also a few in-person (Outdoor) class times available to those wishing to meet in person in Gaithersburg near the Clear Circle school location.

Some students who are looking for instruction via online sources, also have options to study Xing-I Chuan, Bagua Zhang, or other martial arts / Fitness regemins in this manner. Please note that Online training is best utilized for empty or weapons Form, Theory, Internal Principles and/ or Meditation instruction.

Quotes of the Month

Divorced from ethics leadership is reduced to mangement and politics to mere technnique.

-James MacGregor Burns

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold, well.

-Josh Billings

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possiible.

-Dalai Lama