AUGUST 2024 Wu Shen Tao News

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

Capitol Classics/ China Open tournament August 2-3, Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor

US Challenge Tournament, August 10 & 11, in Lanham MD

US KUOSHU FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024

On July 13-14, 2024, the US Kuoshu Federation hosted its annual championships at the North Bethesda Marriott in Rockville MD. The venue was large and luxureous as was the hotel itself. The new location saw a few technical / computer issues but despite a late start it was on shecdule by the evening show. The event featured hard style Kung Fu hand and weapons forms, sword sparring, light contact sparring, Full Contact Lei Tai fighting, all the internal styles as well as push hands and Wing Chun Chi Sao. Our Team consisted of Kenny Chrzanowski, Kristen Fang, Alex Zito, Toba Adewusi, Erick Dubois, Michael Daryabeygi, and Michael-Kascic Ramos. All team members medaled in various form, weapons and push hands divisions.

Notably, we took 3 out of 4 medals in Yang Tai Chi empty hand (Michael Darabeygi -1st, Toba Adewusi 2nd and Alex Zito 4th); Ist in Tai Chi Sabre (Erik Dubois). We swept Light Heavy weight restricted step push hands ( Erik-1st, Alex -2nd and Michael D -3rd). Toba Adewusi earned 1st in the middle weight Moving push hands as did Michael Kascic-Ramos in his moving and restricted step divisions. They also medaled going up in weight to challenge the Super heavyweight Moving Step competitors. Kristen Fang earned a Silver medal in CMC Tai Chi empty hand form in her first major tornament. Stephen Genus, our perennial Gold medalist, served as team manager making sure everyone was where they needed to be and interceded with the Chief judge during a scoring mix up. Paul Ramos and his Kung Fu brothers George Harris and Alexander King all participated as judges.

Overall the event went well with a moderate to high level of competitors and a good organizing and judging staff. We look forward to bringing another team next year to continue sharing our martial skills with the community and challenging ourselves to become better and better with time.

UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS

Paul Ramos will be Judging at the last 2 listed events within the tri-state area. The first is the China Open, a subdivision of the NASKA A rated Capitol Classics event which has been a regular event for about 40 years. Paul will Chief Judge the Tai Chi Divisions and any other internal events as needed. It will take place at the Gaylord Hotel and Resort at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill MD.

He will also judge at Sifu Chris Pei’s US Challenge event in Lanham MD on August 10 and 11th. This event features traditional and modern Kung Fu empty hand and weapons forms as well as Swordfighting divisions. We hope to have a few competitors there to compete in Tai Chi and other internal events as well as in the Swordplay Divisons.

HYATTSVILLE LOCATION

Our Adult classes have moved 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. Begnning at 12 noon, we begin the Xing-I Chuan / Bagua Zhang training, as well as our advanced practitioner 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 12-1 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. More information may be obtained on our website : DCMDTaichi.com

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

Change — real change — comes from the inside out.

Stephen Covey

He who has a why in life can tolerate almost any how.

Friedrich Nietzsche

Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.

Sarah Bernhardt

JULY 2024 WU SHEN TAO NEWS

Tournament Season is here- Are you ready to join the action!

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

US Kuoshu Championships July 12-14, Bethesda MD

Capitol Classics/ China Open tournament August 2-3, Gaylord Hotel, National Harbor

US Challenge Tournament, August 10 & 11, in Lanham MD

ICMAC INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

On June 28-30th, 2024, the ICMAC National Tournament took place in Orlando Florida at the Caribe Royale Resort. This beautiful venue hosted 600+ competitors in a variety of external. Internal, Modern Wu Shu, and application based divisions. Paul Ramos and Alexander King both represented the Wudang Longmen system as Chief judges in several Internal martial arts events. The event had a Master’s demonstration on Saturday evening with Sifu King performing a well done combined internal style demo which was well liked by the spectators present.

The tournament was well organized and ran smoothly due to an experienced admin staff and a well experienced and motivated set of judges.

Unlike many events this one started on time and for the most part ended according to schedule.

The level of the competitors was similar to that seen at the US Kuoshu Championships which will be held July 12-14th at the North Bethesda Marriott Hotel.

The experience was very good and we hope to bring a team of competitors next year to participate in this high level event.

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 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 12-1 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. More information may be obtained on our website : DCMDTaichi.com

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

James Baldwin

Don’t count the days. Make the days count.

Muhammad Ali

Inner peace is the key: If you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility.

Dalai Lama

June 2024

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

Wong People Invitational event - Sunday June 9, 2024

School CLOSED June 19 for Juneteenth

School CLOSED July 4th for Independence Day

 SWORD TRAINING SEMINAR

The Jing Ying Institute, The Northern Shaolin Academy, and Wu Shen Tao Kung Fu-Tai Chi Center combined forces to deliver a weekend of Sword instruction.at Jing Ying’s facility in Arnold Md over the May 4 &5th weekend.

Master Billy Greer presented instruction on the Chen style Broadsword; Master Norman Smith shared his knowledge by teaching a Sun Tai Chi Straight Sword block and the 3rd section of this seminar was taught by Master Paul Ramos who shared sword applications and methods.

The aim of this seminar was to improve the participants knowledge and skills related to Internal sword work while also allowing practitioners to feel and perform Tai Chi sword methods that are rarely seen and practiced outside of schools that specialize in these arts. Beginner through advanced sword practitioners attended and many stated that they gained many insights from the methods taught and the actual sword play allowed students to put these methods into real time practice. 

A crowd of 20+ enthusiasts gathered for the weekend and worked hard to internalize the forms and applications presented.  Several teachers as well as those with little experience commented on how informative and how much fun the event was. We look forward to our next segment of our Grand Ultimate Training Seminars (GUTS), and will inform everyone when the details have been decided.

ASIAN AMERICAN and PACICIFIC ISLANDER Martial Arts Exhibition

On May 17, 2024 in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander month, a celebration and exhibition of hard and soft styles of kung fu was on display at the North Potomac Community Center .  Wu Shen Tao and their guests were asked to demonstrate its various arts to include Tai Chi Chuan, Xing-I Chuan, Bagua Zhang, Swordplay, Tong Bei Chuan and other styles. The event was located at 13850 Travilah Road  Rockville MD 20850.  This Free community celebration held 200+ spectators who attended and unanimously expressed their pleasure at viewing 19 demonstrations showing form, weapons, self-defense and combat swordplay. Refreshments were provided to the demonstrators and to the spectators after the show. A good time was had by all and County personnel has asked us to come back next year to celebrate Chinese New Year and other events.     

.

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 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 12-1 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. More information may be obtained on our website : DCMDTaichi.com

QUOTES OF THE MONTH

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Seneca

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.

Bessie Anderson Stanley

'Tis never too late to be wise.

Daniel Defoe

Krsyen Cheng Style straight sword

May 17 demonstrators

Marketa- Taoist Straight sword

MAY 2024 Wu Shen Tao News

SPECIAL EVENTS/ CLOSINGS

Tai Chi Weapons Seminar- Chen and Sun style forms, Sword Applications- May 4 & 5th, 2024, Arnold, MD

Asian American and Pacific Islander Martial Arts Exhibition- May 17, 2024, North Potomac Recreation Center Rockville MD

Fiesta Asia Heritage Festival Demo- May 18 time TBA 3-6th St Penn. Ave WD

CLASSES Canceled - Memorial Day Monday, May 27, 2024

 ICMAC International Championships- June 28-30, Orlando Florida

 MANIFESTING TAI CHI CHUAN- FROM IDEAS TO PHYSICAL REALITY -

On Saturday April 6, 2024,  Sifu Paul Ramos conducted a workshop on “Manifesting Tai Chi Chuan- from the principles discussed in the Tai Chi Classics and how to physically express those principles in form, push hands, and in self-defense  The 4 hour workshop included theory and principles discussion accompanied by a multitude of physical exercises to include foot to hand range of motion exercises, Silk Reeling methods and various 2-person exercises illustrating the principles.  A group of 12 participants worked diligently to perform the single and double person methods and the 4 hours passed quickly. Many positive remarks were made after the seminars’ completion and several students exhibited their increased knowledge and ability during forms and push hands classes on following days                                                       

The workshop was held at our Hyattsville location (3811 Nicholson St, Hyattsville MD), which is the meeting place for most group instruction. Our private and semi-private instruction is normally held at our Gaithersburg location in the Kentlands Shopping Center.

GRAND ULTIMATE TRAINING SEMINAR

The Jing Ying Institute, The Northern Shaolin Academy, and Wu Shen Tao Kung Fu-Tai Chi Center are pleased to announce its 2nd  offering in its’ Grand Ultimate Seminar series which will be held on the weekend of May 4 & 5th at the Jing Ying Academy located at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. #6, Arnold MD 21012.

Master Billy Greer will present instruction on the Chen style Broadsword; Master Norman Smith will share his knowledge by teaching a Sun Tai Chi Straight Sword block and the 3rd section of this seminar will be taught by Master Paul Ramos who will share sword applications and methods.

This seminar will improve the participants knowledge and skills related to Internal sword work while also allowing practitioners to feel and perform Tai Chi sword methods that are rarely seen and practiced outside of schools that specialize in these arts. Beginner through advanced sword practitioners can gain many insights from the methods taught here and actual sword play will occur so that students may put these methods into real time practice.  Eye, Chest, and groin protection is encouraged for the application section of the workshop. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the differences between Chen and Sun style sword and to be able to practice controlled sword sparring.

Information and the ability to register for this event may be obtained by calling (#610-631-9200).  This will be an excellent way to increase your sword knowledge, experience, and gain greater awareness of some of the rarely shared methods of Tai Chi Sword.

 ASIAN AMERICAN and PACICIFIC ISLANDER Martial Arts Exhibition

On May 17, 2024 in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander month, a celebration and exhibition of hard and soft styles of kung fu will be on display. It will take place from 10 am -12 noon.  Wu Shen Tao and their guests have been asked to demonstrate its various arts to include Tai Chi Chuan, Xing-I Chuan, Bagua Zhang, Swordplay, Tong Bei Chuan and other styles. The event will take place at the North Potomac Recreation Center located at 13850 Travilah Road  Rockville MD 20850.  This community celebration is Free so get there early to get a good seat!    PLEASE BE ADVISED that Montgomery County Recreation now requires attendees of all events to fill out a registration form at any of its locations beginning April 1, 2024 through May 12, 2024. They will NOT allow registrations /waivers to be taken at the door).

Spectators allowed in at 9:45 am.  For questions contact Paul at 301-651-3617.or email us at longmen987@gmail.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 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 12-1 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. More information may be obtained on our website : DCMDTaichi.com

 QUOTES OF THE MONTH

Reason well from the beginning and then there will never be any need to look back with confusion and doubt.

-The Dalai Lama

 All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then Success is sure.

-Mark Twain

Freedom is not just the absence of chains; it’s overcoming the brutality of reality and, despite it all, daring to be happy.

-Mario Escobar