June 30, 2010

The Karate Kid, Wu Long Gong, and Jon's Departure

Last week, Master Yuan and a big group of students traveled to Shiyan to see the new Karate Kid movie. Everyone cheered loudly when Master Yuan appeared on screen doing Eight Immortals Staff. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed the movie. After the movie, a large news crew showed up at the movie theater to interview Master Yuan and some students about the movie and about Wudang. Check out the pictures below.

The day after returning from the movie, Master Yuan led a large group of students on the hike to Wu Long Gong, Five Dragon Temple. The hike to the temple was quicker than previous times because of the new road and tunnel leading to there. During the day at the temple everyone took a hike to the peak. Everyone rested and relaxed for the rest of the day and enjoyed two bountiful meals before going to bed. The next morning, breakfast eaten, bags packed and water bottles filled, everyone set out for the hike down the mountain and then up the main mountain of Wudang to Zi Xiao Gong. We traveled swiftly and arrived safely back to the school that afternoon.

This Wednesday afternoon, we all had to say our goodbyes to traditional class member, Jon.  Jon's plan was to train with the traditional class for one year before returning to Beijing to continue with teaching English.  This month marked the end of Jon's training time.
During Jon's time here he improved exponentially in all areas of his training and was a constantly positive and inspiring member of our class.  Jon's devotion, personal resolve, and training ethic are wonderful and his presence is something that we will all greatly miss.

Please make sure that you also take a look at the website of Master Yuan's foreigners' traditional class:

www.wudangtaoistarts.com

06-May-2010

The weather is warm, the birds are chirping, and everything is green. In short... Spring is here! Everyone is training hard and enjoying the comfortable weather and changing of the seasons. Last month Master Yuan was en route to France with CCTV for filming just as the volcano erupted in Iceland, which in turn canceled his trip.

Two weeks ago Master Yuan and some students traveled to the nearby city, Shiyan, to see the new Donnie Yen movie, Ip Man 2. Ip Man 2 is the sequel to Yip Man in which Donnie Yen plays the famous Wing Chun master, Yip Man. Everyone had a great time.

This month we also celebrated our Grandmaster, Zhong Yun Long's birthday. This day also marked the inaugural meeting of the Wudang San Feng Pai Union Organizing Committee. The day began with a meeting led by our Grandmaster and some of his kung fu brothers as well as Master Yuan. Most of the San Feng Sect's 15th generation disciples as well as some of the 16th generation disciples were in attendance.

After the meeting was adjourned, everyone met for a big lunch to celebrate our Grandmaster's birthday. Master Yuan hosted and American student, Jeff, was also invited to speak during the celebration. During the evening a performance was held in which nine of the school's elder students performed Bajiquan and the foreigners' traditional class performed the Taijiquan 28 in front of a packed crowd.

Grandmaster Zhong Yun Long

Group photo at the end of the ceremony

Grandmaster Zhong Yun Long, Master Yuan and students

Taijiquan

Bajiquan

Taijiquan 28

Please be sure to visit the new website that the foreigner's traditional class has been putting together. The web address is www.wudangtaoistarts.com. The site's purpose is to give the world some background about those students taking part in the program as well as provide news and updates on their training and future plans. Right now, the site is still under construction, but keep checking in for new updates!


The change of seasons also brings a change in the weather and climate, so be sure to protect against sickness as Spring is the time when many people catch cold. Check in again soon for more updates and changes to the website!

February, 2010

On January 1st Master Yuan left for his first trip to the United States. During Master Yuan's stay in America he taught at the Bullis School in Washington, DC. He taught qi gong and tai ji to students of all ages as well as faculty. Master Yuan was also given the great honor of being invited to speak at the Library of Congress. He gave a speech on qi gong and natural living and led the audience in qi gong practice. His teaching and lectures were wonderfully received and attended with many people requesting his return in the near future. Check the pictures section for some pictures of Master Yuan in America.

January also marked the start of the foreigners' traditional program's first break. All students returned eager to begin training again on the first of February. Everyone has been focused and they all continue to train diligently despite the cold weather.

February 14th marks this years Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the Tiger.

To usher in the year of the Tiger our school took a four-day break from practice to celebrate. To kick off the festivities the foreigners aching for a taste of home got together and grilled up a batch of meaty hamburgers – no small feat in rural China where burgers are not exactly local cuisine. Everyone cooked and ate together, relaxed and ready for a few days of rest and stocked with plenty of fireworks.

Come New Year’s Day snow was falling and the sound of fireworks filled Wudang. At school we enjoyed another wonderful meal, this one prepared in traditional Chinese fashion by the school chefs. When midnight rolled around we all gathered on the roof and brought in the New Year with rounds and rounds of fireworks. Take a look at the pictures of some of the students on Chinese New Year.
The Wudang Taoist Internal Kung Fu Academy wishes you a happy and healthy New Year!

You may notice some little changes and additions on the website. We hope that you like them! Keep checking in for more news and announcements!

September 16, 2009

Hello, and welcome to the new News section of wudanggongfu.com!

In this section of the website you will find updates on the school, the website, etc.The first update we have made to the website is adding this News section, a section devoted to Articles, and an FAQ.

On September first this year Master Yuan started the first traditional learning program for foreigners.It is a 3 year program for students and a 5 year program for those who are interested in becoming teachers.Look for an article covering the first month of training in the upcoming days!

We will soon be altering and adding new information and media to the website including pictures, videos, etc., so stay tuned!

We hope that you enjoy.