Every year many people make the pilgrimage to the Wudang Mountains to learn Daoist practices for health and longevity.
Daoist methods of longevity seek to regulate the balance between body and mind that follows the divine Dao in harmony and unity with daily life. Since Dao follows nature and we are part of nature, we must be in accord with its laws to enjoy a long and peaceful life.
When one lives in accordance with nature and the seasons, they can attain long life.
Master Yuan has been practicing martial arts for over 35 years.
Through his experiences in personal cultivation, training, and teaching of students from all over the world, he has been able to cultivate a profound understanding of Daoist health practices. He places great emphasis on incorporating them into our lives and how they are integrated with wushu, qigong, Chinese medicine, a healthy diet, and proper life balance.
In the advanced course being offered Master Yuan will explain and teach the esoteric martial arts and health practices, helping students to master these and apply them in their daily lives. Exploring both practices of moving and stillness and allowing students to progress at their own rate as the advance and excel.
The 清静经 Qing Jing Jing, a Daoist scripture states “The heart of man enjoys peace; it is desire which pulls him away from this.” In our busy modern world living a quiet and tranquil life can be quite difficult, but this is the goal of cultivation. Combining stillness and movement, helping others, being in harmony with the outside world, following the Dao of heaven, and assiduous cultivation is the true essence of Dao.
Master Yuan’s knowledge and experience means that he can see the needs of individual students who come from all over the world to study here. Through strict training and perseverance everyone can achieve the goals of strength, health and longevity.
Wudang Taiji 13
Taiji 13 is comprised of 13 sets of movement – each with its own fighting technique and application. The 13 movements are as follows:
1.起势 (qi shi) – Opening
2.抱球势 (bao qiu shi) – Holding the Ball
3.单推势 (dan tui shi) – Single Hand Pushing
4.探势 (tan shi) – Reaching Forward
5.托势 (tuo shi) – Lifting
6.扑势 (pu shi) – Pouncing
7.担势 (dan shi) – Carrying
8.分势 (fen shi) – Separating
9.云势 (yun shi) – Clouding
10.化势 (hua shi) – Resolving
11.双推式 (shuang tui shi) – Double Hand Pushing
12.下势 (xia shi) – Sinking
13.收势 (shou shi) – Closing
The Taiji 13 was created by Wudang wushu patriarch and Daoist Master Zhang San Feng during the Ming Dynasty.
It incorporates Daoist breathing practices, qigong, standing post practices, and several other Daoist cultivation methods. This profound knowledge is a treasure of the Wudang Mountains from ancient times. It is a practice that continues to this day because of its efficacy.
Supplementary Training
Taiji Hunyuan Qigong
Taiji Walking Practices (the basics of Taijiquan practice. It is necessary to practice the walking in a lower posture in order to improve the overall practice as well as strengthen the muscles and joints of the lower body
Exploration of Taijiquan Theory:
The meaning and main aspects of the Five Movements and Eight Powers
a.The Five Movements are moving forward, backward, right, left, and centering.
b.The Eight Powers are:
i.Warding-off
ii.Deflecting/Leading
iii.Pushing
iv.Pressing
v.Grabbing
vi.Breaking
vii.Elbow Striking
iii.Shoulder Striking
2.The Six Harmonies and Coordinating Movement with Breathing
3.The Three Essentials of Posture
a.Straight body as if rope is pulling the head up
b.Steady as if there is a bowl of water on the head
c.Flexible waist as the axis
4.Fighting Applications
5.Push Hands Application in Real Combat
6.Taijiquan as Method for Health Preservation
7.The Four Requirements for Posture
a.The head is lifted and the neck is relaxed
b.The chest is empty and the upper back is full
c.Shoulders and elbows sunken
d.Hips drawn in and relaxed
*All of these will be thoroughly explored in class
Lectures
1.The differences of the three different characters for “qi”.
2.The Four Stages of Practicing Taijiquan
a.Learning
b.Practicing
c.Cultivating
d.Harmonizing with Dao
3.The Stages of Internal Alchemy
a.Refining jing into qi
b.Refining qi into shen
c.The shen returning to emptiness
d.Harmonizing with Dao
