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Internal Martial Arts at Wu Dang Tao
At Wu Dang Tao, you can pursue these internal martial arts disciplines through workshops, Wu Dang Store and audio/visual materials. Tai Chi
Click gently here to learn more about the practice of Wu Dang Tai Chi. Qi Gong
Experienced Qi Gong practitioners generate surplus Qi energy that they can share with others for the benefit of their health. This is called "External Qi Healing" (EQH). Explore Master Chen’s advanced EQH workshops. Learn more about Master Chen’s Qi Gong training.
Wu Ji -The Infinite Well of the Present Moment
As a practice, Wu Ji is a form of meditation. Practitioners of Wu Ji learn to detach from emotion and ego in order to unite with the universal. They learn to experience life with joy and to show compassion, love and mercy to the illusion that is the physical world. They reconcile the contradictory nature of reality by learning to see both sides of the same coin simultaneously. Wu Ji practice keeps this contradictory view of reality in the center of its practitioners' consciousness, giving them control of their own lives. Wu Ji opens a small window into the wondrous layered landscape of mystical Taoist philosophy. Look through this window for more information about Wu Ji practice at Wu Dang.
Liang Yi
Liang Yi applies softness to overcome hardness, stillness to restrict motion. It is a very practical self-defense art, and all Wu Dang martial artists are required to practice it. To learn more about Master Chen’s Liang Yi practice, click softly here. Taoism
Lao Zi, the founding philosopher and primary deity of Taoism, taught that the Tao is all-embracing and everlasting. Taoists believe the Tao gives birth to and governs all things, and they seek longevity and oneness with the Tao through special meditation practices. Follow this path to learn more about the fascinating spirituality of Taoism. |
Wu Dang Tao offers training and instructional materials in a number of internal martial arts disciplines. These are disciplines, originally developed at Wu Dang Mountain, that focus on strengthening your internal processes so you are well able to cultivate and nurture energy.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of non-strenuous, soft and flowing exercise. Developed on Wu Dang Mountain about 700 years ago, Tai Chi promotes overall health and is an effective form of self-defense. It is often described as “moving meditation” because it relieves stress and improves concentration. The movements are performed with silk-like energy that is continuous, flexible, soft and effortless. Slow, deep and gentle breathing regulates the tempo of the movements.
Qi Gong is a powerful Chinese system of healing and energy medicine. It is a subtle art that combines breathing, controlled movement and meditation to circulate, cleanse and focus the Qi (life force) in the body. In Chinese, Qi Gong means “working with one’s life force”. Qi Gong practice promotes physical well-being, mental tranquility and inner contentment.
In Chinese, Wu Ji means ultimate or infinite, and it refers to the state of stillness from which we begin our practice of internal martial arts. In the Taoist tradition, everything comes from Wu Ji, meaning that we must access the infinite stillness in order to practice any art, martial or otherwise.
The Wu Dang internal martial art of Liang Yi is similar in many ways to Tai Chi. It is a technique of training and strengthening the body to produce explosive power. It combines fast and slow, soft and hard movements and teaches the student to move with the power of a dragon, sit with the patience of a tiger, and yield with the speed of lighting.
Taoism, the indigenous religion of China, is based on the idea that humans are microcosms of the universe. Through understanding yourself, you come to understand the universe around you. Tao means ‘the path’ in Chinese, and by coming into the path, or the natural flow of the universe, you can attain happiness, peace and harmony.
