Wudang Sword DVD Trailer

The trailer for my master's new YMAA DVD, offering the skills of the Wudang sword style. For information on ordering, please visit http://www.DaoistGate.com

School T-Shirts

For those hot days, we welcome students to wear plain t-shirts (no logos) or our various school shirts, which can be ordered through your instructor.

B/W Full Logo (White, S/M/L/XL)

"Spring & Autumn Martial Arts

Wudang Gongfu, Taijiquan, & Daoist Studies | Orlando, FL"

$20.00 (Student Price @ $18.00)

Zhou Xuan Yun's Pilgrimage Article @ YMAA

My teacher wrote an article for YMAA's news site sharing the story of our pilgrimage this year. Here's a link to it, as it covers much of our experience, and mentions our initiation into Longmen Pai as disciples.

http://ymaa.com/articles/pilgrimage-to-wudang-mountain

Taiyi Wuxing Application Video (Chen Shixing)

Here's the second piece of the sword video posted previously, this time, focusing on the Supreme Principle Five Element Fist Form (Taiyi Wuxing Quan). This is one of the oldest and higher level Wudang internal forms, and the technique being applied is one of the core skills in the formset.

Sword & Training @ Wudang (Chinese TV)

This episode of a Chinese version of Human Weapon features the student traveling to Wudang to pick up a bit of Sword Skill. Although it is in Chinese, it features Chen Shixing, some sword training, and alot of beautiful scenery. Easy enough to pick up just by watching. Feel free to post any questions. :)

Wednesday Qigong Class

Baduanjin, a famous Qigong set.

The practice of Qigong stems from the Daoist art of Daoyin. This non-martial practice focuses on building the health of the body, while developing Qi through the application of intent and breathing. Qigong offers martial artists a root for strengthening and building their health for training and combat, while the average person gains many benefits in awareness, improved breathing skills, meditation, focus, and physical conditioning of the internal ligaments, tendons, and tissues. This practice is often likened to yoga, but is unique in that it is accessible to everyone, and a practitioner's growth is only limited by their dedication, and not by their injuries, flexibility, or physical ailments.

September Newsletter

The September Class Newsletter has just been posted! Make sure to give it a glance. The big news is our new Wednesday Daoist Qigong Class @ 4:30-5:30 prior to our Wudang Martial Arts Class. A few events in the planning, more information on that down the road though.

September Class/Schedule Newsletter

Student Release & Waiver

For those taking classes, or that are attending orientations, it's appreciated if you read over the school waiver, and print a copy out if possible. This waiver covers all information the school requires, along with our student guidelines, our release waivers, etc. for students participating in classes & events.

Student Waiver on Google Docs Here

Panoramic At Wudang

A quick photo from Wudang. This was the view from our hotel at Nanyan.

(click image to enlarge)

Introduction to Wudang Taijiquan, Part 2

[...continued from part 1]

Image by toehk via Flickr

The use of inner alchemy in Taijiquan is an exciting transformation to see in a student. The basic theory through the practice of Taijiquan involves a student to learn to turn strength into qi, and qi into spirit. This idea is the transition of force into suppleness, then suppleness into intent. This process cannot exist only on a martial level though. It is a psychological and spiritual change which takes place over the years of practice and development. In this way, Wudang Taijiquan will begin with what seems like complex physical postures and motions. But over time, one begins to blur the lines between these positions so that it is only their energy or qi carrying them. After experiencing this, the final stage is that of allowing their spirit to guide their qi, which guides their body.

Introduction to Wudang Taijiquan

Image via Wikipedia

The sacred mountains of Wudang are said to be the birthplace of what is now called Internal Martial Arts (Neijia). Here on these mountains, the thought of combining the principles of Taiji (Yin & Yang), the Five Elements, and the Yijing were put into practice with combat theory as gained from the many warriors and military officers who exchanged lessons in self-defense with the wandering monks and priests of the Daoist lineages. By combining these principles and Daoist Inner Alchemy practices with the martial arts, a new theory came to the study of fighting. Going with your enemy's force, guiding and flowing with it, to find the correct moment of change, and return their own energy to them. From these principles, martial arts would now offer protection to the gentle, frail, and small.

Introduction to Wudang Gongfu

Wudang Master Zhou Xuan Yun

The most famous of Kung Fu arts are those hailing from Shaolin. But in China, there is a saying:

"In the north, Shaolin is respected.

In the south, Wudang is revered."

Wudang is most famous for their Taijiquan, which sometimes overshadows the diversity of martial arts found in these secluded mountains. At Wudang, the students begin their training with their own styles of traditional wushu (kung fu). These build the necessary skills for children's innate Yang energy, and condition/discipline their hearts and bodies for the world outside the monastery. Realizing the longterm investment and commitment one must have in their Taijiquan practice, students are offered a more external martial art to begin, which slowly teaches the students how to convert this Li force into Qi. Here is the internalization process most martial arts begin to practice after high levels are reached in ranking systems.

Class Dues for Cash/Check Payment

The following prices are the standard prices for classes if you wish to pay cash or check. These prices are a few dollars cheaper, due to no service fees for processing your credit card through Google Checkout.

"5-Piece Pushing Set" Qigong

At the August 29th, 2010 Qigong Workshop (hosted by the Orlando Martial Arts Meet Up Group), we covered two sets of Qigong; one swinging, one pushing. The following listing is for all those that attended this event, and would like a reminder of the exercises used in the Pushing-Cultivation Set.

"Swing Set" Qigong

This was the initial Qigong set practiced at the Qigong Workshop hosted by the Orlando Martial Arts Meet Up (August 29th, 2010). We had an excellent turn out, and covered a great bit of material! As mentioned, here is the list of names to jog the memory for those who wish to continue this practice. Feel free to leave comments with questions, or send any inquires (via email) to Info@SpringAndAutumn.com

Great job everyone, and thank you all for your attendance, and open heart-minds to tonight's practices.

School E-List

To help keep everyone updates on school events and changes, I've implemented an E-List/Mailing List for everyone who might be interested in class information. This won't be abused, and won't have the updates like the blog. But there are a few options for those who do not wish to receive constant notices.

You can sign up below, or reference the link to the right at any time.

Featured in the Orlando Examiner

Our school was featured in the Orlando Examiner. This article, by Kenric Lai, is an brief introduction to what we're doing, and our school.

Pass it around. :)

http://www.examiner.com/martial-arts-in-orlando/authentic-wudang-arts-orlando

Wudang Pilgrimage, 2010

Purple Heaven Palace, Wudangshan, China, 2010

A blog entry posted by my teacher's school, Daoist Gate Martial Arts following their return from China.

"Xuan Yun, his family, and a group of students, have recently returned from their 21 day pilgrimage back to Wudang Mountain.  A diverse group of students joined us on the trip.  Men and women, ranging in ages 3 to 60+ all participated.  Some were regular Boston students, others were students Xuan Yun met at special events or in China, and others were friends we had met here, on the internet."

 The rest of the article can be read here @ DaoistGate.com

Wudang Uniforms

For students that have reached their first form (or first section), it is requested that uniforms are ordered for wearing at class. These uniforms are handmade at Wudang Mountain, and are supplied by my Shifu and his school.

These uniforms are 35% cotton / 65% polyester, and are durable and long-lasting (also, easy to wash). They come in two parts, pants and robe. The pants are elastic at the ankles and waist, while the robe has frog-buttons (also velcro & ties on the side-closure design). These uniforms are unisex, and come in a variety of sizes.

Uniform Guidelines

Go online to any website, and you'll see a zillion of the same Kung Fu uniforms from site to site. But Wudang arts are not only unique in delivery, but also in dress. Not only does this express your art, but also it presents those looking onto the class w/ a sense of cohesion in the student body. Because of this, most every school has some sort of dress code or uniform.

But it's understandable that some people just do not have the finances to invest in a uniform when they first begin their training. This is why I try to maintain a lax dress code, and with minimal requirements on the students.

This isn't to say uniforms are not required, upon reaching completion of your first form (Gongfu students begin with Jibenquan, while Taijiquan students practice either the Zhang Sanfeng 13, Zheng Style Section 1, or the 108 Section 1), you should have a uniform or be ordering one. This is not required, but it is requested from your instructor and fellow students.

Information on Ordering a Uniform can be found Here.

Meanwhile, when first starting classes, the basic requirements are as follow....

Happy Chinese Valentine's Day!

Today is the celebration of the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese Calendar. This celebration is known generally as the Qixi Festival, or the Night of Sevens. Mainly a celebration for young ladies hoping to find love, it is still an auspicious day, and considered the "Chinese Valentine's Day."

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qixi_Festival

Wudang Gongfu & Taijiquan Schedule

For the Cypress Grove Park classes, we are going to have a schedule adjustment. This change was brought on by the fact that some students have to travel far, others get out work late, and just in hopes of opening up training for more people interested in participating.

Wudang Gongfu & Taijiquan classes will be combined at Cypress Grove Park, time-wise. Students are welcome to begin their training at 5:30 (show up earlier for stretching), and class will go on until 7:30-7:45. If you can't make it to class by 5:30, you can stretch out and begin your training once settling, so there's no issue with arrival time.

Taijiquan students will still focus on their discipline; Gongfu students will still focus on their discipine. But this will help everyone come to class for at least an hour, no matter their schedule, and have more time with an instructor for questions and review.

Feel free to comment any thoughts on this, or any questions you may have with this change!
http://Calendar.SpringAndAutumn.com

Photos by FireRabbit Photography

FireRabbit Photography did a brief photo shoot at Cypress Grove Park before class one day, and here are a few of the highlights.

More pictures after the break... 

To contact FireRabbit Photography, visit their gallery at http://FireRabbitPhotos.DeviantArt.com.

Jibenquan Move List

Jibenquan (Basic Fist Form) is the primary starting form for Wudang Gongfu. This, plus stances, some drills, and the Wudang 36 Kicks form the primary starting curriculum for students' first six months to a year of training.

Old School Blog

Before coming back from China, I used the name "Hundred Schools of Thought" in reference of my teaching. Since my return, I've changed the name to a more fitting "Spring & Autumn Martial Arts." This name change had many reasons but one was that the "Hundred Schools" seemed a bit disorienting for mainly offering Wudang Arts. So, in reference to the same time period in classical China, "Spring & Autumn" fit with Gongfu & Taijiquan.

But alot of useful material can be found on the old school blog @ http://hsot-ma.blogspot.com/. Feel free to flip through there, and I apologize in advance for any broken links or unkept images.

Pay Dues Online

The following shopping cart options allow you to pay online for classes. This can be used for any of the classes listed below.

Payment can also be handled in person via Cash or Personal Check written out to "Michael A. Vollero." Cash/Check prices are a few dollars less than the prices listed below, due to online processing fees.

Spring & Autumn Martial Arts Online Payment Options:

Walking the Prince Slope Temple

Instructor Michael A. Vollero walking up the Dragon-Weaving Path to Taizi Po (The Prince Slope Temple). Photo by Marjorie Jansen, Wudang 2010.

Wudang Kicking Methods

The following list are taken from the "36 Kicks of Wudang" set. These 21 kicks are the standard kicks, while the remaining 15 are example combinations. Since the kicks are named based on their translations from Chinese, many people have a hardtime with the names. I even learned them all visually without names, so I tend to use the standard American names from time-to-time. The list here offers the names we use in classes at Spring & Autumn Martial Arts, along with their general western name.

Wudang Sanfeng Pai Taijiquan Shi San Shi Movement List

Although the interpretation of the 13 postures form varies from instructor to instructor, the basic principles carry through all the renditions generally. The following technique list offers students the basic breakdown of these sections in the form.

1. Beginning (qi shi)
2. Embracing A Ball (bao qiu shi)
3. Single Pushing (dan tui shi)
4. Exploring (tan shi)
5. Holding (tuo shi)
6. Pouncing (pu shi)
7. Loading (dan shi)
8. Separating (fen shi)
9. Waving (yun shi)
10. Dissolving (hua shi)
11. Pushing On Both Sides (shuang tui shi)
12. Pushing Down (xia shi)
13. Finishing (shou shi)

Each section is recognizable, but also, they are sometimes repeated on the opposite side. Depending on the version of the form you are currently studying in class, some of these techniques may look different or have a different feel, but the two versions we train offer the same basic theory of the skills listed above.

Daoist Gate Martial Arts Trailer

Here's a trailer for my teacher's school in Boston, MA.



You can see him beating me up in a few of the application clips. :)

Clarity & Tranquility Classic

Here is a link to a website which talks about one of the morning chanting rituals of Daoists. The scripture is known as "Clarity & Tranquillity" (or Clarity & Stillness). This is just one piece of the morning ritual which I would attend daily at the various Wudang temples, but this is a good short & sweet tool for those wishing to add morning chanting to their practice, or just a great scripture to include in your studies.

There are a few versions of these scriptures elsewhere, and I'll try to post them again at a later date. Until then, here is the version posted on the linked material, unaltered, with translation by Livia Kohn.

Qigong Workshop

The Orlando Martial Arts Meet Up group are hosting a workshop on Qigong taught by Spring & Autumn Martial Arts instructor, Michael A. Vollero. This workshop will focus on a variety of Qigong practices, and will offer a look into this art for all levels.

For full details on this event, please visit event listing here.

This meet up costs $5.00 (at the door), and it is recommended to wear loose fitting clothes, without restricted hips, abdomen, or shoulders. This seminar is open to the public.

Classes in Cypress Grove Park

Due to transportation issues arising in early August, classes in Winter Garden are suspended, and relocated to Cypress Grove Park off of Holden Avenue.

These classes are also adjusted due to the park's earlier closing time at 8PM.

Cypress Grove Park Enrollment: 
Single discipline @ $65.00/month
Both disciplines @ $100.00/month

Wudang Gongfu
Monday/Wednesdays
5:30PM-6:30PM

Wudang Taijiquan

Monday/Wednesdays

6:45PM-7:45PM

Open Training

*Most* Saturdays (Check Calendar for adjustments)

5:00PM-7:00PM

Please come to class early so you have time to stretch. The instructor reserves the right to ask any students arriving late to stretch before jumping into class. 

All students enrolled at any location are invited to attend classes at Cypress Grove Park, and any additional classes will be provided here. For ride assistance, please contact the instructor to help coordinate with other students.

Map Link:

Cypress Grove Park

290 W. Holden Ave

Orlando, FL  32839

School Calendar

Here is a quick glimpse at the Spring & Autumn Martial Arts school calendar found at http://Calendar.SpringAndAutumn.com.

Changes In The Air

For those of you coming here from the old school blog, Hundred Schools of Thought Martial Arts (HSOT-MA), thank you for your understanding on this transitional period!
As most of you know, since being inducted into the Longmen Pai lineage @ Wudang's Purple Heaven Palace this past summer, I (Instructor Michael A. Vollero, Xia Chongyi) decided it would be best to revamp the school name with something that seemed a bit more... focused! Many people ask about the "hundred styles" and what that all meant. Since I almost entirely focus classes on the Wudang system, it seems a new title would also be appropriate.
Additionally, there are big things in store for the Hundred Schools of Thought motif, and more on that when it blossoms.
Until then, thank you for your patience, as we make this transition!

~Instructor Michael A. Vollero