Wudang Qigong and Taiji in the Ozarks

Welcome to Wudang Qigong and Taiji in the Ozarks!

with Jason Salgado

Jason is a eleven year student of 15th generation Wudang San Feng Kung Fu Master Zhong Xuechao

a.k.a. Master Bing (www.WudangDao.com). He began training Wudang Qigong and Taiji (tai chi) with Master

Bing in Southern California in 2012 and later in Wudangshan, Hubei Province, China in Summer 2016.

Originally from Southern California, Jason moved to Eureka Springs with his wife in Winter 2016 on a small

homestead with their three dogs, chickens, organic garden and a small AirBnB/Lodging just outside of town.

He teaches 8 Pieces of Brocade Qigong, 5 Animal Qigong and the Wudang Taiji 28 form in Eureka Springs and

throughout Northwest Arkansas. See here

In 2019, he brought Master Bing to Northwest Arkansas for the first time for Qigong and Taiji seminars

in Eureka Springs, Rogers, Fayetteville and Bentonville. Future seminars are planned when he can easily travel back to the States.

Jason is also a practitioner of Wing Chun Kung Fu (Ip Family/Samuel Kwok lineage) and an thirteen year

student and disciple of Sifu Bryan Talbot of West Coast Wing Chun in Long Beach, CA (www.WestCoastWingChun.com).

Wudang Internal Exercises

The Wudang Mountains (Wudangshan) in China is the cradle of Daoism (Taoism) and the Wudang internal exercises, or internal gong fu (kung fu). 'Gong fu' means 'Hard work' or 'Attainment of skill through hard work'. Over hundreds of years Wudang Monks have developed these groups of internal practices which combine physical fitness, internal work, attack and defense into one. Relaxation is key. Deep breaths into the abdomen help increase oxygen in the blood. The internal and external movements work together to help strengthen the body. The movements open the energetic meridians on the body and massage the organs. This helps to improve blood flow and Qi circulation.

Qi is the body's energy (life force/vitality). These practices are a moving meditation and a low impact workout that help to achieve physical balance, mental clarity and a stronger immune system. Other benefits include improved balance, lower blood pressure, stress reduction, anxiety relief, better sleep, improved flexibility, improved digestion...and it just gets you moving! No experience is needed and any age can participate. Movements can be adjusted to each person’s balance and Range of Motion. There is no competition with anyone else, only one’s self-improvement.

8 Pieces of Brocade

Eight groups of easy movements that are a short Qigong routine. The practices can be done alone or

used as a warm-up for other exercises. It is used to open the meridians, improve posture, loosen joints and muscles,

improve blood circulation, improve vital functions, help digestion and drive stagnant qi from the body.

8 Pieces of Brocade in Chinese is 'Ba Duan Jin' and also known as 8 Golden Treasures, 8 Silken Movements,

8 Pieces of Silk, etc. All classes begin with 8 Pieces of Brocade as a warm-up, but it is also a qigong routine in itself.

Here's Master Bing performing the full 8 Pieces of Brocade that you can follow along with:

5 Animal Qigong

Wudang 5 Animal Qigong, also 5 Element Qigong or Wuxing Qigong in Chinese is one of the most important exercises practiced by Wudang Daoist monks. It is movement coordinated with breath. It's movements are slow and soft like Taiji forms, but with less groups of movements and easier to learn. It is recommended to learn this first if you have no previous taiji or martial arts background. Historically, the Wudang monks were required to practice these five forms daily to improve health and wellness. This practice is comprised of five major forms; Tortoise, Crane, Snake, Tiger, and Dragon. Each form relating to each of the five elements in Chinese medicine, the Seasons and specific organs. This grouping of forms is derived from some of the most powerful and treasured creatures in traditional Chinese culture.

Taiji 28

Wudang TaiJi 28 form includes 28 groups of movements. This form is based on the Wudang San Feng TaIJi 108 form. We learn to use softness to overcome hardness, stillness in motion. These forms are taught for improving overall wellness; physical, mental and spiritual balance. Taiji, originally a martial art for fighting, is used by millions around the world for it's health benefits. This class is focused on the meditative health aspects within Taiji. With that, the form has punches, kicks, blocks, movements in multiple directions and generally takes longer to learn than the 5 Animal Qigong forms.