Wudang Comes to Wilkes-Barre; New School Offers Kung Fu and Health Practices from the Birthplace of Tai Chi

Wilkes-Barre, PA, March 10, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Starting the week of the Spring Equinox, a new martial art school takes root here in Wilkes-Barre offering a unique take on an already active martial arts community in the region.

Wudang Daoist Disciple Xia Chongyi (that's the name he was given when he was inducted in 2010 in the Wudang Temples of China) recently landed himself a school on South Washington Street where he hopes to, "bring out the atmosphere and culture of the Sacred Wudang Mountains–the birthplace of Tai Chi, and an apex of Daoist Health traditions." By health, he is referring to the practices used by Chinese hermits to extend their lives, often made up of breathing exercises, meditations, and stretches.

But the practices do not stop at self-healing. Instructor Xia is keen to point out that he offers traditional Kung Fu and Tai Chi used by the wandering Daoists (Taoist) to protect themselves from roaming bandits. Teaching Tai Chi in its traditional form, known as Taijiquan, this practice focuses on the martial and self-defense values of Tai Chi. While still attesting to the health benefits provided, this style moves both fast and slow, as students practice techniques in real-time speeds with one another in addition to stationary meditation techniques for conditioning and strengthening the body.

The Kung Fu may be for a younger crowd, recommended for ages 12-40, but it's fluidity and gracefulness mimic that of Tai Chi. With names such as "Primordial Mysterious Gate Sword" and "Eight Trigram Boxing," the many styles of Wudang kung fu offered are each full of ancient stories, philosophical contexts, and unique combat strategies.

When people seem overwhelmed by the foreign atmosphere of his school or the names of the styles, Instructor Xia quickly reminds people that everything is at an individual pace. Some students study as many styles as they can, while others work on mastering one single practice. But the Instructor encourages patience and preaches that, "It is your art. You invest as much time, effort, or intensity as you feel is right for yourself. It isn't about being the fastest, strongest, or most skilled. It isn't about being better or worse than any other time in life. Train how you feel is healthy for you and remember your goals."

But even with the student library, art table, and kung fu movie interior design, students are expected to work hard and take their martial training seriously. Students that are dedicated often join the teacher and his Master annually on trips to the same mountains where the Wu-Tang Clan got their name, and Jackie Chan traveled with young Jaden Smith in the new Karate Kid film. There, students will spend time with the authentic Wudang masters who instruct him, studying in what he describes as "picturesque and awe-inspiring."

Instructor Xia recently returned from Washington D.C. where he took part in the induction of Wudang Martial Arts into the Library of Congress as a world heritage art, and performed martial art demonstrations at the Chinese Consulate. He also was featured on Chinese international television this year at the 600th Anniversary Celebration of the Wudang Temple Complexes built by the Ming Dynasty Emperors. He also lectures at universities around the country on Daoism and his travels in China.

For more information on the Wudang Swordsmen Academy and their programs, you can visit their website at www.WudangSwordsmen.com or visit their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WudangSwordsmen.