Daoshu: Wudang Daoist Arts in Oxford, UK |
wudang Martial lineages

A predominant semi-historical/semi-mythological tradition within China holds that Zhang San Feng had previously trained in Shaolin Gong Fu and invented Tai Ji after an epiphany, when witnessing a fight between a bird and a snake. He saw how softness and receptivity overcame external force, consistent with the apprehension of duality, reciprocity and harmony within Daoism. Integrating martial arts and Daoist health cultivation mind-body practices, Zhang San Feng is credited with originating Tai Ji Quan specifically and the evolving traditiosn of martial arts practices on Wudang Mountain until the present day.
The current traditions of martial arts transmission on Wudang Mountain have evolved from differing Daoist religious orders, specific temple communities and particular lines of connection between masters and subsequent generations of studients. The main lineages on the mountain and worldwide today are San Feng Pai and Xuan Wu Pai, although others are present on the mountain, such as Longmen Pai and Songxi Pai.
At Daoshu we will study predominantly the San Feng Pai system, although we will also incorporate practices that are shared between both major lineages.
Wudang Martial Arts in the 21st Century seems to physically embody the influences in the distant past from Northern Long Fist and Shaolin (and so its predecessors: Bhodidharma, Kalaripyattu and Yogic traditions) as incorporated and reinterpreted within Daoist traditions. That is, a focus on Neidan (Inner Alchemy), Flow and Change. A link to "Opening Dao" wonderful short film about Daoism with beautiful photography of Wudang can be found below:
http://www.lifeartsmedia.com/opening-dao-taoism-martial-arts-documentary
At Daoshu we will study predominantly the San Feng Pai system, although we will also incorporate practices that are shared between both major lineages.
Wudang Martial Arts in the 21st Century seems to physically embody the influences in the distant past from Northern Long Fist and Shaolin (and so its predecessors: Bhodidharma, Kalaripyattu and Yogic traditions) as incorporated and reinterpreted within Daoist traditions. That is, a focus on Neidan (Inner Alchemy), Flow and Change. A link to "Opening Dao" wonderful short film about Daoism with beautiful photography of Wudang can be found below:
http://www.lifeartsmedia.com/opening-dao-taoism-martial-arts-documentary