SEVEN MOUNTAINS TAI CHI Wu-Tang Arts of Centre County

PATHS

What is a path? A path, at Seven Mountains Tai Chi refers to a training course or program series. Each path can be treated as a standalone training series–or a path to one of the peaks–with years of education and refinement. Yet many of the paths can overlap and crisscross over the years.

The 7 Paths we offer are as below:

1. Fitness & Wellness Path
2. Life Nourishing Tai Chi Path
3. Wu-Tang Kung Fu Path
4. Wu-Tang Tai Chi Path
5. Wu-Tang Sword Path
6. Eight Trigram Kung Fu Path
7. Cultivation Path

PATH 1: FITNESS & WELLNESS

Focus on a combination of fitness, wellness, and meditation courses, without the combative training of traditional martial arts. Includes all of our non-tai chi wellness classes.

Includes:

• Daoist Qigong Classes
• Kung Fu Fitness & Kicking Classes
• Martial Conditioning Classes
• Seated Meditation Classes
• Daoist Studies Classes
• Open Practice Classes

The Fitness & Longevity Path is open to everyone. And includes all of our non-martial art and non-tai chi programs related to health, fitness, & wellness. Some of these programs are included in the other memberships and paths.

PATH 2: LIFE NOURISHING TAI CHI PATH

Join the Life Nourishing Tai Chi community! Our core program for wellness tai chi, focusing on developing all of benefits tai chi is famous for, without memorizing hundreds of martial arts techniques. Known for results in just a few weeks, this unique approach to tai chi is unique from any other tai chi class you may have taken.

This video shows some of the simple movements we utilize to gain outstanding benefits to our daily lives. Life Nourishing Tai Chi is approachable for people of all ages and mobility levels. If you can stand for an hour, you can change your life doing tai chi, with us!

Classes included in this Path:

• LNTC Intro Classes
• LNTC Group Practice Classes
• Seated Meditation Classes
• Daoist Studies Classes
• Open Practice Classes

The Life Nourishing Tai Chi Path is open to everyone. And LNTC Level 4 is a required prerequisite for our traditional/classical Wudang Taijiquan (Wu-Tang Tai Chi).

The Life Nourishing Tai Chi curriculum consists of 5 levels. Once completing the 5th level, you can choose to change disciplines, or go into our LNTC Instructor Training program.

PATH 3: WU-TANG KUNG FU PATH

If you're interested in the internal martial arts, Wudang is the renown home to many of the most incredible Kung Fu styles in the world! Starting with Xingyi Quan, an assertive combat style, you will learn to apply full-body power, and understand combative footwork and fighting techniques.

Moving into Sanfeng Quan, you will learn this Daoist style with fast, long, & low stance. This cardio intensive style will develop a variety of specialized skills for wellness and combat, as long as offer a variety of incredible forms and weapons training.

Classes included in this Path:

• Wu-Tang Kung Fu Classes
• Kung Fu Fitness & Kicking Classes
• Martial Conditioning Classes
• Seated Meditation Classes
• Daoist Studies Classes
• Open Practice Classes

The Wu-Tang Kung Fu Path is open to everyone. This is a great starter program for those interested in Daoist wellness while looking for marital arts and an high energy classroom experience.

PATH 4: WU-TANG TAI CHI

The original Tai Chi system, founder Zhang Sanfeng (see our Wudang Taijiquan history for more details), was said to have seen a snake and crane fighting, and then dreamed of a martial art which embraced both qualities.

What truly made Master Zhang's art so special, was his combining of Daoist Qigong & Longevity practices, with the harsher practices of martial arts. Designing a subtle and introspective practice, Zhang Sanfeng offered the principle of adhering to the opponent instead of overwhelming them to the martial arts; setting the foundation for things like Aikido, Jiujitsu, and Chinese wrestling.

Wudang Taijiquan is unique in that it uses strong external stances to strengthen and develop the body, while moving continuously without interruption. This creates a constant exercises, while teaching a variety of skills for grappling, clinch-fighting, boxing, and kicking.

In addition to wellness, Xia specializes in combat application of Taijiquan, and how to incorporate it into the combat sports. Xia uses a variety of training methods to develop both meditative growth and authentic self-defense skills.

Classes included in this Path:

• Wu-Tang Tai Chi Classes
• Daoist Qigong Classes
• Kung Fu Fitness & Kicking (included at Level 2)
• Martial Conditioning Training
• Seated Meditation Classes
• Daoist Studies Classes
• Open Practice Classes

Wudang Taijiquan is offered to those that have completed Life Nourishing Tai Chi Levels 1 through 4. Once completing Level 4 of LNTC, you may opt to change to the Wu-Tang Tai Chi path, or take on the Dual-Path Membership option to continue in both practices.

PATH 5: WU-TANG SWORD PATH

Study the famous Wu-Tang Sword style from the ground up, with Xia' innovative Daoist Sword Arts curriculum system. Focusing on developing body mechanics and footwork, this approach teaches you not only the classical Wudang forms, but also how to move freely to express yourself through sword dance, and how to fight one on one in a combative sword fencing.

This course offers two types of classes. Both classes include foundational Wudang Swordsmanship skills and forms training. Our Monday/Wednesday class will focus on body mechanics, martial skills, form, and flow. Our Friday evening classes will focus on Taiji Fencing, and combative training. This way you can specialize your practice to fit your interests.

Classes included in this Path:

• Wu-Tang Sword Classes
• Taiji Fencing Sessions
• Kung Fu Fitness & Kicking Classes
• Martial Conditioning Classes (sword specific material)
• Seated Meditation Classes
• Daoist Studies Classes
• Open Practice Classes

The Wu-Tang Sword Path is open to everyone. Once completing a few of the basic sword forms, you may be required to learn Taiji or Bagua to learn the more advanced sword traditions before continuing.

PATH 6: EIGHT TRIGRAM KUNG FU

Baguazhang, or the Eight Trigram Boxing Method, is one of the most intricate and complex martial art system ever devised. This system involves over 64 sub-styles, and offers a plethora of weapons and wellness modules to supplement the primary skills. Because of this, Bagua is offered as a standalone art from the other styles of Wudang Wuxue (Wu-Tang Martial Studies).

In our school, we focus on the Wind & Thunder System of Bagua which focuses on the Dragon & Phoenix trigrams of Bagua, while utilizing the Wudang Purple Heaven long form to round out all of the basic skills.

Classes included in this Path:

• Baguazhang Classes
• Kung Fu Fitness & Kicking Classes
• Martial Conditioning Classes
• Seated Meditation Classes
• Daoist Studies Classes
• Open Practice Classes

The Eight Trigram Kung Fu Path is open to everyone. But it is highly recommended that students complete the Life Nourishing Tai Chi program, along with Xingyi Levels 1-3 and Sanfeng forms 1-3 for the best foundation before entering Baguazhang.