Report from Oakland: 35th Anniversary of Wu Tao Kuan Martial Arts Institute

By Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN

On June 22nd, Wu Tao Kuan Martial Arts Institute of Oakland, California celebrated its 35th anniversary. My husband and I had what I consider the great honor of seeing vibrant, breathtaking demonstrations of more than 30 different styles of martial arts.

In his demonstration of Chen Style Tai Ji, Master Shu Dong Li appeared to be suspended and free of gravity. Even the silk of his garments remained smooth as he moved. His unwavering focus gave way to a most discreet smile at the close of his demonstration. He emanated joy from his heart, bubbling to the surface and breaking through the seriousness of forms.

Shi Fu Mark Gerry demonstrated Ryukyu Kenpo—pressure point fighting—which inspired awe and shudder as he dropped a man with one pressure point flick to the neck. It is in these moments we have evidence of the profound grasp and wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine and the human body.

To aid their understanding of the physical vehicle, the doctors of ancient China performed autopsies. They mapped out the nervous system they knew so well and graphically demonstrated nerve pathways and nodes. It is this precision and knowledge of anatomy and physiology which is imperative in pressure point fighting.

Sensei Patricia Hendricks, a 6th Dan Aikikai, tossed multiple male attackers around the mats as though she were doing a bit of light gardening. She has devoted more than 30 years to Aikido, owns her own school in San Leandro, California, has returned to Japan more than 25 times for continuing study, yet considers herself “young in this art.”

At 81 years young, Mr. Clarence Tai Gu Lee refuses to be called Master; though it is utterly disrespectful not to address him as such. Lee travels across the United States and Europe regularly to teach. He is the embodiment of health and vitality borne of a lifetime of study in Tai Ji, Kung Fu and Shorin Ryu.

Present was the graceful Fukuda Sensei. She is the last living disciple of Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. Born in the era of being expected to excel at Flower Arranging, the ways of the Formal Tea Ceremony and Brush Writing, Fukuda Sensei instead flowered into a renowned expert in Judo Kata (martial art offensive and defensive forms). She began her Judo lessons in 1935 at age 21. Fukuda Sensei has written several books about her rich life as a Judoka including: Born for the Mat: A Kodokan Kata Textbook for Women. Her judo motto is: "Be strong, be gentle, be beautiful." She has recently celebrated her 95th birthday.

At age 91, Professor Wally Jay continues to teach Small Circle Jujitsu™ in Alameda, California. Professor Jay is a 10th degree Black Belt in Jujitsu and a 6th degree Black Belt in Judo. He is the founder and Grandmaster of Jujitsu America and of Small Circle Jujitsu™ International.

All of these masters gathered and participated at the invitation of Shi Fu Alex Feng, founder of Wu Tao Kuan in 1973. Since that time, Shi Fu Feng has trained and inspired hundreds of students in varied marital arts. Affection towards him from his many students and teachers was evident at this celebration.

Shi Fu Feng has created a unique setting in Oakland comprised of three parts: the temple of Zhi Dao, the Clinic for Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Wu Tao Kuan Martial Arts Institute.

The temple of Zhi Dao was inspired by Shi Fu’s father, Grand Master Wei Ren Feng. Grand Master Feng was a philosopher who passed the oral teachings of Taoism as well as instruction in traditional Chinese medicine to Shi Fu Feng. It was Grand Master Feng’s vision to share the teachings of Taoism to improve modern life.

On site as well is the Clinic for Traditional Chinese Medicine, established in 1976. it is here that Shi Fu Feng offers acupuncture, acupressure, tui na, herbs and medical qi gong. Teas, both medicinal and common, are brewed daily in the lobby of the clinic. Traditional seating affords not only an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation but also a community resource for exchange of ideas and socializing.

Wu Tao Kuan Martial Arts Institute is the most stunning dojo I have ever entered. From the qi gong alter, to the pristine wood floor, to the magnificent weapons display, it is a place for work, sweat and instruction as well as a place of honor, beauty and history. Please see the www.thetaoistcenter.com for more information on classes including: qi gong, meditation, Taoist study, tai ji, judo/jujitsu, and tai chi chih.

Reflecting on the 35th anniversary gathering of Wu Tao Kuan Martial Arts Institute, it occurred to me that the care of our bodies is often disregarded given the chaos of conventional life. As with all humans, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine are prone to imbalance, disease, and poor health. Exercise for the physical body, meditation to calm the mind, and philosophy to nurture the spirit: all of these are imperative.

We live in a blessed world indeed where we have a medicine which readily draws each of these aspects into our reach. The many masters at this gathering are examples of and inspiration for exactly that. In closing, here is a quote from Shi Fu Alex Feng:

Every day, a little bit. To stretch your tendon, it takes the stretching of your mind. To stretch your mind, is to stretch time. To stretch time, you understand the Tao.

Karen Reynolds is co-owner of Balance Restored Center for Integrative Medicine in Mill Valley, CA. She specializes in the treatment of fertility and reproductive health, women’s health, chronic pain, and functional endocrinology. You may contact her at: www.BalanceRestored.com.