Wu Dang martial art system, in its strict sense, includes the martial arts practiced by the Taoists in Mount Wu Dang and their disciples. Mount Wu Dang, also referred to as Mount Tai Ho (Grand Harmony), is located in the Hubei Province of China and is characterized by its beautiful scenery and Taoist monasteries. The famous Taoist Zhang San-Feng, the founder of Tai Chi Chuan, has stayed in this mountain for cultivation.

    The Wu Dang curriculum of CTMAA starts with the empty-hand forms of Sung-Shi branch Wu Dang martial arts created by the most well-known fourth generation disciple Zhang Sung-Shi. He created the style by combining what he has learned and eight different distinguished styles which are popular at his time. It is characterized by its philosophy of “use the stillness to control the moving”, “follow the flow and borrow opponent’s power”, and “initiate the move later than the opponent but reach the opponent earlier.” The techniques developed based on these strategies are mostly short-range fighting tactics. In most of the techniques, there is seizing in striking, throwing in seizing, and throwing and striking simultaneously. Therefore, “the opponent falls immediately upon contact” becomes the major feature of the Sung-Shi fighting style.

Wu Dang Sung Shi fist

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