A little about Lao Tzu founder of Daoism

                        “A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu was  a philosopher and poet said to live in the 6th century BC in China . He was the founder of Daoism . Tai Chi is said to be the pure expression of Daoism in physical form . He is also known as Laozi and Purple Mist.

There are many stories about him .One of them says that Lao Tzu grew weary of the moral decay of life in Chengzou and noted the kingdom's decline. He was tired of being a court administrator so he left heading west on an ox to live as a hermit in the unsettled frontier at the age of 160.
At the western gate of the city, he was recognized by Yinxi the guard .

 The sentry begged the old master to record his wisdom for the good of the country before he would be permitted to pass. Lao Tzu told him that it would be impossible to write what he knew but Yinxi insisted. So Lao Tzu surrendered to the guard and wrote down his wisdom and was set free.What he wrote was said to be the Tao Te Ching. It is said that the sentry was so touched by the work that he abandoned his post becoming a disciple. He left with Lao Tzu, never to be seen again....

 PURPLE MIST HEADS WEST

Old Lao Tzu was tired
 of men and thier worldly ways
" Goodbye , goodbye to king and court
I must be on my way"

 The Purple Mist heads west my friends
the Purple Mist heads west
out to the gates of Tibet my friends
The Purple Mist heads west

On his ox he travelled
through forests and through towns
Through this world of sorrows
flat plains and mountain clouds

At the western pass he met a guard
who begged him not to go
"If I was to let you go ,
you must write down what you know"

"What I know cannot be said
It's like catching water with your fist.
But I will write it down tonight .
 For you I will take the risk!

The Purple Mist heads west my friends
The Purple Mist heads west
Out to the gates of Tibet my friends
The Purple Mist heads west

© Kavisha Mazzella/Peermusic 2015


To follow the Tao or Way of all things and realize their true nature
is to embody humility, spontaneity, and generosity!

Tai chi at Woodford Folk Festival

                                                                                                                    

 In the new year of 2014-15 , Andy taught Tai Chi and Qi Gong as part of the Health and Wellbeing Programme at the Woodford Folk Festival,in  Queensland Australia  .The daily morning classes were very popular being  attended by over 100 participants and were held in the Dancehall Venue. Many people tried out tai chi for the first time and the classes were attended by all ages.The response was very positive and people went away uplifted.It was a challenge to teach a hundred people after the intimacy of our little school but Andy was given a radio mike by the ever present production team  and went full steam ahead and enjoyed it very much.

Abit about Woodford...
Arguably the largest festival in the southern hemisphere, this is an amazing gathering of artists, craftspeople, foodmakers, teachers, technical crew who are all lovers of Folk Music, Arts, film and health .  A festival of  ideas, imagination and discussion, celebrating the many cultures that make up Australia including a large indigenous cohort of artists and healers . It celebrates the common good.

Taking place every year in Woodford Queensland between December 26th -Jan 1st in the lovely Glass house Mountains area northwest of Brisbane this permanant festival site is a former Dairy Farm that has been  lovingly re- planted , re-created and turned into a creative magical village with almost total green self sufficiency lead by volunteers and administered by the Queensland Folk Federation. This festival has grown since the 90's and folk came from all over the world to camp in the Peoples Republic of Woodfordia  to celebrate this unique Australian new years festival.

 For more information about the Health and Well being Programme
 see www.woodfordfolkfestival.com

Wu Wei School Of Internal Martial Arts & Meditation in Central Victoria.

                            
                      Andy Green at the Lao Tzu Temple on Mt Wudang China 2013
                                

Welcome to our site!
The director of Wu Wei School of  Internal Martial Arts and Meditation, Andy Green is happy to be continuing ongoing classes in Castlemaine and invites you to discover the art of Chinese Internal Martial Arts and Meditation.

Wu Wei means effortless effort . It is  a key principle in the Taoist philosophy."Internal " refers to the energy cultivation that is central to the subtle arts of Tai Chi , Bagua and XingYi from ancient China.

The classes will involve both active and passive Qigong practices - (wonderful for physical and mental health ) Beijing 24 and the famous "Mother Fist", the original Sang Feng 13 Form which is named after the founder of Tai Chi ,Chang Sang Feng who created it in the 14th century CE.

Yang style practices will also be taught as well as Bagua forms .The internal martial arts give one a great sense of body confidence, fluidity, grace and internal power .The classes are ongoing, friendly,  relaxed and held in an atmosphere of respect and non-rivalry.You can join in at any time .
Beginners are welcome.

What is Wu Wei?

"Spring comes and the grass grows by itself... sitting silently... doing nothing." Basho

  Wu wei (Chinese: 無爲; a variant and derivatives: traditional Chinese: 無為; simplified Chinese:无为; pinyin: wú wéi; Japanese: 無為; Korean: 무위; Vietnamese: Vô vi; English, lit. non-doing) is an important concept in Taoism that literally means non-action or non-doing. In the Tao te Ching, Laozi explains that beings (or phenomena) that are wholly in harmony with the Taobehave in a completely natural, uncontrived way. As the planets revolve around the sun, they "do" this revolving, but without "doing" it. As trees grow, they simply grow without trying to grow. Thus knowing how and when to act is not knowledge in the sense that one would think, "now I should do this," but rather just doing it, doing the natural thing. The goal of spiritual practice for the human being is, according to Laozi, the attainment of this natural way of behaving.

            Related translation from the Tao Tê Ching by Priya Hemenway, Chapter II:

                                 The Sage is occupied with the unspoken

                                   and acts without effort.

                                  Teaching without verbosity,

                                  producing without possessing,

                                 creating without regard to result,

                                 claiming nothing,

                                 the Sage has nothing to lose.

                    The above excerpt is taken from Wikipedia .To explore more go HERE

A Song inspired by Zheng Seng Feng

Dusk on Mount Wudang, China

                                                      Steeped in the six harmonies,
                                                      old taoist master Zheng Seng Feng
                                                      deeply cultivating Qi
                                                      wandered Mount Wudang

                                                      He came upon a crane and snake
                                                      they circled, striking,darting, swift
                                                      he saw their artful combat make
                                                      inspiring in him , a cosmic shift

                                                      Strong like a mountain
                                                      flow like a river...
                                                      light as a feather...
                                                      let this be your tether..
                            
                                                     He saw Wu Wei in martial form
                                                     the Mother Fist was handed down
                                                     the essence of Tai Chi was born
                                                     embraced by Taoists as their crown

                                                     Movement and breath ...with grace align
                                                     make inner power and health
                                                     into the emptiness sublime
                                                     the Seng Feng form is now our wealth

                                                     Strong like a mountain
                                                     flow like a river...
                                                     light as a feather...
                                                     Let this be your tether...
 
                                                     ©A.Green - Mount Wudang, China  July 2013


                                      
                                                      

At the "Temple of Perpetual Peace" Mt.Wudang

Director Andy Green

"The highest form of goodness is like water.
Water knows how to benefit all things without striving with them
It stays in places loathed by all men.
Therefore it comes near the Tao.
In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to the ground.
In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in the hidden deeps.
In dealing with others, know how to be gentle and kind.
In speaking, know how to keep your words.
In governing know how to maintain order.
In transacting business, know how to be efficient.
in making a move, know how to choose the right moment.
If you do not strive with others, you will be free from blame..."

 from Tao Te Ching -Shambala pocket classic translated by John C.H.Wu

What we do in the class...

FORMS AVAILABLE

QI GONG
 5 element Qi Gong, 8 silk Brocade ,Immune Boosting Qi Gong,3 Golden Treasures Qi Gong,5 Animals Qi Gong,1008 Fist Qi Gong, Bagua Qi Gong,bagua Harmony palms Qi Gong.100 Circle Bagua Qi Gong.

YANG STYLE TAI CHI

Beijing 24, Long Yang Frame 108,

WUDANG TAI CHI
Wudang Tai Chi Zheng Sang Feng 13 - Mother Fist,

3 Treasures Wudang Tai Chi, Wu Xing Chuan

 WEAPONS - Yang Style fan 18 and 36,Yang Style Sword and Sabre (wooden), Bagua deer hooks

BAGUA FORMS - Cheng Style, Badadjiang 8 fighting Palms, Bagua 9 Palace Gong, Bagua Swimming Dragon,

Other forms: Xing Yi (five element fists, Xing Yi composite form fists + animals) Fast Tai Chi (Dong family form)

The classes  are one and a half hours long. They contain some warm up stretches, calming and energizing Qi Gong (energy) exercises as well as the short Yang style Beijing 24 form and Bagua.We will also be learning the Zheng Sang Feng Tai Chi 13 which is the mother form of all Tai Chi and originates in the sacred Taoist Mountain Mt.Wudang in Wudangshan South West China.

The classes are friendly , fun ,yet also challenging!
Bringing confidence to your body and peace to your mind,
 beginners are welcome and can join at any time.

ON going Classes - you can join any time. 
No certificates or competitions.
Watercourse way.

Private lessons are available by appointment 

                                                           Contact Andy 0416 149 738