Early in the morning on July 18, about 30 students from the health-preserving class started on a journey to the Five Dragons Temple.

Our bus arrived at the foot of the mountain on which the Five Dragons Temple is located and we got off and walked through the deep, narrow valley, past the tea gardens, and after an hour’s walk up the mountain, we came to the first gate outside the Five Dragons Temple. It was not as splendid and magnificent as we had thought a royal palace should be, but judging from the ruins, we could imagine its past brilliance.

We were led by Master Chen and his senior apprentices to the cottage where we were going to stay. As soon as we set foot in the cottage, our fatigue was completely overridden by the host's hospitality.

After a meal and a break, Master Chen guided afternoon training. He taught us Wudang Daoist Ba Duan Jin, the Eight Pieces of Brocade. It originated in the Northern Song Dynasty and has a history of more than eight hundred years. It is an important method for health-preserving.

左右开弓似射雕

攒拳怒目增力气

两手攀足固肾腰

The next morning, we got up early as usual. After the warm-up, Master Chen taught us methods of strengthening the upper, middle and lower parts of our bodies. This combination of exercises is ideal basic training and is the result of Master Chen's many years of experience as a practitioner and teacher of martial arts.

The methods are the following:

1 Lower Body Training
The training of the lower body is based on the set of Wudang basic postures. Master Chen attaches great importance to basic postures and steps. He instructs that the Wudang basic postures are the foundation of Wudang kungfu, without which the fist forms would not exist. Thus the training of basic postures and steps is essential for martial arts.

独立步

扑步

三七步

2 Middle Body Training
This method is Huogu Qigong, which means exercises to activate the bones. It helps to get out the negative energy in our bodies and absorb pure energy. It also helps to clear our minds and strengthen the muscles and bones, as well as relieve certain inflammations and arthritis.

道教活骨气功

道教活骨气功

道教活骨气功

3 Upper Body Training
This last exercise is based on the basic practices of taiji, emphasising the harmony between appearance and spirit, the external and the internal.

云手调息桩

The environment around Five Dragons Temple is secluded and enveloped in a unique aura. It is a rare and spiritual place for the practice of kungfu and here the students could develop a good understanding of the essentials of the Eight Pieces of Brocade. This was the very reason why Master Chen brought us here.

On the mountain we experienced many delights, such as the cozy farm house where we stayed, the delicious meals, the sweet spring water, and listening to the songs of the birds and other wild animals. Most importantly we were able to learn authentic Wudang kungfu from Master Chen. Each and every one of us benefited greatly from the journey to Five Dragons Temple, an experience we will ponder and cherish all our lives.

2009-07-18