Wudang Sanfeng Tai Chi and Qigong in the Ozarks!
with Jason Salgado
Jason is a fourteen year student of 15th generation Wudang Sanfeng Kung Fu Master Zhong Xuechao
a.k.a. Master Bing (www.WudangDao.com). He began training Wudang Qigong and Taiji (tai chi) with Master
Bing in Southern California in 2012 and every Spring thereafter, later in Wudang, Hubei Province, China in the Summer of 2016. In September of 2023, Jason traveled back to China to participate in a three week training and cultural seminar with Master Bing and other students at Taiji Gong in Fuquan city, Guizhou province, then two weeks training on Wudang mountain at Master Bing's new school, Wudang Dao Seven Star Campus.
Originally from Southern California, Jason moved to Eureka Springs with his chef wife in Winter 2016 to a small
homestead with their three dogs, chickens, organic garden, fishing guide business and a small AirBnB/Lodging just outside of town.
He teaches Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation), 8 Pieces of Brocade Qigong, Wudang 5 Animal Qigong, Wudang Taiji 13 and Wudang Taiji 28 forms in Eureka Springs and throughout Northwest Arkansas. See here
In 2019, he brought Master Bing to Northwest Arkansas for the first time for Qigong and Taiji seminars
in Eureka Springs, Rogers, Fayetteville and Bentonville. Master Bing then returned in October 2024 and in Spring 2025 for further seminars. Jason was invited to perform at Crystal Bridges' "Slow Art Day" event in 2018 and has taught at their "Sunset Tai Chi" events in the past. From 2018 to the beginning of 2020 Jason volunteered at the Fayetteville Veterans Association Hospital helping teach qigong to veterans with P.T.S.D. and chronic pain, the same VA hospital that his grandfather visited after WW2, when P.T.S.D. was called "Shell Shocked". He was invited in 2023 to demonstrate to a Parkinson's group at the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine/ACHE School of Physical Therapy in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Starting off 2026 Jason was booked to teach at Big Cedar Lodge's (Bass Pro Shops) "Wellness in Nature" retreat in January and will be teaching again at their May retreat.
Jason is also a practitioner of Wing Chun Kung Fu (Ip Family/Samuel Kwok lineage) and a sixteen year
student and disciple of Sifu Bryan Talbot of West Coast Wing Chun in Long Beach, CA (www.WestCoastWingChun.com).
Wudang Internal Exercises
The Wudang Mountains (Wudangshan) in China is the cradle of Daoism (Taoism) and the Wudang internal exercises, or internal gong fu (kung fu). 'Gong fu' means 'Hard work' or 'Attainment of skill through hard work'. Over hundreds of years Wudang Monks have developed these groups of internal practices which combine physical fitness, internal work, attack and defense into one. Relaxation is key. Deep breaths into the abdomen help increase oxygen in the blood. The internal and external movements work together to help strengthen the body. The movements open the energetic meridians on the body and massage the organs. This helps to improve blood flow and Qi circulation.
Qi is the body's energy (life force/vitality). These practices are a moving meditation and a low impact workout that help to achieve physical balance, mental clarity and a stronger immune system. Other benefits include improved balance, lower blood pressure, stress reduction, anxiety relief, better sleep, improved flexibility, improved digestion...and it just gets you moving! No experience is needed and any age can participate. Movements can be adjusted to each person’s balance and Range of Motion. There is no competition with anyone else, only one’s self-improvement.
8 Pieces of Brocade
Eight groups of easy movements that are a short Qigong routine. The practices can be done alone or
used as a warm-up for other exercises. It is used to open the meridians, improve posture, loosen joints and muscles,
improve blood circulation, improve vital functions, help digestion and drive stagnant qi from the body.
8 Pieces of Brocade in Chinese is 'Ba Duan Jin' and also known as 8 Golden Treasures, 8 Silken Movements,
8 Pieces of Silk, etc. All classes begin with 8 Pieces of Brocade as a warm-up, but it is also a qigong routine in itself.
Here is a sample of the 8 Pieces of Brocade available for purchase:
Wudang 5 Animal Qigong
Wudang 5 Animal Qigong, also 5 Element Qigong or Wuxing Qigong in Chinese is one of the most important exercises practiced by Wudang Daoist monks. It is movement coordinated with breath. It's movements are slow and soft like Taiji forms, but with less groups of movements and easier to learn. It is recommended to learn this first if you have no previous taiji or martial arts background. Historically, the Wudang monks were required to practice these five forms daily to improve health and wellness. This practice is comprised of five major forms; Tortoise, Crane, Snake, Tiger, and Dragon. Each form relating to each of the five elements in Chinese medicine, the Seasons and specific organs. This grouping of forms is derived from some of the most powerful and treasured creatures in traditional Chinese culture.
Wudang Taiji 28
Wudang TaiJi 28 form includes 28 groups of movements. This form is based on the Wudang San Feng TaIJi 108 form. We learn to use softness to overcome hardness, stillness in motion. These forms are taught for improving overall wellness; physical, mental and spiritual balance. Taiji, originally a martial art for fighting, is used by millions around the world for it's health benefits. This class is focused on the meditative health aspects within Taiji. With that, the form has punches, kicks, blocks, movements in multiple directions and generally takes longer to learn than the 5 Animal Qigong forms.
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Calendar of Events
Eureka Springs, AR Classes:
Lake Leatherwood Ball Fields (Winter we are mostly indoors at a location in the Eastgate Plaza)
Mondays & Wednesdays
5 Animal Qigong & TaiChi - 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
(CLOSED CLASS)
Beginners Class for Tai Chi & Qigong
Mondays 9:00 AM- 10:00 AM
Map - https://goo.gl/maps/HJjVjXHEvbUWPkYe8
Rogers, AR Classes:
Rogers Adult Wellness Center
8 Pieces of Brocade, Tai Chi 13 Form
& 5 Animal Qigong Set
Tuesdays & Thursdays
Intro to Qigong & Tai Chi- 8 AM - 9 AM
Intro to Qigong & Tai Chi - 9 AM - 10 AM
5 Animal Qigong & Tai Chi 13 - 10 AM - 11 AM
AWC Members Only- CLICK HERE FOR INFO
Private Lessons
Private Lessons for Individuals,
Small Group, Corporate Events &
Corporate Wellness Programs
Available by Appointment
Text (714) 423-0534
Testimonials
"I am thankful for Jason's teaching of the Ba Duan Jin, the Five Animal Practice and Tai Chi 13. Watching Jason demonstrate these forms is very inspiring. I love doing these practices outside in nature as a way to be a more healthy, balanced and centered human. I am thankful for Charmaine for opening her home and her heart to Jason's students, and to my class "family" for being kind, energetic and fun to be with."
- Scott T.
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