School History

The International Wudang Internal Martial Arts Academy was officially founded in 2006 in Seattle, WA by Master Chang, Wu Na and Dr. Lu, Mei-Hui to spread Wudang Martial Arts and culture. The system was founded over 500 years ago and has been passed down through the ages without cease. With the direct blessing of Grandmaster Ma Jie, the 12th generation Gatekeeper, the school was to act as his global base for spreading Wudang martial arts. Upon his passing, the academy became the world headquarters for his Wudang system.

Under the banner of the academy, Master Chang and Dr. Lu have gathered several additional great systems of internal martial arts and qigong for the benefit of the students. As a whole these systems of Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Wudang Sword, Qigong, etc. create a comprehensive Internal Martial Arts system that carries the Wu Xia (Chinese Knights) tradition. As descendants of these, we must learn to cultivate the warrior spirit, to whatever degree, so that we may benefit ourselves and our society at large.

This academy is founded on the basis of the practical use and application of its techniques. The two main paths of application are internal and external. Internally the techniques are applied to discover and foster a healthier mind, body and lifestyle. Externally the techniques are applied for self-defense and fighting. To this end, it is the academy’s responsibility to provide students with as accurate and realistic an approach to the material  as possible, an approach that can sometimes be lacking nowadays in traditional esoteric arts.

Since the founding, the academy has taken part in several martial arts competitions, routinely taking top honors in its divisions. It has been profiled and reported on in various newspapers and magazines, and has become a leader in internal martial arts in the Pacific Northwest.

The International Wudang Internal Martial Arts Academy was founded on the ideal of giving back to the community and helping society at large. To this end the instructors have taught seminars and classes to numerous students from all over the United States, Canada, the UK and China. In addition to regular classes, the academy also offers workshops, by-invitation demonstrations and presentations. The academy continues to participate locally and on the national level in martial arts competitions, demonstrations, and cultural exchanges.

This is a place where the old meets the new. Where the esoteric and the pragmatic are side by side.

We follow the example of the old masters who not only drew from what was passed to them, but learned and adapted to the modern environment in which they lived. The art we promote is a living art, and as such it continues to grow and improve.