Long 龍 translates as ‘dragon’ --the mytho-poetic animal symbol of Chinese culture and the Chinese people in general. It is made up of such elements as the scales of a snake, the claws of a lion, and the antlers of a deer. “Shan” 山 translates as “mountain”-- the most yin element of nature with its solid base planted firmly on the earth. Together, long combined with shan represents a sanctuary for those dedicated to the mountain dragon school’s motto: practice and perseverance, all else is delusion.

Long Shan Gong Fu^[1] is the for profit arm of the Carolinas Wushu Association non-profit established in Asheville, North Carolina in 1989. This school of traditional Chinese martial arts was founded by Master Mark Small, fifth generation Yang Family style 楊氏^[2] laoshr -- Choy Kam-man academy, San Francisco; first generation laoshr -- Ling Yun Pai, family systems of Chen Pan-ling, the Republic of China via Australia's Wu Lin Retreat;^[3] 4th level black sash in the International Wushu San Shou Dao Association 中文繁體.^[4] via the Shou-Yu Liang Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute.^[5] Laoshr Small sits on the board of directors for the Carolina Association of Chinese Martial Artists (CACMA)^[6] and is head judge for the internals ring divisions. He has numerous gold medals from his days in competition as do his students, in particular, lead instructor Laoshr, Thomas Lussier, --regional two time grand champion. Laoshr Small began his training in 1969 and has over 40 years of experience in internal and external gong fu or nei jia 內家. His Long Shan school has a core curriculum of taiji 太极拳, xingyi 形意拳, and baguaquan 八卦掌 –-the internal arts, but also includes Northern Long Fist (chanquan) 长拳 open-hand and weapons training, as well as hok song lion dancing 舞狮. Long Shan curricula is graduated and diversified with 1). Health and qigong 气功 training, 2). Sport push hands (tui shou 推手/da lu 大路), and 3). Self-defense applications for free fighting (san shou/san da 散手). Mark receives on-going instruction in all areas listed below primarily from two eminent Masters:

Grandmaster Liang Shou-yu of Vancouver, Canada Wushu, San Shou, Nei Jia

and

Master Chen Yun-ching, (Chen Pan-ling’s son) of Taiwan Nei Jia/Shaolin

Master Choy Kam-Man of San Francisco - Yang Family Taijiquan Colonel Y.W. Chang, mentor and advisor - Chen Pan-ling Taijiquan Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng - Shuaijiao Master Jou Tsung Hwa – Qigong & Taijiquan Madam Wang JuRong – Sword & Yang Familiy San Shou

Laoshr, Ben Lo, Abraham Lu, William C. C. Chen, Peter Ralston, Sam Masich, George Xu, Alan Ludmer- Push Hands (Tui Shou) Laoshr, Michael Gilman, Christopher Pai & Iabesha Pentagram - Yang Family Taijiquan Laoshr Kai Sung of Taiwan, in the lineage of Du Chang - Chen Pan-ling Taijiquan Madam Wang JuRong, Dr. Jay Dunbar and Kathleen Cusick - Yang Family San Shou Laoshr, Yang Yang – Chen Taijiquan, Chan Sigong, Tui Shou & Da Lu Laoshr, Felix Jhi- Shaolin & Traditional Changquan Gung Fu Laoshr, Johnny Wong – Wu Taijiquan & Hok Song Lion Dancing Dr. Yang Jwing Ming & Master Huang, Chien Liang – Qin Na Madam Wong Ju Rong & Laoshr, Nick Gracenin – Swords Master Henry Look & Laoshr Randy Sugawara - I Quan Laoshr, John Wang & Laoshr Daniel Weng - Shuaijaio Laoshr, Wei-Lun Huang – Yang Taijiquan Laoshr Adam Hsu – Piquan and Bajiquan Laoshr, Shaoming Cheng - Baguaquan Master Chan Pui - Double Daggers & Tiger Fork Laoshr, Jose Johnson – Sun Taijiquan Laoshr, Jeff Bolt – Qigong & Staff Laoshr, Alex Kwok – Mizongquan Master Wu Wen-Ching – Nei Jia Laoshr, Johnny Lee – Taijiquan Laoshr Chris Luth – Taijiquan Laoshr Grace Wu – Bajiquan

Laoshr Small published a book in 2011 entitled: Taiji, Xingyi, and Baguaquan Throwing By Way of Our Modern Masters through Lulu.com. This primer in internal martial arts (nei jia) showcases master teachers: Liang Shou-yu of Vancouver and Chen Yun-ching of The People’s Republic of China among others. It has over 150 photographs depicting 37 applications taken from taji, xingyi, and baguaquan as well as exercises to benefit practitioners of any style of martial art. It holds a remarkable Lo River Map theory on moving energy according to the classical principles found in an overlay of the pre- and post-heaven Ba Gua 八 卦 patterns as found in the Book of Changes (Yi Jing) 易經.

Instructors in this school include: Thomas Lussier and Liz Ridley both teach Long Shan regimes in Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Jerri McCutcheon teaches Yang style taiji out of her Trimudra school in Pittsburgh, PA.^[7] Laoshr Chris Facente of the Mint Hill Martial Arts School teaches Yang Family based taiji in Charlotte, NC.^[8] Laoshr Small is the North Carolina representative of the Chen Pan-ling Foundation^[9] based out of the Wu Lin Retreat in Australia.^[10] Eighteen other CPL stylists from the USA, Australia, and Cyprus, along with Mr. Small were inducted through a Red Door Ceremony in 2009 as 1st generation indoor students of Grandmaster Chen Yun-ching – Chen Pan-ling’s son and lineage holder.

Beginner:

• Relate elemental knowledge of syllabus and school manual
• Exhibit proficiency in basic stances
• Show working knowledge of both internal and external concepts
• Memorize simple, complex, and compound movement phrases and forms
• Demonstrate working knowledge of push hands (tui shou) and giant roll back (da lu ) techniques with a partner
• Play lion dance music

Intermediate:

• Show familiarity with a greater number of forms
• Cultivate spiraling energy (chansigong 纏絲功), amplify qi 气 and compile jin 勁 (nei gong 內功)
• Demonstrate proper breathing techniques in conjunction with applications
• Issue fa jin 發勁 energies
• Demonstrate increased focus upon transitions between postures, especially in combined internal forms (nei jia 內家)
• Exhibit proficiency with at least three of these weapons: staff, stick, fan, spear, broad or straight sword
• Adjust alignment and neutralize a partner using the Eight Gates of ba men 八門 in push hands (tui shou and da lu)
• Perform lion dance

Advanced:

• Visualize and appropriate pre- and post-heaven patterns (Ba Gua) of the Yi Jing in relation to the Lo River Map 洛書
• Relate functions of nature to ever increasing efficiency of techniques
• Demonstrate how the mind intent (I) and focused jin energies initiate whole body movements from your core
• Show how partner work is an ongoing practice of relating to other styles and traditions of gong fu
• Exhibit proficiency with at least four of these weapons: staff, stick, fan, broad or straight sword, spear
• Neutralize a partner using all eight gates (ba men) in push hands (tui shou and da lu)
• Meet syllabus standards in san shou sparring
• Lead lion dance team

• Instruct in traditional wushu for a). health, b). sport. & c). self defense
• Network Wujixiaoyaopai (Emei mountain 峨嵋山 and Song dynasty 宋朝 associated forms) and Lingyunpai (Chen Pan-ling family system) affiliations from China 中国/中华, Taiwan 台灣, and world wide
• Promote qigong, internal and external gong fu and Chinese philosophy through a graduated program
• Link athletes & teachers through workshops, the internet, & publications
• Secure grants to assist underwriting a variety of corporate, agency, civic venues and performances
• Sanction scholarships & certify advanced level laoshr

• Live life with truth and righteousness
• Respect the instructors and traditions of gong fu with martial ethics (wudi)
• Demonstrate proficiency in syllabi objectives
• Assist the teacher instructing classes and registering students
• Teach and promote CWA and Long Shan (Mountain Dragon) School and Carolina Association of Chinese Martial Artists (CACMA) goals and objectives
• Judge in national and/or international tournament event

 [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]