Billy Woods

Billy Woods has been a professional drummer since 1958, performing across the United States. In 1980, he discovered the dumbek and the rhythms of the Middle East. He has had the privilege of playing on stage with many wonderful musicians, including Souhail Kaspar. In the 30 years he has been teaching, many of his students have gone on to excel in their own right. A celebration of drums which began in 1994 as Street Drumming, took the name Seeds of Time in 1995 with Billy Woods, Daveed Korup, and later Josh Levin. He has received national recognition including several awards for his contributions to the quality of drumming within the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and is known as Master Sylvanus the Drummer. In 2010 he began his latest stage show, Peace, Love and Light, featuring "Peace is Possible" and "Franken-funk", his new recordings (available for viewing on Youtube videos).

Billy began studying the teachings of Grand Master Share K. Lew (called the Dao Dan Pai or Daoist Elixir Style) in 1980, with Sufi Thom McCombs, Billy's teacher and school brother. He has been teaching Qi Gung workshops since 1985. Qi Gung (Chi Kung) practice was developed in China over a period of centuries to increase one's level of internal vitality. In 2011 he became Abbot of Spirit Gate Temple (Shen-men Gaun).

Billy Woods retired as Head of Technical Services from the University of Colorado, where he spent 25 years in the Department of Electrical Engineering, receiving awards for his outstanding service. Billy is also a father, a grand-father, and (in July) a great grand-father.

Chi Kung Exercises

The practice of Chi Kung, developed in China over a period of centuries, increases the level of internal vitality through the use of the breath, slow movement forms which are often based on movements in nature or of animals, and visualization patterns related to the oriental system of energy meridians in the body. This particular form, the Tao Tan Pai or Taoist Elixir Style, is based in the teachings of Grand Master Share K Lew of San Diego, CA, who studied for 14 yrs. as a resident monk at the Wong Lung Guan (Yellow Dragon) Temple in Canton, China.

The short power set, known as "Cloud Hands" is a set of relatively easy movements along with quiet seated meditation, to help develop Chi energy and to maintain good health and increase vitality.

"Shen set" will utilize the Shen energy (spirit energy) 12 exercises which are use to cleanse and nurisure the organs of the body, improve visual focus, and promote self-healing.