Michael A. Vollero (夏崇义）
Instructor Michael A. Vollero (Daoist name, Xìa Chóngyì) is a life long martial artist and practicing Daoist. Introduced to the arts at age seven, Instructor Vollero never stopped pursuing his studies as an artform and health practice.
Struggling to find a home in the arts, Michael A. spent many years in a variety of systems, including Shaolin gongfu, Zheng Taijiquan, Tetsuryu Taijutsu, & Chin Mu Kwan Tae Kwon Do. But it wasn't until meeting Wudang martial arts master & Daoist priest Zhōu Xúanyún (周玄云) that he finally found his home in the arts. Now a formal disciple of Zhōu Shīfu, Instructor Vollero has left all his old arts behind, and is dedicated to the Wudang Styles.
Instructor Vollero pilgrimages to Wudang annually to reinvigorate his connection to the mountain, and to further his discipline and training. These trips involve extensive training at the martial art schools, and spending time with the monks & priests in the temples for morning and evening ritual, chanting, & study.
In the summer of 2010, Instructor Vollero--while on pilgrimage with his master--was honored with a traditional induction into his shīfu's lineages. Because Master Zhōu carries lineage in Zhengyi Dao, Longmen Pai, and Sanfeng Pai, Michael A. (with his gongfu brother Méi Chóngzhēng) was blessed with being the first westerner ever to enter discipleship into the Dragon Gate Sect at Mount Wudang. Additionally, his ceremony was the first time the full induction ritual ahd been performed at Purple Heaven Palace in the past decade. This opportunity has allowed him the opportunity to take his art and practices beyond the martial and health skills.
夏崇义