Articles
Shaolin: the Root of Taijiquan
After Bodhidharma (Da Mo) passed down his qigong (chi kung) theory at Shaolin Temple around 550 A.D., the Shaolin monks trained the cultivation of Qi, and realized that from this cultivation, muscular power could be enhanced to a tremendous level, which could make martial techniques more powerful and effective. More >>
Never Surrender
The goal of self defense is not to win a fight, but rather to avoid combat in the first place. After all the only battle you are guaranteed to walk away from unscathed is the one you never engage in. Taking a beat-down can seriously mess up your life, yet winners have consequences too. More >>
Simple Chinese Medicine: A Beginner's Guide to Natural Healing and Well-Being
More and more people are seeking to understand how Chinese medicine can help them prevent illness and provide a better quality of life. To address this significant trend, my book “Simple Chinese Medicine: A Beginner's Guide to Natural Healing and Well-Being” explains the healing powers of eastern medicine in an easy to understand, relevant and personalized manner. More >>
O Treino na YMAA Portugal (Portuguese)
O treino na Ymaa Portugal aborda três áreas distintas, formando classes com características peculiares e uma entidade distinta. More >>
Balance Between Work and Rest
Throughout history mankind has had to work and struggle against nature in order to survive. In doing so, however, one must work within the limits of his or her tolerance and must rest to release tension caused by work. More >>
Daoist Breathing Techniques
Daoist breathing exercises are designed to activate the diaphragm muscle, expand the lungs, and invoke the body's innate relaxation response. There are four major types of breathing (调息tiao xi) used in Daoist practice. More >>
Benefits of Tai Chi Qi Gong for Arthritis
May is National Arthritis Month: One of the challenges we have in this country as well as in the rest of the world, is how to approach the health care goals of the growing wave of our aging population. We are living through special times. We can see a shift towards greater acceptance of new methods and treatments for various debilitating diseases such as arthritis. More >>
Taiji Chin Na - Martial Application
Taijiquan was originally developed for combat in ancient times. Its fighting theory is to use the soft against the hard, and to use the round to neutralize the straight or square. More >>
Spotting an Adversary’s Tell
In more than twenty years of working stadium security I have witnessed, interceded in, stopped, or prevented well over 300 fights. Yet in all that time I have only been sucker-punched once. I didn’t like it much, but obviously I’ve managed to avoid repeating that mistake by taking it upon myself to pay close attention and learn from the behavior that precedes violence. More >>
The True Quality of Tai Chi
What is Tai Chi? How does Tai Chi improve health? People ask me these questions all the time. Some ask because they see so many people doing these exercises in the park. Others ask because they can hardly believe there can be any benefits from such slow body movements. More >>
Coping with Jet Lag
As a pilot for Continental Airlines traveling the globe, I thought it would nice to share with you some ideas about coping with a common problem called jet lag. More >>
Taiwan, Teachers, & Training: An Interview with Yang Jwingming ~ Part 2
Now that you have provided us with some fascinating background details dealing with family, studies, and work, I'd like to focus on your martial art studies. What exactly got you interested in these arts? Please provide some details about your very first teacher. More >>
Taiwan, Teachers, & Training: An Interview with Yang Jwingming ~ Part 1
The name Dr. Yang Jwingming became known to many because of his early publications dealing with Taijiquan. Despite some editorial faults expected in early works by a native-Chinese speaker who was a novice to publishing, his pioneering volumes offered insights and experience into the art that captivated thousands. More >>
Taiji and Qigong
Those who practice both Taiji and Qigong as separate arts soon realize that Qigong is included among the many layers encompassed by Taiji. Knowingly doing Taiji movement as Qigong not only adds the benefits of Qigong but also improves the quality of the Taiji movements. More >>
Trainingsprogramma YMAA België (Dutch)
Bij YMAA België worden er drie stijlen gevechtskunsten beoefend: Shaolin zuidelijke Witte Kraanvogel (Baihequan of Bai He Chuan), Shaolin Lange Vuist (Changquan of Chang Chuan) en Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan). Het zijn alle drie traditionele stijlen die al honderden jaren bestaan. More >>
Basic Concepts of Qi and Qigong - Part 2
In modern times, we mainly use only the narrow definition of Qi, which refers to the energy circulating in the human body. More >>
Basic Concepts of Qi and Qigong - Part 1
The Chinese word "Qi" translates in English to "energy". Qi is the energy or natural force which fills the universe. The Chinese believe in Three Powers (San Cai) of the universe: Heaven, Earth and Human. More >>
The Korean Connection: Taekwondo Training in the "Land of the Morning Calm" - Part 3
Grandmaster Nam is an exceptional instructor, nimbly moving from one component of the taekwondo curriculum to the next. From basic movements he continues on with one-step sparring drills, fourteen in all, ranging from axe kick/round kick combinations to spread block/double upper cut in twist stance techniques More >>
The Korean Connection: Taekwondo Training in the "Land of the Morning Calm" - Part 2
In what to me represents the epitome of Korean hospitality, our group is invited to the headquarters of the Korean National Tourism Organization in downtown Seoul, for an official welcoming ceremony More >>
The Korean Connection: Taekwondo Training in the "Land of the Morning Calm" - Part 1
Traditional taekwondo philosophy teaches us to cultivate, among other things, courage, perseverance and indomitable will. Clearly, these virtues go hand in hand with transforming dreams into reality. More >>
Insights into Modern Day Martial Arts Training
Training does have to be adjusted and changed for modern day, but the principles and essence should remain the same. We are constantly striving to preserve the teachings of our masters, and we should be very cautious when to modify them. More >>
Mob Violence Is An Eruption With No Warning
Gang violence gets a fair amount of copy in the media. But another form of violence is mob violence. Mob violence rises up, explodes, and then recedes. More >>
Senior Moments #2: Taiji, Happy Toes, and Piano Fingers
So how does one teach Taijiquan to seniors, rehabbers, and the generally unfit? Consult the ancients, "The best leader follows." These people are generally coming to Taiji because of a life urgency (old age, sickness, injury, etc.) which has created an opportunity for change. More >>
The Profound Art of Chinese Sword (Jian)
The Jian (Cantonese: gim), a narrow-blade, double-edged sword, has been respected as the “King of Short Weapons” in China for millennia. Wielding the Jian requires the highest of skill, and the sword user must strive to the heights of spirit and morality. More >>
Senior Moments #1: "Because we can't"
Back in the day of the last millennia, I had my first venture into teaching Martial Arts to the elderly. I secured a nice gig at the local senior center. There were about twenty intrepid explorers ready for the unknown. More >>
2009, The Year of the Ox - Happy Chinese New Year!
The Chinese year 4707 begins on January 26, 2009. Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. More >>
Martial Arts in the 21st Century - Part 3 of 3
There has been a clear and obvious downward shift in the average skill level of students, and even masters, of today compared to the masters and students of old. More >>
Martial Arts in the 21st Century - Part 2 of 3
In ancient times, many students would unconditionally sacrifice their lives to their training and beg masters to take them, often striving to prove themselves worthy for many weeks, months or years before they were accepted. More >>
Martial Arts in the 21st Century - Part 1 of 3
My Long Fist grandmaster, Grandmaster Li, Mao-Ching, spent 23 years and 1 month in the Chinese military during harsh wartime conditions while he trained everyday. More >>
Occasionally Hollywood Can Actually Teach You Something
Recently I watched "Felon", a movie that makes some realistic and valuable points about self-defense. In most jurisdictions a person can only resort to deadly force to escape imminent and unavoidable danger of death or grave bodily harm. More >>
"The Arts Must be Preserved"
This year the internationally-established teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong, Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, commenced his long-planned ten-year retreat with five students in a newly built center in California. More >>
Growing Up Wudang, part 2
It wasn’t until my third year at Wudang that I started to find the training interesting, and started to train harder because I was genuinely interested in it. More >>
Growing Up Wudang
When I was in fourth grade my grandfather fell ill, and because we needed money for hospital bills, I had to leave school. I worked on our farmland, helping my family plant corn and cotton. More >>
Zhang, San-Feng and the Ancient Origins of Taijiquan part 2
How old are Taijiquan and Taiji philosophy? Recent findings indicate that the basic Taiji movements and Internal Arts theory of breathing and Qi circulation pre-date Zhang and Chen significantly. More >>
Zhang, San-Feng and the Ancient Origins of Taijiquan
The origin of Taijiquan is a controversial issue. Some trace Taijiquan to the Chen family in the 1600's and others trace the art further back to Master Zhang, San-Feng. Both are correct. And neither of them created Taijiquan. More >>
Taijiquan Theory of Reaching Enlightenment
In the practice of Taijiquan pushing hands, Taiji circle sticking hands, and Taijiquan free fighting, etc., you must practice until you have reached a stage where there is no discrimination of the opponent. More >>
Training Theories of Southern White Crane Styles
Training theories are the root of every style. From understanding these theories, the actions or techniques are derived. If you train contrary to Crane style theories, then the techniques you are performing cannot be considered Crane style. More >>
White Crane Gongfu Training Key Points
The Crane is a weak animal without much strength to use in fighting. However, when necessary, it can defend itself very effectively. A Crane defending itself relies on only three things: the ability to jump, the breaking power of its wings, and the pecking of the beak. More >>
Marshal Yue, Fei and Xingyiquan
The Song Dynasty (960-1280 a.d.) in China was a sorrowful time for the Chinese. Wars with the northern barbarians (the Jin race or Mongolian), corruption in business and government, and the specter of starvation constantly oppressed the people. More >>
What is Xingyiquan?
In order to survive in what is oftentimes a violent and cruel world, animals must very quickly develop the ability to protect themselves from natural dangers and other animals. More >>
The Contents of Baguazhang Training (Baguazhang - Part 2)
We can see from the available documents that Baguazhang covers a very wide field of training. It includes not only barehand techniques, but also many weapons. More >>
The History of Baguazhang (Baguazhang - Part 1)
The martial arts history which has been passed down to us is fairly vague. In fact, it was not until this century that an effort was made to trace back this lost history. More >>
Taijiquan Master Gao Tao - Dr. Yang's teacher
Dr. Yang's first Taijiquan master, Grandmaster Gao, Tao (高濤), who Dr. Yang lost contact with after leaving for college and moving to the U.S., has finally been found in Taipei, Taiwan. More >>
Learn How to Move Your Spine
Three days before my college graduation, I had the misfortune to be a passenger in a Subaru that broad-sided a Lincoln Continental. At the hospital, the doctor asked me what I did for my scoliosis. "What scoliosis?" I asked, unsure whether it was a spine or a liver problem. More >>
Der Erfolg des YMAA Retreat Center (German)
In den letzten 35 Jahren hat Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming die Vorzüge chinesischer Kultur gelehrt und traditionelle Kampfkunstarten in der ganzen Welt populär gemacht. More >>
Taekwondo in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Aug 8-24
Taekwondo made its debut as an official full-medal sport in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where 103 athletes from 51 countries participated. In 2004 the competition was held in Athens, Greece. More >>
Taijiquan Yin Yang
Yin and Yang are opposite (i.e., relative) to each other instead of absolute. That is Yin can become Yang and Yang can change into Yin. Yin and Yang can be exchanged mutually depending on the observer’s Xin and Yi. More >>
Wuji - The State of Emptiness
Wuji (無極) is a state of emptiness or simply a single point in space. There is no discrimination and there are no polarities (or poles). According to Yi Jing (i.e., Book of Change), originally the universe was in a Wuji state. More >>
The Meaning of Taiji
Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is an internal style of martial arts that was created in the Daoist monastery of the Wudang mountain, Hubei Province. More >>
Teaching Kids Can be Child’s Play
Any successful martial arts school can be enhanced through the development of a children’s program. More >>
Tai Chi Dynamics
Those who study Taiji know that its important concepts are frequently elusive, and, for many practitioners, much of the modern Taiji literature of substantive content is difficult to understand. More >>
The Poison of Love
A long time ago, a girl named Li-Li got married and went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. More >>
Meditations on Violence
People are weird. They have an almost infinite ability to learn and communicate. At the same time, this amazing ability is used as much for fantasy and entertainment as it is for information and survival. Take, for example, the rhinoceros and the unicorn. More >>
Martial Arts Conditioning and Fighting - Part 2
Traditional martial arts is not supposed to be glamorous, and conditioning is not a very glamorous process, being a very repetitive and monotonous type of exercise requiring many years of training. More >>
Martial Arts Conditioning and Fighting - Part 1
Through many years of history, experience, and practice, martial artists realized that in a fight, there are generally three factors that determine victory. More >>
Self Qigong Massage, part 2
Although many of the purposes of self-massage are obvious, from the view of Qigong, its functions are wider and more profound. Let's review these purposes so you have a clearer understanding of the "why" of this practice. More >>
Self Qigong Massage, part 1
Self-massage is a natural human instinct to soothe the mind/spirit and ease discomfort in the body. There are many examples of this. If you accidentally get hit with a hard object, you naturally rub the hurt place to lessen the pain and also to keep a bruise from forming. More >>
How to Avoid Common Injuries in Your Martial Arts Training
Injuries to the hands are common in the martial arts. This occurs because almost all martial artists condition their hands to increase their power and destructive potential. More >>
Generating Martial Power (Jin)
Jin, or Martial Power, can generally be divided into three categories: Hard Jin, Soft-Hard Jin and Soft Jin. Among these, Hard Jin uses the most muscular power, followed by Soft-Hard Jin and finally Soft Jin. More >>
A Brief History of the Chinese Martial Arts
The beginning of Chinese martial arts probably started long before history was recorded. Martial techniques were discovered or created during the long epoch of continuous conflict between humanity and animals, or between different tribes of humans themselves. More >>
A Brief History of Qigong
It is known that the Chinese art of Qigong has a history that goes back over 5,000 years, though only a few historical documents exist today. Qigong can be roughly divided into four periods. More >>
Two Keys for Regulating Your Breathing and Circulating Qi
Two Keys for Regulating Your Breathing and Circulating Qi for health and internal training. More >>
Taijiquan Pushing Hands
Almost every Chinese martial style, both external and internal, has its own hand-matching training similar to Taiji's pushing hands. More >>
Dealing with an Injury - Training Wisely
One thing that intense athletes of all types experience at one time or another is an injury -whether it is just a minor muscle strain or a complete Achilles tendon rupture. More >>
YMAA 25 Years
On October 1, 2007, YMAA celebrated its 25-Year Anniversary. There were many phone calls, letters and emails of congratulations. More >>
Candle Training
In Chinese martial society, candles were once popularly used for training. This is because candles were an important source of lighting in ancient times, and thus were more readily available for practice. More >>
Truly Learning Chin Na
Though it is very hard to catch the Chin Na techniques with 100% accuracy from a book and a video, many techniques can still be learned as long as you ponder, practice, and humbly ask. More >>
Embryonic Breathing
In China, meditation has existed in almost every level of society. In Chinese medical and scholar societies, meditation is commonly called "Jing Zuo" which means "sit quietly." More >>
Find Your Teacher and Practice Humbly
There is a Chinese story about six blind men who touch an elephant to know what it looks like. More >>
Xin and Yi: Two Minds
If you are interested in learning Taijiquan, you must understand Yin and Yang, and their relationship with Taiji. Without knowing the theory and the Dao, your Taijiquan practice will be limited to the external forms and movements. More >>
A Blessing in Disguise (Chinese Folk Story)
A long, long time ago, there was a kind old man who lived on the plains outside the Great Wall of China. The gentle old man had only two passions in his life: collecting rare breeds of horses, and his son, whom he loved more than anything else. More >>
Inside Kung Fu Man of the Year 2007: Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming
He has been a martial arts and publishing giant for more than three decades. With Yang’s Martial Arts Academy (YMAA) schools dotting every corner of the world, and senior instructors creating equally large names for themselves. More >>
Il Sogno del Maestro Yang Jwing Ming (Italian)
Yang Jwing Ming e’ una leggenda nel mondo delle arti marziali cinesi. Fondatore della Yang Martial Arts Association e dell’omonima casa editrice, autore di innumerevoli libri, videocassette e DVD. More >>
Llega el maestro del anti-estrés (Spanish)
La vorágine del mundo de hoy lo devora todo. Se vive rápido, todo es inmediato y desechable. Se quieren resultados para hoy y no alcanzan las horas del día para lograr lo agendado. More >>
Meditation is for Self Awakening, Not Blind Worship
If we attempt to comprehend any profound philosophy, we must first be calm. When the mind is calm and clear, judgment becomes logical and accurate. More >>
Martial Morality
Martial morality has always been a required discipline in Chinese martial arts society. Teachers have long considered martial morality to be the most important criterion for judging students, and they have made it the most important part of the training in the traditional Chinese martial arts. More >>
Dr. Yang Interview with In Review magazine - March 08 issue
Dr. Yang has been interviewed recently for articles that will appear in local Boston publications, and in the March issue of Music Design's In Review magazine. He also had a lengthy interview with freelance writer Oliver Broudy, contributing writer for Men's Health & Best Life magazines. More >>
Traditional Chinese Tai Chi and Kung Fu silk clothing
Traditional Chinese silk clothing has a long history, dating back to the 27th century BC. Once the skill of spinning silk, or sericulture, was discovered, the Chinese made silk exclusively for 3,000 years without divulging the secret of the process and it was a valuable commodity for trading. More >>
Man on a Mission - IKF article
For 35 years, Dr. Yang has taught the benefits of Chinese culture and popularized traditional martial arts throughout the world. He is in a unique position: carrying the legacy of the generation of the old masters and possessing a keen understanding of a new generation, he has dedicated his life to bridging the East and the West, and researching the ancient arts with a modern scientific perspective. More >>
Energy master: Qigong and taiji find passionate teacher in Marshfield’s Roger Whidden
MARSHFIELD, MA - He felt the energy in the ball the first time he stepped onto the mound to throw his first pitch. It was 1965 and the first year and the first game 11-year old Roger Whidden played Little League. More >>
A Return to the Ancient Way of Training
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has taught the benefits of Chinese culture and popularized traditional martial arts throughout the world. More >>
"Breath of Life" - A Boston Globe article
Do martial arts and meditation have medical benefits? Rami Rones, a former fighter who works with cancer patients, says yes, and area hospitals are paying attention. More >>
View video of Dr. Yang's latest discussions:
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