Articles: Kung Fu
Ancient Chinese traditions preserved; Retreat center invites community
Nestled in the hills above Salmon Creek west of Miranda, the YMAA Retreat Center is possibly better-known throughout the world than it is in Southern Humboldt. Dr. Yang hopes to change that by reaching out to the community, inviting residents to participate in training and sending his students to teach others in local schools. More >>
YMAA France (French)
Notre école est née de la rencontre en octobre 1990 de quelques karatékas du fameux club de Karaté nommé le shobudo ou la montagne avec le Dr Yang Jwing Ming. Ses visites régulières et la venue pendant 6 mois de M. Ramel Rones ont permis d'ouvrir officiellement la YMAA France en Mars 1994. More >>
History of Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu
The first Shaolin Buddhist Temple was built in 377 AD on Shaoshi Mountain (少室山) in Deng Feng (登封) county of Henan (河南) province, by order of Emperor Wei (魏). Bodhidharma (菩提達摩), or Da Mo, came to Shaolin from India to teach Buddhism around 527 AD. More >>
YMAA Poland (Polish)
YMAA Polska powstała w 1986 roku po pierwszej wizycie dr Yang Jwing-Minga w Polsce. Była to pierwsza szkoła YMAA poza granicami USA. 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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
Training a Sequence Efficiently
Over the years I have seen many people train many times a week on regular basis, yet make very little progress in their martial arts ability. They spend a lot of time practicing their sequences, yet after many months of practicing their sequences they have made very little progress. 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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
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Videos and Podcasts...
Episode 1.
Chinese Martial Arts Definitions
Episode 2.
Retreat Center Interview PART 1
Episode 3.
Retreat Center Interview PART 2
Episode 4.
Northern and Southern Chinese Styles
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