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The First Form, The Last Form of Wing Chun
March 25, 2024
“When the highest type of men hear the Way, with diligence they’re able to practice it; When average men hear the Way, some things they retain and others they lose; When the lowest type of men hear the Way, they laugh out loud at it. If they didn’t laugh at it, it couldn’t be regarded as the Way.” —Lao Tzu, Te-Tao Ching. 5 Min. Read
The Fired Brick
March 11, 2024
Two opposing sides must exist at the same time, the harder the thing, the more brittle. All that is needed is to find the universal physical properties, then one can find the easy way to crack it. 12 Min. Read
Kumite’s Changed Role and Purpose in Sports Karate
March 4, 2024
These new techniques, footwork, steps, mindsets, strategies, tactics, and positions used in today’s sports-karate’s kumite illustrate best the discipline’s far-reaching separation from karate-jutsu’s kata: there is no kata anymore in sports-karate’s kumite. 7 Min. Read
Meet the Author: Munawar Ali Karim chats about Wing Chun with Gene Ching (video)
February 28, 2024
British author Munawar Ali Karim chats about his new book Wing Chun In-Depth
From Warm Hand to Warm Hand
February 26, 2024
With the abundance of martial arts resources and the power of today’s communication technology, YMAA staff writer Gene Ching ponders what effect it might have on the traditional arts for the next generation. 5 Min. Read
What is Muscle/Tendon Changing Grand Circulation Qigong? - February 13, 2023
Once you have accomplished your Small Circulation, the Qì circulating in the Twelve Primary Channels (Meridians) will be abundant and smooth, and then you can extend the Qì from the meridians outward to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, and beyond. For example, through Grand Circulation you will be able to lead the Qì to the joints to condition and improve the strength and endurance of muscles and tendons.
Watch Your Tone - February 6, 2023
YMAA Publication Center has recently published new editions of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming’s qigong books that include pinyin tonal marks for pronunciation and modern Chinese fonts. YMAA Staff Writer Gene Ching examines why these are important.
Qigong Produces the Most Profound Medicine, Part 2 - January 30, 2023
It is really very simple: people who prevent disease and who activate the inner medicine through self-initiated health enhancement practice need less clinical medicine, whether it is conventional allopathic or holistic.”
Qigong Produces the Most Profound Medicine, Part 1 - January 23, 2023
“The most profound medicine is produced naturally -- in the human body – for free.” This phrase, from The Healer Within, is the innovative foundation of a profound peak performance and vitality system.
Meet the Author: David-Dorian Ross talks with Gene Ching about his early training years and creation of his TaijiFit teaching method (video). - January 18, 2023
David-Dorian Ross chats with old friend Gene Ching about his early years training Tai Chi Chuan and Wushu in San Francisco, running his own martial arts school, and his creation of the TaijiFit teaching method. He also talks about his national program teaching Tai Chi to veterans for free, and his other video releases with YMAA Publication Center.
2023 The Year of the Rabbit - January 16, 2023
This year, 2023, marks the Year of the Rabbit in the Lunar calendar. In Chinese culture, the Rabbit is believed to be a symbol of hope and longevity. In celebration of the new year, YMAA Publication Center staff writer Gene Ching explores the meanings underlying the rabbit in Chinese thought as well as the tradition of the giving of red envelopes.
Graduated Levels of Awareness in Self-Defense - January 8, 2023
Awareness is your ability to be cognizant of the environment and events going on around you.”
The Greatest Achievements of Chinese Culture-Buddhist and Daoist Qigong - January 2, 2023
The emphasis on the spiritual life, rather than the material, is one of the major differences between Eastern and the Western cultures. An example of this is in the maintenance of health, where the West emphasizes the physical body more, while the East tends to also treat the person’s spiritual and mental health.
The Dao of Heaven-Balance - December 26, 2022
Those sages or rulers who have the Dao conduct their actions without conceit and achieve their goals without claiming credit. They remain humble without displaying their superiority.
What is Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover? - December 19, 2022
There are many Chinese people, especially martial artists, who mistakenly believe that the Yìjīnjīng is Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Cover training. I will try to clear up the confusion.
Scope of Qigong Practice - December 12, 2022
Any activity that is able to improve the qi circulation in our body can be called qigong.
Qi and Bioelectromagnetic Energy - December 5, 2022
This has convinced me that our entire body is just like a big battery which is assembled from millions of small batteries. All of these batteries together form the human electromagnetic field.”
Summaries of the Body’s Energy Structure - November 28, 2022
In order to reach the goal of immortality or enlightenment, you must train to cultivate your spirit to a strong level so it can survive independently even when the physical body is dead.
Training Days at Yang’s Heights - November 21, 2022
Meditation is not just theory. The most important part is practicing it so people can realize the health and spiritual benefits and validate the theory.
What is Enlightenment Meditation? - November 14, 2022
The first step towards enlightenment is to establish a strong will, without which you will not finish the training.
Building Qi in the Body - November 7, 2022
Dr. Yang states that there are four methods of building up Qi in the body, physical stimulation, mental stimulation, energizing the Shén and others.
Purposes of General Meditation - October 31, 2022
“…if you can control your consciousness without falling asleep, you can build up a better sensitivity for energy correspondence with the outside world. This is one of the desired states in meditation practice.”
Under the YMAA Banner - October 24, 2022
In honor of the 40th Anniversary of YMAA, Staff Writer Gene Ching looks at YMAA’s iconic emblem and what it symbolizes.
A Review of Qigong Grand Circulation - October 17, 2022
Chinese legend has it that Peng Zu (approximately born 1900 BCE) lived 880 years and survived 100 wives. If you don’t want to compete with Peng Zu, but want to enjoy 120 happy healthy years or just want to reach Buddhahood or gain a spiritual fulfillment, Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming’s new book Qigong Grand Circulation for Spiritual Enlightenment can provide you with a roadmap.
The Flame-Thank You Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming - October 10, 2022
Unbeknownst to him, (Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming) his book (Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu) had a great impact on me, pointing me in the right direction during those incredibly formative first years of training.