A Vision For the Future

Over the last 35 years, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has taught the benefits of Chinese culture and popularized traditional martial arts throughout the world. Now he has a new mission that he hopes will build on that groundwork. Dr. Yang is building a retreat center on 240 acres of remote woodlands, isolated from modern society, in order to establish a dedicated location for transmitting his knowledge to the next generation of teachers and preserving the Chinese martial and healing arts.

The unique and precious arts of ancient Chinese culture are all but lost in contemporary China, and only a fraction of their complete depth has been transmitted to recent generations.

In order to preserve the arts at a higher level than currently attained, it is necessary to create an environment similar to that in ancient times, without the many distracting factors of the modern lifestyle. Living simply and training every day with Master Yang and additional instructors, students may again attain the high standards of martial artists of ancient times. This facility will be the first martial arts university of its kind in America.

If this traditional training is not passed from master to student to the highest level possible, the arts will continue to be downgraded until they are truly lost.

Now is the Time

As Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Qigong (Chi Kung), and meditation are finally gaining recognition in the world of mainstream medicine, this is a unique opportunity to comprehensively join the knowledge of the East and West. Dr. Yang is in a unique position; carrying the legacy of the generation of the old masters, and possessing the understanding of a new generation of martial artists, he has dedicated his life to bridging the East and the West, and researching the ancient arts with a modern scientific perspective.

As the YMAA Retreat Center develops, it will be a beacon at the center of today’s martial arts society, leading by example to reestablish the model of the traditional training facility. Based on a high level of martial morality education, emphasizing the development of art instead of violence, it will leave future generations the legacy of a discipline of respect, responsibility, confidence, and compassion.

The graduating students of the YMAA Retreat Center will gain a high level of expertise in Chinese martial arts, culture, and the ‘Internal’ healing, and will be awarded a Master's Degree in Traditional Chinese Martial Arts. They will be capable of properly guiding the continued synthesis of the Eastern and Western sciences, each teaching countless others the skills they have mastered.

Dr. Yang has created a clear path toward achieving this goal. In 2004, the first steps were taken to develop the infrastructure: roads were built on the property; a solar array was installed to provide sustainable, off-the-grid electricity; a well was dug; and construction has commenced on the living and training facilities. Since 2004, Dr. Yang has travelled to CA bi-annually, bringing senior students to work and train each day for two weeks, and continuing preparations for the start of the 10-Year Training Program in August 2007.

This is a new frontier of attempting the preservation of ancient Chinese martial arts to a high standard. The success of the YMAA Retreat Center training program will instill confidence in others that the ancient arts can be preserved, and that the spiritual and moral aspects of martial training can be rekindled.

Information for submitting tax-exempt donations for the commencement of this program at the non-profit YMAA Retreat Center can be found at the web site address: http://www.ymaa-retreatcenter.org.