WORLD RENOWNED MASTER, AUTHOR AND TEACHER
Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming was born and raised in Taiwan, Republic of China. He began his extensive martial arts training at the age of 15, under his White Crane (Bái Hè 白鶴) master, Grandmaster Cheng, Gin-Gsao. After 13 years of study, Dr. Yang became proficient in barehand techniques, weapons, White Crane Qigong (白鶴氣功), Qin Na (擒拿), Tui Na (推拿) and Dian Xue (點穴) massage, and herbal treatment. At age 16, Dr. Yang began to study Tàijíquán (Tai Chi 太極拳) and Qigong (氣功) under Grandmaster Kao, Tao. Through the practice of Taijiquan, he was able to make a full recovery from a chronic ulcer.
Dr. Yang also studied the martial side of Taijiquan, and learned from other masters and practitioners. He eventually mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, two-person fighting sequence, pushing hands, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong. During his undergraduate years, Dr. Yang began to study Long Fist (Chángqúan 長拳) under Grandmaster Li, Mao-Ching. He learned Northern Style barehand and kicking techniques, and numerous weapons.
Dr. Yang earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Physics while studying in Taiwan. He later earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in Indiana. After moving to the United States, Dr. Yang began to share his knowledge of martial arts. At the request of a few colleagues, he founded the Purdue University Chinese Gongfu Research Club in 1975. He also taught college-credited courses in Taijiquan.
In 1982, he moved to Boston and founded Yang's Martial Arts Association. He eventually gave up his engineering career to devote his time to the researching, writing, and teaching of Chinese martial arts and Qigong for health. The YMAA Publication Center was founded in 1984 with the goal of producing high quality books and instructional videos on Qigong and Chinese martial arts. After almost 3 decades of overseeing and directing YMAA International, Dr. Yang officially passed down the YMAA school legacy to his younger son, Nicholas.
In 2005, Dr. Yang established the YMAA California Retreat Center, a dedicated training ground for a small group of selected students. Located in the mountainous regions of northern California, the center was formed to host a 10-year training program, directed and taught by Dr. Yang himself.