Is anyone else paying attention to the YMAA Retreat Center program?

[Kymus]

For those unaware, Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming started what essentially is a Kung Fu boot camp 5 years ago in northern California called the YMAA RC (Yang's Martial Arts Association Retreat Center).

It's pretty rad what Dr. Yang has done. He set up a 10-year program for students to become fully certified in Long Fist, Southern White Crane, and Yang style Taiji. The curriculum includes other things like Chinese language, guns, projectile weapons, horseback riding, Chinese history, business. Here's the full set-up.

The disciples (they become disciples of his at the beginning of the 10-year program) have to go through a crap ton of body conditioning. I think that makes up the bulk of what they do each day. They are tested each semester on fitness and things like finger/hand speed (for qinna). They also train 5 1/2 days a week

To help the RC make money to support itself, Dr. Yang had the disciples put out two DVD's on body conditioning and showed them how to edit it and everything.

All in all, I think it's an amazing program! Though it's not all sunshine and roses up there. Dr. Yang has invested a lot of hist own money in to the RC and says that if it can't support itself by the program's end (5 years from now) that he's shutting it down.

He did recently start a 5 year program and from what I understand, it's basically the same except a lot less body conditioning.

I think it's so awesome what Dr. Yang is doing and it'd be great if another master from the old-school set up something similar. Unlikely to happen, but it would be nice.

If I was perhaps 10 years younger and thought I would make a living off of Kung Fu, I'd totally sign up. But... that's not the case

Really, though, I hope that Dr. Yang's program is successful and he is able to keep the next generation's skill and knowledge on par with what we're used to seeing from the old-school.

edit: I forgot to mention that the disciples enrolled in the 10 year program will graduate with a legit Master's Degree in Martial Arts

[Orion Paximus]

I was very interested until I saw the age restrictions. [/bonerdeflatesound]

[Kymus]

Yeah, it's really meant for young people (18 - 25 I think), but I believe one of the guys that signed up for the 5-year program is in his low-30's

Eventually I'd like to go there for a visit for 2 weeks. It's not cheap (~$1000 I think + airfare) but it'll be a great learning experience.

Addendum: One guy is 31, another is 37!

[xcakid]

Isn't there only half of the people left studying from the orginal group(10yr program). That is quite a commitment. I remember reading about it when it started.

I also like that they included firearms training. Let's face it, swords and spear are obsolete in street confrontations these days.

[MightyB]

It's a very interesting experiment. I want to see if there's a huge skill level difference between someone who's into a discipleship program such as this vs someone who's committed to a regular martial lifestyle that's also balanced with a real life.

[Kymus]

Isn't there only half of the people left studying from the orginal group(10yr program). That is quite a commitment. I remember reading about it when it started.

I also like that they included firearms training. Let's face it, swords and spear are obsolete in street confrontations these days.

You know, I'm not sure. I read the two blogs that are available to completion and neither mention anything about anyone dropping out.

I'm curious how that sort of thing is handled. Do students pay up front? To quit after going through the discipleship ceremony is a big no-no .

Interestingly, the 5-year program cadets don't become disciples until graduation.

[Kymus]

It's a very interesting experiment. I want to see if there's a huge skill level difference between someone who's into a discipleship program such as this vs someone who's committed to a regular martial lifestyle that's also balanced with a real life.

I'm curious as well, B.

But notice how there are no courses in flaming or posting pictures on KFM? These kids aint got nothin' on you

[YouKnowWho]

During my high school year, I had used my summer time to train

- 6 days weekly, and
- 6 hours daily.

After 3 months of such training, I could feel a big diference. In college, I also jointed in a longfist class with different teacher (GM Han Ching-Tan's son) but from the same teacher's teacher. That teacher's comment to me was, "You are a class A student. All my students here are only class B students". Apparently the summer time serious training does make big difference.

[MightyB]

But notice how there are no courses in flaming or posting pictures on KFM? These kids aint got nothin' on you

D@mn Straight! That shiite takes practice!

[SPJ]

During my high school year, I had used my summer time to train

- 6 days weekly, and
- 6 hours daily.

After 3 months of such training, I could feel a big diference. In college, I also jointed in a longfist class with different teacher (GM Han Ching-Tan's son) but from the same teacher's teacher. That teacher's comment to me was, "You are a class A student. All my students here are only class B students". Apparently the summer time serious training does make big difference.

agreed.

wish that YMAA offering mini programs or mini retreat for a few weeks.

like summer camp and winter camp.

Most people will like that

since we all have school or job or real life, family and such.

[Kymus]

agreed.

wish that YMAA offering mini programs or mini retreat for a few weeks.

like summer camp and winter camp.

Most people will like that

since we all have school or job or real life, family and such.

In the future, they may. I know he has the disciples teach classes locally and they set up a Skype teaching program as well () but I think that's to help the place make money (and it gives them experience with teaching).

Like I had said, 2wks of training = ~$1000 (you could save some money if you decide on less comfortable sleeping options).

I know Dr. Yang's son recently signed up for the program (I am not sure if he's gonna be doing it for 5 years or 10).

I'm curious how Dr. Yang set up certain body conditioning goals. Really, the whole program must've been a challenge to set up.

I forgot to mention in my original post (I'll fix that in a min) that the 10 year program is accredited and the disciples will get a Master's degree in Martial Arts.

[YouKnowWho]

we all have school or job or real life, family and such.

A reporter asked Li Ao, "Do you have any regret in your life?" Li said, "My regret is I don't have enough girls in my life." The reporter then asked, "But you have more than 50 girls in your life include your movie star wife, famous singer, ...?" Li said, "If I didn't spend 15 years in prison for polictics reason, I would have more girls."

When Li was 72 years old, He told reporters that he stopped dating girls. Before that, his definition of girls had to meet the following categories:

- tall,
- skinny,
- white,
- pretty,
- young (any girl over 18 is too old for him).

I admire his love life big time. For those students that Dr. Yang has, their number of girls count in their life must be low.

[Kymus]

I admire his love life big time. For those students that Dr. Yang has, their number of girls count in their life must be low.

Yeah, I was thinking the same. If they're in a 10-year program and they're training 6 days a week, that's not exactly easy to juggle a relationship with.

[GeneChing]

See this thread. Dr. Yang and several of his disciples came out for TCEC & KFTCD again this year. In fact, Jonathan Chang, one of the first disciples, was our poster boy for the 2013 TCKFMC. I was at the first disciple ceremony and I know several of those guys. They are developing some serious skills.

[Kymus]

Yeah, Michele mentioned a few things from your book......... so when is it gonna be available in the Kindle store?

I'm glad to hear that they're developing nicely. We need people to lead the way and set a standard once the old generation is completely gone.