YMAA International

Yang’s Martial Arts Association (YMAA) was founded in 1982 by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming in Boston, USA, and today stands as a respected international organization dedicated to the teaching and research of martial and internal arts. Its mission is to preserve, promote, and transmit the authentic heritage of traditional Chinese martial arts while integrating modern methods of education.

YMAA’s curriculum is organized into three main branches:

• External Martial Arts: Including Shaolin Long Fist and White Crane, emphasizing power, speed, and practical applications.
• Internal Martial Arts: With a special focus on Taijiquan (Yang-style Taiji) and the profound principles of Yin and Yang in movement and mind.
• Qigong: Dedicated to cultivating internal energy, supporting health, mental tranquility, and strengthening concentration.

Over four decades, YMAA has grown from a local school in Boston into a global network with more than 50 branches across multiple continents. Its books, videos, and educational programs have been translated into numerous languages, reaching millions of students, instructors, and researchers worldwide.

A major milestone in YMAA’s history was the ten-year training and research project at the YMAA Retreat Center in Massachusetts, which trained a new generation of instructors and provided a deep documentation of both external and internal arts. In addition, YMAA has hosted international seminars, training camps, and research initiatives to bridge ancient traditions with the demands of contemporary education.

Today, YMAA Intercontinental is not only an educational institution but also a platform for cultural exchange and personal development. Grounded in values such as respect, perseverance, integrity, and the balance of tradition with innovation, YMAA strives to make the wisdom of martial arts a pathway to harmony of body, mind, and spirit for people around the world.

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming (楊俊敏, Yang, Jwing-Ming) is one of the most influential and pioneering figures in martial arts and internal sciences in the modern era. Born in Taiwan in 1946, he began his training in traditional Chinese martial arts as a teenager. His first teacher introduced him to White Crane style, after which he immersed himself in Yang-style Taijiquan and Qigong. From the outset, his practice was deeply intertwined with rigorous research and a scientific perspective.

After emigrating to the United States, Dr. Yang earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Physics. By integrating modern scientific knowledge with traditional wisdom, he laid the foundation for a unique system of martial arts education and research. In 1982, he founded the Yang’s Martial Arts Association (YMAA) in Boston, which has since grown into an international network with training centers worldwide.

Dr. Yang is the author of more than 40 books and has produced hundreds of hours of instructional videos on Taijiquan, Qigong, Shaolin arts, self-defense, traditional medicine, and Eastern philosophy. His works, translated into numerous languages, have inspired generations of students, instructors, and researchers across the globe.

His contribution goes far beyond technical instruction. Dr. Yang has consistently emphasized that martial arts are not merely systems of combat, but pathways to physical cultivation, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. In an era defined by speed and distraction, he has shown how these arts can serve as a bridge back to balance and meaning.

Over four decades of teaching, he has trained thousands of students, many of whom now teach and research internationally. His landmark 10-year training and research program in Massachusetts remains a testament to his lifelong dedication to preserving authentic knowledge and preparing the next generation of instructors.

Today, Dr. Yang’s legacy transcends that of a martial artist. He stands as a cultural thinker and visionary, building a bridge between ancient Chinese traditions and modern scientific and educational methods. His life’s work has significantly contributed to the global recognition and transmission of both internal and external Chinese martial arts.