Overview

At YMAA, we mainly train 2 styles of Shaolin Kung-Fu: Long Fist and White Crane. Our master, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, learned Long Fist from Grandmaster Li, Mao-Ching and White Crane from Grandmaster Gseng, Gin-Gsao. Long Fist specializes in kicking, jumping, and long-range fighting, while White Crane specializes in hand techniques, low-kicks, and short-range fighting. Throughout the standard training curriculum, students also learn Qin-Na, practical and effective joint-locking techniques for controlling an opponent. As students become qualified, weapons training for both Long Fist and White Crane are introduced. Shaolin Kung-Fu improves flexibility, strength, stamina, mental focus, and reaction skills. Students also develop a deeper understanding of techniques through the creation of choreographed matching sets, both bare-hand and using weapons.

There are 10 qualification ranks in the standard YMAA Shaolin program. Each rank builds upon the previous rank. Students may only learn and train the techniques and forms taught during classes and within their rank. In rare cases where a student shows great potential and talent, a certain form, technique, or weapon may be taught out of sequence, regardless of the student's current qualification rank.

Shaolin Long Fist

Long Fist, or Changquan, is one of the most popular and effective external martial arts styles in the history of Chinese Kung-Fu. It is a Northern style, so many of the moves and techniques are based on being in large, open plains, like the land north of the Yangtze River in China. Consequently, Long Fist emphasizes a lot of low and wide leg techniques, high jumps and kicks, and fast footwork.

The YMAA Long Fist program stresses traditional training in building correct body form, coordination, and movement. Traditional training means emphasizing physical body strength and focus of the mind before learning many techniques, forms, and sequences. Like most traditional schools, YMAA believes in the highest quality of training over quantity. Because of the nature of the training, achieving a deep and refined level in the traditional martial arts requires many, many years of diligent practice.

Classes at YMAA include many conditioning drills and exercises that all help to build alertness, speed, endurance, and reaction. At more advanced stages, students learn to develop fighting strategies and begin various forms of weapons training.

Shaolin White Crane

Shaolin White Crane is well-known Southern martial arts style that originates from China. From it, hundreds of other styles have been derived, including Okinawan Karate and other Japanese martial arts. Because White Crane is a Southern style, it is most effective in short-range fighting. In Southern China, south of the Yangtze River, there are many rivers and lowlands, so many martial arts techniques developed in the South were created for fighting on boats and unstable ground. Thus, White Crane is highly-effective in hand forms and hand techniques. It does not include many high kicks or jumps and uses much more closed leg stances.

White Crane is an extremely comprehensive martial arts system that includes training in Hard Qigong, Soft Qigong, and martial power (Jin). Qigong and Jin involve a lot of mental focus, sharpness in strikes, and internal power. Because White Crane is a short-range style, it also emphasizes a lot of speed, short Jin, and trapping techniques in both blocks and strikes. In addition to the physical and mental aspects of the training, White Crane is very beneficial to strengthening the spine and torso, which can offer improved health and longevity.

At YMAA, Long Fist is taught before White Crane, as White Crane can be quite complex and is oftentimes more difficult for beginners to correctly learn.

Weapons Training

In the standard YMAA training program, a student begins weapons training after passing the 1st rank qualification test. Staff is taught first, followed by saber, short rods, sword, and finally, spear. Weapons are taught following the traditional order of learning. Students learn staff and saber first because they are considered the foundation of all other long weapons and all other short weapons, respectively. YMAA emphasizes weapons basics heavily before moving into sequence training and more advanced techniques. Both Long Fist and White Crane weapons forms are taught.

After completing and passing the 10th rank qualification test, a student begins learning special weapons, less common weapons such as Guan Dao, Pu Dao, trident, double-saber, double-sword, sai, 9-section chain, rope dart, 3-section staff, deer hook sword, Bagua hook sword, hook spear, and others.

Alternatively, students may begin weapons training through seminars, special classes, or private lessons. However, we strongly encourage a strong foundation in basic stances, movement, and coordination before beginning any type of weapons practice. The specific weapons that are taught are based on the instructors available.

Weapons List