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Ben Warner
YMAA Boston Owner/Director Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Kids Kung Fu, Qigong, Kettlebell YMAA Boston was founded in 1982 by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. In 2006 Dr. Yang passed the school to his son Nicholas Yang. In 2012 Nicholas passed the school to Ben Warner. Ben began his YMAA Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi training in the summer of 1996. In 2000 Ben began teaching the Kids Kung Fu program. Children's martial arts education has been a major focus of his ever since. He has published two DVDs for kids, Kung Fu for Kids and Kung Fu for Teens. His practice led him to assist Master Yang, Jwing Ming with staff (long weapon) classes at YMAA Boston. Ben has taught staff classes and seminars worldwide since 2002. He is featured in the YMAA DVD Taiji & Shaolin Staff As his Shaolin training continued, Ben specialized in White Crane Kung-Fu and Qigong. He has been involved with White Crane seminars in Boston and internationally since 2002. He is featured in the YMAA DVDs Shaolin White Crane 3&4, In 2006, Ben became a certified kettlebell instructor under Pavel Tsatsouline's RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge) program. He has been teaching classes and private lessons ever since. Ben was an instructor at the YMAA International Summer Camps from 2002 - 2007. He has been featured in several YMAA books and DVDs, including Qin-Na (Chin Na), White Crane, Long Fist, staff basics, and Taiji Ball Qigong. You may contact Ben Warner for private instruction at [email protected] |
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Axie Breen
Tai Chi, Qigong Axie started studying Shaolin at YMAA Boston in 1999. After a few years, she started practicing tai chi and pushing hands as well. Master Yang invited her to teach tai chi at YMAA in 2005. She has also been an assistant teacher with Master Yang at several seminars. Prior to moving to the Boston area, she lived in Chicago, studying Northern Shaolin with Valerie Wedel and tai chi with Elizabeth Wenscott. She can be seen helping out in the YMAA DVDs: “Qigong for Healing” by Lisa O’Shea, “Sunrise Tai Chi” and “Tai Chi Energy Patterns” by Ramel Rones, and “Tai Chi Connections” by John Loupos. Professionally, Axie is a graphic designer and photographer: axiebreenphotography.com, axiebreen.com. |
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George Dominguez
Kung Fu George began training at YMAA when he was 15 years old, alongside Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's first generation of students in Boston. He is the first YMAA student in the world to achieve the 10th stripe Shaolin Kung Fu Instructor qualification. George is also one of Dr. Yang's disciples. For many years, George taught adult Kung Fu classes as well as Kids Shaolin at YMAA Boston. George has participated in several national and international martial arts tournaments, including ones held by the USAWKF (U.S.A. Wushu Kung-Fu Federation) and the U.S. Wushu Union. He has earned numerous medals several times in events in barehand, sword, saber, and spear. |
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Heidi Butler
Kids Kung Fu, Tai Chi Looking for a challenging workout after having been a competitive gymnast, Heidi began training Kung Fu and Tai Chi at YMAA in 1998. She has been teaching kids for over 30 years. Heidi competed in high school varsity gymnastics and received an athletic scholarship to Northeastern University, where she competed for 4 years. Upon graduating with an undergraduate degree in Recreation Management, she began running a gymnastics program for the City of Boston's Ohrenberger Community Center in 1984. Since then the gymnastics program is still going strong! In 1991, Heidi earned a master's degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology and became a certified Health/Fitness Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine. |
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Jeff Pratt
Tai Chi, Qigong, Pushing Hands Jeff began his study of Tai Chi at the YMAA Boston School in 1987 and has reached the rank of 7th Duan in the YMAA International system. Jeff specializes in Pushing Hands, which is the two-person form of Tai Chi. He has taken extensive training in the spectrum of disciplines comprising YMAA’s Tai Chi program, including:
Jeff has performed in local and national tournaments and has repeatedly won the title of champion and grand champion in the “A Taste of China” competition. He also took high honors for Taijiquan in the United States Kuo Shu Guo Shu National Competitions, receiving gold medals for Pushing Hands. “Taijiquan has become the path I follow. It leads me to distant places and incredible people. Taijiquan is a continuous adventure of discovery.” |
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Joe Best
Tai Chi, Qigong Joe started his martial arts training in Uechi-Ryu Karate Do in 1970 and earned his black belt in 1977. He was very active in tournaments, ranking as one of the top 10 middle-weight fighters in New England by Black Belt Magazine in 1978. After earning his black belt, Joe studied Yoga with Mahima at his living room studio in Cambridge, which led to a smooth transition to his Tai Chi training. Joe's Tai Chi practice began in 1980 by attending Master Bow Sim Mark's Chinese Wushu Research Institute, where he also studied Shaolin and Bagua. In 1985, he joined the Tai Chi program at YMAA and began teaching in 1988. Joe has always had a strong interest in martial arts and has also studied many other styles, including Gracie Jiujitsu, Jeet Kun Do, Modern Arnis, and Thai Boxing. Joe is also a Licensed Massage Therapist. |
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Malu Wilder
Kids Kung Fu Matthew "Malu" Wilder has been teaching functional martial arts and meditation in the Boston area to both adults and children since 2011. Malu began studying martial arts at the age of 8 with Kenpo Karate. He has been a student of several martial arts throughout his career including Aikido, Shaolin Kung Fu and Silat. Malu was a founding member of the RDA, which trains martial artists in the practice of Fei Tou (AKA rope dart). From 2012-2015 Malu taught rope dart classes and workshops in Boston and NYC as well as working as a competition coach for rope dart students who wished to compete in ICMAC (International Martial Arts Competition). Malu holds a gold and silver medal from the ICMAC. Malu has a deep passion for incorporating meditation into his martial arts practice and daily life. After training and practicing with various Tibetan Buddhist teachers for several years, Malu founded The Mindfulness Initiative in 2016. The Mindfulness Initiative offers meditation and mindfulness training sessions in public schools, community centers and for corporate events. Children's instruction in martial arts and mindfulness is a major focus for Malu. Training the next generation to be present, focused, kind, healthy and strong is the bedrock of his work as an instructor. Malu currently holds self defense and mindfulness classes at many different elementary schools in the Boston area. |
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Sam Mokos
Kung Fu, Kids Kung Fu Samuel (Coach Sam) Mokos started training with the kids program at YMAA in 2014. As they grew with the program, they practiced several different styles, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Sanda; however their main focus is Traditional Shaolin Kung Fu. Throughout their years of practice they have competed at several local and national tournaments. In 2018, they flew to Orlando, FL to compete in the 20th ICMAC Tournament. Aside from their work with YMAA, Sam is a producer/artist that releases under their alias “Sushpi”. They have been writing, recording, and releasing their own music since 2022. |