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Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Qigong practice in this article pertains to maintaining a proper balance of yin and yang energy within the body to maintain health. Qigong exercises are composed of gentle movements and proper breathing techniques which are performed in a specific relaxed sequence.

It was barely 8 am one August morning and I found myself contentedly slapping the bottom of my foot, along with a dozen other satisfied “sole-slappers.” We were stimulating our “Qi” flow through our invigorating foot spanking. Thus began the first morning of the Qigong 1 Seminar at the beautiful new YMAA California Retreat Center. The Seminar was taught by world renowned Qigong and Chinese Martial Arts Master, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming.

The opportunity to practice and learn Qigong from the Master was priceless. After years of dealing with debilitating spinal pain, I had found some real relief by consistently practicing Dr. Yang’s version of the medical Qigong movements known as “8 Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin).” When I learned about the California Seminars, I was eager — but a little worried. Would a 48-year-old mom fit in with what I envisioned to be a class of fit young martial artists? I plucked up the courage to ask this question of Dr Yang himself, who surprised me by answering the phone and encouraged me to come. “You will be surprised,” he said, and I was, pleasantly so.

Born in Taiwan in 1945 and trained in the Chinese martial arts in the honored traditional way, Dr. Yang is multi-faceted: he holds a degree in physics and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Purdue. His accomplishments also include establishing the international Yang Martial Arts Association (YMAA) and authoring many books, videos and DVDs about martial arts and Qigong. Clearly Dr. Yang has pursued a lot of dreams with his focus and drive. At 63, Dr. Yang is ready to slow down — sort of.

The Retreat Center — completed in July in the very mountains which give rise to the Redwood forests — is a key part of Dr. Yang’s new visions. The land was carefully selected and the buildings deliberately designed by Dr. Yang. Energy flows here in the Center and on its mountaintop, as is evident in the vibrant nature. The surrounding woods softly crackle as the exotic looking trees continually shed their bark in graceful spirals. In the distance, mesmerizing clouds swirl around the surrounding mountains. Dr. Yang tells us, with a wink, that local legend says every time the clouds descend on one particular peak, the aliens are landing there. By the time one leaves the Center to enter the real world (or “the matrix” as Dr Yang calls it), one feels there might be some truth to that story. It is in this luminous setting that Master Yang has stepped back from the world to pursue new dreams. One of them is his dream to “bring Qigong training to the Western world and have it accepted by western medicine once and for all.”

Ever since Nixon visited China and was shown the applications of Chinese acupuncture, we have been tantalized by the possibilities of such healing practices, which all begin with understanding “Qi.” Once the secrets of Masters, handed down to only a few students, or hidden in the ancient texts of poem, information about Qigong was scarce. Dr. Yang has been a major force in helping people understand this Qi energy and the practice of Qigong. Dr. Yang’s teachings and works are a wonderful synergy of his knowledge of and deep respect for ancient wisdom, his application of traditional martial arts training, and western scientific thought born of his education in physics and engineering. As a result, in Dr. Yang’s hands “Qi” is not some “woo woo” idea, but a real bio-energy that is alive. Qigong is not just exercise; it is a way of life.

During our week of practice, we live the Qigong way with a gentle rhythm of meditation, lecture, healthy meals and exercise. There is time to take a quiet hike, visit the organic garden or review notes and practice moves. The day is almost Benedictine in its gentle structure of work, rest and meditation. I can feel my own body responding; I haven’t felt this good in years.

Being able to help people heal through Qigong is what he is most proud of in his vast career, Dr. Yang quietly shares with us; he wishes to pursue further understanding in this young science and establish a Qigong Research Foundation. The Seminars are taught here to finance another dream of Dr. Yang’s. To preserve Chinese Martial Arts, he has invited young men to apply the demanding yet rewarding Ten Year Kung Fu Program. In this rigorous program, Master Yang teaches young men in the “traditional way” in which the student lives and works with his Master. The Ten Year Students will learn martial arts and Qigong as well as Chinese culture and history, even the skills to produce books and DVDs while in residence at the Center for nine months out of the year. Since the students are responsible for the care of Seminar guests, including cooking all meals, we were fortunate to get to know them quite well. They are impressive young men in every way — they even do laundry!

To observe the rarely glimpsed Master-Student relationship was a singular privilege. Part father/son, professor/student, coach/player and yes, even general/soldier relationship, these boys clearly love and deeply respect Dr. Yang, and he clearly cares for them. Admittedly, this dream is expensive; Master Yang estimates that it will cost $1 million to train the 10 young men in the manner he has so carefully envisioned. He hopes to find financial support from donors who believe in this important work as he helps East meet West with integrity.

After 10 days at the Center, I am loathe to leave my new friends and this beautiful sanctuary where yin and yang swirl before one’s eyes in the woods and sky. The gentle rhythm of meditation, lecture, practice, meals and rest has been soothing to my ever-aching body and my weary soul. This is what life should be like. I take the spirit of the place home with me and integrate all that I can. Dr. Yang has created quite a peaceful dream which anyone can share. What a vision. For more information, visit the YMAA website at www.ymaa.com.

Barbara Heller, B.A., M.Msc. (Masters in Metaphysical Sciences) is an “inner calm consultant,” Qigong Practitioner, and proud Loveland Mom of two amazing teen sons. She teaches Qigong Theory, Medical Qigong Movements, (especially Spinal movements), Embryonic Breathing and Small Circulation. She is particularly interested in exploring working with teens and families who experience Autisms. booheller@gmail.com