MASTER YANG, JWING-MING Yang's Martial Arts Association (YMAA) International - www.ymaa.com
YMAA was founded in Boston by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming in 1982 to preserve his knowledge of Chinese martial arts and Qigong and share them with the world. He has realized a great part of this dream through YMAA. YMAA is best known for being a traditional martial arts school, with a strong focus on quality, refinement, and self-discipline.
After teaching for more than 30 years, Dr. Yang has qualified over 100 YMAA Instructors, Assistant Instructors, and Coach Instructors in the world today. Internationally, YMAA instructors and students share Dr. Yang's vision of bringing the art to a deeper level of practice and understanding. Dr. Yang has published over 30 books and 71 videos / 25 DVD on the martial arts and Qigong.
Today, Dr. Yang resides in Humboldt County in California, overseeing and directing operations at the YMAA California Retreat Center, where he leads a small group of students in an intense 10-year training program. Dr. Yang continues to write and to supervise all of YMAA International. Dr. Yang's younger son, Nicholas, is now the President of YMAA International.
Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming started his Gongfu (Kung Fu) training at the age of fifteen under the Shaolin White Crane (Bai He) Master Cheng, Gin Gsao. In thirteen years of study (1961-1974) under Master Cheng, Dr. Yang became an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts, which includes both the use of bare hands and of various weapons such as saber, staff, spear, trident, two short rods, and many others. With the same master he also studied White Crane Qin Na (or Chin Na), Tui Na and Dian Xue massages, and herbal treatment. At the age of sixteen, Dr. Yang began the study of Taijiquan (Yang Style) under Master Gao, Tao link. After learning from Master Gao, Dr. Yang continued his study and research of Taijiquan with several masters and senior practitioners such as Master Li, Mao-Ching and Mr. Wilson Chen in Taipei. Master Li learned his Taijiquan from the well-known Master Han, Ching-Tang, and Mr. Chen learned his Taijiquan from Master Chang, Xiang-San. Dr. Yang has mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, pushing hands, the two-man fighting sequence, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong.
AWARDS
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University - United States 1978
Prix Bushido, French Book Award, 1st Place, 1997
Inside Kung Fu Magazine - Man of the Year 1990
Black Belt Magazine - Kung Fu Artist of the Year 2003
Inside Kung Fu Magazine - Man of the Year 2007
In summary, Dr. Yang has been involved in Chinese Gongfu since 1961. During this time, he has spent 13 years learning Shaolin White Crane (Bai He), Shaolin Long Fist (Changquan), and Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has more than thirty years of instructional experience: seven years in Taiwan, five years at Purdue University, two years in Houston, TX, and 24 years in Boston, MA. On November 29, 2005, Dr. Yang conferred the title of Taiji Master to one of his senior students (Roger Whidden) for the first time, which by tradition bestows the honourable title of Grandmaster upon Dr. Yang.
MR. CORLIUS BIRKILL - YMAA PRESIDENT SOUTH AFRICA YMAA South Africa (Head Office Pretoria) - www.dragonspirit.co.za Corlius Birkill was introduced to the martial arts at age 8, practicing Karate for a few years. He then started his Chinese Martial Arts training in 1984 at the age of 13. The first systems he studied were the southern division style, Wing Chun and a northern division style, Lune Whan Kune. His dedication in these disciplines led to him being awarded provincial colours in 1990, and then being invited to represent his country overseas. Due to his passion for the art Corlius Birkill decided to expand his knowledge which led to his first visit to Boston, USA in 1995. Here he started his intensive study of the following systems; the southern division style, White Crane (Bai He) and the northern division style Long Fist (Chang Chuan) as well as internal systems Tai Chi Chuan, and Baguazhang under the personal tuition of Dr. Yang Jwing Ming. Besides the different martial arts aspects Corlius Birkill has also learnt several qigong systems as well as healing arts such as Tui Na and Dian Xue massage from Dr. Yang. Since 1995 Mr. Birkill has visited Dr. Yang on a regular basis, furthering his studies and training. In March 2008 he completed the YMAA Shaolin Syllabus when he was awarded the rank of Instructor.
Corlius Birkill hosted annual seminars presented by Dr. Yang in South Africa from 1996 until recently in August 2015. Corlius was honoured to be accepted as disciple by Dr. Yang in August 2009. Corlius holds MBL and B.Eng (Hons) degrees.
Mark Gouws
MR. MARK GOUWS (1968-Current) - YMAA SANDTON JOHANNESBURG
Mark Gouws started his Chinese Martial Arts training in 1992, and studied Wing Chun (southern style) and Lune Whan Kune (northern style). In 1997 he moved to London and trained Traditional Long Fist Kung Fu (Chángquán) and Yang Style Tai Chi. The exposure gained in London, drove him to find a quality school, with an authentic & traditional martial arts lineage.
On his return to South Africa in 2000, Mark joined YMAASA - Yang's Martial Arts Association South Africa and practiced the following Internal & External Martial Arts under Corlius Birkill (President of YMAA South Africa).
Internal Martial Arts: Classical Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan & Tai Chi Chi Kung Meditation for Martial and Health. This study of Chi Kung laid the foundations to broaden his understanding and practice of other complementary fields of Meditation.
External Martial Arts (Kung Fu): Shaolin Long Fist (Chang Chuan), Shaolin White Crane (Bai He) and related joint locking (Chi Na) techniques. He has achieved a YMAA International grading (Level 2) for Kung Fu. In 2015, Master (Dr.) Yang Jwing Ming awarded him Tai Chi Instructor (Level 3) and permission to open a YMAA school and opened YMAA Sandton (2015). Throughout his martial arts career, Mark has attended various seminars and gradings presented by Master (Dr.) Yang Jwing Ming.
Mark Gouws holds a Bachelors degree of Architecture - B.Arch 1992, founded Mark Gouws Architects (2001) www.mga.co.za and practiced Authentic Feng Shui under Master Yap Cheng Hai.
Taiji Solo Sequence, Applications from the Solo Sequence, Fast Taiji training, Still Meditation, Qi Circulation Training, Jin Training, Pushing Hands and its Applications, Taiji Fighting Set and Deeper Martial Applications, Taiji Free Pushing Hands and Sparring.
Yang's Martial Arts Association Sandton - YMAA Sandton