The First YMAA Retreat Center Students

[Dvivid]

In Episode 2 of the new YMAA Netcast, Dr. Yang talks about the Retreat Center in detail, in an excellent interview with Matt Briggs.

Watch it here:
http://www.ymaa.com/netcasts

And you can subscribe to it on iTunes. Open iTunes, click "Podcasts", and use Power search on the right to search the title 'YMAA martial arts'.

[Dvivid]

Episode 3 is also now online. Part 2 of the Retreat Center interview. Dr. Yang passionately discusses his reasons for undertaking this massive project:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=250045973

[Dvivid]

There's an article in the current issue of Qi Journal, with a new interview with Dr Yang about the Retreat Center project.

http://www.qi-journal.com/journalcatalog.asp?ref=journalinfo

[hudsont]

Hey,

I'm new to the forum but I've heard of this Retreat Center program being set up since its inception.

I am now turning 20, at the time that I heard about it I was not ready or sure if I wanted to pursue full time commitment to the martial arts. Now I know.

To the point, I've noticed in earlier posts that you said some applicants have already been notified of their "pre-acceptance" status to join the preliminary examinations. Is there still room?

Additionally, how is the fundraising? My parents could pay for the tuition fees but I have a feeling they will not be thrilled and I will likely have to take the security deposit loan method. Is this going to be a problem if funding becomes is an issue?

[Dvivid]

Funding is always an issue for any nonprofit organization, but we're working on it and making steady progress.

The Center is accepting applications until the end of Feb 08. 30 students will be selected as pre-finalists, and the final 15 will be selected in early 2008.

Out of about 55 serious applications, there are 6 students notified of their pre-acceptance, as of May 2007.

Anyone interested in being a candidate should apply now:

http://ymaa.com/retreat-center

Good luck!

[William]

Makes me sad Im 25.... looks like some heavy stuff, Transferring knowledge is a good thing and ten years, alot can be done in that time if the student is willing.

Whats the intent will the accepted students be Instructors at the same academy so asto be able to expand upon the maximum number of future students? That would be impressive, a genuine Martial Arts Academy.

The sad fact is that True Warriors, are a dying breed... these days very few can tell the difference between a Warrior and a Fighter, this could Save alot of history. All who are involved in this endeavor I thank you, and future generations will aswell.


Also how much more funds does this project need I don't have much but would donate what I can.

[Dvivid]

Not only will graduating students be involved in future training of new students, the real goal is for each of the graduates to go out and create a training center of their own, based on the model of the Retreat Center. In this way we can continue this return to the ancient way of training.

[Dvivid]

Update on various Retreat Center topics.

COME TRAIN IN CA:
http://www.ymaa.com/seminars/summer2008-regular-time

FINALISTS GOING TO CA WITH MASTER YANG SOON:
http://www.ymaa.com/retreat-center

CA SUMMER SEMINARS:
http://www.ymaa.com/seminars/june2008

[YangShi]

Unfortunately I am 26 and have a beautiful wife and 2 awesome children. I have been training master/student full time for the past 5 years, however I have still needed to support myself and my family. This is an awesome opportunity, but for me it is an impossibility.

The financial investment, as people say here, if its important enough obstacles are miniscule. But however, family and children need to be supported and your time and energy invested into them. I would more to wherever in the world I needed to move to facilitate my ongoing training, but there is always life that keeps turning. Perhaps one day there is a similar concept, but more of a community. A total society based around Jin, Shen and Qi Mastery. This is my dream.

[Dvivid]

Hopefully, the graduating students of the Retreat Center will open their own schools, following the intensive training model of the Retreat, but without the age restriction, so all can join.

Of course, all ages can go to the Retreat Center during seminar time,
http://ymaa.com/seminars/june2008

or as a special guest by request at other times:
http://ymaa.com/seminars/summer2008-regular-time

[Dvivid]

ANNOUNCING THE FIRST STUDENTS OF THE YMAA CA RETREAT CENTER.

http://www.ymaa.com/community/blog/california-retreat-center

Since the start of the YMAA Retreat Center project in 2005, hundreds of applications have come in from around the world. Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming interviewed each applicant via phone, email, and in person, and many semi-finalists have come to CA to undergo a testing period.

After a rigorous three-year process, five student applicants remain. These final five students will be accepted as disciples in a formal ceremony on August 30th, 2008, at which time they will make a vow to complete the 10-year training with Dr. Yang. If they achieve their goal, these students will graduate in 2018 with the title 'Master of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts', and they will be the next generation of teachers to help preserve the Chinese arts and culture for the future.

When we meet our fundraising goal, these students can be sponsored for all ten years, and we will be able to enroll more students in the program.

Please click to make a tax-deductible donation here:
http://www.ymaa-retreatcenter.org/donations

[Ralteria]

A hearty congratulations to these five young men!!!!!!

Good luck to all of them!!!!

[Dvivid]

Congratulations to Retreat Center disciple Jonathan Chang on winning the gold medal in the World Tai Chi Chuan Championship for Taijiquan barehand form!

http://ymaa-retreatcenter.org/news_events/2008/10/23/taiwan-tour-eventful-and-successful