YMAA Retreat Center Student Candidate Information

The first group of five disciples began the 10-year training program in September 2008. A second group joined the training in 2009.

Since the first public announcement of this project was published in the Boston Globe in August 2005, interested individuals from around the world have contacted Dr. Yang to apply for this opportunity to study Kung Fu (gongfu), Tai Chi (taijiquan), meditation and more. The interview and application process for this program was mentally and physically rigorous, so that ultimately, the most exceptional candidates suited for this unprecedented training were carefully selected.

THIS IS AN EXCERPT OF THE APPLICATION USED TO SELECT THE RETREAT CENTER DISCIPLES, BETWEEN 2005 and 2008:

Questions about the Training Program:
1. Why do you want to participate in this 10-year Traditional Gongfu training program? Why not pursue something else?
2. How much are you willing to sacrifice for this training? (Give some examples of sacrifices you have made to accomplish personal goals.)
3. Are you able to accept mental and physical discipline for the purposes of this training? (Give some examples from your life.)
4. What are your expectations from this training? What do you hope to get out of it?
5. What qualities guarantee you to endure the intensity and boredom of this training?
6. How much confidence do you have in completing the 10 years of training?
7. How will you begin your own business and become financially independent once you graduate?
8. It is important that applicants understand that thoughts lead to impulses, and impulses lead to action (behavior). At some point(s) during the training process the applicants should expect to entertain ideas of quitting. This is normal. How the student responds to these initial thoughts will determine his success in this program. How will you respond to these thoughts/impulses when they arise?

Questions about Gongfu Philosophy:

1. What is Gongfu?
2. What are the general contents of Gongfu training?
3. What is the general value or purpose of training Gongfu?
4. Why do you want to train Gongfu? What are your goals for training?
5. What is your purpose and goal of life?
6. Can Gongfu be used to defend against modern weapons? If not, then what is the purpose of training?
7. In what way do you expect to pass on and develop the art of Gongfu?

Purposes:

1. To test the participants’ physical capabilities, including:
1. Strength
2. Physical Endurance (Tolerance)
3. Physical Stability (Balance and Centering)
4. Physical Flexibility
5. Speed


2. To test the participants’ mental fitness, including:
1. Self-discipline
2. Learning Capability (Pondering, Thinking, and Analyzing)
3. Selfishness
4. Alertness and Awareness
5. Laziness
6. Protection of Public Facilities
7. How thick is the mask, or facade, on the face?
8. Willing to Accept New Challenge or Try to Avoid It (Sneaky of Not?)
9. Repelling the Rules. Tradition, or New Ideas.
10. Faking
11. Honesty
12. Showing Off
13. Jealousy
14. Judgment (Neutral Point of View)


3. To test the participants’ morality, including:
1. Moralities of Deed
1. Humility
2. Respect
3. Righteousness
4. Trust
5. Loyalty
2. Moralities of Mind
1. Will
2. Endurance
3. Perseverance
4. Patience
5. Courage


4. To test participants’ social relationship with others, including:
1. Leadership
2. Public Relations
3. Cooperation
4. Concern with Other People’s Feelings


5. Physical Training/Testing Methods
1. Basic Stance Training (8 Postures) --- Endurance and Strength
2. Learning Lian Bu Quan --- Learning Capabilities
3. Stand on Bricks --- Balance and Stability
4. Stretching and Kicking --- Flexibility
5. Reaction Training --- Speed, Alertness, and Awareness


6. Spiritual Training/Testing Methods
1. Meditation
2. Qigong Lecture
3. Discussion of the Meaning of Life and Other Spirituality-Related Subjects


7. Languages
1. Chinese - Learning attitude and capability
2. English - Speech and discussion


8. Mental Testing Methods
1. Through Observing Daily Activities and Behavior


9. Morality Testing Methods
1. Through Observing Daily Activities and Behavior. Also, Through Daily Discussion of Various Subjects


10. Social Relationship Testing Methods
1. Through Observing Daily Activities and Behavior. Also, Through Daily Discussion of Various Subjects

View the 10-Year Training Curriculum