Those wishing to understand the secrets of martial arts must know the name Yang Junming. This man made a huge contribution to the development of Chinese Wushu. The Shaolin master has 40 years of experience in teaching qigong; he has written more than 30 books (personally and co-authored) on oriental martial arts, the theory of which is widely used in practice.
Biography
Yang Junming was born in 1946 in Taiwan. As a young man, he became interested in martial arts. At the age of 15, Yang began to study and put into practice the Shaolin direction baihe ("White Crane") under the professional guidance of Cheng Jinzao. Over 13 years of intensive training with Jinzao, the young man turned into a specialist in attack and defense techniques in the Baikhe style. He learned to wield a stick, a trident, a saber, a spear, and also mastered the techniques of qinn, qigong baihe, dianxue, and learned how to treat herbs.
In 1962, Yang Junming began to study the style of "Yang" (tai chi chuan). Gao Tao becomes the teacher of the young man. Yang improves hand-to-hand combat with other teachers, including masters Wilson Chen, Li Maoqing. Thanks to long-term training and hard training, the young man masters the pair, and after that solitary taiji complex called "Pushing Arm"; learning to handle a saber, a sword and get acquainted with the qigong technique. Yang Junming was very interested in hand-to-hand combat. He wanted to know all the intricacies of China's martial arts. Therefore, at the age of 18, he successfully passed entrance exams in Tamkang, where he began to study physics and at the same time attend the Wushu club, which was located at the college. While studying, Yang became acquainted with the Shaolin style with the name "Long Fist" under the direction of L. Maoqing, and very soon became an assistant to a professional master.
In 1971, Junming graduated from National Taiwan University, earning a master's degree in physics. In the same year he went to serve in the Taiwan Air Force for 1 year; This was followed by demobilization and return to Tamkang College to teach physics. From that time, Yang resumed training and practical training on Wushu under the guidance of Li Maoqing. The famous master taught Junming hand-to-hand combat with emphasis on leg work.
In 1974, Ian emigrated to Purdue University in America to study engineering mechanics. There, at the request of students, he introduced them to Chinese Wushu. Demand for Chinese martial arts turned out to be great, and a year later, Junming founded the Kung Fu Club at the university.
A few years later in 1978, Jan became a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. And in 1982 in Boston, he founded the Association of Chinese Martial Arts - YMAA, which gradually expanded and became part of YOAA, which means the Association of Oriental Arts Yang.
Books
Back in 1984, Junming gave up a career in engineering in favor of Qigong, Kung Fu, and book writing . Chinese Wushu gradually became associated with the name Yang Junming. Teacher’s best books are “The roots of Chinese qigong”, “Qigong meditation”, “Secrets of youth”, “Famous qigong styles”, “Chinese qigong massage”, “Basics of the Shaolin style“ White crane ”,“ Qigong: secrets of youth ”, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan, Bagua Zhang Emai School.
Qigong
The word includes 2 components: "Qi" - the flow of vitality, energy, "Gong" - achievement and work. This is a system of exercises and meditation practice, which helps to strengthen and maintain health. Qigong is a simple movement, posture that does not require a good stretch. Exercise can be performed by people with physical disabilities.
Junming devoted several books to this art. The most popular is "The roots of Chinese qigong. Secrets of qigong practice." Yang Junming revealed the history of martial art on the pages and described in detail 4 of his directions: scientific, religious, medical, martial.
From the book you can learn about the "roots" of qigong - the energy of qi, shen, jing. The author pays a lot of attention to the practice of qigong - Naedan, Waidan. In a unique work, Yang gives practical instructions on how to regulate the body, breathing, points to the frequent mistakes of practitioners "Qigong" and how to fix them.
You can get acquainted with qigong styles in the book "Famous Qigong Styles. Tai Chi Qigong." In it, the Wushu master talks about unique areas: tai chi-qigong, baduanjin, and introduces readers to their complexes. He describes a simple but effective set of exercises that contribute to improving the general physical condition of soldiers.
Qigong meditation
A person becomes ill and grows old due to the inconsistency of the statuses of changing Qi (flow of vital energy). With this in mind, Yang Junming shares the secrets of meditation.
It is better to meditate during the transition of Qi (energy flow) from the Yin state to the opposite - Yang: the first is tzu (from 23:00 to 01:00), the second is y (from 11:00 to 13:00), the third is mao (with 05:00 to 07:00), the fourth - from (17:00 to 19:00).
A few rules:
- When choosing a place for meditation, you should take into account the features of the landscape, climate, the presence of water, trees.
- To nourish Qi, one should meditate as follows: in the morning - facing east to receive the energy of the Sun; at noon - to the south to receive the energy of the Earth; in the evening - face east; at night - turn south.
The secrets of meditation are revealed by the Wushu master in the books "Qigong-meditation. Germinal breath."
Secrets of youth
Qigong helps to change muscles along with tendons, which helps strengthen the body. This is described in detail in his work by Yang Junming, "Secrets of Youth. Qigong changes in muscles and tendons. Qigong washing of bone and brain."
To maintain health, it is necessary to maintain a uniform flow of Qi vital energy in the main channels and internal organs. Large reserves of qi - the path to health and longevity. As a person ages, his bone marrow produces less beneficial blood cells. The practice of qigong helps to “flush” the brain, that is, nourish it with Chi energy. In Taoists, Buddhists, such exercises become a key point in achieving enlightenment.
Breath regulation
Being able to regulate breathing is useful not only to martial arts fans in China, but also to all people. After all, proper breathing allows you to get a sufficient flow of vital energy from the air. Before mastering the breathing technique, you need to adjust your mind at an emotional level. A person’s breathing is directly related to his emotions. In China, they say that breathing and mind are interdependent. Certain meditations can slow down heart contractions and clarify the mind. Proper breathing promotes the penetration of qi into the limbs, which increases the functioning of the muscles. Muscles are saturated with the energy necessary for martial arts.
Yang Junming talks about techniques for proper breathing in The Secrets of Successful Practice. The books of the Wushu master contain many useful tips that can be useful in everyday life.
Tai chi
In the literature about Wushu, there is little space devoted to the martial art of Jin. And it deserves attention, because in addition to everything, it is health-improving gymnastics. Therefore, Master Yang devoted an entire book to this kind of Wushu, entitled "Taiji. Theory and Combat Strength." In it, Junming gives a classification of tai chi, tells the story of its occurrence. This book, like many others, is equipped with interesting photographs and diagrams.
"Tai Chi Qian. Classic Yang Style. Full Form and Qigong" - a work that Yang Junming devoted to the most popular martial art. Reviews about her are numerous, they are positive. Here, tai chi is presented as a “soft” form of hand-to-hand combat. The author offers it as a wellness gymnastics. A special place is given to proper breathing, qigong exercises, which together help to achieve a healing effect.
Shaolin style "White Crane"
The latest works of master Yang are devoted to the basics of the Shaolin direction baihe (White Crane). Among them are "Fundamentals of the Shaolin style" White Crane. "Combat Strength and Qigong." In it, the author reveals the "esoteric" side of the martial arts of China.
Baihe is a holistic system of bioenergy training with a multi-level classification of the Yin-Yang principle methodology. The author describes the best sets of exercises "White Crane", designed for specialists, as well as fans of hand-to-hand combat and Chinese healing systems.
The Wushu theory that Yang Junming preaches is widely used in practice. Biography, books of the master are constantly interested in people who want to better understand oriental martial arts.
24 forms
This set of exercises was developed by Yang Junming. 24 forms were described in detail by a martial arts master and were given the name Taolu.
The complex consists of 24 exercises, which have their own characteristics: all movements are performed gently, calmly, evenly, stably. The system has excellent adaptive abilities; It is most common among the Chinese Wushu system.
The classic style Tai Chi Chuan includes over 80 movements. The simplified form contains about 20 important exercises that emerged from the main form by removing some repetitive movements. Thus, the form 24 takes no more than five minutes of time, therefore it is very convenient for execution.
The simplified form is balanced, it is comprehensive, uniform. For example, traditional taijiquan involves doing the grab the bird’s tail exercise to the right. And in a unique form 24 - to the right and to the left. "Pushing down" in the form of 24 exercises is also done in two directions. These distinctive moments contribute to the greater effect of training.
Form 24 is a clear, accessible basic requirement that allows you to have taijiquan in a single format.
Qigong massage
This medical practice is an integral part of the Chinese system. It is used as a prophylaxis for many diseases. Qigong massage is a must for martial artists. It helps to balance the cycle of energy flows in the body. It is actively used in the treatment of injuries and to prevent many ailments.
Qigong massage was dedicated to one of his works by Yang Junming. Reader reviews of the author’s books are rarely negative. The book "Chinese Qigong Massage. General Massage" is no exception. In it, the Wushu master described the theory, the technique of therapeutic massage and focused on the important techniques of self-massage.
What is Yang Junming doing now
The martial artist lives with his family in the United States (Massachusetts). There he continues his writing activities. Mr. Yang leads YOAA and is constantly improving his research on Wushu. The author has an official website that contains useful information on martial arts techniques. The data on it is constantly updated.