4th YMAA N. America Camp at Sirius Community (Shutesbury, MA)
The 4th YMAA North America Camp returned to the serene woodlands of western Massachusetts. Campers gathered again for a full slate of topics including Centering, Taiji Symbol, Pushing Hands, Intercepting & Applications, Yang 108 Long Form, Taiji Sword, Sword Applications, the Taiji Fighting Set, Four Seasons Qigong, and Taiji Qigong.
This year’s instructors were Ethan Deblois (YMAA Québec), Jeff Rosen (YMAA Western Mass), Michelle Lin (Wu An Martial Arts – YMAA Wu An), Paul McIntyre (OC Tai Chi Academy – YMAA Orange County), and Phil Dunwoody (YMAA Huntingdon Tai Chi). Jeff Pratt (YMAA Boston) was slated to return but unfortunately couldn’t make it at the last minute — he was missed by all.
This was Paul’s first time meeting some of the YMAA “family” on the East Coast. A Dr. Yang seminar veteran of 14 years, he brought a unique perspective and a more theoretical approach to the Qigong and meditation sessions.
Campers had high praise for the instructors, describing them as knowledgeable, approachable, and patient — teachers who break complex material down and take the pressure off learning something new at a fast pace.
Asked what they found most valuable, campers kept coming back to partner work — training alongside different body types, schools, and experience levels sharpened pushing hands and listening skills, and made for new friendships along the way.
Others pointed to specific breakthroughs: a first introduction to Fa Jing, a deeper review of Four Seasons Qigong, and the notoriously tricky Yin Symbol. For several, the retreat lit a fire to go deeper into YMAA Taiji and Qigong.
Observing the YMAA Test was a highlight in itself, giving campers insight into both what the panelists look for and what the format is really about. It also took some of the nerves out of testing since it was clear the panelists’ feedback came from a genuine desire to help students succeed.
When asked their favorite part of camp, the answers were nearly unanimous: the people. Campers spoke of a strong sense of community and friendships with practitioners from other schools they’re already looking forward to seeing again. As one camper put it, doing Taiji all day and going home exhausted but uplifted and centered was exactly the experience they’d hoped for.
Campers also appreciated the acupuncture treatments offered by YMAA student Manuela Meier of Longevity Gateway Acupuncture.
Once again, the camp brought together longtime practitioners and newcomers alike, strengthening bonds across YMAA schools and leaving everyone with plenty to bring home to their own practice. Here’s to the next one!
Newendao YMAA – Chile Grand Opening
Dear Friends of the YMAA International Community,
With great affection and immense gratitude, we announce the Grand Opening of the Newendao YMAA Center!!!
Located in Newendao Park, Pucón, in the Chilean Patagonia, and with the presence of our Grandmaster Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and the YMAA Latin American Community — with members from Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, and Venezuela — the opening of this retreat center will continue the legacy of the YMAA Retreat Center in California, as a place for the practice of Qigong, Meditation, and Taijiquan. Surrounded by native forest, lakes, hot springs, and active volcanoes, this sanctuary is an amazing place for deep connection with pure nature.
After 20 years of collective effort and with great love from the entire Newendao YMAA Community, we have prepared a special program filled with wonderful, unforgettable moments to celebrate these two decades of walking this path together.
Alongside a 4-day seminar, the YMAA Latin American Spring Camp (fully booked), will offer a LIVE online broadcast of the opening:
LIVE Online Broadcast
Grand Opening of Newendao YMAA Center
Friday, October 9, 2026 – 11am Chilean time (10am Eastern US Time)
We’ll send the registration form soon so everyone can join online.
Hope to see you there!
Best,
Daniel Chadud
Newendao YMAA – Chile
Promotions
Flurina Niggli
YMAA Qigong Assistant Instructor
Congratulations to Flurina Niggli on passing her Qigong Assistant Instructor exam!
Flurina is a long-time seminar participant who started learning from Dr. Yang at the YMAA Retreat Center. She continues to attend the summer seminars at Yang Family Heights.
With deep appreciation, YMAA welcomes Flurina to its community of Qigong instructors and offers heartfelt congratulations on this accomplishment.
Flurina found her way to Dr. Yang through sheer luck. A friend had described him as “the guy on the hill who was really scary and inapproachable and expensive,” but when she finally made the trip up to meet him, her first reaction was that her friend couldn’t have been more wrong — Dr. Yang was welcoming, kind, and warm. The Retreat Center itself matched the impression he made on her.
Continued…
Ariana Berns
YMAA Taiji Assistant Instructor
Congratulations to Ariana Berns on receiving her Taiji Assistant Instructor certification!
Ariana Berns joined YMAA Boston in 2003. As a teenager in central Massachusetts, she had studied Pai Lum Kung Fu for several years and was introduced to Taijiquan by a visiting instructor. When she later moved to Boston for college, she tried a handful of tai chi and martial arts classes, though none left a lasting impression.
Around that time, Ariana introduced her father to Taiji practice. He would often mention it to others, and — since she was in Boston — people kept asking if she studied with “Jimmy Jang.” Curious, she eventually decided to find out who this was, which led her to YMAA Boston. She was immediately impressed by the school, the people, and the range of classes offered.
At the time, Bill Buckley was still teaching at YMAA Boston, and Ariana learned sword from him. Jeff Pratt and Leslie Takao were teaching push hands and Taiji form, and the school offered many excellent seminars and special classes. Her favorites were always Taiji Ball and Sword.
Sword remains her favorite to this day — she finds the forms both beautiful and enjoyable to practice.
Ariana now teaches sword and saber in Portsmouth at YMAA Gateway, Bill Buckley’s school offering Taiji, Qigong, and Yoga. She speaks highly of Bill as a teacher and of the wonderful community affiliated with the school.
From our community
Chinese Herbal Formula of the Month
In this series, I will introduce you to important formulas used to prevent and/or treat common training injuries.
September — Sheng Mai San
生脉散 “Generate the Pulse Powder”
Traditional Use & Benefits
It is used to replenish the qi and yin and to restore the fluids drained by heavy sweating and exertion — the answer to the wrung-out fatigue, breathlessness, and lingering thirst that follow long, hot training sessions.
Dr. Robert J. Woodbine
Urban Qi FIT – YMAA
New York, NY
Qin Na (擒拿 Chin Na, Joint-Lock CONTROL)
Small Wrap Hand & Counterattack
Scott Tarbell of Wuxia Martial Arts Center (YMAA Wuxia) demonstrates Small Wrap Hand and a counter technique.
Although Small Wrap Hand is the first Qin Na technique taught in the Shaolin curriculum (1st rank), it’s far from easy to execute well.
Counter Qin Na is a requirement at Shaolin 4th rank, where students must counter 10 self-chosen techniques using another Qin Na technique. To do this successfully, students must learn to yield to and redirect an opponent’s power — setting up the counterattack rather than forcing it.
Quiz: Which Taiji posture is Small Wrap Hand an application of?
YMAA Cape Cod Qigong is on YouTube!
David Silver (YMAA Cape Cod Qigong) has launched a YouTube channel. Subscribe and help him reach 100 followers to unlock more features!
Upcoming Events
View the YMAA International – America HQ main page for workshops and more!