First Retreat Center Promo Video

Hi Robyn:

You are mistaken to claim that this is a money-making scheme. Dr. Yang is not making "more" money out of the Retreat Center. In fact, he has been losing much of his own retirement savings in this project because he believes in it so much. He has spent decades teaching, writing, and publishing, putting in an unbelievable amount of effort, time and energy into his entire career, and I believe his success is rightly justified. Anybody who tries that hard deserves to be rewarded, and instead of retiring now, he has decided to use his hard earnings to hopefully give back to the martial arts community in the future.

We can provide all of the Retreat Center's financial documentation necessary to you, or you can seek out the documentation yourself from the appropriate government offices as we are a qualified nonprofit organization and need to report very explicit and clear financial records. May I ask where you are drawing your conclusions from?

The membership dues reported by YMAA schools do not belong to Dr. Yang. They belong to the YMAA organization, and has been supporting the expenses at YMAA Headquarters for many years, which has been quite a convoluted mess of mortgages, insurance, loans, taxes, and other expenses, before and after the separation of YMAA Publication Center. Part of the reason students report membership, which is $5/month, is as a sign of respect for their roots, to become officially supported and recognized by the YMAA community, to get membership discounts, and to keep the original headquarters school in operation. To me, it is unfortunate that money and martial arts (business) oftentimes are mixed in today's modern world, but the reality is, schools have to run like a business, at least to some extent, in order to survive in this day and age. YMAA is worldwide, but we do not have tens of thousands of students in the world, so we are NOT making millions. That is a very large misconception. Even some of our schools have less than 10 students. For those of you that have actually visited YMAA Headquarters in Boston, you know that we are not exactly an affluent school and have a very moderate number of students ourselves. Without Dr. Yang's seminar efforts, we would have shut down the Boston branch long ago. Once the financial situation at YMAA Boston becomes more settled, I will be responsible for what membership dues are used for, as I am the current standing YMAA President. Dr. Yang does not see a cent of YMAA membership fees at the Retreat Center.

I have to disagree with you saying that Dr. Yang is deceiving people, as he has made his mission, records, and acts very public and has been allowing any spectator to make a decision for himself or herself about the whole project. And you, in turn, are speaking without having done much research, as just about all of your remarks are misguided and plain, outright wrong -- all without any supporting evidence.

Dr. Yang has never "abandoned" his old students. Students naturally have a tendency to go towards their own lives, their career and family. That is part of the whole intention of forming the YMAA Retreat Center, to retain students in the training environment. In my personal opinion, no master is under any obligation to follow his or her students to provide for them. Dr. Yang's most senior, trusted, and most faithful students know this. That is one aspect of the "business world" that I am not fond of; it directly contradicts the traditional master-student relationship, resulting in students expecting too much. Masters do not exist to provide a service to students. Students seek out the master. And Dr. Yang has not made himself unavailable to any of his old students or even non-YMAA practitioners in the world.

Regards,

--
Nicholas C. Yang
President, YMAA International
Director, YMAA Boston

Your ten-year plan to train your disciples is a brilliant idea!
What better way to fund your retirement!
So Mr. Yang how's the bank account coming along?
And I thought you were making enough money from the many schools
that have to send you money. I stand corrected. There is no end
to your desire to make even more money.
The mark of a deceptive teacher is always seeking new people to deceive.
Thus you have abandoned those students who were truly devoted to you
for those new students who can increase your bank account balance.
How will you explain your behaviour and greed when you get to the other side?!

Dear Dr. Yang and YMAA Retreat Center disciples,

This window into your world is very inspiring, and I thank you kindly for taking the time to document your journey. I am not affiliated with YMAA in any way, and I have never trained in the arts with your gifted teacher. I believe what you are doing requires a level of passion, commitment, and dedication, that many us can only aspire too. I am in awe. This endeavor might just change everything. Thank you again, and my very best regards to all of you, and too all members of the YMAA family.

Sincerely,

Adrian Gardner

--
Adrian A. Gardner
Lending Services Coordinator
LTS Lending Services
100 Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18105
610-758-3208
aag207@lehigh.edu

A handful of years ago I was at a seminar in Boston when Dr. Yang received the first draft for the retreat, he came down to the practice area with such great enthusiasm and showed it to a few of us who gathered closely around him, listening to him talk about it's potential. It is a privilege to see this dream come to fruition. I am personally grateful to reconnect with this endeavor! You have my support and best of wishes. 请代我向你师傅问好。

Matthew Tyler

A tua beleza está em cada passo que dás... ver este video deixou-me por um lado muito descansada porque senti que estás bem e por outro muito feliz por ti, pois estás a realizar o teu sonho!

Adoro-te Ruca.

Your beauty is in each step that you give ... to see this video left me on a side very calm because I felt that you are well, and for other side very happy for you, since you are carrying out your dream!

I love you Ruca.

I hope that this retreat center creates a culture of people from all over the world that will create peace and the passion for the Martial way.

I hope that with this retreat center the chinese culture and martial arts could be maintained and announced to all of the world.
I think this could be only the beginning.
Keep the good work.

Many congratulations to Master Yang on accomplishing this goal. The center is an oasis of learning which flows with natural abundant energies. You all are an inspiration and example to so many out here. I was fortunate to be able to visit the first season and plan to return. The three students I met were very impressive young men whom I admire greatly and wish all the best for.

Dr Yang I wish you and your 5 disciples, a very good future! So the Traditional Kung Fu be alive! And I wish you all, very good moments in the YMAA Retreat Center! I belive also it is the best place!

Regards from Sweden

Hugo Olivares Milá