Current Students

Jonathan Chang

Hometown: Andover, MA, USA
Age: 22
Blog Link: YMAA CA Retreat Center Journal

I have been practicing martial arts at YMAA since I was 5 years old. I started learning at YMAA's Andover Branch under Mr. Christopher Fazzio and have since continued to study there until my recent move to the Retreat Center. I studied and taught Long Fist and White Crane Kung Fu for 15 years before joining the YMAA Retreat Center. In 2007 I began training in internal martial arts, Yang-Style Taijiquan, under Andover's Mr. Paul Blake, and now I learn directly from Dr. Yang.

I hope to greatly expand my knowledge of Chinese martial arts and to become proficient in what I learn. By doing this, I hope to effectively teach the future generations of martial artists by sharing my knowledge and positively influencing their training habits. I enjoy practicing and teaching martial arts very much and wish to pursue these passions throughout my lifetime.

Patrick Manriquez

Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Age: 25
Blog Link: Seeking Our True Potential

Before YMAA, I had about 6 years of martial arts experience. I began by training myself through reading books. From there, I developed several training routines. I then continued my training at John Wai's Kung Fu Academy (Choy Lay Fut) for approximately 5 and a half years. At the same time, I also studied sparring techniques and conditioning drills on my own. After attending various tournaments and Sanshou competitions, I wanted to achieve a deeper level in my training, so I started searching for Qigong and other forms of internal practice. I met some people and began training Qigong regularly with them. Soon after, I met their master and was later able to achieve an instructor status. After teaching for about 1 and a half years, I found an article in a magazine where I learned about Dr. Yang and the YMAA Retreat Center. Now I am here continuing my studies.

My goal is to get deeper in my study of martial arts and learn from a prestigious master who I found is not only a great master of the art, but also a great man. I learned to greatly respect Dr. Yang, and the quality of my learning experience has greatly increased because it is very easy to listen, admire, and learn from him. He is a great teacher. I am learning from Master Yang because he allows me to learn. To me, this is all like a dream come true, to find a real master who is willing to openly teach me. I feel very privileged and lucky to be in this position, and I am not willing to pass up this opportunity. I will do all I can to fulfill his expectations of me as a good student.

Zach Cohen

Hometown: San Francisco, CA, USA
Age: 23

I began practicing martial arts at the age of 13 in Fort Lauderdale, FL under Tae Kwon Do Master Steve Rosenfall. I was first exposed to Chinese Martial arts when I attended the University of Florida in Gainesville.

In 2007 I graduated college at the age of 19 and began working as an accountant before coming to the Retreat Center.

Javier Rodriguez

Hometown: San Antonio, TX, USA
Age: 28
Blog Link: Kung Fu Diary

I started studying martial arts around the age of 10. Over the course of about 7 years I studied Tang Soo Do and Shuri Ryu. I also earned a black belt in Shito Ryu.

For 7 years, I lived in Florida and studied various forms of martial arts while there, including some Filipino Arts. I am also certified to teach Yoga and have also practiced Taijiquan. Before arriving at the Retreat Center, I had started to learn Qigong and meditation for about 4 years under the YMAA system. I have never been as passionate as I am now about traditional Chinese arts.