By Sun Ying, Vision Times
For centuries, Chinese martial arts have endured not merely as systems of combat, but as living repositories of history, philosophy, and moral cultivation. Rooted in Confucian ethics, Daoist balance, and Buddhist discipline, traditional martial arts integrate physical training with inner refinement, emphasizing harmony between body and mind. Today, these traditions have drawn growing interest in the West, where practitioners increasingly seek not only self-defense, but also deeper meaning, discipline, and personal cultivation in an increasingly fast-paced and chaotic world.
Now, Yang Longfei, President of the Xinwumen International Martial Arts Federation, has released two new bilingual publications: “Gateway to Chinese Martial Arts” (《习武入门》) and “Shanxi Seven Star Praying Mantis Continuous Fist” (《山西七星螳螂连拳》) for those interested in pursuing a path in martial arts. Written primarily in English with supplementary Chinese text, the books aim to introduce international readers to the depth, discipline, and cultural heritage of traditional Chinese martial arts.
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A life rooted in tradition
Master Yang began his martial arts training at the age of six under the guidance of his grandfather, Yang Jianjiu, a lineage holder of Yang-style Tai Chi and a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. From an early age, he studied Shaolin Long Fist, Tai Chi, as well as Chinese calligraphy and painting. He later apprenticed under two respected local martial arts masters — Li Shusen, from whom he learned Praying Mantis Boxing, and Dong Suisheng, with whom he studied Chen-style Tai Chi.
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Over more than four decades of dedicated practice and teaching, Master Yang has instructed over 3,000 students across China, Japan, Europe, South Africa, South America, and North America. Many of his students have gone on to achieve notable results in international martial arts competitions.
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Now based in New York, Master Yang has devoted many years to promoting Chinese martial arts overseas, fostering cultural exchange between East and West, and building lasting friendships through martial practice. He has also served repeatedly as a judge at international martial arts competitions and has participated in the production of multiple films and television programs centered on martial arts and traditional culture.
A clear path for beginners
In “Gateway to Chinese Martial Arts,” Master Yang distills decades of practical experience into a systematic introduction for beginners. Chinese martial arts attract practitioners not only for their long history and philosophical depth, but also for their aesthetic beauty, practical combat systems, and health-preserving methods. Each lineage reflects a distinct approach to physical cultivation, longevity, and mental discipline.
The book emphasizes that long-term martial arts training benefits both body and mind. Through consistent practice, students develop resilience, self-discipline, and inner clarity — qualities that help them face life’s challenges with calmness and strength.
Designed to be accessible and easy to follow, the book focuses on correct mindset, foundational principles, and essential knowledge, helping beginners avoid common mistakes and unnecessary detours. Readers are guided step by step through a structured training plan with clear objectives. Complementing the text, synchronized online instruction allows learners to grasp key techniques and principles with greater precision, offering a reliable entry point for disciplined and well-rounded martial arts training.
Preserving a rare lineage
Shanxi Seven Star Praying Mantis Continuous Fist was compiled through the joint efforts of Master Yang, senior practitioners of the Shanxi Rou-style Praying Mantis tradition, fellow disciples, and martial arts colleagues. Together, they documented and organized the Seven-Star Continuous Fist form — an important lineage practice that had been at risk of disappearing.
The book seeks to help practitioners better understand, study, and preserve this outstanding traditional boxing system. By recording both its technical methods and the ethical values underlying the art, the work aims to promote martial virtue, transmit authentic skill, and deepen public appreciation of traditional Chinese martial culture.
Through proper study and practice, readers are encouraged to cultivate both physical vitality and inner refinement, enhancing overall quality of life and spiritual outlook.
Community health and self-defense
Master Yang also believes that for martial arts practitioners raised within Chinese culture, traditional martial practice is inseparable from the nation’s ancient cultural heritage. He holds that the study of traditional martial arts conveys enduring benefits, gradually transmitting the essence of divinely inspired culture through each stage of training.
Through this process, he expresses a profound sense of pride in preserving his cultural inheritance while fostering meaningful dialogue between Eastern and Western martial traditions.
Through this blend of classical transmission, modern application, and cross-cultural engagement, Master Yang Longfei continues to demonstrate how traditional martial arts can remain both relevant and transformative in contemporary society — benefiting not only practitioners of all backgrounds, but also the broader communities they serve.
