Martial arts is not just about mastering self-defense techniques; it's a holistic journey that significantly contributes to both physical and mental well-being. The YMCA of Central Kentucky offers various disciplines of Martial arts year-round for youth through adult aged participants.
Central Shaolin Martial Arts has offered classes at YMCA locations since 1998, and has been in existence as an organization since 1968 under the guidance of Grandmaster Hiang Kwang Thè. Leading the group of YMCA instructors is Master David Cubine, an 8th-degree Black Belt in the Central Shaolin Martial Arts system with over 45 years of experience in Shaolin martial arts as well as advanced training in Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Hsing Yie Chuan, and other internal arts. Drawing from his decades of experience as a practitioner of martial arts and instructor, Master Cubine sat down with us to answer a few questions for anyone looking to learn more about or get started in martial arts.
What are practical benefits of martial arts?
We believe our program helps one develop confidence, strength, focus, flexibility, and balance, as well as gain powerful self-defense skills and achieve overall mind, spirit, and body fitness. We also offer a variety of health-oriented specialty classes outside of the progressive belt classes such as Tai Chi Meditation, Chi Kung Meditation, Self-Defense, Hsing Yie Chuan and more, for those who would prefer a shorter time commitment or lower impact activity, and Shaolin Kids for ages 4-7.
Overall, Central Shaolin martial arts at the YMCA presents an excellent path to gaining inner strength, building character, increasing awareness, and achieving personal growth through the practice of martial arts. Men, women and children, regardless of age or current physical condition, can make great strides toward these goals with the proper guidance.
What advice do you have for beginners who are interested in martial arts?
Martial arts training can be excellent for anyone regardless of age, gender, or current physical condition. One way a prospective participant can see if our program may be suitable for them is to visit the Y and observe a current class. The Y can put an interested person in touch with one of the instructors and they can arrange an observation, and then answer any specific questions. Since the Y offers most classes in eight-week sessions, joining a session is a great way to try martial arts without a long-term personal or financial commitment to see if the training is suitable for them. Also, the lower impact, physically less demanding specialty classes are also an excellent way to get involved.
What are the differences between the different disciplines offered?
Our Central Shaolin program consists of three main areas:
- Shaolin Martial Arts: This is an ongoing progressive, rank advancement program, from ages 8 to adult, offering classes for all levels, white belt through advanced black belt ranks. Classes emphasize a balanced and complete approach to the art of self-defense. While much of the training enables you to defend yourself, the real benefits come from the confidence gained while developing concentration, discipline, agility, strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular conditioning.
- Shaolin Kids: For children ages 4-7 in a fun environment where kids will gain self-confidence, control, and learn discipline. Unique techniques are used to improve coordination, agility, and quickness while learning self-defense. Emphasis placed on increasing flexibility, balance, strength, and total fitness. The skills we work on in the class are good building blocks for further Shaolin classes, sports, school and other interests, and great preparation for the Shaolin rank advancement martial arts program.
- Specialty Classes: Open with no prerequisites or martial arts background, these specialty classes are focused on overall health and mindfulness with offerings such as Tai Chi Meditation, Chi Kung Meditation, Self-Defense, Hsing Yie Chuan, and others. Now, more than ever, we all need to find a way to bring balance into our lives. From career, family, and social demands to the increased volume and way we receive information, the pace of modern life can easily overcome our abilities to cope in a healthy way. So where do we look for this balance in current times? One of the best sources can be found in the past, with the practice of Lee Family Tai Chi, Chi Kung Meditation, or one of our other specialty classes. Tai Chi and Chi Kung training have also been recommended by the National Arthritis Foundation, Harvard Health, and the Mayo Clinic.
What can participants expect over the course of a session?
For the Shaolin rank advancement classes, our beginning "white belt" classes start with the basics needed for martial arts training. Stretching and light conditioning exercises to increase your flexibility and stamina are introduced. Basic self-defense techniques, proper striking and kicking, and stances are also introduced. As you advance, you work with "katas" or forms, that are much like a dancer’s routine, except they have martial arts applications. Animal forms from the tiger and bird system are introduced. Training with basic weapons like the nunchaka and bo are begun, as well as non-contact sparring, with an emphasis on safety and control in both of these areas.
At the more intermediate level, more advanced katas, weapons, and self-defense techniques are included as well as more rigorous physical conditioning. More concentration is placed on proper breathing techniques and how they increase energy, power, and focus, leading to training in the Shaolin internal systems. Praying Mantis, Dragon, Drunken, Tiger, and Bird forms, and broadsword, sai, tiger hooks, and dagger weapons training are available in this sequence.
Much can be gained at each level of training, but for many, the ultimate goal is the Black Belt. Rather than an end to learning new material, the Black Belt level in our organization is really a new beginning. Unlike many other martial arts styles, Central Shaolin martial arts contains an enormous wealth of material that allows the serious student to continue training for a lifetime.
Are participants required to wear a uniform?
Uniforms, called a “gi”, are required once a martial arts participant tries for their first rank advancement to Yellow Belt. Uniforms can be acquired through your instructor in a price range of $30 to $50 depending upon size. Wearing a uniform is a more traditional practice and we believe it helps foster an atmosphere of team, focus, discipline, and proper attitude. No uniforms are required for the specialty classes.
Can you share a bit about your team’s philosophy about training in martial arts as a family?
How many hobbies, health, or sporting activities can you actually participate in as a family? We all often support our children, spouse, or partner in attending events as a spectator, driving them to and from practices, and financially, but with our Central Shaolin program, our classes are a balance of youth, ages 8 and up, and adults, and include both females and males, allowing an entire family to participate and grow together to achieve quality time and work toward a common goal. Rather than training separately we have found that the adults help keep the instruction and learning at a high level and the younger students help maintain a safer, friendlier environment. We do also offer Shaolin Kids for ages 4-7.
Tell us about your team of instructors.
Our current team of instructors is headed by Master David Cubine, an 8th-degree Black Belt in the Central Shaolin Martial Arts system with over 45 years of experience in Shaolin martial arts as well as advanced training in Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Hsing Yie Chuan, and other internal arts under the direct supervision of Grandmaster Hiang Kwang Thè. A University of Kentucky graduate, he has lived in the central Kentucky area since 1971. Master Cubine is also an American Tai Chi and Chi Kung Association Certified Master Level Tai Chi Instructor.
Other instructors include:
- Master Erik Ackerman: Master Erik Ackerman is a 6th-degree Black Belt with over 20 years of experience in the practice and teaching of Shaolin martial arts under the supervision of Grandmaster Thè and Master Cubine. A graduate of the College of Wooster, he has lived in Lexington since 1977. Master Ackerman was a software developer at Lexmark for 29 years and now works for Capital One. Erik teaches at the C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA.
- Ben Allen: Ben is a 5th-degree Black Belt and a certified personal rrainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine. He has been practicing Chung Yen Shaolin martial arts for over 30 years, including advanced studies in Lee Family Tai Chi and Chi Kung with Grandmaster Hiang Thé and Master David Cubine. He teaches at the Whitaker Family & C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCAs in Lexington.
- Stacey Stone: Stacey, a 4th-degree Black Belt with over 20 years of experience teaching Shaolin Kids with Grandmaster Hiang Thè, leads the Shaolin Kids classes for ages 4-7 years old at the C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA. Stacey works towards the growth and development of the children, and although age 4 to 7 is quite an age span, it gives older children a chance to be leaders in the class and set a good example for the younger ones. Stacey is also the founder and director of LEX Center for Creative ReUse, a local nonprofit which diverts usable art & craft material from the landfill and makes art affordable for the community. Stacey has three adult children living in IN, WI & KY, who took Shaolin classes when they were younger.
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