April 21, 2004
Yogic Arts™ - the science of flow
Growing up with backyard martial arts and the realness of street fighting in the rural delta suburbs of Northern California, juxtaposed by the influence of my father’s Gung-Fu practice and incense burning rituals, as well as formal dojang [Korean martial arts school] training with my Buddhist master in San Francisco’s Chinatown and Japan Town, I was never a stranger to the intuitive reflexes and highs associated with physicality.
These early memories and experiences led me to my own life-long pursuit of the dynamic practices of Astanga Vinyasa [eight limbs of flowing motion] yoga and Kuk Sool Won [traditional Korean Buddhist] martial arts. Forming such a foundation in my youth and teenage years, I practiced the way of the sword and You Won Hwa [flowing circular harmony] while perfecting my asanas [postural stances] and ‘floating’ [advanced aerial arm balancing] techniques. I learned the art of the dual edged path, cultivating both disciplines simultaneously throughout my twenties.
My travels expanded with my interests, which took me across the Asian landscapes of China and India. I sought out great beings of knowledge, honing my skills and awareness, which eventually exposed me to the art of Thai massage [active yoga massage] and other healing methods. Integrating this form of sacred touch was the necessary element that supported the development of the system of Yogic Arts™ into its current form, which is the ongoing expression of my life’s work.
As people seek my teachings and inquire of my interest in working with their various global communities, I always reply to their requests with the same response: ‘anytime and anywhere.’ Recognizing that the gift of offering each of my master’s instructions and insights as I interpret and synthesize them is not only an opportunity to give away the teachings, but also my dharma [ones living duty] to share these lessons as a means of opening up to receiving further instruction. In the words of my esoteric Buddhist Korean master S. J. Suh, ‘empty is better than full.’
-Duncan Wong is the creator of the Yogic Arts™ system and regularly
presents for E.C.A., I.D.E.A., Nikebeautiful, Yoga Journal Conference, Omega Institute, Kripalu Center, Northwest Yoga Festival, and the Midwest Yoga Conference.
His practice spans over 20 years and his teachings extend around the globe