Discipline as an Art

A demonstration by the master martial artist of his disciplined approach to Shaolin, with an analysis of the brain’s relationship to mastery by a behavioral neuroscientist studying emotional regulation. Ticket includes a post-program gallery tour at 8:30 pm.

About the Speakers

Shifu Shi Yan Ming is a 34th Generation Shaolin Temple Warrior Monk. After defecting to the US in 1992, he founded the USA Shaolin Temple and currently teaches authentic Shaolin martial arts of Chan Buddhism. The USA Shaolin Temple has six satellite branches internationally in Austria, South Africa, Trinidad, Chile, Argentina, and Mexico. Shi Yan Ming has been featured in over one hundred publications, more than fifty nationally and internationally broadcast TV shows, and several documentaries and movies including Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai.

Tracy Dennis is an Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at Hunter College and in the Behavioral Neuroscience and Biopsychology Doctoral Program at The City University of New York. She uses the tools of psychology and neuroscience to study emotions and our ability to regulate emotions as core building blocks of our mental and physical health. Current research topics include: a novel intervention for anxiety that retrains patterns of attention to threat, a “stress vaccine” app, core neurobehavioral processes supporting our ability to regulate emotions, and mindfulness and relaxation techniques targeting at-risk teens to improve health and coping. Dr. Dennis has appeared on stage at the Rubin for two previous Brainwave sessions: with Congressman Tim Ryan and the astronaut Scott Parazynski.