innerarts.org

What It Is

InnerArts is an online course site for students of internal martial arts, with a particular focus on Yan Shou Gong and related practices. The website states clearly that internal martial arts are best learned face to face, but acknowledges that this is not always practical. Its goal is therefore to help practitioners continue learning and consolidate their practice between in-person classes.

Core Content and Format

The platform uses a subscription model. After paying a monthly fee, users gain access to the initial course for their chosen learning topic; once the current course is completed, the instructor unlocks the next stage. In other words, the courses are not fully open, self-paced learning, but include a degree of progression management. In terms of instructors, the site lists Malcolm Holmes and Paul Wilson, both associated with Yan Shou Gong; Paul Wilson is also connected with Qi Shi Kung Fu. The main text does not specify the teaching language, course length, video/text format, or whether there is any practice feedback mechanism.

Pricing and Guarantees

InnerArts is described as using a monthly fee subscription model, but no specific price is disclosed. Payments are handled via Stripe, with an emphasis on secure checkout. The platform also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which provides some risk reduction for users trying a niche martial arts course for the first time. There is no mention of certification or completion certificates.

Pros and Cons

Its main strength is its very clear positioning: it focuses on Yan Shou Gong and internal martial arts rather than generic fitness content. It also emphasizes instruction by experienced practitioners, making it suitable for people who already have some offline learning foundation and want to maintain their practice. The drawbacks are also apparent: publicly available course information is limited, pricing is not transparent, and there is no clear syllabus, sample lesson, lesson duration, or explanation of learning outcomes. Since progression requires the instructor to unlock the next stage, it may not be flexible enough for users who want fully self-directed study.

Who It’s For and Access from China

InnerArts is better suited to people who have already been exposed to or are currently studying Yan Shou Gong or internal martial arts, especially those who need to review and maintain their practice rhythm between in-person classes. For complete beginners, or for users seeking formal certification or a clear professional pathway, the currently available information is not enough to determine suitability. The main text does not provide information about access from mainland China. Since payment relies on Stripe, actual availability will need to be tested by users themselves.