"I'm giving you every opportunity to make a better decision here." -Kevin Wikse "Wrath makes a poor king, but an exceptional guardian." -Kevin Wikse I started my journey in martial arts over 40 years ago in Chinatown, Los Angeles, California, under the tutelage of initiated members of the Hop Sing Tong Benevolent Association. Amused—and perhaps a little annoyed—by the endless questions I asked about Kung Fu after watching countless martial arts films, I imagine they eventually decided it would be easier to teach me and give me something constructive to do than to continue answering, explaining, or ignoring my relentless curiosity. Before the Hop Sing Tong established itself in the United States around 1875 in San Francisco, California , many of its future members had spent years battling for control of the streets of Hong Kong. From them, I learned the modernized elements of Hung Gar—namely the Tiger and Crane Combined Set and the Cat, Snake, and Crane Combined...

The Lion system of Yin Style Baguazhang, which is transmitted directly from Dong Hai Chuan, Yin Fu, Men Baozhen, then to Dr. Xie Peipi (who passed away in 2003), and finally to He Jinbao, is the most aggressive and structurally dominant animal system within the broader Eight Animal Shape framework of Yin Style. The Lion system is the foundation of the “combat structure” known as the Interlocking  Palm, representing the principle of strike and advance. The Lion shape embodies direct, unrelenting force, ferocity, integrity, and overwhelming bio-kinetic momentum. The Lion shape builds the practitioner into a living avalanche.  *He Jinbao demonstrating Yin Style Baguazhang. “Strike, strike, and strike again. Anything is a valid target. There is nothing within the human physical condition that the Lion Palm cannot obliterate.”  Let's break down the Lion Shape of Dr. Xie Peiqi’s Yin Fu style Baguazhang from his specific lineage’s perspective: Internal Mechanics and Strategy: Th...

I must present some context and a disclaimer to frame this fascinating topic correctly. I first learned the Tall Monkey style (including the Stone Monkey and Lost Monkey styles) of Tai Shing Pek War from a student of Sifu Paulie Zink, my Sifu James Zimmerman, or as I affectionately called him, Mr. Z, in 1993 or 1994. I referred to it as Monkey Kung Fu or Shaolin Monkey Kung Fu; later, I learned that Tai Shing Pek War was its own system, a relatively recent creation, utilizing monkey-themed boxing.  Recently, a Sifu began online instruction in Tai Shing Pek War. I subscribed to his main course. I immediately recognized his high-level skill and power in the applications he demonstrated. After 30 years of practicing what I was most attracted to in the Tall Monkey style (Stone and Lost Monkey, too), I wanted to see what I had possibly forgotten. So far, I am incredibly pleased.  Certain vital elements of the Monkey styles I had previously learned exist that I was never taught or w...