Monk Li peng

[mortal]

I heard he is in brooklyn teaching. Does anyone know how I can locate him?

[shaolinboxer]

Last summer he was teaching classes in a couple of public locations in manhattan and had flyers placed in Bak Lei Tat downtown. I'd check the kung fu supply shops for his number.

Good luck

[xiao]

You can contact Zhang Li Peng at 07183894417 or at shixingpeng@yahoo.com

Greetings,

[mortal]

Thank you both for your responses.

[mortal]

Xiao and Lyle
Thank you guys for the info. It was greatly appreciated. I saw his name in some old topics. I'm glad to know he is still around.
Xiao
Do you train with him currently? Any more info you can provide me with on him would be highly valued. If you don't want to talk about it on here E-mail me its on my profile.
Thanks again

[shaolinboxer]

When I was in Holland at the first competition he held there, he did drunken broadsword form (with a wooden bench too) that was N-U-T nutz! I have some great photos of him.

Yan Ming broke a pole over his back and missed the mark the first time. He had a bruise from shoulder to shoulder that looked evil, but he, ofcourse, didn't complain at all.

His style is very different then Yan Ming's. If you learn Xiao Hung Chuan from him you'll see what I mean right away. Also, he believes in teaching the applications of the forms.

Powerful guy. Let us know how training with him goes!

[mortal]

Lyle
I haven't been able to get in touch with him yet. So he is still around. Alot of politics and favoritism going on at the old usatemple. I am ready to move on and learn from someone who spends more "one on one" time even if it is only five minutes. I can't wait to learn applications for xiaohongquan. After all I have been doing it for over a year. You mentioned before that you were asked to leave the Yan Mings Temple. I was wondering why? You seemed very devoted and your kung fu was very good. As a matter of fact I still practice elbows on the big pad the same way I saw you hitting it years ago. Tonight I'll be training with HengXin. I want to research who is right for me before I blindly commit to one of these monks again. Thanks for everything. Keep the info coming. A bench form, cool.......

[xian_witch]

thanks for your other reply under the other thread. i was wondering if you can expand on the differences between shi yan ming's and shi hengxin's class thus far, besides the number of students. i would personally take a class of 6 over 60 myself. for example, the approach to learning. any emphasis on the 'mystical' concepts of chi or visualization with each movement?
shi hengxin's school is right around the corner? was there an honor issue when you decided to quit to go to this other school? obviously both of these monks are good friends and they have somekind of an understanding?
i hope you don't mind all these questions, i'm sure i will have more. its just that i am thinking about seriously relocating to nyc and if so, will be one of these schools...

harmonize the forces of heaven, earth, and hell.

[xiao]

Hey lyle,

Never thought to hear you again....I don't know if you remember me. The Belgian student of Li Peng ??!! I was driving with the small red car on the contest in Holland. How are you doing and are you still practicing ?? You guy's are really lucky with Li Peng in the area..!!!!


Greetings

[shaolinboxer]

Mortal - The day after I had that roof top party I invited you to, Yan Ming asked me to leave USA Shaolin.

I had intended to ask Yan Ming if it was cool to invite some of you guys over, but he was busy entertaining some celebrity guest so I didn't wanna bother him. So I invited you. I told him the next day "hey sifu, I asked some of the guys to come by....blah blah, that's cool right?" He said "You already asked them? What's wrong with you? This is a temple." And walked away.

Two days later he asked me to stay after class "if you have time." He asked me how long I had paid for, I told him, and he counted out cash and told me I could no longer practice. I asked why, he said my problem was that I didn't know.

I had a lot of negative experiences once the temple became popular. Things went from a very friendly open atmosphere, to an attitude of "if you don't like it, get out". This was not the only time I had problems at the temple, and when I was forced to leave, the old timers assured me that I was in good company (Yan Ming has asked many good and dedicated martial artists to leave, ever wonder why there's no level 3?).

The last words Yan Ming said to me were (with a smile that reminded me of why I trained with him in the first place) "Don't stop training".

I haven't stopped, and will never stop. But now I see through would I could not see through before, and have total control over my practice (to the extent anyone can).

Many martial artists come to USA Shaolin Temple, but I do not believe Yan Ming is interested in helping dedicated MA's persure their goals. I believe he is more interested in his own goals. Is that wrong? I don't think so. But it can be deceiving and disapponting.

I hope Li Peng, if you can find him cause I heard he might not even teach anymore, provides you with dedicated martial arts instruction.

I have had great success with this at the school I am at (www.shinbudokai.org), and feel like I am finally at a place where martial arts is the primary focus. (I also studied for a brief time at NY Kung Fu and Kickboxing. They have good instructors if you are interested in ring combat.)

I welcome you to come practice with me again.

Xiao -

Sure, I remember you. I am still grateful for your hospitality. Good luck in training!

[mortal]

BrideWithWhiteHair

Hengxin demonstrates every move over and over at full speed. It is inspiring say the least. He really showed me the coiling pivoting aspects of shaolin and a few applications. Six people to a class doesn't hurt either. No real focus on the mystical concepts of chi. lol

ShiYanMing

Almost never demontrated anything himself. You always get taught by another student. He keeps the class moving and it is an endurance fest. That is a good thing but he says he doesn't beleive in applications so he doesn't teach any. I think he does know them but only teaches them to senior students he likes. He doesn't teach the advanced class personally. That is my biggest gripe. I feel we should get the most attention. He doesn't see it that way. Cool for someone who is just starting but I feel I am ready for more. I just want to say I am not bashing the USAshaolin temple it is a great place to learn with a lot of good people. I found over time that it wasn't for me.
All monks are not friends. I am not sure Shi Yan Ming even knows HengXin. Zhang li Peng is a fourth monk in N.Y. I will be going to a trial class on Thursday night I will post my opinion. From what I have heard his kung fu is great and he is a good teacher. Old School Shaolin master.
Mortal

[mortal]

Lyle
You and I posted at the same time so I didn't read yours before I posted.lol Thank you for being so open with me about your experiance. He was mad that you invited people from the Temple?! I can't beleive it. I feel guilty lol. While we are at it when I made level two he suspended me for two weeks. Reason. I left Mcsorleys on a Sunday night early without saying goodbye because I knew my first level two class was the next day and I wanted to be fresh. When I came he suspended me. I couldn't believe it. I was so ashamed. Now I look back on it and think why such a harsh punishment for breaking a rule that I wasn't aware of. After failing Xiaohongquan for the third time I felt he just didn't like me personally. To be honest my kung fu was getting pretty dam good at the end. yet He refused to pass me on xiaohongquan. If I am doing something wrong TELL me what it is and I'll do it the way you say. Learning it wrong from someone else and he blames you. I will check your school at the site you gave. Thanks again for your veiws. I thought it was just me. I always used to wonder what happened with you.

[shaolinboxer]

You have learned the "****ing off of Yan Ming" technique.

I'm sorry to hear you've also had to deal with his crap.

Sounds like you have learned all you can from him.
You have reached the beginning of the end of the USA Shaolin Temple cycle.

Welcome to the next level of your training. I'm sure you will find greater success in the future.

[mortal]

LOL! I have mastered that technique!
Thank you for the encouragement.

So you are learning a Japanese art now. How was the adjustment? You sound psyched.

[shaolinboxer]

It was difficult at first. I can be hard to understand aikido. I spent a lot of time thinking, "well, I could just pummel the guy with kicks and punches if he tried that".

It's an art you need to stick with for a long while before you can reap the benefits. I had tried aikido twice before only to quit out of frustration, but intellectually I knew it could make a person very powerful if they understood it.

So, I tried to relax and stuck with it and I'm happy I did. The weapons forms are very practical, the head instructor teaches (and really does teach) every weekday class in the evening, and there are martial artists there who pack quite a punch. I challanged many of them by resisting their technique, and learned very quickly that I have much to learn. Aikido provides a unique environment for study, lighthearted yet serious, with cooperation in mind but never sacraficing real technique. Shizuo Imaizumi, at 63 years old and a 7th Dan, is VERY powerful. One of his light throws almost knocked me out when I hit the floor (he said, ok, hold tight please. i took his wrist with both hand and tried to hold him still and WHOOSH, SMACK). He also minds his own business off of the mat. Many of the students are over 40, and class size is always reasonable. Sometimes it's just 3 or 4 of us and Imaizumi.

Also, grading is gradual and very fair.

Eventhough Aikido is Japanese, I still think of it as Kung Fu. I spent 2 years looking for a place to train...kung fu (internal and external), kickboxing, kykushinkai and seidokai karate, gracie jujitsu, vee arnis jitsu....I looked everywhere. Kicking and punching was just not making me happy.

I started at Shin Budo Kai at the end of 2000, and am very happy with my choice so far. Even if you aren't interested in training, Aikido is worth a long look.

[mortal]

That sounds like a great place to learn since there is only a small group. I'll check it out soon. I'm looking forward to it.

[xian_witch]

i am daunted to hear you and lyle's testimonies on the behavior of shi yan ming towards his students, etc. taking it with a grain of slat, of course.
perhaps it is way too romantic to think that shaolin monks are above detrimental egoism and the like. personally, i had to leave a few places of learning because the master has decided that they did not particularly 'like me' and overlooked my dedication or effort. so i can well understand.
how is the training at hengxin's going? do you feel that shi hengxin is a more compassionate man who won't pull some strange trip or is it too early to say? how similar or dissimilar is the actual curriculum from the USA shaolin temple? are you learning different forms altogether?
if shi yanming did not know shi hengxin before, he must be surprised to see another shaolin monk right around the corner?!surely they know each other to some extent?
i am eager to hear how your traing with li peng goes!

harmonize the forces of heaven, earth, and hell.

[mortal]

I feel really comfortable with Hengxin. Even though he is younger his skills are super and he os always doing something cool. The other night he walks in with a broadsword and instantly breaks into a perfect drunken style. No warming up for this guy. Then he did a high and tight butterfly twist. He doesn't just stand around shouting orders. He always asks if we have any questions. So I asked him about an application at the beginning of the penetrating fist form he just taught me. He responded put your hand on my shoulder and then he did this circle and push with one arm sending me back. I don't think he will pull any trip. Because he is young and has to proove himself. Shi yan ming never did too much in front of us. What he did do was clean and fast.
The curriculum is just flavored differently with more of a focus on generating power from the hips while you are in low stances. The first form is short you learn it right away and it is the same in both schools for the most part. The second form Continous Fist is alot more twisting and turning.
The stances and the non stop drilling are the main thing both schools have in common. Hengxin never calls a break. An hour and a half straight no water. I wouldn't want to drink water anyway for fear of making my body way any more than it already does.lol He is a drunken style specialist. Shi Yan Mings favorite weapon is tha quando.
Hengxin does not have a school set up yet. We are training out of a dance studio.
I am training thursday night with lipeng. I will post as soon as possible about it.
Fake Shaolin Hired Actor Monk Magician Critic
Mortal
:p

[Ted]

Mortal,

Did you go to see Li peng? If so how was it? I used to train with Hengxin in the flushing temple and the way you descibed him it doesnt sound like hes changed much. He's got soooooo much energy and yet is very patient. I havent gotten a chance to go see him yet but I will one of these days. What times does he teach again?

[xian_witch]

YES WE ARE ALL EAGERLY AWAITING TO HEAR HOW THE THURSDAY TRAINING WENT...

harmonize the forces of heaven, earth, and hell.

[charliec]

Well I highly recomend the Shaolin Temple Overseas in Queens. I have heard both good and bad things about Yan Ming and when deciding which school in New York to study with I eventually decided on the STOH and have never looked back. The enviornment is great, and like the USA Temple everything is kept non-stop for the entire class. You learn the forms quickly but once you know them you practice them for a long time. Also we learn the applications right away. Even the warm ups are applied. Also the Qigong class is great. It's just a great school.

I started at the Temple just after Hengxin left and was a bit disapointed with not being able to train with him. Because of the unique pay-per-class option his school has I hope to train with him once a month or something for variety.

For those entering the realm of Wu with a mind
on Ch'an, the silent smile awaits them. - Ch'au-Lu
-----
www.thousandbuddha.org (http://www.thousandbuddha.org)

[XiaoLong]

Lipeng is an excellent teacher and his kung fu skills are amazing. He leaves masters like Yan Ming far far behind... If you want to study Shaolin in New York he is the only master you need to go to.

[South Paw]

Is Zhang Li Peng the same as Shi Xing Peng who gave Shaolin Instruction in the Netherlands?

South Paw

[XiaoLong]

Yes, Zhang is his family name, Lipeng his given name, Shi Xing Peng his Shaolin Name. He stayed in the Netherlands from 1996 - 2000.

[fajinpower]

My shaolin brother, Mortal(A)- I never get a chance to look into his class. I wanted to stop by there at his schools, this week. As for Yan Ming - eeeehhhhhhh. Who knows. Heng Xin is amazing.

[generic22]

I recently saw one of Li Peng's classes. I have been to the temple in China, seen Hengxin, Yan ming, and have to say that, although all other monks are great MA in their own right, none have made my jaw drop open in amazement. Li Peng did. Li Peng has such fluidity, style, and his body movements can generate such power.

Now, I only saw one class, but the pace of the class seemed to be different than the other NY monks I have seen. Li Peng focuses more on application and techniques. You get the sense that he is teaching kung fu and not wushu (that's my own perception and I don't want to get into the argument of kung fu vs wushu... I think you understand what I mean).

I don't think he want's to get into the "religious" aspects of shaolin kung fu. He, and I paraphrase, has said that he is a professional teacher, in class he is Sifu, outside of class he is a friend. That's kinda cool. He was teaching in a chinese community center down below canal on Broadway (390?). He teaches on Monday and Thursday and I think, if you are interested and want to check him out, it is definitely worth the time.

[GeneChing]

I had the delight of spending a lot of time with his family a few weeks ago when I went to Shaolin. They had us as their guests for several few days, preparing wonderful homecooked meals and being the most gracious of hosts.

His dad is very powerful and strict. In '96 I saw him cut a granite river rock with his iron palm into slices like a hot knife thru butter. Slices! His sister is beautiful and very very lethal. I first met her as a teen and she has grown into quite a lady - but don't be decieved, she is so fast and accurate, she would take most people out before they could even blink. And his nephews are two of the most amazing youths I have ever seen. Their tongzigong is the most intense so far - amazing. They were awesome in '96 too, and they grown even better. A truly remarkable kungfu family.

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[generic22]

Wow, gene, lucky you. I really liked his style of teaching and, as a person, he seems really....nice? I don't know if that is the right word to use. While I was watching class Li peng was warming up a bit and he was just standing there holding his leg up, pullin his knee to his chest, he paused for a second then sent out a sidekick that, from about 15 feet away, i felt through the floor and in the air. I have no doubt that his father could smash granite.

The other thing that sticks with me is that I wondered why Li peng, and this is my personal, limited (and probably ignorant), experience doesn't promote his school more. I had heard he was in town over a year ago, knew that he gave a demo here and there, but since then, and until this forum post was created by mortal, thought he had left nyc. Any thoughts, anyone...?

[charliec]

He's got signs up at Bok Lei Po on Mott St. and posters sparcely pasted up around the city. *shrug* right now he's just renting a studio and perhaps can't fit lots of students into his class. I know Hengxin Shifu is taking applications to study with him for that reason, not accepting everyone.

For those entering the
realm of Wu with a mind
on Ch'an, the silent
smile awaits them. -
Ch'au-Lu

www.thousandbuddha.org (http://www.thousandbuddha.org)

[GeneChing]

Lipeng built 4 massive schools in Europe and promoted an all Shaolin tournament. So he's done the successful school thing already. He left it to come to the USA. Now he's laying low - he has nothing more to prove. Watch Kungfu Qigong, we have an in depth feature on him coming very soon.

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)

[generic22]

thanks for the info, Gene, and I'll look forward to the interview in your magazine.

[fajinpower]

When will the magazine about LiPeng be out?
His Tai Chi is amazing, which have all the character and principle of TaiChi and have the Shaolin art blend into it. His FaJin Power is powerful. WOW! :eek:

[GeneChing]

Hie article will be out soon, I'll post to this thread when it's due (if I remember...)
And I agree, Lipeng is awesome.

Gene Ching
Asst. Publisher
Kungfu Qigong Magazine & www.KUNGFUmagazine.com (http://www.KUNGFUmagazine.com)