I was going to recommend this as well, Curtis. Weight training will aid in developing the strength necessary to perform these high kicks with control which sounds like something you're after. Squats and dead-lifts are your friends in this situation, with lunges (all variations) as accessory exercises to aid in developing strength with mobility. Plus the deadlift (aka the health lift) has been around since people have needed to pick something up from the ground. In fact, there is a Shaolin skill similar to which someone more knowledgeable in Shaolin culture could tell you what it's called (something like 1000 Catty Lift).
Definitely, I want to reiterate the heavy bag, it will help.