Shu-Ton (Tony) Yang is of Chinese descent, born and raised in Taiwan. He has been studying martial arts for over 40 years. His specialties include Baji, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Bagua.
He began studying at age 6 under the instruction of his uncle, a martial arts master. He learned Northern Shaolin and three-section staff. During high school he studied Tang Lang Quan (Praying Mantis Kung Fu). He then moved to Taipei and became a student of Grandmaster Su Yu-Chang, of the Praying Mantis system. It was Grandmaster Su who introduced Master Yang to Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao. For two years, he studied under both teachers and then became solely a student of Grandmaster Liu. During this time he practiced Tai Chi, Baji, Praying Mantis, and various weapons. He also received personal instruction from Grandmaster Liu in Bagua, Pigua, Mizong, Baji and numerous weapons. Grandmaster Liu learned his Baji from Master Li Shu Wen. At age 24, he was allowed by Grandmaster Liu to teach martial arts, a high compliment indeed. He was soon instructing at five colleges, teaching classes in Tai Chi and Praying Mantis. During this time of intense dedication and training, he also taught Tai Chi and sword to elderly students at a mountain temple. Before coming to America, he taught the Chinese Acrobats of Taiwan for four years.
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In May, 1980, Master Yang came to the United States and settled in Canton, Ohio. He has since opened his own martial arts school, Wu Tang Center for Martial Arts and continues to teach there. Well versed in a wide range of martial arts techniques, his favorites are Praying Mantis and Baji. The Bagua weapon, Deerhorn Knives (Lu Jiao Dao, or Zi Wu Yuan Yang Yue), is his foremost weapon. They are said to have been invented during the shrouded infancy of Bagua, probably in the Qing dynasty. The weapon can be used to grab, block, or hook an opponent or their weapon. Many moves are designed to disarm the opponent. The original shape only had three pointed ends. Later, a fourth was added to increase its ability to catch, trap and lock. In recent history, Grandmaster Liu modified the shape by making the fourth point recurve. Other names sometimes used include double moon hooks, meridian axes, crescent knives, Mandarin Duck Axes (Zi Wu Yuan Yang Yue), Sun Moon Sword (Ri Yue Qian Kun Jian), and Deer Hook Sword. Two deer-horn knives form the symbol of the Wu Tang organization. The eight points represent the Ba ji style, inside the circle are yin and yang representing Tai Chi, and together they symbolize Bagua. |
Shifu "Darkfist" Rodgers
James Micheal Rodgers II Born 1970 In Akron Ohio. Disciple of Master Yang Xiao Dong Started training at early youth out of necessity, in order to prevent the seemingly endless amount of bloody noses and beatings that began at age 5. In quick reaction to the beatings he began training under such masters such as Don and Edward Niam, Wayne Schultz as well as others in the practice of traditional of Northern and Southern Shoalin Kung Fu, James was also taught the Korean arts very early in life through his father as well as his closest childhood companion Daniel Blackert (a lifelong student of Tae Kwon Do, Tang soo do, Hapkido, JU JITSU, and Aikido) James and Dan spent years exchanging expertise throughout childhood until the two friends lost contact for several years (we all Know what spouses do to our old social lives) From this background James continued to study with numerous martial artists throughout the next decades in search of a home fitting his interest including a revisit of Master Niam under the Southern Hung fut system. Soon his life was changed by Master Yang Xiao Dong. Master Yang held very much the same ideas on combat that James learned in life experience (well over a hundred real confrontations) and aggressively taught James according to his own personal already highly developed martial flavor and body type. Sort of a custom hammering of Praying Mantis, Baji Quan, And Bagua, that Master Yang is so famous for. James is a student of history at the University of Akron and has a lifelong habit of pouring over military history and combat tactics from hand to hand to divisional action. Currently James is pursuing two degrees simultaneously one in History and one in political science/criminal justice, With the hopes of to continuation through a Juris doctor, or PhD. The Philosophy held by James is one of applications and combat first. He emphasizes aspects of the traditional arts as well as modern combat techniques that are proven and hold true to the modern era literally tested as much as possible with high level and loyal student. James has trained numerous bouncers and personal security individuals as well as ordinary citizens of all ages and genders. As Master Yang has insisted upon, James teaches each according to his or her own ability as well as his or her own needs. Along with being a disciple to Master Yang James has trained with Master Sun De Yao of the Mei Hua branch of Praying Mantis as well as Master Zhang Wei Fu and his son Mao. Currently James is working under the direction of GM Yang on a curriculum that teaches the princples of Baji Praying Mantis, an inevitable combination of some of northern China's most deadly martial arts.
SHIFU LOGAN EDWARDS
PROFILE TO COME!!!!
SHIFU ROB PETERSON
PROFILE TO COME....!
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