About Sifu Richard Mieir-King Expertise Since 1971 I have been involved, trained and instructed in 5 Animal 5 Family Kung Fu and can answer questions on subjects such as Qi Gong, Hand Conditioning (Iron Palm and herbal practices), Southern Kung Fu Systems, Weapons, 5 Animal 5 Family Kung Fu, health aspects of Kung Fu and fighting aspects of Kung Fu, and various techniques. Our system is based on the 5 major Animal Styles which are Tiger, Dragon, Snake, Leopard, and Crane. We also teach a variety of other animal styles such as Black Bird, Peacock, Horse, Donkey, Elephant, Ram (also called Small Cross Set) and other Animal Styles. Besides Animal forms we also teach forms such as Butterfly Palm, Praying Mantis, Combination, Crab, and others. The Family Forms we teach are Hung Gar, Choy Gar, Li Gar, Fut Gar and Muk Gar. We also teach a variety of weapons such as Staff, Quarter Staff, single and double batons, Spear, 3 Sectional Staff, Nunchaku, Iron Sais (Gen), Chain Whip, Kwan Dao, Darn Dao, Single and Double Daggers, Chinese Wand, Axes, and more. Kung Fu is a way of balancing Body, Mind and Spirit.
Experience
Past/Present Clients Besides teaching the general public we have also taught law enforcement officers, prision guards, boarder patrol agents, bouncers and more.
Question I was just reading through the very impressive list of experts trying to find someone to answer a different question but I noticed your mention of Iron Palm. Please forgive me right off the bat if it turns out I'm mistaken if I'm confusing iron palm and iron fist, I always thought they were similar. First, is it true that iron palm is in fact not a standalone martial art but more of a conditioning exercise? Is it necessary to acquire a master to learn or can it be achieved through proper diligence? How accurate are the stories about the iron palm (and iron shirt ,if you know)?
Answer Hi Alex,
Thanks for choosing Allexperts and me for your question.
I know that many people will disagree with me but I consider it a matter of symantics. I also consider "Iron Palm" to refer to the fist, the edge of the hand, the fingers, even the forearms (which are sometimes referred to as Iron Bridges). In Kung-Fu when the "fist", the "chaun", is referred to it can be the "snake fist", the "tiger fist", the "leopard fist", the "dragon fist", etc., etc. Well, we know that the snake does not have knuckles, it uses the fingers, yet, to those of long ago, the fist included those parts of the hand. Same with the leopard and dragon. I had a traditional sifu once tell me that if I were to hit them with my head that would technically be a "fist" as well. So, I consider it semantics but to each their own.
Now, I know that there are people that train only the palm, but again, training methods vary and, again, to each their own.
Having said that and gotten that out of the way. No, I do not consider Iron Palm or Iron Fist training a stand alone martial art. I consider it an aspect of any art of Kung-Fu that develops and conditions the hands. If I were only conditioning my hands and not working on any other aspects of my art I would have a great weapon but no delivery system. It is like having an arrow, but no bow to launch that arrow. Or a nuclear war head and no missile to fire it from. Conditioning does not take the place of training in the methods of combat.
As far as how to develop this ability. I am not sure of what you mean by "proper diligence". If you mean trying to figure it out on your own, no, I don't think that is a good idea because you will hurt yourself and your hands. You have to be sure to select someone that knows what they are doing and can show you how to strike properly. There is a think called "rebound" or "reflective" energy that can hurt you. Also, no matter how hard you try, when you strike things with your hands you are going to get injuries, even if they are micro injuries. Those micro injuries can turn into one large macro injury over time. For that reason we use Dit Da Jow which is an herbal liniment for the hands. I understand that there are those who hit things without liniments, they say they are OK and don't need it. To believe that I'd need to see them in another 15 or so years (maybe sooner) to see how their hands are holding up to see if they have acquired any number of possible problems. Most people can and will hurt their hands over sufficient time without proper precautions. Some say, "I will worry about that when I get there". And when they get there they say, "I wish I had worried about this before now".
Personally, I think there is always exaggeration regarding stories of old about Iron Palm and Iron Shirt (consider the boxer rebellion). I think there are certainly many amazing things that can be done, I have seen many. I also know that there is a lot of trickery as well. Just remember the old saying "let the buyer beware". You have to be very careful of what you buy into and what you believe. Honest and upright people do not have a problem with you asking questions and being careful.
If you like feel free to e-mail me with questions - my e-mail - "rmieir @ sprynet. com". Just leave out the spaces.
I hope this information has been of some help! I hope to hear from you in the future and have a great day!
Sincerely,
Sifu Richard Mieir-King
Kings Kung Fu and Tai Chi - www.kingskungfu.com, http://home.sprynet.com/~rmieir
King's Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung - www.kingstaichi.com
Great Martial Arts Stuff - www.GreatMartialArtsStuff.com
Fighting Masters Seminars - www.FightingMasters.50megs.com
