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The Shao Lin Temple style (Ng Yin Ga), was refined over the centuries by the Shao Lin Monks and earned wide spread fame throughout China. The original 72 forms were enlarged to 170 forms, which were subdivided into five styles. These highly sophisticated styles were called the Five Formed Fist (Tung Wu Ch'uan Fa), they were designed after the five animals; the Tiger, the Leopard, the Crane, the Snake, and the Dragon.
From the Tiger they learned strength and staying power; from the Leopard they learned speed and patience; and from the Crane they learned grace and self control. The Snake gave them suppleness and endurance; and from the Dragon they learned spiritual calmness.
The Shao Lin Temple style was taught only to those worthy of receiving such knowledge and for many generations its secrets remained within the walls of the temple. During the 17th century when China was conquered by the Ching Dynasty, officials and supporters of the overthrown Ming Dynasty sought refuge in the Shao Lin Temple. They were plotting a revolution when the temple was invaded and destroyed by forces of the Ching Dynasty. It was during this period that a few monks escaped, and the secret Shao Lin Temple arts were disclosed to the outside world.
Shao Lin Kung Fu's effectiveness through the centuries became legendary and many great teachers and styles emerged. One of these teachers was Grandmaster Li Nung-Ti (1796-1870), from Ta Ku China. He studied the Shao Lin style of Tung Wu Ch'uan (Five Formed Fist), and in 1830 developed a family style called Lung Shou Pai (Dragon Claw System). Grandmaster Li Nung-Ti had two disciples; they were his brothers Master Li Tan-Foy (1806-1875), and Master Ling Chang-Wu (1831-1901).
There is little known about Master Li Tan-Foy except that he was taught Lung Shou Pai by his brother, and was also a student of Tai Chi Chuan. It is said that he had a hand in training Master Ling Chang-Wu because he was the elder disciple of Gramaster Li Nung-Ti.
Ling Chang-Wu was Grandmaster Li Nung-Ti and Master Li Tan-Foy's nephew, and was an inportant part in the development of Lung Shou Pai. In 1896, he moved his family to Canton, because he wanted to be relatively safe from the turmoil of the Boxers Rebellion. Knowing the boxers had very little chance of winning against the foreigners, his love for China made him return to the Society of the Fist of Righteous Harmony.
During the Boxers Rebellio9n he lost his right hand, but his ability and his techniques with his left hand were so fierce the boxers called him Ti Sha Shou (Left Hand of the Devil). He was killed in 1901, near Peking (Beijing). Grandmaster Ling Chang-Wu managed to perpetuate the art of Lung Shou Pai by teaching his only son, Ling Kat-Klung (1876-1969).
Grandmaster Ling Kat-Klung practiced Lung Shou Pai every day of the week, seven hours a day constantly improving on his father's teachings, and the Lung Shou Pai principles. While in Canton he sought out other martial artists who were also practicing in secrecy, because of the revolutionary state of China.
After his father's death, Grandmaster Ling came to the United States to start a new life. He lived with a cousin in California for a year, then moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He taught his art of Lung Shou Pai to his son Robert Kuan Ling (1920-1961) and Norman Pedelahore (1945- ).
Master Robert Kuan Ling and his wife were tragically killed in 1961, in an automobile accident. They had two children, Charles Robert Ling (1945- ), and Cindy Li Ling (1947- ).
Charles and Cindy Ling studied the family art of Lung Shou Pai in the same classical manner as the generations before them. Charles was the link that would cause the art to be passed on to a person not of Asian descent.
Norman studied directly under the supervision of Grandmaster Ling for ten years, learning the techniques and principles of the family art. In 1959, he was adopted into the family by the Pai Shi Tea Ceremony and became Grandmaster Ling Kat-Klung's second son. In 1962, Norman and his family moved to Slidell, La. a city about 30 miles from New Orleans.
Because of his health and age, in 1965, Grandmaster Ling retired from teaching and named Norman John Pedelahore his successor to the art of Lung Shou Pai. The responsibility of teaching and perpetuating Lung Shou Pai's values and principles were now placed squarely on his shoulders.
Robert P. Meteye III was born April 13, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois. He started doing acrobats at a very young age. At 6 months old he was in magazines with his dad Robert Jr. doing acrobats. Bob and Bobby as they were called had a father and son acrobat and hand balancing team toured the United States. At age 4, Bobby started practicing Kodakan Judo. He continued with Judo and also started taking Wado Kai Karate. By age 15, he received black belts in both styles. Bobby taught karate in Cleveland for a few years before moving to New Orleans in 1974 where he met Si Gung Norman and started working out under him. Receiving his 3rd Degree Black Belt under Si Gung Norman, he branched out teaching his own style of Nei She Pai (Internal Snake Style) Kung Fu for the next 15 years. Bobby has won several National Titles and numerous local and regional championships. He has a 6th Degree Black in Nei She Pai/Lung Shou Pai and continues to study under Si Gung Norman.
Students that were recently tested and promoted in November of 1999 and instructors at the Dragon Claw Martial Arts School in Picayune, MS are as follows:
Top row from left to right - Instructor Ron Scott,Grandmaster Norman Pedelahore, Yence Alsobrooks, Marshall Copeland, Chuck Martin, Drew Whitfield, William Fairchild, and Instructor Bobby Luttrull. Second row, Master Bob Meteye, Jeff Shaw, Jared Fitts, Jason Martin, David VanSomeren, and Master Trey Clarke. Bottom row, Joshua Gasper, Sunnie Maynard, Kelly Maynard, Kerry McGill, Adam Catoire, Kyle McGill, Bubby Gonzales, and Ryan Gilbrech.
Showing the students some magic during our 1999 Christmas party
More fun for the 1999 Christmas party.
The family tree under Si Gung Norman is as follows:
Ling - Chang Wu
Li - Tan Foy
(1831-1901)
(1806-1875)
Robert K. Ling
Charles Robert Ling
(1920-1961)
(1945- )
Cindy Li Ling
Norman J. Pedelahore
(1947- )
(1945- )
