The Lion system of Yin Style Baguazhang, which is transmitted directly from Dong Hai Chuan, Yin Fu, Men Baozhen, then to Dr. Xie Peipi (who passed away in 2003), and finally to He Jinbao, is the most aggressive and structurally dominant animal system within the broader Eight Animal Shape framework of Yin Style. The Lion system is the foundation of the “combat structure” known as the Interlocking Palm, representing the principle of strike and advance. The Lion shape embodies direct, unrelenting force, ferocity, integrity, and overwhelming bio-kinetic momentum. The Lion shape builds the practitioner into a living avalanche.
“Strike, strike, and strike again. Anything is a valid target. There is nothing within the human physical condition that the Lion Palm cannot obliterate.”
Let’s break down the Lion Shape of Dr. Xie Peiqi’s Yin Fu style Baguazhang from his specific lineage’s perspective:
Internal Mechanics and Strategy:
The Lion system is primarily associated with “striking” as its primary method. Every movement is designed to connect with the opponent while maintaining rooted structure and driving force. It uses:
- Vertical and oblique strikes, like smashing, cutting or chopping
- Powerful arm motions that use the waist as a torque engine
- Six harmonies (Hands and Feet, Elbows and Knees, Shoulders and Hips, all moving in unison) and adherence to body alignment for maximal force transfer
- The Lion doesn’t dodge, it attacks—it enters and breaks, utilizing small and large frame limb destruction. Everything is a target.
Body Method:
The Lion system builds a powerful body, particularly a tremendously solid body frame, especially in the shoulders, back, and waist. It’s practice develops “iron shirt” qualities by conditioning the body’s connective tissue and fascia to coil and release in explosive bursts. Compared to other animals, the lion walks in a straight, forward-driving pattern, emphasizing momentum and control.
The lion-shaped posture is known as “Lion’s Roar” or “Lion Opens its Mouth.” It is physically and mentally taxing to hold while practicing. Because both arms are held at and above the head, the posture forces energy to rise and circulate into the brain. The Lion’s posture promotes mental wellness and fortitude, while strengthening and cleaning out the lungs.
*I introduced this lineage’s Lion system of Yin Style to more than a few active special ops and elite-level CrossFit athletes. After a few weeks of daily practice, they all began coughing up extremely thick, dark, rancid-colored phlegm and could feel their upper lungs open up like never before. In mere weeks, the Lion palm had removed decades of stuck, wet, cement-like crud from their lungs, something years of “elite” level training had not touched.
Attacking Methods:
The Lion utilizes eight attacking methods, which are:
- Sweeping/Cutting.
- Smashing.
- Chopping.
- Hooking.
- Shocking.
- Blocking/Barring.
- Seizing.
- Grasping.
Each of the eight attacking methods has seven expressions, which are based on the principles of the other Animal shapes. Each is a tactical philosophy, an energetic code, and a way of crystallizing one’s intent into action. The Lion system is the Interlocking Palm, so there is no need to have a Lion expression of Lion. However, it is part of the curriculum when Lion employs the Smashing attack using the Enfolding Palm or Monkey Shape principle.
The eight attacking methods and seven expressions are displayed as the “turn-arounds” or “changes” while walking or, better stated, turning the circle. Walking or turning the circle is Baguazhang’s signature training technique. The number of “turn-arounds” totals 56 per Animal system, and all are trained with an emphasis on internal development (neigong) alongside external force. With each turn of the circle, you’re engraving these traits into your nervous system when you train these methods.
Symbolism and Mindset:
The Lion represents righteous ferocity, kingship, and moral authority—not cruelty, but dominion through structured force. It reflects a warrior-judge archetype, unyielding and uncompromising in its decisions. The Lion’s spirit is upright, brave, and unshakeable in mental training.
Weapon Work:
Traditionally, the heavy saber (da dao) or straight sword (jian) is practiced within the Lion system, emphasizing the same structure and striking principles. These weapons amplify the internal power and require a firm waist-rooted motion.
From a modern perspective and via direct experience, the heavy sabre or straight sword principles in the Lion system can readily and effectively be repurposed for use with the machete and Bowie Knife.
Dr. Xie Peiqi’s Transmission:
Dr. Xie was a physician of traditional Chinese medicine and one of the deepest living reservoirs of the Yin style. His approach—documented and carried forward by He Jinbao—is intensely structured, with each animal system being a full martial curriculum in and of itself. The Lion is often taught first to forge the correct frame and mentality for serious martial development.
My Personal Experience with the Lion System of Yin Style Baguazhang:
My introduction to Baguazhang was over 30 years ago via the Wong family and the Hop Song Tong in Los Angeles, Chinatown, California. What they taught was very good. A weaponized version of Sun Lu Tang’s Eight Animal Baguazhang and efficient “Dragon Body” styles of Baguazhang. I later trained some under Dr. John Painter and the Juilong or Nine Dragon’s System Baguazhang, which I believe is exceptionally suited for combat. I then trained with Bruce Kumar Frantzis; his qigong and Daoist alchemy are unquestionably legit, but I had a hard time translating his lineage of Baguazhang into more than just “self-defense” applications.
I found Dr. Xie Peiqi’s lineage of Yin Style Baguazhang in the early 2000s. As recommended, I began dedicated training in the Lion system. I fell in love with its harsh, cruel, heavy-handed techniques. The Majority had that sweet 12 to 6 o’clock trajectory, falling onto an individual’s skull, side of the neck, clavicle, or arm like a headman’s ax. Likewise, I developed a deep rapport with the Lion’s system’s debilitating strategies of ripping, tearing, and seizing muscle and skin to gain control for another (on the level of Chu Gar or Southern Mantis), similar to the business end of a Lion’s claws and teeth.
Honestly, the number of sideways-thinking miscreants I’ve force-fed ruination using Yin Style Baguahang’s Lion system is a little concerning. Moral conundrums aside, results are results, and the Lion system, if practiced consistently, holds its own and plays poorly with others. It tends to break its toys irreparably or, at the very least, require a long mending.
With the way the world is presently, I will likely be once again out running “Apache” street-level operations against foreign-funded (George Soros) domestic terrorists, CCP infiltrators, or CCP paid mercenaries, and Democrat-run saboteurs, and delivering the Lion system’s life trajectory-altering and permanent maiming attacks to these pro-pedophile, anti-American, communist scumbags.
I enjoyed myself immensely the first time. I’ll be happy to do it again.
I have been practicing Yin-style Baguazhang for over twenty years. It is the heart of my martial practice. I trust the Lion system to guard my life and spiritual temple against all adversaries. I know from direct, hands-on experience how effective the Lion system is for not only reducing the human condition in my enemies but also improving and empowering the human experience in myself and friends I’ve taught it to.
If you have the heart and will to dedicate yourself to an authentic, battle-tested martial art that covers all bases of fighting, Dr. Xie Peiqi’s lineage of Yin Style Baguazhang is a genuine front runner for your time and attention. If you go that direction, do your future self a gigantic favor and begin a solid two years of practice on the Lion system. I promise you. You will send me messages of gratitude and sing accolades for my suggestion.
–Kevin Wikse, founder of the Vimana Vajra martial tradition.