Q: Is there just only one Monkey Style?
Many people have the impression that there is only one style of Monkey kung fu. This is not true, there are three styles of Chinese Monkey kung fu. They include:

             Shaolin Monkey style kung fu
             Tai Shing Monkey style kung fu
             Wu Shu Monkey or Opera Monkey

	Shaolin Monkey style kung fu This is the oldest style of the monkey art. Developed in the Shaolin Temple during an era when a variety of different animal styles were being created. Unfortunately, there are no exact dates or one individual we can credit the style to. Shaolin monkey stances are slightly higher than the other two monkey styles. Though it has a variety of monkey movements and techniques, it resembles a man mimicking the movements than an actual monkey. In America, the late Grand Master Ark Y. Wong was one of the only known masters to continue the art. Sadly, none of his students have continued the lineage. (Shaolin Monkey has only one form)
	Tai Shing  Monkey style kung fu Commonly called Tai Shing Pek Kwar, the actual term is "Tai Shing," "Pek Kwar" has nothing whatsoever to do with Monkey. It is an axe fist style very similar to Choy Li Fut. Because one instructor mastered both styles, he referred to the school by both names. Tai Shing is the youngest of all three styles. It was created around 1911 by Grand Master Kou Sze, and is the only style to be based upon five monkey characteristics (lost, tall, drunken, wooden and stone). No other monkey style uses these five foundations. It is an extremely brutal art designed with strong and powerful striking techniques. It was never designed as a performance art. There are no Indian or Taoist Yoga movements in the art, these contortionist movements were used by a competitor to impress tournament judges years ago (this led to some confusion about people thinking extreme flexibility was actually part of the monkey art, it is not). Grand Master Chan Sau Chung is the only living Grand Master of the art and the only individual who can rightfully use the title of "Monkey King."  (Tai Shing has five forms plus a staff form)
	Wu Shu Monkey or Opera Monkey From the Shaolin Temple, a unique form of acrobatic style kung fu emerged called Wu Shu. Wu Shu is a beautiful artform that is graceful, awesome and inspiring. It is specifically designed as a performance art rather than a fighting style. Each of the animal styles carried over into Wu Shu which included the Monkey style in both a hand-form set and a silver staff set. Filled with monkey mimics and characteristics, the most famous move of the art is the monkey stylist balancing himself on the top of the staff. The movements of the Wu Shu monkey can also be found in the Peking and Beijing opera when representing the Great Sage, Sun Wu Kong. (Special Note: Standing on the staff is only used in Wu Shu or Opera Monkey. It is for showmanship only. A Tai Shing practitioner would never use this move because it makes them vulnerable. So don't be fooled by someone calling themselves a Tai Shing stylist if they use this move.) (Wu Shu monkey has one hand form and one staff form)

Q: Does someone have to be extremely flexible to learn the art?
It's always good to have some form of flexibility. Your legs can go higher, arms reach out more easily, etc.
But there has been some confusion about extreme postures in Monkey. There are no extreme flexibility
movements in monkey. There are no movements in which you put your foot over your head, put
your face to your butt or hold the splits stretch. Other monkey stylists have used these types of moves to
impress tournament judges and many people have been misled because they were given the impression
that it is a vital and necessary part of the Tai Shing Pek Kwar artform.  These types of moves have never
been part of the Monkey kung fu art. Many years ago the Grandmaster was extremely upset because
some individuals were passing these moves as Monkey moves. So, please do not be deceived by
someone telling or teaching these moves as actual, traditional  Tai Shing Pek Kwar stances or
movements.

Q: Is there yoga in Monkey?
There has never been Indian or any other type of yoga movements or training in the Monkey kung fu
system.

Q: The only 6th Generation
Because Master Matsuda is the last active teacher of the Monkey art, he is putting the entire system on
very detailed DVDs so that all will learn. It is his hope that all of those studying this art will become 7th
Generation Masters. Because many students, even other Monkey students, are learning this art from his
DVDs, they are now in effect, studying under Master Matsuda. Therefore, Master Matsuda will remain as
the only 6th Generation Master.

Q: Monkey weaponry?
Please don't be deceived in this area. There is only one real Monkey weapon and that is the staff. A
Monkey Ring is referenced but it is used for show. Though it is effective, it was never part of the Monkey
system. Other items such as the judges pen, the curved knife, the straight sword, and even a staff form
is part of Pek Kwar, it is not Tai Shing (Monkey). I've seen many individuals do the Pek Kwar staff and
attempt to make it look like the Monkey staff by adding certain motions and faces, but don't be fooled,
it's not Monkey. In addition, there is no such thing as a Monkey Beginner staff form. This is an advanced
art and everything is on an advanced scale. There is only one staff form and that's it. Volume 9 DVD has
the Monkey staff if you choose to learn it.

Best Proof
Perhaps the best proof of all is to look at the individual. I ask you to examine the following:
  1. When viewing the moves personally, DVD or on the Internet, are the moves
      sloppy or do they look clear and understandable.
  2. Is a particular move putting you in a vulnerable position, do they have meaning or is it
      just for show. Is the move going to be effective when attacked?
  3. Is the move explained properly, given in great detail or are they just trying to act like
      they giving you the impression they know the art?
This is an amazing artform and it's sad that it has been only passed onto a few individuals.
But not everyone knows how to teach this art and not everyone has actually invested a great
deal of time in actually learning the system. That is why I have invested over 30 years of
learning this art, no one else has. It's not all forms, its fighting, learning how to defend
yourself properly is what this art is about.
     If you are learning this art from a teacher, make sure they truly know their art, know the
history of the art, why are certain moves used, what makes this art different, is this art an
offensive art or a defensive art, etc. If you are going to invest years into an artform, make sure
you are learning from someone who really knows the artform and not someone who is milking
the same old moves over and over because they don't know any more of the art. Just be cautious!

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