Shifu Walter C. Bey (貝華士), born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, stands among the foremost custodians of classical Chinese internal martial arts in America. His life’s work represents a seamless synthesis of Northern Shaolin precision, Yang Family Taijiquan depth, and Bagua Zhang’s spiraling intelligence — all guided by his lifelong pursuit of harmony between strength, humility, and insight. Early Training and Foundational Discipline
Shifu Bey began his martial journey at the age of 13, studying traditional Japanese Judo under a veteran master in Pittsburgh. From those early years, he absorbed the principles of balance, timing, and centeredness that would later define his approach to the internal arts. At 26, he transitioned into the Northern Shaolin Long Fist (Chang Quan) system under Master Sigu Ho, whose demanding curriculum cultivated agility, stamina, and technical clarity. From Master Ho, he not only learned advanced Shaolin Long Fist sequences but also received instruction in the Yang Luchan Taiji-Quan Long Movements — the original, expansive form from which the later 108-movement Yang Family sequence would evolve. These long-frame teachings preserved the transitional flow and martial integrity of early Yang-style Taijiquan before its later refinements under Yang Chengfu. He continued his studies with Samaad Haaq, Master Ho’s senior disciple in Montclair, New Jersey, deepening both his Shaolin and internal skill sets and laying the groundwork for his lifelong devotion to internal cultivation. Evolution into the Internal Arts
Seeking a broader understanding of internal cultivation, Shifu Bey entered the Bagua Zhang tradition — first under the late Dr. Xie Peiqi, patriarch of the Yin Fu Bagua lineage, whose rare teachings revealed the subtle pathways of Qi circulation, palm-change mechanics, and healing energetics. His continuing practice in Magua Bagua under Master Li Baohua extends this lineage forward, linking him directly to the evolving body of authentic Bagua knowledge preserved in Beijing. Integration under Grandmaster Dr. Steve L. Sun
Following guidance from his mentors, Shifu Bey entered the tutelage of Grandmaster Dr. Steve L. Sun, founder of the Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy in Havertown, Pennsylvania — a distinguished tenth-degree black belt and doctor of environmental engineering known for uniting martial discipline with healing science. Under Dr. Sun’s direction, Shifu Bey became a certified instructor and later Director of Internal Styles at the Academy. There he continues to teach Yang Family Taijiquan, Bagua Zhang, Xinyi Quan, Shaolin Quan, and the classical Chi-Kung (Qigong) systems of Butterfly Qigong, Wild Goose Set, and Lohan Patting — all within the ethical and philosophical framework of the scholar-warrior tradition. Competition, Judging, and Recognition
From 1990 onward, Shifu Bey has represented the internal martial arts across national and international platforms, earning respect not only as a competitor but also as a distinguished judge and authority in the fields of Taijiquan, Xingyi Boxing, and Bagua Zhang. He has served as a national and international judge at major tournaments, recognized for his technical precision, integrity, and deep comprehension of internal body mechanics. His balanced, insightful judging style has set a benchmark for fairness and authenticity within traditional martial arts competition.
1 | P a g eAmong his many accolades:
• 1999 U.S. Kuoshu International Champion — Gold Medalist in Yang Style Taiji Forms (Advanced Division); Silver in Taiji Straight Sword.
• 1998 N.J. Best of Champions Classic — First Place in Weapons and Katas.
• 1998 Inductee, United States International Kung Fu Federation Hall of Fame.
• 1997 U.S. Kuoshu International — Gold in Yang Style Division; Bronze in Bagua Zhang Division.
• Wu-Su Kung Fu Federation Mid-Atlantic Region — Gold Medalist in Bagua Zhang.
• Wong Fei Hung All-N.J. Championships — Gold Medalist in Bagua Zhang.
• Henry Chou All-American Open — First Place Kung Fu Division.
• 1996 Twin Towers Classic — First Place Senior Forms Division.
• 1995 Capitol Classic — First Place Tai Chi Division.
• Inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame three times — 1998, 2014, and 2016.
• Named Master of the Year in 2015 by Grandmaster S.L. Martin. Philosophy and Legacy
At the heart of Shifu Bey’s teaching lies the creed of the scholar-warrior — the cultivation of virtue equal to skill, intellect balanced by discipline, and strength tempered by compassion. “Balance mind, body, and spirit. Trust in the art of change — Yin and Yang. Honor the poor, aid the weak, harm none, and covet nothing that is not yours.”
Today, Shifu W.C. Bey continues to lead and judge at the highest levels of internal martial practice while directing the internal arts program at the Siu Lum Martial Arts Academy. His influence bridges the worlds of martial science, healing, and spiritual cultivation. He remains a pillar of integrity and lineage in the American internal arts community — a living link between the classical masters of the East and the next generation of sincere practitioners. “Through stillness, motion is born; through motion, stillness is realized. This is the essence of the internal way.” — Shifu W.C. Bey