The Shen Men Tao system contains: Yang Style Tai Chi, Sun Style Ba Gua, Shaanxi Xing Yi, and various methods of Qi Gong. Shen Men Tao, translates into English as 'Spirit Gate' or 'Divine Door'.

The Shen Men Tao Mission Statement is to approach the various practices from a peaceful, prayerful, meditative place inwardly and to allow that state of mind and heart to permeate the practices outwardly. The practice agenda is to combine and unite the complimentary opposites of Yin and Yang, to center and ground these energies to establish a firm root, and then to elevate the united, rooted energy and present it openly to the world with peaceful, prayerful, loving intentions for the benefit of all. When mind and body are successfully joined together in mental intent and physical function through the training methods, the resulting union is the key which opens the "Spirit Gate" or "Divine Door" and allows the expression of energy far surpassing that of either mind or body alone.

--Gary Stier, Grandmaster of Shen Men Tao

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is the dance of the Tao. The beautiful movements of this ancient martial art gently flow in circular patterns to the rhythms of nature. The overall style of the postures is designed to express the perpetual interaction of the polar energies of yin and yang through the ebb and flow of movement to front and rear, side to side, above and below. Individual postures were inspired by the motions of various creatures and the forces of nature after which they are named.

Students of Tai Chi are encouraged to practice their exercises outdoors, close to nature, in order to embrace the qualities and energies of these natural phenomena.

The intial sequence of postures is designed to improve and maintain physical health, thereby prolonging the normal life span, while calming the mind and stabilizing the emotions. The expansive circularity and slow speed of this exercise encourage the integration of mind and body, producing a unified power. Special emphasis is given to developing strength, flexibility, balance and self-control.

Ba Gua

Master Sun Lu-Tang's Ba Gua Zhang differs from other styles in the powerful simplicity of its movements. Unlike many styles, Sun Style Ba Gua contains no Xing Yi or Shao Lin postures in its form sets. Additionally, all postures are practiced with circle walking, both forward walking and backward walking (rare in other styles) as a moving Qi Gong. The palm changes are performed when changing from forward walking to backward walking or vice-versa and when changing the direction of walking from left to right or vice-versa.

Sun's Style is characterized by very quick and agile footwork and extremely rapid changes of direction while walking either forward or backward, all of which he was very famous for as a fighter, or boxer during his lifetime.

Xing Yi

Xing Yi Quan, or five elements boxing, is one of the three components of Shen Men Tao. It incorporates movements which express the elemental qualities of all natural phenomenon. The five elements are: metal, water, wood, fire and earth.

Xing Yi Quan also incorporates Twelve Animal styles which imitate the movements and mental attitudes of various creatures in nature such as the tiger, bear, snake, crane, hawk, monkey and others. The variety of strategy and technique allows the Xing Yi practicioner to develop a personal style of self defense best suited to his or her own body type and personality. This also develops the ability to change tactics and styles when necessary in order to neutralize the fighting style of different types of opponents.

Specific animal styles develop unique physical qualities which are benficial both for health and for self-defense. For example, Crane teaches balance. Bear teaches strength. Monkey teaches agility. Through these forms, Xing Yi exercises mind and body to express the potential of both as one.