Iron palm training and technique is shrouded in legend and myth. The realities of this devastating technique are impressive and can carry severe consequences. Many Kung-fu and some karate arts use some form of power or “force” training but few use the Iron Palm.

Legend says it sprang from the Shaolin temple and I tend to agree. There are many forms of Iron Palm training out there, some good, some bad. The Iron Palm methods can be broken in two 3 types. External Iron Palm, Internal Iron Palm, and External/Internal Iron Palm.

The method I teach is the External/Internal form. This uses both hard and soft power in the application of the technique. Internal Iron Palm is probably better in the long run but very rare and not many people will teach it even if they know it.

External/Internal Iron Palm is the second most difficult to find. Very few people have done it long enough to teach it. This will be explained later.

The most prevalent form and the one you will find on the internet is really external Iron Palm. This is the most basic form of the drill. Even though it is basic, it will still give tremendous power to the person who trains in it. It is the most dangerous form to practice and can cause health risks even if done correctly.

All the forms of Iron Palm can cause problems. Joint swelling, arthritis, kidney failure, and blindness are just a few.

Some things just can not be learned in a book or on the web. I find it a irresponsible that there are people teaching it on the web or in book. Even a video is not a good way to learn this drill. There are a few reasons why.

One good reason not to learn it from a media source is that you will do it wrong! It is a very subtle drill and even with constant correction, students will make mistakes that can lead to organ problems. I trained in it for 10 years before being certified to teach it. That is a long time for such a “simple” drill. You see the actual training drill looks so simple that a child should be able to do it after watching it for about 30 seconds.

It is not simple and it has a lot of demands. For example, you must do it for 100 days without missing a single day or you start over. You must use a liniment or extremely hot water during the drill, and you must abstain from sexual relations during the cycle. On top of that it takes 45 min. a day to complete. This is serious Kung-fu.

Another reason one should not teach over the net, in videos, or books, is that not everyone needs to know the drill. I know that sound elitist, however, about halfway through the cycle, some really serious psychological side effects can develop. I equate it to a “roid rage” the student can become very aggressive and combative. I guess it is because of the re-wiring of the Chi, what ever the reason, very laid back people become very hostile. It takes tremendous discipline to remain level headed and beginners are not ready for that.

The last reasons one should not learn from anyone other than a good teacher is that you can really hurt someone bad, maybe kill them! Even if it was not on purpose you will wind up in prison. Learning Iron Palm before you are mentally ready is like giving a nuclear bomb to some third world nation ending in “stan” Nothing good will come from it.

I teach the drill but not to all my students. I choose the ones that are ready. If you are interested in learning Iron Palm I would urge you to stay away from it until you find a good teacher.