Little Nine Heaven
Jiu Xiao
Home of Little Nine Heaven Scotland
The oldest Taoist martial art system, with origins dating to the Yellow Emperor in 2698 BC. A complete system encompassing martial skill, healing arts, and spiritual cultivation. Mindful Internal Arts proudly represents Little Nine Heaven in Scotland, continuing the authentic lineage.
Mindful Internal Arts
The Official Home of Little Nine Heaven Scotland
Representing the authentic Taoist martial tradition in the Scottish Highlands, under the guidance of Little Nine Heaven UK & Europe.
Head of the System
Grandmaster James W. McNeil
Over fifty years of learning, living and teaching the inner traditions of internal kung-fu.
Grandmaster James W. McNeil
Lao Tzu, Head of Little Nine Heaven
United States
Grandmaster James McNeil is one of only two teachers in the United States certified to teach the complete Little Nine Heaven system. A true master of the Chinese internal arts, his expertise spans Hsing-I Chuan, Chen Tai-Chi, Splashing Hands, Iron Hand, Ba Kua and the complete healing arts curriculum, learned directly from the legendary masters of the tradition and ensuring the authentic transmission of this 4,700-year-old system.
Born in St Louis, Missouri, James W. McNeil moved to California in 1954 and grew up close to the famed Chinatown district of Los Angeles, where he found comfort and enjoyment long before he understood why. In 1966 he visited his brother's kung-fu school under Master Haumea Lefiti, and was amazed at what he saw. He has been learning, living and teaching the internal kung-fu arts ever since.
Historically this knowledge was reserved for the elite few within the closed circles of Taoist societies. It was almost unheard of for any outsider to be accepted as a student by the great masters of China and Taiwan. Grandmaster McNeil had the rare privilege to study with Master Hsu Hong-Chi, known as the man with the magic hands, Sifu Chin Chen-Yen, master of the rare Tzu Men-Chuan, Master Pan Wing-Chow in original Chen style Tai-Chi, and the living legend Master Chiao Chang-Hung, who accepted him as his first and only American student and taught him the complete Little Nine Heaven system, Pa-Kua, Shih-Shui and advanced Taoist methods for health, longevity and meditation.
His work has been featured in Inside Kung-Fu, Black Belt, Masters & Styles, Empty Vessel and many other publications worldwide. He has taught at colleges of Oriental medicine, appeared on television in the United States and Taiwan, produced numerous videos and books, and holds a doctorate in clinical hypnotherapy. He is the founder and director of the Little Nine Heaven Internal Kung-Fu Retreat Center, the only training centre of its kind in the Western world, where students travel from every corner of the globe to learn from him.
Internal Martial Arts Education
Master Haumea "Tiny" Lefiti
Splashing Hands fighting techniques. Awarded the highest degree black belt given at that time.
Sifu Ralph Shun
Southern style Shaolin Five Animals, Wing Chun, Iron Hand and weapons. Obtained the rank of Master Instructor in June 1976.
Master Hsu Hong-Chi, Taipei, Taiwan
Extensive training in Chi Kung and Hsing-I, along with Tui Na, acupressure massage and meditation. Obtained a 4th degree black belt in Hsing-I in 1983.
Sifu Chin Chen-Yen, Taipei, Taiwan
Trained in the rare Tzu Men-Chuan system, known as Poison Fingers, with advanced training in Iron Hand.
Master Pan Wing-Chow, Taipei, Taiwan
Trained in original Chen style Tai-Chi.
Master Chiao Chang-Hung, Taipei, Taiwan
Advanced training in Little Nine Heaven Kung-Fu consisting of fighting, sword and Shih-Shui Kung, along with Pa-Kua, advanced Hsing-I, high levels of Chi Kung and Nei Kung therapy, and advanced meditation.
Learn More
Further reading on Grandmaster McNeil, the lineage and the full system is available on the official Little Nine Heaven sites.
Our Lineage
The authentic transmission continues from Grandmaster McNeil through a direct line of dedicated teachers, each preserving and passing on this ancient wisdom.
Sifu Andrew Jackson
Head of Little Nine Heaven UK & Europe
Stockport, England
Sifu Andrew Jackson is the Head of Little Nine Heaven UK and Europe, and a first-generation student of Grandmaster James McNeil. He established Little Nine Heaven in the UK to bring this authentic Taoist martial tradition to Europe. Sifu Andrew is not only a primary instructor but also a close friend and mentor who, along with his wife and Wu Tao Sister Julie Jackson, continues to develop students in the complete system. His dedication to preserving the art and supporting his students makes him an exceptional teacher and guide on the path.
Little Nine Heaven UK Training
The path of authentic Taoist martial arts
The Curriculum
The Three Skills
Little Nine Heaven comprises three essential disciplines, each developing different aspects of martial and spiritual cultivation.
Ju Kung
Boxing - Fist Method
The martial foundation of Little Nine Heaven, rooted in the five element theory of Classical Chinese Medicine. Through five forms, twelve animal expressions, three rushing methods, five harmonies, and nine essential principles, practitioners cultivate the wei qi (defensive energy) while strengthening the sinews, bones, and marrow. Each movement follows the natural pathways of the meridian system.
Chian-Kuan Jen
Swordsmanship - The Way of the Blade
The straight sword (jian) practice develops the shen (spirit) and yi (intention) through precise movements that mirror the flow of qi through the body. Training cultivates heightened awareness of the energetic field, refining the connection between heart-mind and physical expression. The sword becomes an extension of the practitioner's own vital energy.
Shi Shui
Bone Marrow Washing - Nei Gong
The supreme internal practice for nourishing the jing (essence) at its deepest source. Through specialized breathing, visualization, and subtle movement, practitioners cleanse stagnation from the bone marrow, stimulate the production of blood and qi, and rejuvenate the kidney essence. This practice directly addresses the root of vitality according to Taoist medicine.
System Components
5
Forms
12
Animals
3
Rushes
5
Harmonies
9
Essentials
At its higher levels, the system also draws on classical I-Ching wisdom, weaving cosmological understanding into the martial practice.
Related Styles
Little Nine Heaven is the root system from which many famous Chinese internal arts developed. Our curriculum includes training in these related styles:
Chinese Healing Arts
The martial and healing aspects of Little Nine Heaven are inseparable. Understanding how to heal is essential to understanding combat.
Chi Kung
Cultivation of vital energy through breath, movement, and intention to harmonize the three treasures
Nei Kung
Internal power cultivation working with the dantian centres to refine and store essence
Tui Na
Manipulative bodywork following meridian pathways to release stagnation and restore flow
Acupressure
Stimulation of vital points along the channels to regulate qi and blood circulation
Moxibustion
Application of warming herbs to penetrate cold and dispel stagnation through the meridians
Taoist Meditation
Both sitting and standing meditation practices are integral to Little Nine Heaven, cultivating stillness, internal awareness, and the development of subtle energy.
Sitting Meditation
Quiet mind cultivation and internal observation
Standing Meditation
Zhan Zhuang - developing root and internal power
Begin Your Study of Little Nine Heaven
Contact us to discuss private instruction in this ancient Taoist system.
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