Shanliang Li was born officially in the year 2001 and given its name by its founder, David Pearson, although its usage and roots date back much farther than that.

David stopped practicing traditional martial arts in early 1995. He sought to incorporate all that he had studied in a seamless style that flowed in both the spiritual and physical sense. Years of work and practice went into the development of the style that, to that point, had no name.

In 1999, David met Phil Elmore, a self-described student of the martial arts and avid seeker of everything that had anything to do with self defense. They became friends quickly. It was not until a few years had passed that David decided to take Phil up on his offer of a friendly sparring match. The match occurred early one spring day in 2001.

It was after this day that Shanliang Li was born. David and Phil discussed the art over the next few weeks. David made the decision to begin teaching Phil the art over that summer. It was a hard choice to make, for the art is many things: graceful and peaceful, effective and deadly. 

As David's teaching went on, more people became interested in the style.  It now had a name:  Shanliang Li, which means Virtuous Strength. As time passed, more students were accepted into the fold. Shanliang Li is now taught in its physical manifestation -- as a martial art -- and in its spiritual manifestation, which is rooted deeply in Buddhist philosophy.

Each is assessed, at first, by David. Each student must have at least some formal training in a traditional martial art of some kind prior to acceptance for Shanliang Li instruction. 

Shanliang Li has grown from a style known only to one man to an art practiced and studied by many. Its practitioners hope for and work towards its continued growth and improvement over time.