Walk the
Eight Paths
Ba Shen Zhang — an original American Kung Fu system. Five martial disciplines forged into one transformative path. Practical self-defense, ancient philosophy, and a community that has your back.
Our Mission
Build strong bodies, disciplined minds, and compassionate hearts — warriors of wisdom who walk the Eight Paths in all aspects of life.
☷ Earth · ☶ Mountain · ☵ Water · ☴ Wind · ☳ Thunder · ☲ Fire · ☱ Lake · ☰ Heaven
Class Schedule
Three classes.
One path.
Every class is designed for real-world application — whether you're 5 or 90, brand new or experienced.
Every Monday
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Mighty Kids Kung Fu
Ages 5–13
Confidence, coordination, and discipline through age-appropriate kung fu fundamentals, games, and character development.
2nd Wednesday of Each Month
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Women's Self-Defense
All Women
Practical awareness, escape techniques, and confidence-building in a supportive, women-only environment.
Every Saturday
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Ba Shen Zhang Kung Fu
Ages 14+
The full system — striking, footwork, forms, conditioning, partner drills, and philosophy. Our flagship class.
The Eight Paths
Eight sashes.
One complete journey.
Each sash maps to an I-Ching trigram, guiding students from Earth's receptive foundation through Heaven's creative mastery. The Green Sash (Wind) is the pivot — the point of transformation.
1st
Earth
Foundation
2nd
Mountain
Stillness
3rd
Water
Persistence
4th
Wind
Pivot Point ✦
5th
Thunder
Awakening
6th
Fire
Clarity
7th
Lake
Openness
8th
Heaven
Mastery
Five Influencing Arts
What We Teach
Training for
real life
Ba Shen Zhang blends five martial disciplines into one complete system — practical self-defense, internal development, and philosophy woven together.
Ba Shen Zhang
Eight Divine Palms
Striking, footwork, forms, conditioning, and partner drills — built for practical self-defense and long-term development.
Self-Defense & Chin-Na
Joint Control & Awareness
Realistic scenarios, awareness, and joint-control techniques to protect yourself and others with confidence.
Shan Gudaide Shou Chuan
Mountain Ancient Palms
Internal training similar to Tai Chi — breath, structure, and mindful movement for adults and seniors. Available upon inquiry.
Why 8 Paths
More than a gym.
A way of life.
You're not just joining a class — you're stepping onto a lifelong path of discipline, respect, and self-discovery.
Principles you can live by
Training develops focus, balance, resilience, and discipline you can apply at home, work, and in the community.
A dojo culture that feels like family
Students support each other with respect and humility — senior students lead by example, and instructors guide with patience and care.
A complete path of study
External skill, internal development, and philosophy — so you grow beyond technique into self-mastery.
Structured, measurable progress
A clear rank system from Novice to Master — 8 levels, 23 sashes. You always know where you are and what comes next.
About Us
A living lineage.
A new tradition.
8 Paths Dojo was founded by Master Jonathen Talbott, creator of Ba Shen Zhang Kung Fu (Eight Divine Palms) — a modern American system guided by timeless principles, uniting traditional influences from China and Japan with a clear framework of science, philosophy, and personal mastery.
Today, 8 Paths Dojo serves the Boonville community as a place to develop practical self-defense, disciplined character, and compassionate leadership. Whether you are brand new or experienced, you'll find structured instruction, high standards, and a respectful dojo culture committed to preserving life and serving others.
Lineage
Grandmaster William Talbott Jr.
Primary lineage — "The Black Dragon"
Grandmaster Raymond F. Pridgen
Primary lineage — "The Ivory Eagle"
Grandmaster Christopher Dean
Additional instruction — "The White Tiger"
Simple Pricing
Invest in yourself
Your first class is always free. After that, choose what works for you.
Try It
Your first class, no strings attached
- Full class experience
- Meet the instructor
- No commitment required
Drop-In
Train when your schedule allows
- Pay as you go
- Any class, any week
- No long-term contract
Monthly
Unlimited classes, maximum growth
- All classes included
- Save $20+ vs drop-in
- Family & military discounts
- Priority rank testing
- 15% off next month when you refer
15% off for families, active military, veterans, and emergency service members. Discounts can stack up to 30%. Refer a friend — when they complete their 4th visit, you get 15% off your next month.
Contact
Ready to
begin?
Your first class is free. Reach out to schedule a visit, ask about class times, or learn what to bring.
Phone
(812) 329-0040Location
2nd Floor, 123 W. Main St, Boonville, IN 47630
Schedule
Mon: Kids 6–7pm · 2nd Wed: Women's Self-Defense · Sat: Adult Kung Fu 5–7pm
FAQ
Questions? Answers.
If you don't see your question here, reach out and we'll help.
No. Beginners are welcome. We'll guide you through fundamentals step by step.
A white cotton t-shirt and black sweatpants, with socks or bare feet. No spandex, yoga pants, or short shorts. Remove jewelry and accessories before training. All uniforms must be clean and free of stains.
Yes. Your first class is free — reach out to schedule your visit and we'll walk you through what to expect.
We teach Ba Shen Zhang (Eight Divine Palms) Kung Fu, plus Self-Defense and Chin-Na. Shan Gudaide Shou Chuan (Mountain Ancient Palms) — an internal art similar to Tai Chi — is available upon inquiry.
Ages 5 to 90. Mighty Kids (5–13) train Mondays, adults (14+) train Saturdays, and Women's Self-Defense is the 2nd Wednesday of each month.
Yes. 15% off for families, active military, veterans, and emergency service members. Discounts can stack up to 30%.
Yes! When someone you refer completes their 4th visit, you receive 15% off your following month's membership.