Born in East Los Angeles in 1953, Steven Baugh’s life was a testament to the power of martial arts as a path to strength, discipline, and spiritual growth. From an early age, growing up in the tough neighborhoods of South L.A., Steven sought a way to defend himself but found something far greater. Living near Chinatown gave him access to the vibrant Chinese martial arts scene of the 1960s and 70s, and it was there that his journey truly began.

Steven was first accepted as a student of Grandmaster Ark Wong, one of the first masters to openly teach kung fu in America. He trained alongside future legends like Dan Inosanto, Doug Wong, and Eric Lee, gaining deep roots in traditional systems during what many consider a golden era of Chinese martial arts in the United States.

Throughout his life, Steven continued his training with a relentless passion-studying Tai Chi, Ba Gua, Hsing-Yi, and Chi Gung from masters like Marshall Ho, Ho Hsun Chi, and Share Lew. He became a senior instructor in Tai Chi Praying Mantis under SiGung Kam Yuen and embraced Taoist and Buddhist teachings, later becoming an ordained monk under the Hsu Yun Temple.

In 1994, Steven founded the Lohan School of Shaolin in Las Vegas. What began with a few students in his garage blossomed into one of the city’s most respected martial arts schools, known for preserving traditional kung fu, lion dance, and internal arts. His school remains a cultural pillar in Las Vegas’s Chinatown and has been recognized by UNLV for its historical significance.

Steven Baugh passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on through his students, his teachings, and his unshakable belief in the values of martial tradition.

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