Known for Spirit (Shen)
Characteristics Include: Awareness, Whirling, Deception, Weaving, Whipping, Riding the Wind
The dragon is the first animal of the Shaolin Five Animal form. It is known for ferociousness and lightness stalks and attacks with the swift counter movements. Although the existence of the Dragon is only legend, it has come to symbolize grace and beauty along with tremendous power. In Chinese mythology, the Dragon comes from water, and it’s movements are very fluid like and circular. The Chinese Dragon has a long snakelike body with short arms and legs with sharp claws. The Dragon Style uses it’s claw to grab and hold while delivering a powerful blow with another part of the body or using it’s body to produce great power by leverage on an opponents joint. Much of the Dragons power comes from a circular movement such as twisting the body, and the development of internal power called “Chi”. Dragon training will develop internal strength as well as smooth fluid like movements.
Known for Bone Strength (Gu)
Characteristics Include: Power, Strength, Ferociousness, Aggression, Straight Forward
The Tiger is the second animal of the Shaolin five animal form. Its is noted or strengthening the bone and developing agility in strike and jumping. The tiger is known for it’s powerful claw and great external strength and agility. Tiger training will produce tremendous strength in the bones, joints tendons. Many of the exercises are designed to strengthen the back and spine as well as the arms and forearms. The Tiger claw differs from the Dragons claw because it will pull, rip or tear at an opponent whereas the Dragon claw will hold an opponent. The great strength comes from a twisting of the body and using the ground to develop powerful blows and kicks. Many of the blows and kicks are delivered from the bow and arrow stance and the horse stance. Besides being the most physically challenging of the five-animal form, the student will develop the prow lessness of and attacking tiger. This mental attitude will help the student deliver as well as take the powerful blows of an attacker
Known for Energy (Chi)
Characteristics Include: Speed, Flexibility, Patience, Grace, Deception
The Snake is the third animal of the Shaolin five animal form. The methods develops internal power and speed and both lone and shorthand strikes are used. The Snake is far different from any of the other animals. The Snake does not have any legs, which means it must derive it’s power from coiling it’s body the exploding with great speed to strike out at its opponent. The Snake style uses it’s fingertips and palms to strike at an opponents pressure points. Since the snake has no arms or legs, it’s strikes must be offensive and defensive at the same time. The Snake must be able to generate great internal energy and release it at will with each blow. To do this a student must fight from a relaxed state. The more relaxed a student is the more power he of she can generate when moving from a ready position to an offensive strike. The Snake style is the opposite of the Tiger style. Whereas the Tiger style uses hard powerful defensive blocks and hard offensive blows to defeat an opponent, the Snake uses hard and soft internal power to defeat an opponent.
Known for Muscle Strength (Li)
Characteristics Include: Speed, Power, Ferocity, Deadly, Sneaky, Stealthy
The Leopard is the fourth animal of the Shaolin five animal form. It is noted for its destructive striking power. Although not as powerful as the Tiger, the leopard combines speed an agile footwork to overcome it’s opponents. The Leopard uses a combination of short and quick powerful strikes to slowly confuse and defeat it’s opponent. Kicks are short and normally directed towards the opponents groin or abdomen. This animal does have great defensive technique. The leopard moves ever so slightly to enough to deflect an opponents blow and strikes at the first opening it sees. The Leopard’s footwork will develop great balance and quick reaction time.
Known for Essence (Jing)
Characteristics Include: Balance, Softness, Elusive, Grace, Self-Control
The Crane is the fifth animal of the Shaolin five animal form. It symbolizes the spirit and physical strength of a man. The Crane is a very patient animal. It’s ability to stand on one leg for many hours and not move is a testament to its concentration and focus. It’s postures, develops alertness, balance, and coordination. Its ability to defeat an opponent comes from its ability to hook an advisories blows, divert them and strike weather from in close or from a distance. The Crane’s long wingspan and legs have been developed into the Shaolin five animal form to allow a student to place some distance between him and his opponent. Using the Crane’s beak to strike, or a sweeping kick to knock an opponent to the ground are only some of the ways the Crane style can defeat you. Crane training is excellent for developing the fingers, arms, and legs.
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