Animal Styles in Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin styles of Kung Fu have involved animal forms and styles since
the creation of the art. The monks looked to nature for lessons on
everything and they believed that by understanding the flow and balance
of nature, one could then understand any other topic. Nature's demonstration
of how it's best fighters moved and acted would be the basis or their art.
Over the centuries, many different animals styles and techniques have evolved.
Some of them attempt to look and move exactly like the animal they mimic,
and others are simply inspired by the mechanics or the "feel"
of the animal’s movement and attitude. The following is an explanation
of some of the better-known animal styles.
The tiger teaches tenacity and power. A tiger charges straight forward
into battle, ripping and tearing with it's powerful front paws by driving
itself forward off it's rear feet. Tiger style emphasizes low, powerful
forward stances. In striking, the spine is aligned with the rear leg to
create a very solid position. Most of the hand strikes utilize an open
palm with the fingers curled into claws. This hand position is used to
deliver crushing palm strikes.
The dragon teaches us to ride the wind.
The dragon is a mythical beast, which combines the attributes of each
animal. It will float on the wind (evading and flowing with attacks)
until it's opponent begins to tire, then it will seize the opportunity
and drive right through it's opponent, delivering crushing strikes and
ripping attacks.
The snake teaches supple flexibility and internal power. Snake
style focuses on low, evasive stances and pinpoint striking. A snake will
coil itself up to develop power for the strike. In this way, the weight is
often kept back with the rear leg bent so that one can spring forward off
of it to deliver highly accurate strikes to the opponent's softest targets.
These strikes generally utilize the tips of the fingers. Snake style tends
to emphasize quick movements and deep stances so that one can project their
energy outward with each strike.
The leopard emphasizes cunning,
endurance, and determination. The leopard will pursue its prey over many
miles, wearing it down for the kill. Leopard style therefore trains a
student in the ability to outlast his opponent and wear him down with
fast, sharp hand strikes. These strikes use the leopard's paw fist. The
fingers are curled in to strike with the second knuckles. This fist is
intended to deliver penetrating power from quick, snapping strikes.
The crane could be considered the
antithesis of the tiger. It teaches grace and patience. A crane will
stand on one foot for hours, demonstrating it's patience and balance.
The crane fights by evading attacks and counters by beating its wings at
its opponent and delivering pinpoint strikes with its sharp beak. This
style emphasizes loose, upright stances and quick evasive techniques.
The hand strikes involved with the crane style utilize either an open
palm with fingers straight (crane's wing or willow-leaf palm) or the
crane's beak, where all the fingers are brought together to form a
rigid point. One of the signature techniques of crane style is to stand
sidelong to your opponent with one arm outstretched toward him, and the
other stretched out behind you. The lead hand is used to confuse and
distract him by waving it about and feigning strikes. When there is an
opportunity, the rear hand swings in from behind striking the opponent.
When speaking of animal forms, one cannot
forget to mention the many styles of Praying Mantis Kung Fu. The mantis
is patient and controlling. It will sit, barely moving until it has an
opportunity, then it will seize it's opponent with lighting speed and
destroy it. Mantis styles use a hand form like the crane's beak but with
the fingers more extended and the wrist bent down sharply. This "hook
hand" is used to redirect an opponent's attacks and control his hands.