How To

How to Perform the 5 Animals in Shaolin Martial Arts

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor
Rate: (9 Ratings)

In Shaolin kung fu there is a story of a monk, Tao Mo, who took a journey. He came across 5 different animals which he studied and then applied their animal forms to Shaolin Kung Fu. The 5 animal styles of Shaolin Kung Fu are specific fighting styles designed for different body types. Here's how to master these martial arts forms.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Use the tiger form. Stay in the danger zone and use throws, strikes and forceful moves. Keep your hands in an open claw position, like a cat, to strike and dig into the opponent. This animal style is designed for larger people with speed and agility.

  2. Step 2

    Stand on one leg with the other knee lifted to your waist. Create a beak with your hands by pressing your fingers and thumb together. This is the crane form. Now kick, hook your opponent with one hand and strike downward with the other hand. This style is for people with a long reach, good balance and concentration.

  3. Step 3

    Bend your knees and move your hands up to your chest. Point your fingers out and place your thumb in your palm. This is the snake form. The snake is in constant motion. He absorbs and redirects his opponent's energy. Use curricular motions to continuously navigate around an opponent. The snake animal style is used by people of small stature who have good speed.

  4. Step 4

    Move around your opponent at varying angles and attack from the side. Hold your hand up with the palm facing out. Hold your index and thumb out and bend the other fingers in. This dragon style is used buy people of larger stature with strength in kung fu. This form is used to evade, trap and attack the enemy while she is not looking.

  5. Step 5

    Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Angle your hands up in half-open fists. Move at different angles to your opponent. Strike, trip and kick your opponent when attacking. This is the leopard or panther kung fu style. This animal form is meant for larger people who have balance, strength and speed.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

eHow Sports and Fitness
eHow_eHow Sports and Fitness