How to Master the Ninja Art of the Crane

The Crane Stylist is light on his feet and moves like a dancer.

Mastering the Ninja Art of the Crane requires an even-keeled temper and the willingness to walk away from a conflict rather than engage it. This style and art refers to one of five animal styles of Shaolin Kung Fu. This Kung Fu stylist is known to be a dancer and considered one of the most beautiful "movers" of all the Shaolin animal styles. The forms are graceful and moving. Each move, each hop, each turn has a meaning and these ninjas are honored for their grace and beauty of movement.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start with the Crane stance, feet facing forward, arms splayed out like wings, raise one leg, pointing toe downward. The Crane stylist uses no weapons. His tools are claws, beak and wings. His movements are fluid and graceful.

2. Place your thumb under your four fingers to form a "beak." This is the only known hand shape in the Crane style and it is called the Pecking Crane's Beak. Remember the Crane style works within the environment harmoniously and avoids conflict but is known to peck, whirl a foot, or slap at an opponent, "accidentally," while moving out of the way.

3. Move away from your opponent. The Ninja Art of the Crane is employed while moving away--appearing accidental and incidental to escaping.

4. Educate your opponent--the Ninja Art of the Crane style seeks to convince their attacker to quit attacking and with patience, will educate the opponent with strikes or kicks, all the while, allowing the attacker to be the purveyor of his own education and undoing. Cranes do not advance or retreat with attack, they simply wait patiently to educate their sparring partner with a well placed, 'accidental' kick, whirl of the foot or peck.

5. Exhibit elegance and grace. The most important aspect of the Ninja Art of the Crane is to understand the that Crane is elegant and empathetic, intuitive and instinctive--and above all light upon the feet. Using empathy, the "Crane" stylist taps into a sparring partner's psyche and will know how to respond to something before it happens.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your back foot facing forward to maintain balance.

• Practice the Crane many times before you use it against a sparring partner to perfect your balance.

References

• Shaolin Kung Fu: The Crane