Shaolin 5 animals
From the earliest times Shaolin kung fu has featured five styles derived from animal movements called the 'Ng Ying Ga'. This article explains what the five animals are and what characterises the kung fu movements based on them.
[Article now reproduced on the official BKFA web site]
Dragon
The dragon (lung4) style represents the cultivation of the spirit. Pronounced back arches, side horse stances and twisting body postures feature strongly in the style. Flexibility and graceful movements are stressed.
Tiger
The tiger (fu2) style emphasises the training of the bones and has movements characterised by use of the shoulders and the waist held strongly. Short arm clawing strikes and power developed through dynamic tension exercises are incorporated with a vigorous style.
Leopard
The leopard (pau3) style represents bravery and martial ferocity. It requires the development of strength and features a strong waist and lower extremities. The leopard style also requires the development of power and speed and swift penetrating strikes.
Snake
The snake (se4) style emphasises the development of 'chi' and employs highly accurate strikes to vital areas. Classic snake style is characterised by the use of flexibility, elasticity and diagonal movements. Snake style attacks employ shooting hand attacks striking to the opponent's venerable regions.
Crane
The crane (hok6) style is characterised by training of the sinews. It requires quick movements and a well developed sense of balance and practitioners will make use of deflecting, jabbing, hooking and poking movements frequently to an opponent's vital areas. Long arm attacks and use of the waist to generate power are combined to form a graceful style that overcomes aggressive attacks by skilled, almost passive, deflections.
As a style derived from the Shaolin kung fu Lau Gar also incorporates movements based on the Shaolin 5 animals.
