|
|
|
|
Flying Dragon School teaches the Ancient Weapons Systems and Formalized Fighting Forms of the Monks and Chinese Masters. What we offer:
Animal Styles in Shaolin Kung FuShaolin styles of Kung Fu have involved animal forms and styles since the very beginning. The reason for this is that the monks of Shaolin looked to nature for lessons on everything. They believed that by understanding the flow and balance of nature, one could then understand any other topic. So, they looked to nature to demonstrate how it's best fighters moved. 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 simple 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 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. Dragon style involves techniques from the four styles above, as well as a high degree of Qi Na and grappling techniques.
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 (bow stance). 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 and Qi Na. Tiger style training is almost always accompanied by iron palm training.
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 (with a great deal of standing on one foot) 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 (hiding it from him). 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 where he's not looking (often in the groin or floating ribs).
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 (often to the floating ribs and solar plexus). 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, snappy strikes.
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 and opponent's attacks and control his hands. Obviously, hand-trapping skills are very highly developed in mantis styles, as is speed training.
The snake teaches supple flexibility and internal power (Qi Gong). 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 Qi Gong heavily in order to make quick movement in deep stances possible and so that one can project his energy outward with each strike (poison hand). |
|
Copyright © 2001 Flying Dragon Chinese Martial Arts School
|
