Searching For The Best Shaolin Kung Fu Martial Art Is A Difficult Task!
First, even thought they be interesting, we can usually dismiss such arts as Lohan Quan. The reason for this is because they are a different kind of kung fu. Wushu is actually a martial art that has been largely developed by the communist government of China, and one does not feel like learning something which has politically correct overtones, and from which the self defense techniques have been removed.
So we stay with the old styles of Chinese Gung Fu, the versions that leaked out of China before the great cultural revolution. These were the arts passed down through the generations, given from family member to family member to develop a true martial arts lineage. These are the Kung Fu styles in which the fires of true self defense techniques were flamed fanatically.
Many of these old Gung Fu schools claim they are descended from the Shaolin Temple, but there is actually no real proof of the claims. Still, people accept certain martial arts styles as being the real goods when it comes to these claims. Thus we end up with three martial arts which have good lineage, and are of such high quality of Shaolin technique that they can be looked to as a possible answer to the best kung fu.
There are two distinct Praying Mantis kung fu schools, the north and the south, and these can further be broken down into specific styles. The main feature of Praying Mantis (Tong Long) is the hooking and clawing movements, which enable a fighter to keep an opponent immobilized long enough to flatten him. This is a good answer to our question, but tends to be a bit specialized.
There are also many styles of Ving Tsun Gung Fu, which is the art made famous by Bruce Lee (the Little Dragon), and which features the close in strategy of the Sticky Hands exercise. Sticky Hands (Chi Sau) has one of the best methods for creating ‘closed eye’ intuition. It does have several problems, however, such as immobile stances, workability concentrated in on specific ranges, and that type of thing.
The strongest kung fu, but lacking some of the close in work of the previous arts mentioned, is Hung Gar. Hung Gar is also taught as Choy Li Fut, Fut Ga, and so on, and it is considered the quintessential shaolin martial art in China. For all it’s strength, however, it does have certain stylistic problems, as the techniques don’t always relate to real life situations.
Now, of the three arts, I believe Praying Mantis may be the strongest. However, this is a personal opinion, and one should really study all three and focus on the points which are of most personal benefit. Really, in the final analysis, the best Shaolin Kung fu is going to be that kung fu which has been personalized, and which fits the person studying it the best.
For an interesting take on what can be achieved with Shaolin Gung Fu, click on over to Monster Martial Arts and take a look at the Shaolin Butterfly. 2
The Fighting Methods Of The Five Animals Of Shaolin Kung Fu
Thus, to understand the martial arts, we must ask ourselves what martial science were the ancients trying to pass along. Science is science, however, and I think you will find that the real reasons for the five animals are quite logical. Also, you will find that there is a distinct combat strategy behind the animals.
The tiger is an aggressive animal, and he is always on the attack. Claws and teeth, he drags down his opponent and tears him apart. Thus, the direction of the Tiger is forward, and all he does is attack.
The Crane is a lighter animal, giving way as he manipulates and uses legs. He does not run, but rather and deflects the attack to set up his kicks. He does not charge, but fights on the edge of a circle, never letting that circle collapse.
The Snake coils and twists and allows the attacker to get close. The artful deflections of the crane become full blown traps and locks under the trickery of the snake. Thus, the snake gives way without giving way, and the enemy falls into trickiness and deception.
There is some argument whether the fifth animal is a leopard or monkey, and I opt for the monkey. Whichever animal you choose as the best representation of Shaolin Kung Fu, the attribute of the animal is tricky footwork and the ability to acrobat and gyrate out of the fight. Thus, the Monkey (leopard) has the ability to extract himself from the fight and reset the whole thing to whatever animal characteristic he is strongest at.
The fifth animal is the dragon, and this is an imaginary animal which represents all the strengths of the other four Kung Fu animals. The dragon is the embodiment of understanding and employing all animals so that they work as a smooth and embracive strategy. Run, manipulate, trick or flee, the dragon can do anything, smoothly and with perfect timing.
The five animals found in Shaolin Kung Fu represent geometry of motion in space, and a distinct selection of distance of combat. Practice each animal until you have mastered the abilities of that animal, then blend them all together. This is the always winning strategy for combat as developed by the Five Animals of Shaolin Kung Fu.
Al Case has studied Shaolin Kung Fu for 32 years. You can find out about his unique methods of teaching at Monster Martial Arts. Be sure you pick up his free ebook.
