Here’s a big lie for you: Kung fu is a mythology with no modern combat applications. The idea here is that Kung Fu doesn’t have much to do with combat since it is based upon five ancient animals. That these animals don’t have much to do combat, is so funny it is…funny!

The classical five animals are not the five kung fu animals used in the Shaolin Butterfly. instead of the five classical animals, Butterfly Shaolin uses the butterfly, the crane, the monkey, the tiger, and the dragon. A study of these five animals will easily illuminate the unique battle strategies of Shaolin kung fu.

The butterfly is the first animal, and the Butterfly utilizes the back stance. Because the butterfly must flit and flee to avoid damage, it prefers this stance, which is a step backward.Thus, moving to the rear is the direction of the Butterfly.

The Crane is the second animal, and the Crane utilizes a one legged stance. Standing on one leg and using kicks a student will achieve great balance. Thus, the crane goes in an upward direction.

The monkey, which is the third animal, utilizes a horse stance. When a person drives their weight down they become strong and immovable. Thus, the battle strategy of the monkey is to go in a downward direction.

The tiger is the fourth animal, and the tiger utilizes a forward stance. This stance is designed for charging, for attacking, and it is an aggressive stance. Thus, the tiger goes in a forward direction.

The dragon is the fifth animal, and the dragon utilizes a twisted stance, with the body turned over the feet. This stance is good for spinning to catch an opponent unawares, catching oneself in awkward positions, and so on. Thus, the dragon moves in a spin or a circle.

If you examine the points of a compass you will find the directions that the five animals take, and a strategy based upon handling all incoming potentials of attack. The Monkey goes down and the crane goes up, the tiger goes forward and the butterfly goes back, and the dragon circles, which illuminates a distinct possibility for lateral motion. The directions of these five Shaolin Butterfly animals create a thorough and strong strategy with no weak points–just one of the secrets of the Shaolin Butterfly.

Tags: Self Defence