Branch 4: 5 Animal Styles of Kung

  In Vietnamese Martial arts there is a saying:

Enter like a snake,
Withdraw like a tiger.
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 Continuing on with my previous post, I have continued researching and studying the animal styles in martial arts (primarily kung fu) and focused on my animal style the Leopard.  (Leopard style is also linked to panther and beggar style).  Here I will share my findings, personal reflections, and the success of application used in last nights kung fu training session.

In my training session yesterday, I rotated through 4 sparring partners.  In reconnecting, owning, and becoming a leopard--I focused on patience, speed, bating, and angular attacks.  In doing this, I was able to sweep and strike 3/4 opponents.  Sweeps are big because there is high risk involved in going for such an attack.  You have set the rhythm/time of the sparring and either set up the attack or look for the right offered moment to pounce!  You have to slide in, which brings you very close and open--this is where the speed and ferocity comes in.  If you don't own it, the attack will fail and you will be hit.  That happened to me my first round as I was trying to work with these techniques.  Below are some article links to what helped me land my first sweeps in sparring.

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Article #1
The 5 Kung Fu Animal Styles of the Chinese Martial Arts
Black Belt Magazine
By Patrick Sternkopf /Interviewing Steve DeMasco/March 21, 2011

Steve DeMasco 
-martial artist since 1968
-debut in Black belt Magazine in the February 1998 issue
-noted views on the physical and philosophical sides of the Shaolin fighting arts

Excerpt
Kung Fu Animal Style #2: Leopard

Popularity: high
Shaolin saying: “Bend fingers hard, like iron.”
Characteristics: strong, efficient, fast, technical, defined accuracy, capable stealth attacks.
Strategy: strikes quickly to inflict pain, then follows up for the kill.
Targets: soft-tissue regions/other vital areas: the ears, neck, armpits, temples, and groin.
Physical requirements: relaxed muscles, supple strength, quick retraction of arms/legs after a strike.
Training: striking drills that develop accuracy and precision
Trademark: leopard paw, a half-fist that strikes with the second knuckles of the four fingers.
It’s a rigid weapon that makes contact with a small, penetrating surface.
In legend: “Nature’s master of precision and prowess-sharp, efficient and lightning fast.”

(Article Link: 5 Animal Styles )
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Article #2
Leopard (Bao Xing)

Inside Kung Fu Magazine

By Quinn Early

Quinn Early

-12 year veteran of the National Football League. Retired since 1999.

-more than 16 years of martial arts

-numerous national and international competitions/medals in both combative and forms divisions. 

-Early continues study/practice of shaolin five animal k ung-fu from his teacher, master Nathan Fisher.

Excerpt

In China, the leopard's fierce and ferocious power yields only to that of the tiger. Though the leopard is a smaller animal, it is believed to be, pound for pound, stronger. The leopard relies on a lightning-fast, powerful force that is produced from relaxed, whip-like techniques.  It is important for the practitioner to develop a flexible waist, which allows him to develop quick footwork and explosive

strikes.

The main technique used in the leopard form is a leopard fist that penetrates vital areas of the opponent's body, such as the throat, solar plexus and groin. There are also elbow and forearm techniques. The leopard's footwork is quick and short, which helps the practitioner develop strong stable stances.

Three stages of training of Leopard Training

In the first stage, the practitioner performs the whole form slowly, mimicking tai chi or moving meditation. The slow and soft movements massage the organs and lead to health and longevity. The martial artist also learns the essence of each animal by moving slowly and methodically. Breathing is deep and from the abdomen to improve the circulatory system and build the practitioner's qi.

The second stage of training is practiced with external power. The emphasis is on conditioning the bones, tendons and muscles, while developing speed and power. This type of training helps the practitioner build strong stances while increasing stamina and external strength. The five animal practitioner puts all his skills together in the third stage of training. The emphasis is on the spirit

and strengths of each animal-both internal and external energy are intertwined to give each animal life within the form.

Five animal training not only provides the martial artist with the strength and power for devastating fighting techniques, but also teaches him to remain calm and relaxed in even the most dangerous self-defense situations. I have truly benefited from the health aspects I received from studying five animal kung-fu. My kung-fu training contributed greatly to

my success and longevity

(Article Link: Leopard Style)

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