Animal forms in Kung Fu?

Question

Give me your favorite animal form, tell me it's strengths and weaknesses and why you are recommending it to me (which is what you're doing, sorry I didn't mention that earlier). Please also tell me the level of training (ex. is it like dragon where you pretty much get beat up by your teacher) or just some random stuff about it.

Answer 1

The Duck style : P

Answer 2

tiger claw.its very aggressive. so you never back up.just keep attacking. that suits my personelaty.it has good range whether in kicking distance or grappling distance.so it covers all three ranges. i like the hand strikes such as the tiger claw strike. also check out Wong Fie Hungs ten killing hands in huhung gar. money steals peach is my favorite.

Answer 3

i don't do any of the following just know they are out there. Praying Mantis Kung Fu,Tiger Claw Kung Fu,Monkey Kung Fu

Answer 4

Animal styles can sometimes be like a game of scissors paper stone. If you use snake, its vulnerable to tiger but stronger than crane and so forth. Now what i like to do against some of my fellow experienced students is to manipulate what i want them to do (and they do it back to me sometimes too) What i mean is i will use snake to make them use tiger then switch quick to dragon which is stronger than tiger. I need an advanced fighter to do this with that knows each animals weakness and strengths. Then its a lot of fun ;)

Answer 5

Panda

Too fat

Gets a good brain and cares about others

Answer 6

there is a form of mu thai I think its called savelle or something like that I have sees it done once they also have animal styles within it there is a difference to kung fu in that it plays on the the sise of the animal as well eg. a snake for example will involve rapid attacks to the legs as it is low to the ground. a tiger will leap grab a head and knee strike with force Its different to kung fu any way . as for kung fu I like monkey style as it is interesting to watch.

Answer 7

rarely will you find just one animal. there are many, and even in a "tiger" form...you will maybe use the footwork of a monkey or unicorn for example....the thing is that you're not only mimicking the tigers claws. but the ferocity and power of a tiger.  a tiger controls its prey. it never retreats. nothing will attack a tiger. if you face a tiger one of you will die...you have to project that feeling on your opponent.

tiger is about power, controlling, and ferocity as well as clawing and ripping. it is quite versatile though. you can strike with the tiger claw...you can gouge, rip, tear, grab, joint lock...all sorts of stuff.

a crane on the other hand is weak and doesnt have a strong frame, so it has to evade and attack on angles. but i'ts not very strong so it has to make the most effective use of its power...thus it strikes vulnerable ares such as the eyes, temple, groin, or throat. it also teaches longevity and soft blocking principles

a snake is quick, but small. its entire body is flexible. its weak but when it strikes, its venom is deadly. similar in striking to a crane, but it teaches suppleness and full body coordination.

a leopard is strong, and fast, and attacks relentlessly, almost like a blind rage. it doesnt control its prey as much as a tiger, it wants to knock it off its feet. and it gives everything it has in one sudden burst, then it has to regroup.

you get the idea..

each animal is particularly well suited for specific body types. everyone in the shaolin temple for example learns all animals...but probably only specialized in one or two. personally i love tiger claw. it suits me and what i want it to do.

women, tall lanky people...do well with snake and crane.

short stocky people would do better with tiger or leopard/panther.

the dragon on the other hand is the supreme being. it has all qualities of all the animals. it has jaws like a lion or leopard, its body is flexible like a snake, it flies and evades similar to a crane, it has the claws of a tiger, and the eyes of an eagle. and it is invincible and can live in any environment. it can swim and breathe underwater...it can live and walk on land..it can fly in the sky.

but dragons are not clumsy or reckless...nor are they limited to one thing..they are the most adaptable animal. and are very wise.

but as i said..most styles have "the five animals" or more...but rarely will you find an art solely about one animal.

praying mantis is one, but it isnt strictly mantis either (its also a VERY good style for fighting) ..it is based on 18 martial arts...and uses the footwork of the monkey...i am referring to northern mantis. southern mantis is quite different.

my favs...tiger, mantis, crane (mainly for soft blocks/parrys)