Kenpo & The Five Animals

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Most students’ favorite training is the 5 animals. Each of these 5 animals resembles the attributes of common peoples’ attitude and traits.

Even though mantis was the first unique fighting form developed in kung fu animals, due to the fact that it is an insect it is not included among the 5 animals of shaolin.

There are many “stories” or “truths” that contradict one another about the origination of the birth of these fighting forms. However, in the history of kung fu we know that monks would observe and mimic nature’s animals subduing or tiring out much larger animals using their own natural weapons for survival.

Unfortunately everyone posses two sides within them a good and a bad, much like a thread having two ends of opposing sides. Kenpo Kung Fu teaches us to control ourselves physically and mentally to maintain greatness in life, so from these animals we can learn many attribute, abilities and philosophical meaning behind them. Keep in mind that the drills listed below are not all that is taught. This is to give in idea of what the five animals of shaolin in Kenpo Kung Fu offers.

NOTE: One should not attempt any of the Five Animal exercises without proper supervision of a trained specialist.

Click on the links below for more information on each of the Five Animals.

Crane | Snake | Tiger | Leopard | Dragon

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