Chinese Animal Boxing

Chinese (free form) Animal boxing is one of the most exciting and demanding animal gung fu systems. Unlike other systems, animal boxing is void of sets or forms, rather one learns distinct animal movements, how to use them for self defense and sparring, and them combines them, free form, to create unique sets. I began studying free form animal boxing over 21 years ago, and even though I did not stay with my teacher, I continued to research, study, and learn animal boxing. I mainly continued by researching other systems that include animal forms, such as Hung Gar, Toy Gar, White Tiger, Black Tiger, White Crane, Choy Li Fut, and Kenpo and added these movements and philosophies to the boxing method.

The first written (known) work on animal boxing was by Hua Tuo and it was written over two thousand years ago. His style was based on the five animals, tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird. This was a health-based art.

In Chinese free form animal boxing the tiger is the first animal taught, then crane, panther, and leopard. These animal styles represent the basic level of animal boxing. The snake and chicken are taught next, and these styles are for the intermediate levels. Next one will study the mantis, centipede, and monkey styles for the advanced levels. At the highest level one will finally learn the dragon style. When learning the individual animals at each level you will also learn higher-level techniques for previous animals, their applications, and fighting skills.

Unlike most external styles Chinese animal boxing does not give belts or rank to the practitioner, rather when certain skill levels are reached one will move onto other animals or higher-level techniques. The skill one reaches is their only reward, a personal gain one will cherish for a lifetime.

Each animal plays a different role in skill development, and each animal has basic, intermediate, and advanced techniques. Here are a listing of some of the animals and their skill sets:

Tiger:

The tiger is a fierce predator; strong, powerful, and agile, but also is a patient hunter, and wise in its attacks. At the basic level one will learn low stances, for strength building, clawing techniques, grabbing, and striking movements. Intermediate level will continue to build on the basics and bone, sinew strengthening techniques, speed, lunging, grasping moves, and circular motion. At the advanced levels one will learn stalking, patience, and further development of past techniques.

Crane:

The crane is a structurally weak animal, and depends on quick reactions, avoidance, and quick strikes to survive. At the basic level one will learn basic crane wing blocks and strikes, crane beak block and strikes, and balance building techniques, at the intermediate level one will study crane jumping and spinning moves while advancing in crane beak and wing techniques. At the advanced level one will study the redirecting/avoidance and diving skills of the crane.

Panther: The panther, like its feline cousin the tiger, is a fierce predator; strong, powerful, and agile, but also is a patient hunter, and wise in its attacks. The main difference is the hand forms and stances; the panther lends itself to many fist forms and higher stances than that of the tiger system.

Leopard:

Snake:

The snake is often known for its speed and deadly strikes, but the snake world can include many other aspects. The patience of a viper, the stealth of the cobra, the power of the boa, and the accuracy of the rattler, are just some of the many aspects of snake boxing. In the early stages of training one will learn the hand forms and basic strikes of the snake, building speed through repetition and patience of postures. The next stage will bring more hand forms, techniques, and speed drills, and then one will learn basic trapping, strangulation, vital striking, and blending skills. The advance levels bring the addition of deadly strikes to the pressure points.

Chicken:

The chicken is known for its balance and speed. This boxing style relies on chicken wing techniques, pecking strikes, and fluttering steps. A chicken cannot fly but rather jumps and glides through the air.

Mantis: The mantis is famous for its trapping techniques and sticking hands. Slapping hands and low kicks are often the techniques of choice.

Centipede: The centipede is known for its agility and ground work. This style covers ground techniques, rolls, take downs, and multiple strikes.

Monkey:

Dragon: