Shaolin Five Animals
Shaolin Kung Fu features five styles derived from animal movements called the 'Ng Ying Ga'. The five Shaolin animals use very different techniques for attacking and defending. The Ng Ying Ga were developed as a series of distinguishable but complementary movements that mimic the different techniques, enabling the kung fu student to take on the spirit of the animal in combat.

Dragon
The Dragon (Lung) style stresses flexibility and graceful movements, with pronounced back arches, sideways stances and twisting body postures.

Tiger
The Tiger (Fu) style mimics the reactive style of the ultimate predator, with movements characterised by the use of the shoulders and the waist held strongly.

Leopard
The Leopard (Paau) style involves swift, penetrating strikes delivered at speed, requiring considerable strength in the waist and lower extremities.

Snake
The Snake (Se) style is characterised by flexible, diagonal movements interspersed with fast and accurate strikes to vital areas, so students need to master timing, distancing and targeting.

Crane
The Crane (Hok) style requires a well-developed sense of balance to enable quick jabbing, hooking and poking movements and graceful, almost passive deflections.