hmmm, seriously though guys, what can we tell this lad about 5 animals kungfu.

lemme start.

5 animals are the template of old shaolin kungfu.

the template relates to expression of energies in a metaphorical sense, but also there is a measure of mimicry into the human form of the said animals.

the five are:

Dragon, Tiger, Snake, Leopard and Crane.

In metaphorical terms

Tiger- develops strength , muscle and bone

Crane - develops sinews, flexibility

Leopard - develops speed and accuity along with endurance

Snake - develops coiling power, breathing and accuracy in strikes

Dragon- Is an amalgamation of all the traist of the above.

Forms are driven by the principles and not by sequence. However, the principles of the metaphors provide similar shape in practice. Tiger forms tend to be strength emphasized and relentless. Because this is how a tiger is. Transpose that tiger onto a human form and you will have a style that can be called tiger. Crane the same thing, leopard and so on etc etc.

There are of course other animals such as are found in say Hsing I (xingyi) or other styles that capitalize on the same metaphor principled driving points.

Five animals kungfu practice should be able to take anyone of any physicality and bring them all to a similar level of functional ability by touching on the variations found within the animal flavours.

One could go deeper into the study by looking at allegorical tales of the animals or by seeking further understanding of the principles and how they mete out as a trait of such and such an animal.

The original is said to be a set of qigongs known as 5 animals frolic. It was called this because while doing these gongs, people were said to move into a trance like state and their actions and motions resembled those of the animals descibed above.

Mind you, Dragons have always been a composite aggregate of many other animals and this would be used for motion or movement thatresembled all or a few of the animals.

One could also bring in the 5 elements theory to fit with the five animals model and thereby create and even more complex ideology in that regards.

Anyway, Your basic Shaolin Kungfu will have contained within it's curriculum these five animals and in some cases all 5 will be expressed in a single form such as in Hung Gar Ng Ying Kuen or like in Wing Lam's 4 lower tigers style each of the animals has a whole form dedicated to it to focus on those attributes developed through the practice of each.

I think 5 animals kungfu is a good practice regimen for a fighter when combined with modern training and opportunity to explore the techniques in a live fighting situation such as san da or sparring.