Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Combat Strategies in the Shaolin Butterfly!

By Al Case

Here is the lie: Kung fu is a physical art based on mythology, and it has no modern combat applications. The point is that Kung Fu is based upon five animals, and that these animals do not relate to combat. This idea, that the animals don't relate to combat, is, as we shall see, is so ridiculous it is...ridiculous!

In the Shaolin Butterfly the five kung fu animals are not the classical. The five animals are the butterfly, the crane, the monkey, the tiger, and the dragon. Using these five animals we will illuminate the unique battle strategies of Shaolin.

The Butterfly, which is the first animal, utilizes the back stance. The butterfly prefers this stance because it must flit and flee to avoid damage, and the back stance is a step tot he rear. Thus, the direction of the Butterfly is to move away from the attack.

The second animal is the Crane, and the stance used by this animal is a one legged stance. This stance requires that a person achieve balance, use kicks, all while standing on one leg. Thus, the direction of the crane is upwards.

The monkey, which is the third animal, utilizes a horse stance. When a person drives their weight down they become strong and immovable. Thus, the battle strategy of the monkey is to go in a downward direction.

The fourth animal is the tiger, and the stance used by this animal is the front stance. This is an aggressive stance, designed for charging an opponent. Thus, the direction of the tiger is forward.

The fifth animal is the dragon, and the stance used by this animal is a twisted stance, the body turned over the feet. This stance is good for catching oneself in awkward positions, spinning to catch an opponent unawares, and so on. Thus, the direction of the Dragon is in a spin or a circle.

If you examine the direction that the five animals take, you will find the directions to the points of the compass, and a strategy to match any any incoming direction and force. The tiger goes forward and the butterfly goes back, the Monkey goes down and the crane goes up, and the dragon circles, which, if you examine the potential of motion here, illuminates a distinct possibility for lateral motion. The directions of these five animals, as practiced through the Shaolin Butterfly, create a thorough and strong strategy with no weak points, and this is just one of the secrets of the Shaolin Butterfly.

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