Shaolin is the only system that incorporates the movement of The Five Animals: Tiger, Crane, Dragon, Snake, and Leopard. Shaolin theory of fighting is based on circular movements, speed, conditioning, and developing strong internal energy, tendons, and ligaments. This is the essence for producing a superior fighter.

DRAGON Riding the Wind and Indomitable Fighting Spirit. Qualities: Heavy-loose, floating, swinging, circular, whipping motions. Elusive quick combinations- when it moves it's hard to spot. It has a powerful tail that has its analogy in kicking and close line techniques. The Dragon movements develop concentration and will. The Dragon is the symbol of Heaven in Shaolin.

LEOPARD Speed and Power. Qualities: Fast, mighty, strong, muscular and agile. It's faster and more agile than the tiger but not as powerful. It gets in close to do its damage. It hits with enormous impact. Incorporates many crushing techniques and internal strikes with the hands.

TIGER Strength and Tenacity Qualities: The tiger (Hu Xing) has ferocity, strength, speed and tenacity. Its hand strikes and clawing techniques are quick and deadly. A tiger is fast and its attack is a pressing action, like being run down by a car. The Tiger Claw (Hu Zhua) is used for ripping, twisting, gouging, raking, clamping, pulling, thrusting, and holding.

CRANE Grace and Balance Qualities: The crane is like water- it's agile and yielding. It allows the opponent to defeat himself through his own momentum. It has excellent balance and is good at disturbing the balance of others. It has strong wings (arms) and knees and uses them often and effectively. The crane generates power by rising and dropping its weight and from turning and rotating its torso and spine.

SNAKE Suppleness, Rhythmic Endurance and Inner Power Qualities: The snake is powerful and flexible. It is supple and crackles with inner energy. It attacks the soft areas, the vital points, the places where there are shadows- under the arms, under the chin (neck/throat), the groin, under the ear, solar plexus, etc. It goes for the pressure points. It uses choking and restricting techniques. It grapples and wraps around an attacker's body to break and crush things. It pokes with the fingers (snake strike) and toes (snake kick).