Snake (She Xing)
The snake form is to develop and cultivate the internal energy called Chi. Chi is the essence that gives the student focus and penetrating power far superior to ordinary external strikes. Since the snake has no arms or legs, the animal must move with a zigzagging twisting action of his body. To be an effective fighter, the snake student must compensate for his lack of limbs. It can coil his body and raise straight up, as does the cobra, into a striking position. From that coiled position and with devastating speed and accuracy, he straightens his body and strikes out at his opponent. The snake student gains great power and force from just the momentum and twisting action of his body. The student of the snakes advantage and perhaps even more important is in developing and releasing internal energy, chi, with every strike. Since this student traines to be calm and relaxed he posesses much more chi than other animals.