Five Animal Training Stages

   There are three stages of training for the animal student, each stage is considered to be equally as important as the other. After he has memorized the sequences of movements in the form the student begins the first stage of training.

The First Stage:

   At the first stage of the Five Animals training, the student practices the form slowly with soft flowing movements as if it were T'ai Chi Ch'uan form. In this manner the new student learns to relax and practice the sets as a form of moving meditation. This stage of training develops the essences of those animals that contribute internal strenght.

The Second Stage:

   The second stage of training is practiced on an external level. In this stage the new student practices the form at speed of most Kung Fu sets, while placing the emphasis on the development external strengh and conditioning. This is the time the student needs to develop and practice speed and power.

The Third Stage:

   In the third stage the new student puts everthing together to perform the Five Animals form complete with each animal spirit and strenghts. The students form becimes a balance mixture of hard and soft techniques, comprising both external and internal movements.

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