The 8 Animal Fighting Styles

The Eight Animals Fighting Styles are as follows:

1) Tiger - The Tiger System teaches the student how to release the raw power, and strength within themselves and deals with confrontation directly and headon! He is courageous, blunt in speech and a devasting fighter. Tigers have the perfect balance of emotions and intellect. All of the other animals need something outside of themselves to be complete, but the tiger doesn't. But he still must face himself and overcome his greatest obstacle! Typical examples of tiger stylists would be: George Foreman, Shaquille O'neil, Terry "Hulk" Hogan, etc.

2) Panther - The Panther System teaches the student how to utilize his size, strength, and speed to attack the lower areas of the body. He specializes in groin attacks, and grappling maneuvers. A panther is a very determine fighter and will even sacrifice something to deliver a killing blow to his opponent! Typical examples of a panther would be: Walter Payton, Jake La Motta, and Marvin Hagler.

3) Leopard - The Leopard System teaches the student how to utilize speed, stealth, and cunning maneuvers to overcome his opponent. He specializes in speed, and multiple attacks. He is also the King of Ground Fighting techniques, a typical example of a leopard would be: Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and Michael Jordan.

4) Wild Boar - The Wild Boar System teaches the student how to use the elbows and knees, when getting inside of the opponent's defenses. He also uses volley kicks and punches to bridge the gap to destroy his dreaded enemy! This is a rare fighting style, and there are not many vivid examples of wild boar stylist around. But they would be like Joe Frazier, the character"Re-Run" on What's Happening show.

5) Black Cobra - The Black Cobra System teaches the student how to use the chi and turn the opponent's energy against himself. He uses evading techniques and channels his hatered for the his opponent into fuel to win the fight. He is famous for the "Hiss of Doom" and the "Immovable Stance", good examples of black cobra fighters would be; Roberto Duran.

6) Praying Mantis - The Praying Mantis System teaches the student how to be patient and wait for the opening or to create an opening in the adversary's defenses. He employs chin na techniques, paraylisis techniques through specific vital points which he is a master of at least 365! He kicks are used to cripple the opponent, and usually he has some form of deformity which could be physical, mental, spiritual, or even emotional. Charles Manson is a example of a Praying Mantis gone bad!

7) White Crane - The White Crane System teaches the student how to use the legs as lances, and tear the opponent apart with his feet. He is the kicking master of the art, and is good for balance,and also he is a calculating or thinking type of fighter. He plans his attacks and defenses; and example of a Crane stylist would be Kareem Adul Jabbar, Ralph Sampson, etc.

8) Eagle - The Eagle System teaches the student how to use angles when attacking and defending. He is a master at attacking the eyes and upper body. He also uses chin na for grappling the opponent's arms to neutralize him for the kill. He also employs kicks to the lower body and legs. Examples of an eagle would be Gen. Patton, President Barack Obama, etc.

The you have 56 Sub-Styles which correspond to the 64 Hexagrams of the I Ching.

We also teach the following Martial Arts Systems:

1) Thuggee
2) Afghan Inshinlah
3) Tagore Temple Boxing
4) Pa Kua Chang
5) Hsing I Chuan
6) San Feng Style Tai Chi Chuan
7) Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan
8) Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan
9) Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan
10)Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan
11)Persian Whirling Zende Martial Arts
11)Shaolin Temple Gung Fu of Henan
12)Wu Tang Gung Fu of Hebei
13)Shuai Jiao
14)Chin Na
15)Dim Mak
16)Iron Palm, Poison Hands, and Iron Fist techniques.
17)Tieh Ta Jiu Iron Palm Liniment Formulas
18)Martial Arts Medicine:including traditional herbal formulas, pastes, balms, liniments, acupuncture, tui na massage, cupping, moxibustion, etc.
19) Liu He Ba Fa
20) Traditional Weaponry.

History of Chi Tao Chuan Gung Fu 8 Animal Systems

It was around 120 years ago, give or take a few years, that Professor Ho the Modern Day Founder of our school achieved reknown as one of the foremost Gung Fu teachers of Southern China. He had studied Hsing I Chuan (Xing Yi Quan), Shaolin Kung Fu (Shaolin Gung Fu), Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Ji Quan), Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gwa Zhang), and several other martial arts systems. However, he became perplexed about the arts because he was constantly asked which arts was the best. He perceived Taoist Priests and Chinese Chan Buddhist Monks who had been endangered by wild animals, or bandits, he observed that they had the ability to fade, like a shadow, through the clutches of the attacker. "These monks, having no training are untouchable" he observed. It was then after years of deep meditation and research he found his answer. Which became the foundation for the formation of what is now the International Green Dragon Society and Wu Chi Tao Monastery Temple.

What is the International Green Dragon Society? It is a very old organization. Such organizations and benevolent associations have existed in Chna for centuries on in, especially during times of great social unrest, strife, and lack of central authority in the empire. Therefore, these societies banded together for trade and protection. They provided insurance, burial, care of Orphans and Widows, they even had apprenticeships programs, and soforth. But some of them, (but not very many) also carried on the traditions of the Fighting Arts and Religious Training (striving for Enligthenment), or Peace of the Soul. Some these societies "hired out" Warrior-Priests to protect villages from marauders, bandits, and the caravans, as well as wild beasts. Some were actually in league with the Emperor who "unofficially" favored them. social breakdown was so great that what the Imperial Troops could not do with the troublesome War Lords, the feared "Secret Society" could.

When the first large numbers of Chinese moved to the United States, the Green Dragon Society arrived in the Midwest, West Coast, and East Coast as well. Around 50 years ago Non-Chinese could not study (that meant that even Cantonese who were "non" Chinese!). But about 45 years ago a few Caucasian Buddhists or Taoists who were adopted "Sons" and "Brothers", were granted permission to study. Then about 30 years ago, one could enter upon the recommendations of members of long standing respect, and be subject to 5 years of probationary study before being accepted as a full member of the Society. But today, we have quite a few Masters that are Caucasian, African American, Hispanic or Latino American, and of course Asian Americans. Some them are even Christians! In New York, quite often is the case where in the back of Dry Cleaners or a restaurant, is a Temple Hall (Kwoon), where often the employees work in the business to pay for their studies in Chi Tao Chuan Gung Fu. The Master has few students, In some areas of New York, a Karate Dojo, or Judo Dojo, or even Chinese Chuan Li (Kempo) Hall is open with many students. The Sifu or Master makes a living in the Temple Hall, but he selects only a few (very few) after two or more years as personal students or spiritual sons or daughters.

The Green Dragon Society teaches primarily the feared, famed, formidable, and deadly "Animal System", called Chi Tao Chuan Gung Fu. This system teaches one to fight like a Tiger, Leopard, Panther, White Crane, Praying Mantis, Black Cobra, Wild Boar, and Eagle Spirit Arts. These are not taught in the same manner as Shaolin (Buddhist System), but like the Taoist Systems taught on Wu Tang Shan (Mountain), in Hebei Province. So a student is not taught to immitate the animals by holding various animal hand weapons. The Animals are not for developing Muscles, Bones, etc., but through secret meditation techniques, the Spirit of the Actual Animal fills the Mind of the student so he or she can become... the Animal itself, in strength, action, thinking, and spirit. This is highly dangerous and only this society traditional teaches the classic animal (8 lower trigrams) system.