THE TIGER-CRANE SET
Performing the pattern “Single Legged Flying Crane” to bring out its essence
The Tiger-Crane Set is the legacy of Uncle Righteousness. This set, which has only 36 patterns, is different from the Tiger-Crane Set of Grandmaster Lam Sai Weng which has 108 patterns.
Yet, there are more tiger patterns in our set than in Grandmaster Lam's set. This is because in our set all the patterns (except the salutation at the beginning and the end) are different, whereas in Grandmaster Lam's set many patterns are repeated. Important tiger patterns like “Lazy Tiger Stretches Waist”, “Hungry Tiger Returns to Den” and “Catch Tiger in Mountain” in our set are not found in Grandmaster Lam's set.
The Tiger-Crane Set manifests the “hard” and “soft” of Shaolin Kungfu. “Hard” and “soft”, however, are relative and complementary. Hard tiger patterns, for example, can be soft, and soft crane patterns can be very hard.
Aiming for Excellence
Much attention is paid to details to enable students to attain excellence. Notice how Molly performs the set. Note, for example, the sinking of chi to the dan tian, and the rotation of the waist.
Salutation Patterns from Uncle Righteousness' Lineage
This is the greeting from Uncle Righteousness' lineage, and it contains the patterns “Black Tiger Presents Claw”, “White Crane Flaps Wings”, “Dragon and Tiger Appear” and “Two Tigers at Ready”. After the greeting, Molly proceeds to the patterns “Show Dragon Hide Tiger”, “Four Fingers Piercing Sky” and “Flying Bird Flaps Wings” in the Tiger-Crane Set.
Variation in Single Tiger
Molly proceeds to the patterns “Tiger Leans on Wooden Door”, “Tame Tiger with String of Beads”, “Wealth God Tames Tiger”, “Hungry Tiger Returns to Den”, “Fierce Tiger Pushes Mountain”, and “Single Tiger Emerges from Cave”. Notice the stance in the “Single Tiger Emerge from Cave” pattern here is quite different from the one we normally use.
The Famous Tiger-Tail Kick
This video clip shows the patterns “Lazy Tiger Stretches Waist”, “Catch Tiger in Mountain”, “Golden Leopard Speeds Through Jungle” and “Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain”. The body should be quite straight when executing the Tiger-Tail Kick in the pattern “Lazy Tiger Stretches Waist”.
Spirit of Tiger shown in Eyes
Here are the patterns “Hungry Tiger Snatches Goat”, “Fierce Tiger Returns to Highland” and “Thousand Tons Towards Ground”. The spirit of the Tiger should be shown in the eyes.
Transitional Patterns in Tiger-Crane Set
Molly performs the patterns “Separate Clouds to Watch Sun”, “Little Bird Goes up Trellis”, “Old Tree with Roots”, “Butterfly Palms”, “Sun Moon Shadow Hand” and “Satisfied Reincarnation Crane”. Some of these are transitional patterns.
The Secrets of the Crane Patterns
Molly proceeds to some crane patterns, namely “Hungry Crane Seeks Prawns”, “Single Legged Hungry Crane” and “Single Legged Flying Crane”. Some secrets are hidden in the open in these video clips.
Special Hand Form and Footwork
Molly goes on to perform “False Leg Hand Sweep”, “Immortal Plucks Legume” and “Drunken Eight Immortals”. Notice the hand form in plucking legume, and the footwork in Drunken Immortals.
Agility and Solidness of Unicorn Step
The agility as well as solidness of the Unicorn Step in patterns like “Drunken Eight Immortals” and “Dark Dragon Wags Tail” are demonstrated, manifesting the principle of yin-yang harmony. It may appear odd to the uninitiated to find movements that are agile and solid at the same time. Other patterns shown are “Fisherman Casts Net” and “Lohan Emerges from Cave”.
More Energy at End of Set than at Beginning
The concluding patterns of the 36-pattern Tiger-Crane Set are “Return Head Tiger-Tail”, “Black Tiger Steals Heart”, “Show Dragon Hide Tiger”, “White Crane Flaps Wings”, “Tiger and Crane Sound Together” and “Dragons Return to Den”. It is significant to note that Molly is not tired or panting for breath after performing the Tiger-Crane Set. She enjoys a gentle chi flow and has more energy at the end of the set than before she started.
Tiger-Crane Set -- Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu from Wong Kiew Kit on Vimeo.
LINKS
- Returning to the Basics
- Form, Force, Flow and Element of Threat
- Reviewing the Basic Combat Sequences
- Devising Strategies Using Combat Sequences
- Applying Strategies for Effective Combat
- Free Sparring with Prescribed Conditions
- Combat Sequences to Train Spontaneous Attacks and Responses
- Using Strategies and Tactics in Attack and Defence
- It is Heartening to see so Many People Using Kungfu in Free Sparring
- Felling and Gripping Techniques in Shaolin Kungfu
- How Sequence Training and Chi Flow Enhance Combat Efficiency
- The Tiger-Crane Set — Manifesting the Hard and the Soft in Shaolin Kungfu
- The Dragon-Tiger Set — Crystallization of Two Wahnam Traditions
- The Dragon-Form Set — Demonstrating that Softness Can be Very Powerful
- Shaolin Monkey Set — Symbolizing Spiritual Path from Cheekiness to Enlightenment
- Shaolin Five-Animal Set — Gist of Shaolin Forms and Essence
- Shaolin Pakua Set Set — An Exclusive Set Fit for Kings and Generals
- Combat Application pf Pakua — Sharing Secrets for Combat Efficiency
- Beginning to Learn some Monkey Tricks
- Refining Techniques in Combat
- Some Examples of High level Combat
- Collective Effort for Greater Benefits
- Can Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques be Used in Combat?
- Skills are usually More Important than Techniques
- One-Finger Shooting Zen — the Treasure of Shaolin Wahnam
- Raising Levels of Techniques and Tactics in Combat
- Bringing Combat Skills to More Sophisticated Levels
- Monkey Techniques are Flowing and Agile but can be Very Devastating
- Flowing with the Opponent's Momentum
- Beware of the Monkey Tricks
- Marvelous Techniques Beget Marvelous Techniques
- How to Raise your Level of Combat
- How you can Defeat your Opponents
- Employing Sophisticated Kungfu Techniques to Enhance Combat Efficiency
- Systematic Training is Essential for Combat Efficiency
- Raising Combat Efficiency from Basic to Advanced Levels
- Kungfu Philosophy and Swaying Willows
- Hands Pave the Way, Kicks to Clinch Victory
- Six Harmonies of the Double Tiger Claws
- The Amazement and Effectiveness of Monkey Kicks
- A Bag Full of Monkey Tricks
- Gentle and Flowing, yet Very Powerful
- Can your Responses still be Correct and Spontaneous in Real Fights?
- Incorporating Kicks into Combat Sequences
- Elaborate Patterns to Meet Complex Combat Situations
- The Benefits of Understanding and Applying Kungfu Philosophy
- Our Kungfu is a Training of Energy and Mind
- Ensuring Own Safety when Felling Opponents
- The Beauty and Profundity of Shaolin Felling Techniques
- Felling Techniques of the Dragon and the Monkey
- Felling an Opponent Without him Realizing What has Happened
- Pattern Analysis of the Tiger-Crane Set
- Tiger Patterns for Chin-Na, Against Kicks and Countering the Shoot
- Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Tiger Set
- Revealing the Secret Tactic of Leak Hand
- From the Level of Techniques to the Levels of Tactics and Strategies
- Pattern Analysis of the Dragon-Form Set
- Effective Techniques for Fighting on the Ground
- Pattern Analysis of the Monkey Set
- Soft Techniques and Internal Force in Monkey Kungfu
- Interesting Monkey Patterns that are Deadly for Combat
- Pattern Analysis of the Pakua Set
- Pattern Analysis of the Five-Animal Set
- Variety of Techniques in Shaolin Five Animals
- Investigating the Combat Applications of Some Patterns
- Similar Patterns but Different Applications
- Effective Counters against Kicks, Grips and Knee Jabs
- Secrets of Skyward Cannon Punch in Continuous Attack
- Cannon Punch Towards Sky and Fierce Tiger Crouching on Ground
- Flowing Monkey Techniques against Powerful Tiger Claws
- Sophisticated Grips and Sophisticated Counters
- Breaking an Opponent's Elbow and Wrist
- Neutralizing Wrist Lock and the Three Harmonies
- Advanced Chin-Na Techniques and Counters
- Two Stories about Kicks
- How to Respond to Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
- Can Beautiful Patterns and Flowing Movements be Effective in Combat?
- Linking Combat Sequences into a Set
- From Pre-Arranged Sparring to Combat Efficiency
- Crystalization of Combat Techniques from Past Masters
- Hei Sai or the Spirit of Energy
- Manifesting the Energy and Spirit of your Form
- Manifesting the Spirit of the Form
- Kungfu Practice is not just Physical Training but also Spiritual Cultivation
- Fluidity of Form, Energy and Spirit
- Shaolin Kungfu is Chi Kung and Meditation
- Revealing the Secrets of Shaolin Masters
- The Profundity of Shaolin Combat Application
- It is Easy to Fight against Boxers
- Avoiding a Boxer's Strong Points and Attacking his Weaknesses
- Some Effective Tactics against Boxers
- The Strategy of Not Allowing an Opponent to Escape
- The Strategy of Letting Trick Manifesting Trick
- The Strategies of Interception and of Striking Form
- Standardized Routines of Kick-Boxing Attacks
- Some Effective Counters to Kick-Boxing Attacks
- Felling a Kick-Boxer when he Kicks
- The Secrets of Two Tigers Subdue Dragon
- Shaolin Counters against Kick-Boxing and Karate
- Some Important Combat Philosophy and Principles
- It is Relatively Easy to Handle Karate Attacks
- Good Spacing When Executing Kicks
- A Variety of Taekwondo Kicks
- Effective Shaolin Counters against Taekwondo Kicks
- Trapping Legs and Subduing Opponents
- Making Expedient Changes to Surprised Attacks
- The Legacy of Sigung Ho Fatt Nam — Planting Willow in Front of Camp
- Having Fun in Throws and their Counters
- Sharing the Secret of Move Stance Change Step
- Some Unorthodox Felling Techniques Not Commonly Seen
- Felling Opponents with your Stances!
- Beware of Monkeys; they are Expert at Plucking Peaches
- Sophisticated Footwork and Leg Techniques of Monkeys and Gorillas
- Wrestling Throws are Found in Shaolin Kungfu Too
- Real Fighting is Different from Martial Sports
- Who Says there is no Ground-Fighting in Shaolin Kungfu
- An Incredible Secret of One-Finger Zen
- Understanding Muay Thai Fighting Strategies and Techniques
- Various Strategies to Counter Muay Thai Fighters
- Responding to Muay Thai Attacks Spontaneously and Correctly
- Avoiding Opponent's Strength and Attacking his Weakness
- Effective Ways to Counter Sweeping Kicks
- Effective Counters against Knee and Elbow Strikes
- Crouching Tiger against Grab Neck Elbow Strike
- Shaolin Kungfu for Combat Efficiency, Good Health and Spiritual Development