Tiger Crane

Tiger and Crane form

This is a very rare Tiger and Crane form. This tiger and crane form is from the Hung Gar system I believe, but it is not one of the forms that Sifu Fiedler learned from Grand Master Mark Chan. The forms that Sifu Fiedler learned at Green Dragon is Basic Dragon form, Moi Fah Form, and Monk Form, all of these forms were taught to Sifu Fiedler while at Green Dragon Kung Fu School. It was taught to Grand Master Chow who taught this Tiger and Crane form to Sifu Fiedler. In fact Sifu Fiedler had to learn a form with special teachings from many styles and systems before being aloud to learn the Ying Yee animal forms. What was told to Sifu Fiedler is everyone of the forms taught to us from Grand Master Chow's system, has a special type of technique or method, giving us great basics, intermediate, and advanced techniques. Plus all of the element fists that are usually taught in normal Ying Yee schools as the Five Element fist forms. They either teach one form for each element, or they teach one form with all of the five element fists connected, like a linking form.

Three students doing Tiger and Crane form, this is not from Hung Gar, this is from Grand Masters Chows Ying Yee

There are many types of Ying Yee now, as Ying Yee moved around China, it split into many different groups. We have to remember that it is one thousand years of age. And one of China's most powerful Generals, created our Ying Yee. In fact he taught all of the foot soldiers Eagle Claw Kung Fu, and his officers were taught Ying Yee. I find that so interesting. But then again, we have to be so careful with what we read, being to gullible is not a great thing to do, but being to hesitant to believe anything is not that great either. Some of the Ying Yee systems teach twelve animal forms, some teach ten, others eight. We have the eight animal forms, and the elements are taught in those first forms we learn before the Ying Yee animal forms. Which come in all shapes and sizes from other systems. For instance, the Wing Chun style has a form called Biu Chee, or " Shooting Fingers". this form teaches a certain type of motion, and technique that is very important to learn. Another one of the forms that Grand Master Chow taught Sifu Fiedler came from the White Eyebrow system, teaching students how to use Long Bridge, and Short Bridge seamlessly.

Close to the end of Tiger and Crane form

Another form we have to learn is the Iron Body form, many different styles and systems have this type of form. In fact in most of the systems of Chinese Kung Fu, they have their own type of Iron body, or Iron Vest, or Iron thread, all the same thing. What I explained above is how this form of Ying Yee is taught. There are many other forms from other styles and systems but it is not necessary to go through them here, except for the Tiger and Crane. What is most important to know is each one teaches something vary unique, or very rare. Once a student learns all of the forms that teach the different types of power, technique, and elements. That is when the student can start to learn the Animal forms in Ying Yee. After the animal forms in Ying Yee, is when our system of Ying Yee starts to learn, "Six harmonies, and Eight Methods boxing", that is called, Luk Hup Bah Fah, in Chinese. Sum Yee is also taught in the higher levels of our Ying Yee. Without doubt one of the more knowledgeable systems of Chinese Kung Fu in of itself.

Here are a few motions from the Tiger and Crane form

These motions are not in order because the form is much to long. Plus many of the movements in the beginning of the form are what is known as, Chi Kung, this is where Grand Master Chow starts to teach his, "Chi Kung Work", from this point on, it is a rare look into China's great past.

The form does look a lot like what is seen in Hung Gar's Tiger and Crane form, called the, "Fu Huk Kuen", which is what they are truly famous for. Even though the style of Hung Gar has many types of animals, it is the Tiger and Crane that they concentrate on. One stands for soft, the other hard.