Shou Shu

Shou Shu "the fighting way of the beasts" or "beast art" is an application art originally derived from traditional Chinese kung fu. The fighting styles, body motion and application of Chi of seven different animals are studied to develop fighting skills. It is called an application art because it focuses entirely on the martial aspect of the art; there is no wasted motion, monotonous repetition or dance moves. It has not evolved into a sport or even a combat sport and therefore has retained only martial application. As a result, many Shou Shu practitioners at lower ranks and in the black belt ranks have taken the art and utilized it in their military, law enforcement, and in the competitive sports ring either at martial arts tournaments or in controlled fighting circuits (cage fighting).

Shou Shu is an art that relies on body motion utilizing flowing and focused chi for its strikes. San Soo techniques are used to teach a novice so that reactions can be developed. Within these concepts, a beginner can be taught basic to advanced joint locks (Qin Na), take downs and throws unique to Shou Shu (considered today to be advanced) and some from Shuai Jiao, a multiple of blocks, strikes, evasions and kicks. Forms are taught within each belt to develop both soft and hard motion, focus, and internal and external Chi. Upon reaching black belt, each beast can be studied taking a minimum of 3 years to master and in most instances up to 7 years.

Although Shou Shu uses both fighting scenarios or techniques and forms to teach its principles, the art is not a form based art nor is it a technique based art. So, concepts learned through various techniques and forms can be dissected, parsed and applied in a variety of training methods to include controlled and free sparring, reactions, ground fighting and attacks, and multiple person reaction attacks. Therefore, it is through mastery of Shou Shu concepts within the context of these training methods, which eventually builds the desired skilled fighting reaction.

With regard to the teaching of the beasts, each beast is its own martial art style or system unique unto itself. Depending on the particular animal, there will be a variety of skills taught: There can be an emphasis on footwork, or joint locks, or throws, including many specialized hand and foot strikes. Some animal motion is more linear; or, by contrast, a particular beast motion will be completely circular. Many of the beasts will have a combination of all these martial aspects. All in all however, the beasts cannot be defined only by what the beast can do in a fight, but more importantly by the unique way in which the beast's Chi moves.

Hei Long Shou Shu teaches Bear, Tiger, Mongoose, Crane, Mantis, Serpent, and Dragon using physical alignments for hand striking, kicks, joint locks, pressure points, grappling and throws.

Wikipedia no longer has a page dedicated to Shou Shu, however HEI LONG SHOU SHU KUNG FU has more information on that particular style.