A Chinese saying goes: "There is only room enough on a mountain for one tiger." This is typical for the irrepressible ferocity of a tiger. The tiger is the most strenght-oriented and external of the Shaolin animals. Practising the tiger style develops and conditions tendons and bones. The tiger claw (Hu Zhua) is a typical technique where the hands mimic a claw shape by curling the fingers. Strikes are short and direct and there are different pulls and tears with destructive effects. Stances are deep and rooted.

The art of the monkey is probably the most extraordinary and effective style in Kung Fu. It features a variety of deceiving and maverick techniques. The monkey avoids direct confrontation and prefers surprising and unexpected attacks instead.
Practising the monkey style develops speed, agility and flexibility, as it uses many acrobatic movements, kicks and tricks.

The snake symbolises the internal energy and is traditionally thought to develop the qi. Movements are continuously flowing and are accompanied by quiet and rythmic breathing. Soft, circular movements combined with fast and flexible arms and hands techniques are characteristic for this style. Blows and strikes with the fingertips are emphasised.

Leopard style develops speed and power. The leopard uses relentless series of attacks and techniques on the ground. The main strike used in leopard style is the leopard paw, formed by bending the fingers into a half-opened fist.

Soft movements are typical for the crane. Attacks are not blocked directly but deviated instead. The crane's main weapons are its head, beak and wings, represented by different hand techniques. The number of stances on one leg are a challenge for the practitioner. Practising the crane style develops sinews and balance.

The dragon unites internal and external power. Since it is a mystical animal and not a really existing being, the form consists of many techniques borrowed from other animal styles. Therefore its claw techniques, for example, can easily be mistaken for those of the tiger. The dragon's movements are typically soft and circular, but they hit their target forcefully with the help of qi, which is why right breathing is crucial.

The quick, sudden movements and the speed of this little, yet very dangerous insect demand a high level of concentration and ease of mind. Sophisticated deflections, counters and grappling movements combined with monkey style footwork are characteristical for this style. Hand techniques resemble the insect's front legs, allowing the practitioner to apply grappling techniques and to strike the opponent's soft areas and nerve centres.

Eagle style features a multitude of techniques like leverage, joint manipulation, strangleholds and attacks to nerve centres, but also wide-reaching techniques to dominate close combat. The eagle claw is used for tearing and seizing muscles and tendons.