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The Little Monkeys martial arts program is designed for children. However, the martial content that is taught within it can be said to contain the building blocks for all martial art movements. The students unwittingly learn how to flex and shape their bodies to accommodate the learning of the more advanced skills. It is possible to see the beginnings of many of those advanced skills right here in this content. Whether it be from the animal postures, the staff tricks and their related stepping or the way we kick and hold our body they are all contained within this training.
Below is a short description of the 4 animals and one way at looking at their attributes. These four play an important role in the Griffon form behind the idea, methods and movements. We hope that you find this online school a great compliment to your face to face training. If you are doing training via correspondence then not only will you find this a great tool for reference to go with your online lessons but also help you to connect to the ever expanding student body of the Phoenix Arts martial arts system. |
Characteristics of the animals
In the Little Monkeys the animals have a bit more lighter characteristics than what they do in the Griffon program.
Fierce like the Lion
- The idea behind the Lion is because it is an animal that we associate with fierceness and being the 'King' of all the animal kingdom. It matters little if this is truth or not in actuality but most of us have this association. It is the idea of a Lion's fierceness that we focus on. It's strength, power and ferocity.
Fast as the Snake
- We associate snakes with many things but something we can all agree on is that snakes have a certain speediness to them which is appealing to a martial artist. They are soft and 'boneless' things yet they strike hard and fast. It is this aspect that we try to emulate with our strikes. To know when to hit with speed and precision like the snake or blast through defences like a lion.
Regal as the Eagle
- The eagle is a bearing. It holds itself aloof from the world as it soars above and chooses when to alight and interact with the world below. A martial artists needs to know when to involve their emotions and when to remain detached and see the whole picture from above like an eagle. It is then they they can pick how and when to act.
Sneaky like the Monkey
- The monkey is mischievous because of its curiosity. It puts it's nose where it doesn't always belong. But it is this curiosity that separates it and it is this imagination that we use to enhance our individual creativity. Physically this can come out as some pretty 'different' looking movements that seem strange yet at the same time are quite clever in their execution.
