Phoenix Arts Martial Arts
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Lion level 1
The 1st lion posture uses what is commonly known as a forward bow stance in many martial arts.
- The back foot is at a 45 degree angle and the leg is straight
- The front foot points forward and the knee bends to the toe but not past it
- Hips are squared and forward
- Back straight, shoulders set
- Fingers grasping but not clenched
- Arms held up and forward. An "In your face" kind of intention with them
 - Eyes forward and focused
Lion level 2
The 2nd lion uses a lunge footwork and the arms come within the silhouette more so than No.1.
- Back foot's heel points to the sky. Ball of foot & heel are aligned not twisted.
- Front foot points forward & knee bends to the toes but not past
- Hips are squared and forward
- Back straight, shoulders set
- Fingers grasping but not clenched
- Elbows down slightly more as though you're about to pounce on your prey
- Eyes forward and focused


Lion level 3
The 3rd lion uses the cross step as its base and arms separated.
- Start in a lunge
- Turn the front foot outwards (away from you) by 45degrees
- Leading hand grasps and is held behind you with palm pointing in that direction
- Back hand grasps and is held with palm facing forward
- Arms should for a straight line from each other
- Torso is twisted, shoulders set, elbows bent
- Eyes look behind to the leading hand
Snake level 1
The 1st snake uses the reverse bow stance with hands like spears.
- The back foot is at a 45 degree angle and the leg is straight
- The front foot points forward and the knee bends to the toe but not past it
- Hips are turned to the side, making sure not to twist the leading leg
- Back straight, shoulders set
- Fingers form spears and curled slightly
- Arms held up and forward. An "In your face" kind of intention with them
 - Eyes forward and focused
Snake level 2
2nd snake uses the lowest of stances.
- Back foot is turned away from the body, knee is bent as you crouch down and most of the weight is held on it
- Front foot is turned in slightly and the toes are in line with the heel of the back leg. The leg is straight but retains a slight bend for movement
- Both feet stay flat
- The body should be held in between the knees with back straight and shoulders set
-Fingers and arms keep the same position as level 1
Snake level 3
3rd snake is a single leg hold.
- Press heel down and crown of head up
- Supporting leg stays flexed but straight
- Raise one knee and point it forward and towards where you are arms will point. Don't rest your foot on your support leg. Whichever side has the knee raised is the leading side.
- Fingers and arms like the previous levels.
Level 1 Eagle
This is the first animal to use a single leg hold.
- Press heal to the ground of the support leg and crown of head to sky
- Raise one knee up and to the side, point the toes down, don't rest the foot on the support leg
- Raise arms to shoulder heights and they should form a solid line with each other
- Hold fingers and hands back and doing the lions grasp
- Back straight, shoulders set and eyes forward
Level 2 Eagle
Starts in level 1 Eagle and then switches raised knee & support leg to other side. The idea is to remain balanced and have no arm movement during the transition
Level 3 Eagle
Start in level 1 eagle.
-The raised leg sits over the support leg - side of shin on knee-.
- The support leg squats down as you 'sit' in the air
- The palm rotate and face the sky
Arms move back from the body at 45 degree angles and form wings
- Back straight, shoulders set and eyes forward

Monkey level 1
Monkey level 1 is most probably the easiest and therefor the most overlooked one of the group.
- Leading hand shields the eyes from the sun
- Back hand hides behind the back
- Leading foot points off to either 1:30 or 10:30 of the clock face
- Back foot raises onto heel but doesn't let it raise the entire body
- Back straight, shoulders set, eyes forward
Monkey level 2
Start off in level 1.
- Crouch down but don't let the knees touch the ground
- Switch hands
- Pivot to face the other direction
- Stand up into Monkey level 1
- Back straight, shoulders set, eyes forward
Monkey level 3
Start off in level 1.
- Back arm swings over and grabs something behind
- Leading hand comes up to the pit of the shoulders of the leading arm
- Back leg swings up and kicks
- Torso twists as you look behind and hold this twisted posture
- Try to maintain your balance through your hips
Crow level 1
- Crouch down and place palms shoulder width apart.
- Bend elbows to as close to 90 degrees as you can
- Bring the inside of your knees onto your elbows and keep them bent so that all of your weight is above your palms.
Crow level 2
- Crouch down and place palms shoulder width apart with feet in-between.
- Bend knees and lift yourself up and hold your weight up just using the arms.
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