There are two primary schools of Shaolin Kung Fu – Northern, and Southern.  Southern Shaolin Kung Fu places a great deal of emphasis on strong stances, and discourages the use of flying/leaping moves, as well as high kicks.  Both Northern and Southern, however, shame the same basis – the five basic animal forms (the tiger, the snake. the crane, the monkey, and the praying mantis).  There are also additional animal forms that were added later, such as the dragon.

Southern Shaolin is primarily a combination of the tiger and the crane styles; the soft hand sticking techniques of the crane are allowed to combine with the powerful posture and attacks of the tiger. This combination creates a highly effective style, utilizing powerful hand attacks which utilize something known as inner strength projection. This also results in a very graceful style which is pleasing to the eye.

Southern Shaolin Kung Fu is extremely physically demanding.  It is generally recommended that beginners are under the age of forty so that they are capable of performing the more strenuous acts – and for the same reason, it is also recommended that any practitioner be over the age of 6.  Even highly skilled and dedicated students require a minimum of two to three years to be able to master the fundamentals of this form of kung fu.

If you are interested in Southern Shaolin Kung Fu, you can discuss it on the forums.