Northern Shaolin Monastery System - Northern Shaolin kung-fu is the oldest and most advanced system of martial arts. Its origins can be conceivably traced back as far as 2,500 years. However, around 500 A.D., the monks of the Shaolin Monastery in the Hunan Province of China were prompted by the influence of a Ch'an Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma ("Da-Mo" in Chinese) to develop kung-fu for the purpose of mental and physical improvement. Believing in the indivisibility of mind and body, their training methods were intended to develop strength, flexibility, relaxation, coordination and agility.

Bodhidharma helped them to create 18 sets of exercises for them to practice, later to become known as the "Eighteen Hand Movements Of The Enlightened One" or the "18 Buddha Exercises". The Northern Shaolin/Praying Mantis System that Michael Dawson teaches refers to them as "Shaolin Lohan" or the "18 Law Horn" (see below). The various movements contained in these exercises were patterned after several animals that Bohdidharma was said to have observed during the extent of his journey from India to China. These exercises became the foundation on which the Northern Shaolin system was to expand.

The Shaolin monks practiced the natural principles of stretching, effortless and flowing body movements, consumption of natural foods, vegetarianism and periodic fasting. They utilized herbs, massage and Acupressure for the purposes of rejuvenation, maintaining health, vitality and healing.

The Shaolin temple system of philosophy spread throughout the Far East. So widespread was the temple's influence, that the word Shaolin ("Siu-Lum" or "Sil-Lum" in some Cantonese dialects) became synonymous with expertise in the martial arts.

Northern Shaolin kung-fu is considered to be the "grandfather" of all kung-fu styles and is renowned for its rigorous training and calisthenics. It uses every conceivable way of moving one's hands, feet and body. Extensive stretching exercises, body movements, elevated jumps and leg techniques with particularly high extension are commonly seen. Intricate hand combinations, low floor and acrobatic techniques are also some of the unique characteristics.

The Northern Shaolin system contains elements of animal movements - notably the tiger, leopard, snake, crane, monkey and the mystical dragon. In the Northern Shaolin system, none are a complete kung-fu form or style in itself. However, there are several animal forms which evolved from the Northern Shaolin System: Eagle Claw (Ying Jow Fann Tzi Pai or Ying Jow Pai), Monkey (Tai-Sing Pek Kwar and Hou Chuan) and Praying Mantis (Tang Lang), the latter of which was the first singular animal style to emerge from the Northern Shaolin Monastery.

Seven-Star Praying Mantis (Chi-Hsing Tang Lang) - A Northern style of Chinese kung-fu which is the original Praying Mantis system, called such because of its peculiar pattern of footwork. The pattern takes its name from the stellar arrangement of the constellation Ursa Major, suggested in the angular stances and positions performed during movement. Often referred to as simply, Northern Praying Mantis, there are many legends surrounding the origins of this style, but many of its exponents agree that it was founded well over 300 years ago by Wang Lang, a brilliant swordsman from the Shantung Province. It's foundation is from the older Northern Shaolin system, from which its founder was proficient in. This system incorporates the movements of the praying mantis, which Wang carefully studied. To provide quick steps and strong stances, he also incorporated the footwork of the monkey (perhaps due to the fact that it was difficult to adapt the foot patterns of a six-legged insect). The monkey footwork proved to be a significant characteristic of the style.

The Seven-Star Praying Mantis system uses short "shuffle-like" steps with a variety of close and long-range techniques including low and high kicks, quick leg sweeps, hooking and trapping hand combinations (emulating the mantid's swift forelegs), elbow and backfist techniques, as well as simultaneous kicking and punching maneuvers. From a self-defense perspective, it is perhaps the most "aggressive" Praying Mantis style, emphasizing direct and continuous movement while using straight-line and circular counterattack techniques designed to wear down an opponent's defense for a speedy finish.

The 18 Law Horn or 18 Lohan - The 18 Law Horn (also known as Shaolin Lohan) from the Northern Shaolin Monastery is said to contain many of the original exercises developed by Bodhidharma. It is similar in style to Northern Shaolin and is known for firm positioning and sweeping, long-range techniques. The forms also feature movements and patterns that are based on principles of leverage. Leaps and dynamic footwork are used to quickly cover long distances and close the gap between opponents. The 18 Law Horn is also occasionally referred to as: "Lohan-Chuan" or "Buddha Fist", and formed much of the basis for Chang-Chuan ("Long Fist"), an early Northern style of kung-fu.

My-Jong Law Horn (or My-Jong Lohan) is a Northern variation of the 18 Law Horn as it is influenced by the My-Jong I or "Lost Track" style, a relatively obscure form of kung-fu that stresses liberal, darting movements, flashy hand movements and powerful long-range attacks. Its sweeping, acrobatic style further enhances the leaps and footwork inherent in the original Law Horn style. My-Jong-I is particularly effective for hybridizing with other Northern systems.

Tai Chi Chuan (Grand Ultimate Fist) - Tai Chi Chuan is the most popular of the three main Internal systems (the others being: Hsing-I Chuan and Pa-Kua Chang), and flourished as a later outgrowth of Northern-style kung-fu sometime in the early Ming Dynasty (1400's). The origins of Tai Chi are disputed by many historians. What is certain, however, is that it can be traced back to the Chen family in the Hunan Province of China (around the Ming Dynasty period).

Many stories say that it was created by Chang San-Feng, a Taoist monk who observed a struggle between a snake and a crane in the wilderness. Impressed by their movements, he noticed that neither the snake or the crane could penetrate each other's defenses. Chang felt that the snake embodied the elements of softness and yielding (Yin), and the crane embodied the elements of hardness and strength (Yang): two opposing forces that together represent balance and harmony. Chang patterned their movements into a set of exercises later to be called Tai Chi Chuan.

Essentially, the Chen is the original style, with other major schools appearing later as offshoots. Some of the other popular Tai Chi styles are: the Yang, Wu, Sun, Fu and Wang (or Wong). Tai Chi Chuan can be called a form of "active meditation". It is noted for its unique therapeutic and health benefits. Its fluid, circular movements are generally practiced slower than kung-fu, and is beneficial for the joints, tendons, tissues, and circulation. It is an exercise widely practiced in China, especially by the elderly.

Pa-Kua (Eight Trigrams) - Pa-Kua Chang (often phonetically spelled as: "Ba-Gua Zhang") is a Northern Internal style of kung-fu. Pa-Kua derives its name, rationale and philosophy from the I Ching (Book Of Changes). Similar to its sister-style Tai Chi, Pa-Kua emphasizes soft, circular movements performed in a fluid, continuous manner. Many of the techniques in Pa-Kua are executed open-handed, stressing the displacement of horizontal strength and turning of the palms.

Small Circular Fist (Syau Wan Kuen or Shao Wan Chuan) - Small Circular Fist is a kung-fu style originating from the Northern Shaolin Monastery. Consisting of only one known form (or kuen), it utilizes precise footwork and quick kicking techniques, along with circular fist movements designed to defend against one or more opponents. It is commonly taught within the curriculum of most traditional Northern Shaolin schools.