Hung Gar Kung Fu
In association with the
Arizona Shaolin Temple Cultural Center &
Grandmaster Jerry Cook
Five-Animals of the Shaolin
The Hung Gar system incorporates the five animals of Shaolin Temple – tiger, crane, dragon, leopard, and snake. Each animal has a particular characteristic of defense and attack, which has been included within the Hung Gar system.
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TIGER: Known for its powerful claws and great external strength and agility. The strength comes from a twisting of the body and using the ground to develop powerful blows and kicks. Tiger training helps develop strength in the bones, joints and tendons, and strengthen the back and spine.
CRANE: The crane is a very patient animal. It’s ability to stand on one leg for many hours is testament to its concentration and focus. Its ability to defeat an opponent comes from its ability to hook the opponents blows, divert them and strike. Crane training is excellent for developing the fingers, arms and legs.
LEOPARD: The leopard combines speed and agile footwork to overcome its opponents, using a combination of short and fast powerful strikes. The leopard’s footwork will develop good balance and quick reaction time.
SNAKE: The snake derives its power from coiling its body and then striking with great speed from a relaxed state using its soft internal power. Snake training helps to develop relaxation, speed and finger tips and palms for strikes to specific targeted points.
DRAGON: The legendary dragon symbolizes grace, beauty and power, with fluid-like and circular movements. Using it’s claw to grab and hold it can deliver a blow to another part of the body, or use its own body to produce great power by leveraging on an opponents joints. Dragon training will develop internal strength as well as smooth fluid like movements.
10th Degree Black Belt
Jerry Cook started studying the martial arts in 1971. In Junior High he studied boxing, wrestling & Shotokan under Master Charles Dixon. In 1974, he taught Parkers Kenpo karate through high school, eventually receiving a black belt from the AKKA.
1980 saw him study Akido with John Takagi and in 1984, he received a black belt in Okanawan Go-Ju-Ryu with Sensei Alverez.
In 1985, he learned Tiger and Crane from Buck Sam Kong and later masters such as Hung and Ru Hu Zhu. He also learned the 116 wing Chun Mokjong from master Fong. In 1987, he learned 108 Ba-Kwa from Dr. Wong and later masters such as Hsu & Ting-Jue.
He received a black belt in Green Dragon Kung fu / Shuai Chaio / Chang 108 Tai Chi from Master Chicoine, and 108 Long Fist 1-10 fighting methods from Master Ma, and later Pan Qing Fu’s 18 combat style.
In 1990, he received a black belt in Budo Kan Ju-Jitsu from Dr. Anglen. In 1992 he started work with Jin Heng Li in Wu Shu receiving a black sash. In 2002, he received a 7th° black belt in Kajukenbo certified by C- Jo Emperado, and Grandmaster Pierce.
He also started his studies with shaolin monk Shi Yong Kkai in styles of Yi-Chin-Ching, Baji & Chen Tai Chi; he also worked with Chen Xaio Wang, Chen Bing, and Chen Zhang.
In 2005 was when he received one of the most knowledgeable master’s awards from the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and was put on the International Grandmasters Council. In 2007, he became a Doh-Yi master with Daoist priest Jaing Jing Sun Baek specializing in Wu-Tang sword and Dao-in. In 2008, he received grandmaster scrolls from Ninjitsu Grandmaster Ashida Kim & Grandmaster Lawrence Day black dragon.
During 2011, he received IMACC professorship, Grandmaster in Grandmaster John Wong’s Tanglang Lotus clan & received a 9th° black belt in the Pierce combat method, Kajukenbo and the Black Dragon fighting society. He helped build the Yang Tze Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona under Master and Dr. Xiao Pu Quan.
Jerry Cook has won over 50 national black belt championships & has produced over a dozen books & videos in the arts. Master cook specializes in teaching & certifying martial arts instructors in over 200 schools.
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He has learned from some of the greatest teachers of the time & enjoys sharing that knowledge with others.
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We are honored to have such a highly decorated teacher supporting our school!
