Northern Shou Shu is a form of martial art based on the fighting movements of seven different animals: the bear, the tiger, mongoose, mantis, crane, cobra, and the dragon. Northern Shou Shu was founded by Da Shifu Lu Chin, who passed on the art of Northern Shou Shu to his student, Sijo Da Shifu Albert F. Moore, Sr., who would go on to found Red Dragon Shou Shu.

Red Dragon Shou Shu is a federation of schools that teach Northern Shou Shu headed by Da Shifu Jim Clark.

In 1972, Jim Clark began studying Northern Shou Shu under the tutelage of Da Shifu Al Moore, Sr., eventually earning his first degree in 1974. His training continued into 2002, when Da Shifu Clark earned his eighth degree black belt.

In the same year (2002) Da Shifu Moore passed away, leaving the task of preserving and passing on the art of Northern Shou Shu to his protege, Da Shifu Clark and his other students. Da Shifu Clark would go on to lead the federation of Red Dragon Shou Shu Schools.

Shun Shifu Nathaniel Cardona is the head of Red Dragon Shou Shu Modesto, CA.

Students, both kids and adults, are ranked according to the following colors:

1. White: Beginners

2. Yellow: Fundamentals (Only for kids and young adults)

3. Orange: Mastered Fundamentals

4. Purple: Mastered Power

5. Blue: Mastered Speed

6. Green: Mastered Flow

7. Brown: Mastered all levels

8. Black: Student becomes Shifu

Teachers are ranked according to the following:

1. Shifu: 1st - 4th Degree Black Belt

2. Shun Shifu: Shifu who heads their own school

3. Shigong: 5th - 7th Degree Black Belt

4. Da Shifu: 8th Degree Black Belt (which can only be awarded by another Da Shifu)

Students will rise through the ranks depending on their ability to prove their competency in demonstrating the techniques and movements taught to them and how well they have been practicing. The rate in which they rise through the ranks will depend on their level of competency and whether or not their Shifu feels their student is ready to move on to the next belt. The rate of ranking up will vary from student-to-student.

The following animals whose movements Northern Shou Shu is based on are ranked according to the back belt degree they associated with:

1. Bear (Xiong)

2. Tiger (Hu)

3. Mongoose (Yon)

4. Crane (He)

5. Mantis (Tang)

6. Cobra (She)

7. Dragon (Long)

While each Shifu will focus on a particular animal fighting style depending on their rank, students will learn a blend of animal fighting styles as they move from white to brown belt.

A rigorous and thorough regimen involving extensive training in the art in 1/2-hour to 1-hour sessions along with testing in front of your peers and instructors to prove you are learning the material. Shou shu is focused on self-defense, so, the expectation a student can have as they rise through the ranks to gain a better understanding of oneself and one's own ability to defend him or herself, or others from external threats.

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