Tiger claws. Push-ups. Crunches. Crescent kicks. Lotus kicks. Squats.

Sixty minutes of that, and the students were sweating as if they were exercising in 100-degree weather.

And that wasn't the end of it.

The six adult participants and a 6-year-old who attended the 90-minute Tien Lung Kung Fu class at the Fort Marcy Recreation Complex on Saturday afternoon got their $4 worth, and more, including new defensive techniques.

For Sigung Mark Thorson, teaching Saturday's class is more than teaching kung fu as a form. "It's self-defense," Thorson said during a break on Saturday afternoon.

During class, this sigung -- "grandfather teacher" in Chinese -- goes around to each student and corrects his or her poses, posture and kicks, and explains how each move can protect the student's life.

The movements and the techniques are derived from five animals: The snake, for suppleness, speed and accuracy; the tiger, tenacity and power; the crane, grace and self-control; the leopard, speed and strength; and the dragon, knowledge and power.

"If they understand why [in their minds], then they understand exactly how to execute," said Thorson, who first started learning kung fu from a Chinese master at age 17, when he was stationed in the Navy in Southern California.

Thorson said he first observed the master, Chen Yu Lung, practicing kung fu at Balboa Park in San Diego, and he was impressed.

"I asked him if he would teach me, and he said 'no,' " Thorson remembered. After the fifth rejection, Thorson decided that from a distance, he would imitate Lung's moves and learn that way. Lung was impressed by Thorson's interest and finally decided to make Thorson his first non-Chinese student.

"He told me, 'In another life, you were Chinese,' " Thorson said, remembering his master's words.

Thorson quickly mastered kung fu and went on to win seven Florida state championships in forms, weapons and fighting. He has taught seminars across the U.S. and Canada. A martial-arts trainer for more than 30 years, he recently moved to Santa Fe from Florida to attend Southwest Acupuncture College to study Oriental medicine.

For kung fu class participants such as Jesús Reveles, the class is a great opportunity to pick up new skills. Reveles took kenpo karate classes 30 years ago, he said, and the two-hour training with Thorson gives him time to "really get something out of it."

For Justin Golding and his 6-year-old daughter, Sophia Golding, the class allowed for a good workout and for Sophia to burn off some energy -- at least that's what her dad was hoping for.

For Taj Ali, who has been taking Thorson's kung fu and tai chi classes at Fort Marcy, the classes are all about self-defense, building self-confidence and sleeping better at night. "You end up circulating the body's energy and you end up feeling more balanced," Ali said.

Jessica Shover said that although she had sore muscles from the week's classes with Thorson, she was excited about taking kung fu for the first time.

"Mark is a really good teacher, and I could tell he was going to work with me at whatever level I was," Shover said.

Contact Sandra Baltazar Martínez at 986-3062 or smartinez@sfnewmexican.com.

IF YOU GO

What: Tien Lung Kung Fu

When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays; and noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays

Where: Fort Marcy Recreation Complex, 490 Bishops Lodge Road

Cost: $4 per class, $2 for seniors