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What is Southern
Praying Mantis Kung Fu?
Southern Praying Mantis is a Chinese martial art originating with the Hakka people. Despite its name, the Southern Mantis style is unrelated to the Northern Praying Mantis style.
Southern Praying Mantis places a heavy emphasis on close-range fighting. This system is known for its short power methods, and has aspects of both internal and external techniques. In application, the emphasis is on hand and arm techniques, and a limited use of low kicks. The application of close combat methods with an emphasis on hands and short kicking techniques makes the Southern Praying Mantis art somewhat akin to what many would call “street fighting.” The hands are the most readily available for attack and defence of the upper body, and protect the stylist by employing ruthless techniques designed to inflict serious injury. The legs are moved quickly into range through footwork to protect and defend the body, and kicks are kept low, short and quick so as to never leave the Southern Mantis combatant off balance and vulnerable.
Why the two distinct styles of TONGLONG, (PRAYING MANTIS) Northern & Southern. The Northern Style is characterised by low stances and much more leg work. The Southern Style has hardly any leg work, except for some low effective kicks & reduces the footwork to ‘stepping’ with powerful and effective hits delivered from a solid ‘foundation’.
In TONGLONG, the ‘full fist’ and knuckles are hardly used when attacking an opponent, placing greater emphasis on the other parts (side,back of hand, palm) or shapes of the hand (like the ‘one knuckle’ variation better known as ‘Phoenix eye fist’) to deliver force to ‘nerve points’ and the more vulnerable areas of the body – like the neck.
What our students say
I was trained from birth in boxing and wrestling. Sent to study formally at age 7 – Wado Ryu, Niseido JuJitsu, Wing Chun, White Eyebrow, and every style of Praying Mantis in the world with the exception of Chu Gar and Iron Ox. I searched 30 years for the most comprehensive systems, and the most skilled instructors. This search led me to my Sifu, Matthew Hansen. 6 years ago my journey truly began. And now, I will spend the rest of my life learning and passing on teachings of his lineage of Chow Gar – the Black Mantis. More so than just finding the pinnacle of hand to hand combat training, Sifu has taught me how to live. I am his disciple now and forever.
Jonathon Mason
Throughout the years of my teaching I found that there are many confusions and misunderstandings about Wu Shu and Kung Fu .
They thought that “Kung Fu” is something more superior and high class. It can be used in combat and for fighting crime. Those competent in “Kung Fu” would become heros for doing all the good things and eliminating crime. On the other hand, “Wu Shu” is quite the opposite in their mind. They thought “Wu Shu” is superficial and decorative. There is no real value in “Wu Shu”, not even as exercise for achieving good health. In fact, there is not much difference between “Wu Shu” and “Kung Fu”.
The difference is only in terminology. Traditional “Wu Shu” dated back to thousands of years. It is part of the Chinese culture that founded on Taoism. Inevitably, the Taoism philosophy of “Yin/Yang”, “ 5 Elements”, “8 Trigrams”, “9 Squares” had all been embedded in “Wu Shu”. Before the Ching Dynasty, “knowledge” enabled stability of the country while military force safeguarded the country. “Wu Shu” which formed part of the military power secured the status and dignity of the country.
It also indicated the country’s power which led to the fortune and existence of that country. Hence, one cannot ignore the value of “Wu Shu”. “Wu Shu” incorporated Chinese medical, meridians, Taoism philosophy of “Yin/Yang”, “ 5 Elements”, etc. There is no doubt in the value of “Wu Shu” for good health.
Bill Bender
This kung fu style is very heavy handed and the unique power of “Gang tarn ging” is developed to deliver a shock like power to your opponent. The body is conditioned to withstand blows through Iron Body and Qi gong training. The foundations are developed through forms and partner drills and various exercises. It is a complete package for martial arts training
Sifu Damien
Since joining Black Mantis Kung Fu it has taught me to become more disciplined in all areas of my life.The leadership skills I have gained on my journey along with many other elements have now helped me pursue ventures that I had only dreamed about achieving as a young boy.
The fighting system in Tonglong is very aggressiveness & power within this style, although there are also greater benefits. In various situations it developed skills in me to deal with the everyday battles life puts in our way in a more calm and stress free manner with creating positive result.
I highly recommend you try it for yourself.
Anthony French
Thank you for what you are doing to provide this training online to folks like me. It is a blessing and I am truly grateful for what you are doing.
People like myself who have a big family, and work don’t always get the opportunity to venture out into things. Often times
we watch others from the side lines, especially here in San Antonio there is really barely any Kung Fu schools.
Yet they only teach wing tsun and no other styles. Of the extremely few I have found they are all the other way across the city through its crazy non-stop blockading traffic.
Thank you again for this wonderful opportunity to train. You are making a positive difference in my life and the lives of others.
Frederick Nitz
OUR GOLDEN RULES
RESPECT
Yourself
Others
Life
Kungfu
TRAIN TO BE
Confident
Disciplined
In Control
Fearless
