Northern praying mantis is a style characterized by fast hand movements. Thehook hands are the "trade mark" of the style and they are found in all the northernsub-styles. Northern Tang Lang Chuen's main weapon is the blinding speed of thehand trying to control and punch the opponent. It has a balanced combination ofcircular and straight movements.
Other important elements are the simultaneous block and punch, and strong choppingpunches. These are practical movements for full contact street fighting. SomeChinese martial artists say that Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (one of thepraying mantis sub-styles) is the most aggressive style created in China. Grappling,kicking, nerve-attack and weapons complete the northern branch.
Southern praying mantis is very different. It is an infighting system thatresembles Wing Chun. Chi Kung is very important in the Southern Praying Mantis.Movements are continuous and circular, soft and hard, except in attack, wherethe middle knuckle (phoenix eye) of the index finger is used like a needle topierce the internal organs. A punch with the fist produces an external muscularbruise, striking with the phoenix eye produces an internal bruise. {jumi /styles-right.php}{/jumi}
Northern praying mantis is a style characterized by fast hand movements. Thehook hands are the "trade mark" of the style and they are found in all the northernsub-styles. Northern Tang Lang Chuen's main weapon is the blinding speed of thehand trying to control and punch the opponent. It has a balanced combination ofcircular and straight movements.
Other important elements are the simultaneous block and punch, and strong choppingpunches. These are practical movements for full contact street fighting. SomeChinese martial artists say that Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (one of thepraying mantis sub-styles) is the most aggressive style created in China. Grappling,kicking, nerve-attack and weapons complete the northern branch.
Southern praying mantis is very different. It is an infighting system thatresembles Wing Chun. Chi Kung is very important in the Southern Praying Mantis.Movements are continuous and circular, soft and hard, except in attack, wherethe middle knuckle (phoenix eye) of the index finger is used like a needle topierce the internal organs. A punch with the fist produces an external muscularbruise, striking with the phoenix eye produces an internal bruise.
The Praying Mantis is an insect with killer instinct and blinding speed. The Tang Lang Pai is a combat system composed of several sub-styles, that due to the richness and complexity of their techniques are considered styles by themselves. Some of these styles were created combining the praying mantis boxing with other wu-shu systems. Some writers count more than 40 Praying Mantis styles. This section will only mention below the more ancient and traditional ones.
Description:
Even though Praying Mantis sub-styles are quite different, they all contain the basic structure created by Wang Lang:
- 8 stances
- 12 key words
- 8 rigid and 12 flexible methods
- 5 external and 5 internal elements
- 8 non-attacking and 8 attacking points.
Northern praying mantis is a style characterized by fast hand movements. The hook hands are the "trade mark" of the style and they are found in all the northern sub-styles. Northern Tang Lang Chuen's main weapon is the blinding speed of the hand trying to control and punch the opponent. It has a balanced combination of circular and straight movements.
Other important elements are the simultaneous block and punch, and strong chopping punches. These are practical movements for full contact street fighting. Some Chinese martial artists say that Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (one of the praying mantis sub-styles) is the most aggressive style created in China. Grappling, kicking, nerve-attack and weapons complete the northern branch.
Southern praying mantis is very different. It is an infighting system that resembles Wing Chun. Chi Kung is very important in the Southern Praying Mantis. Movements are continuous and circular, soft and hard, except in attack, where the middle knuckle (phoenix eye) of the index finger is used like a needle to pierce the internal organs. A punch with the fist produces an external muscular bruise, striking with the phoenix eye produces an internal bruise.
Training:
1) Physical exercises
2) Body conditioning
- Tie Sha Chang (Iron Palm)
- Pai Ta Kung (body strengthening)
- Jhiu Sa So (Poison Palm)
3) Fighting Theory
- Tuey (legs actions)
- Ta (hand actions)
4) School training (basic movements known as combinations)
5) Hsuai (Throwing Techniques)
6) Na (also known as Chin Na, grappling techniques)
7) Forms training (The core of the system. Solo training and forms for two or more people)
8) San Sou (free fighting)
9) Jei Jai (weapons training)
10) Dim Mak (also known as mur mon, the death touch)
- 8 attacking points
- 8 non attacking points
- Deadly points
11) History and tradition (honor the ancestors in the style and keep the folklore tradition - for example Lion Dance)
For more history and style informtaion on Praying Mantin Kung Fu - please visit: http://www.atlantamartialarts.com/styles/pmantis.htm
