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Praying Mantis Kung fu www.southernmantis.co.uk
Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Chow
Gar), is a unique and effective style in many ways. It's a realistic fighting
art designed for realistic situations and confrontations. It's a style that's
been proven over and over again, from the rebellious battlefields of Imperial
China to the inhospitable environments of today. The main characteristics of
Chow Gar are summarised below:
- Aggressiveness.
A primary Chow Gar principle is to not stop attacking the opponent until
they are utterly defeated or subdued.
- Power.
Every single move in Chow Gar is designed for maximum power output. This is
achieved by using external power (ging), which is triggered by the
movement of the legs, waist, elbows, wrists, and fingers. Internal power (chi)
is also harnessed through breathing techniques.
- Speed.
Each strike starts from a totally relaxed state before becoming fully taut a
moment before impact.
- Fluidity.
Many movements are designed to link seamlessly together. Once any strike
is completed, another has just started, unleashing a series of combined
attacks.
- Sensitivity.
Chow Gar places strong emphasis on the "sticky hands" principle;
that is, keeping constant contact with the opponent so that you always know
where they are and what they are trying to do. In this way, it allows you to
control your adversary.
- Close Range.
Chow Gar's preferred distance of attack is as close as possible to the
opponent. Where possible, we try to be "in their face" and to
crowd them as much as we can. Chow Gar also employs medium-range techniques,
but relies more on quick footwork to close the distance.
- Yin Yang
Philosophy. Chow Gar adheres strongly to the philosophy of Yin
Yang. Where possible, one gives in order to gain. There is equal emphasis
placed on internal and external aspects of Kung Fu. Physical power is
neccessary, but correct breathing and utilisation of one's chi is
equally as important.
Most strikes in Chow Gar are performed
using all parts of the hands and arms, at times utilising grappling and clawing
to keep the opponent controlled. However, some kicks and knees are also
employed, typically fast, powerful, and aimed low. Chow Gar is distinctly
lacking in blocks, preferring to use offense as a defense, and thereby maximise
efficiency. Chow Gar also makes use of many weapons, such as the spear, staff,
sai, butterfly knives, sword, walking stick, and kwan-do. These weapons are not
touched until a student has reached a certain stage in the development of
his/her 'ging', otherwise the practice of weapons to an untrained student would
be regarded as 'empty'. The use of weapons should be thought of as an extension
to the body and not necessarily make you better fighter.
Training techniques consist of practicing forms and jongs with a partner as well as by yourself.
- Chi Sau forms the basis of
the system it is taught to beginners as well as still being practiced
amongst senior students.
- Jong training
involves two people that practice predetermined moves against one another.
This is designed to improve one's understanding of the techniques, timing of
impact, stability, footwork, control, and accuracy. This sort training is
good as it is safe since the moves are predetermined and can be preformed in
a small amount of space. Though jongs usually involve two people, there are
also techniques performed on oneself.
- Forms
In Tong Long Kung Fu forms are not spectacular, but again forms were never
designed to be visually exciting. The purpose of a form is to string
together techniques you have already practiced
into one fluid movement so that you can train on your own. The practice of forms is vital to progress though
the system. Unlike many other systems, Tong Long Kung Fu only has a couple
of forms. There is no need to memorize hundreds of positions and techniques
when most of them will never be applied. Simple and effective is the essence
to the system.
The amount of time involved in learning
this martial art is determined by the amount of effort a student is prepared to
spend on practice. As with any learning system, one always starts with the
basics and then advances through all the varying levels of knowledge. A person
will only get out of Kung Fu what that person puts into it. In Tong Long Kung Fu
it is difficult to know whether you have progressed or not but your teacher
would know straight away just by the way your chi sau has improved.
My journey though the system
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