The Praying Mantis Style

Ever popular, ever interesting: the Mantis style is a world wide phenomena. Its many branches include Seven Star, Six Harmony, Eight Step, Secret Door, Plum Blossom, Grand Ultimates and more. We have a number of good representatives here including a very detailed series by John Funk. This Seven Star progression is directly reflective of Wong Hon Fun's famous series so we linked to some of the hard-to-find Chinese texts related to the Northern Praying Mantis. Here are a lot of DVDs on this huge and healthy style. Enjoy.

Update: Shifu Jou is an excellent martial instructor from Taiwan. His Praying Mantis is of superior quality and definitely beyond the performance of many teachers. Expect range of motion and interpretations that will add to your knowledge of this style. (His DVDs are very thorough, often running more than a few hours; hence the higher price.) If you want to know more about this teacher...

Visit our information section on the Praying Mantis.

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DVD#18054 Six Harmony Praying Mantis
by Tsai Yong Huang

165 minutes, Three DVDs, English subtitles
Reg $120.00, Plum Price: $90

Click DVD picture to see a short video clip

Mantis is a world-renowned style, including popular “hard” Tang Lang versions such as Seven Star and Plum Blossom, as well as “soft” mantis, in the form of Liu He Tang Lang, which is much less common.

Sifu Tsai Yong Huang (from the Liu He Tang Lang lineage of Chang Xiang San) has dedicated himself to preserving the heart and spirit of this style, fitting all the bricks together into six new forms with definite advantages. Attuned to the original six routines, every foundational move, action, and deflection technique is reinforced and magnified with Liu He power and energy, incorporating the following Principles and Methods:

1. Maintain all core movements in Six Harmony Praying Mantis.
2. Improve sequences and transitions.
3. Symmetrical practice: right and left sides
4. Wrap basics in the forms and practice both ways
5. Necessary step-wise overlap of skills ranging upward
6. First 3 forms=Basics. Latter 3 forms=Applications

On this remarkable DVD, every portion of the style has been mapped into a new, recalibrated shape, transforming each of the six older forms into its ‘simplified’ version—a completely reorganized modern Liu He. Maintaining identifiable key words, looping exercises, applications and principles, this reworking makes the initial journey from basics to taolu, then taolu to application, not only easier to practice but also more welcoming to the spirit of experiment. Anyone can rearrange, shorten, re-assemble and refine all—amazingly—within the densely packed universe of Liu He elements. This also means that the applications ring true, fitting back into the older versions—a truly extraordinary achievement—allowing practitioners to cross-reference the traditional and the re-made.

On the question of applications, the moves are done with a rarely seen sincerity that removes confusion: if it works in the form, it works on the street.

There are many uncommon aspects to this 3-disk Six Harmony Mantis set, not the least of which are the two meaty introductions by both Sifu Adam Hsu and Sifu Tsai. Synchronistically, Plum recently published Sifu Hsu’s significant book, “Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu,” in which he outlined crucial methods to save traditional Wushu from extinction. He might have had this DVD in mind when he reiterated the dire need for more attention to basics; a ‘graduated’ curriculum; and a serious respect for traditional form, (but not to the exclusion of modernization).

Sifu Tsai appears to have excelled on all counts and earned Adam Hsu’s recommendation for how it could be done: Tsai Sifu developed the six new forms with respect to the traditional principles of Liu He Tang Lang; he created step-by-step accessibility, giving students a bridge between the basics and the more advanced forms; he excerpted generous usage from each of the new forms; and he honored the traditional by including and demonstrating the six original forms. All are included on this 3-disk set.

There is one more thing that struck us: the DVD introductions emphasize that this is an ongoing project—still in developing stages— actively seeking contribution and criticism. This refreshing humility is rare these days, and much appreciated.

DVD#25210 Bonk Bo Praying Mantis
by Sifu Sam Hing Fai Chan $34.95 

Praying Mantis has been around for over 300 years, which means the tree has had the time to grow many branches.

Sifu Chan's syle, to our mind, is distinctly Southern (which is not surprising, since he specializes in two other Southern Styles —Jow Gar and Wing Chun).

"Bonk Bo" - the broken step or skipping step, is used to develop the rapid movement of footwork combined with horse stance, front stance, and cross step to construct a more solid stance.

 

This DVD features:    
• Bonk Bo Praying Mantis form
• Normal and slow speed
• In depth applications
• Front view and side view
• Detailed step by step instruction
• Easy search for each chapter

SEE Sifu Chan's Jow Gar DVDs HERE, or his DVD on Wing Chun Wooden Dummy HERE; order two or more of Sifu Chan's DVDs for a 10% discount (shown in cart)

 

 

DVD#18065 Six Harmonies Praying Mantis Boxing
by Jian Gao (8th Generation holder) $34.95 

(NEW! NTSC version* see note below)

"As one of the major styles of Praying Mantis Boxing, Six Harmonies Praying Mantis has a mellow appearance but it also has a powerful hidden vigor. It focuses on cultivating the practitioner's ability for real fighting. Its movements, momentum and power are like tidal waves—overwhelming. This significant character made it one of the most sought after Kung Fu styles in Chinese martial history.

This DVD is presented by Mr. Jian Gao who is an initiated disciple of grandmaster Ma Han Qing, and a gold medalist in the 5th International Wushu Invitational Tournament held in Beijing, China.

In this DVD, Jian Sifu systematically outlines the fundamental requirements and conditioning training of Six Harmonies Praying Mantis Boxing. He then goes on to demonstrate ALL seven key routines for viewers:

Intercepting Ring
Raiding Hands of the Immortal
Iron Needles (empty hand)
Hidden Flowers
Lightning Strikes
Double Whips
Short Punches

Although the demonstrations themselves are not instructional, forthcoming DVDs in this series will break down the routines.

*Note: For years, this DVD was ONLY available in PAL format and, although we sold quite a few of them, many customers have waited a long time for an NTSC version. Plum retained the rights to convert and publish this in NTSC (Region 0) format, and these new ones are now fully playable now on both computers and TV set boxes.

IF YOU NEED A PAL VERSION, we still have a limited number of those. To order PAL copies, please select PAL VERSION below. 20% discount for PAL versions.

English/ About 37 minutes       

 

NEW!! DVD#18053 Duan Chui (short strike)
from the style Six Harmonies Praying Mantis:
by Jian Gao (8th Generation holder) $34.95 

This DVD is presented by Mr. Jian Gao who is an initiated disciple of grandmaster Ma Han Qing, and a gold medalist in the 5th International Wushu Invitational Tournament held in Beijing, China.

LiuHe Tanglang is a fusion of two famous styles. Praying Mantis is, of course, world famous but during the 19th century Six Harmony Boxing was highly esteemed and well recognized among those boxers concerned with guarding China’s freedom and sovereignty. Among the major forms in this system there are two outstanding tao lu: Shuang Feng (Double Whips) and Duan Chui, the form on this DVD.

Because LiuHe Tanglang is a style with some rare and distinctive fighting theory, some practitioners held back or could not transmit properly the key points of the art, leaving LHTL wel- known but little understood. It's advanced approach is a rare blend of body postures from Mantis and Monkey, combined with the whip-strikes of Tong Bei and Pi Gua, not to mention the “unified” strikes of Six Harmony Boxing.

This DVD presents Short Strike, a form supposedly exhibiting the least amount of Praying Mantis influence and the greatest wealth of Liu He Quan. The DVD gives the form in demonstration mode with freezes and applications, utilizing a small group of students along with teacher Jian Gao, 8th generation follower of the style.

English/ About 37 minutes       

DVD#24958  Xiao HuYan: Small Tiger Swallow
3 hours 22 minutes, Three DVDs, English subtitles
$105.00

OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item.

Said to combine the ferocity of the tiger with the agility of the swallow, this form is often used as an introduction to Northern Mantis style. Shifu Jou’s execution is powerful, spirited, and clean. He is far past the stage of generic movement and his postures and vectors of attack kiss the limits of balance—on purpose. This is one of the most dynamic renditions of this form you will every see. It’s almost like starting at the advanced level then going on from there. There is an entire Screeching Tiger series of forms and this Xiao Hu Yan is not only said to be the basis of those forms, but also the first form created by the originator of Praying Mantis, Wong Long himself. (Yes, we know some people believe Bong Bu is the first form.)

With hands very fast, there is a wealth of Chin Na implied in the movements. The instruction is nicely broken down with clear English subtitles. Jou filmed this around his 50th birthday, which is almost hard to believe considering his skill, kicks, range of motion, and power. Applications, intelligent ones, are shown with some lively and thought-provoking commentary. He shows some excellent tips on how to interpret and coordinate a classical form. For instance, Teacher Jou continues to remind us to break away from the ORDER of movements in a form and their direction and usage.

 

DVD#24959 White Ape Steals the Peach: Baiyuan Toutao
2 hours 38 minutes, Two DVDs, English subtitles
$70.00

No longer available ! Please place me on your Search List if you ever find this item.

A spiffy little set with a short form and much White Ape training. The character of the Ape will have a lot of variations (as will the coming Year of the Ape.) In this case, Teacher Jou is celebrating his 60th birthday with vim, vigor and verve. Here is the entire form, breakdown with English subtitles, important sections shot from different angles with extra commentary; overall, a very strong presentation from the teaching standpoint. A short fast form with the addition of Jou’s insights on force, fighting and strategy.

DVD#21051 Bung Bo & Ng Lou Gwun
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs. 

Jon Funk shows the fundamental set of the Seven Star system in the Qing Mo format. He also shows the Fifth Son Staff, a well known mantis form. Bung Bo is the foundation not only for Seven Star but many styles of the Mantis. The staff set is similar to the Lau Gar stick with a Double Yin hands Southern style flavor. Each of Jon Funk’s DVDs include the entire form at performance and teaching speed, clear explanations of the movements with attack and defense usage. Note: Advances but no menu.
NTSC: About 65 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21052 Baag Yune Dung & Yeen Tsing Doe
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs. 

Here we have the Seven Star Mantis forms of White Ape Exits Cave and the Saber for Green Swallow with its fast combinations. Each of Jon Funk’s DVDs include the entire form at performance and teaching speed, clear explanations of the movements with attack and defense usage. Note: Advances but no menu.

NTSC: About 57 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21053 Fay Ngaan Dzern & Yee Loi Mui Faa
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs. 

The Flying Goose Palm is considered an advanced set of the Seven Star Mantis. It’s movements are quick and somewhat soft mixing long and short actions with many willow leaf palms. The Second Route Plum Flower Spear is chock full of throws and changes with the spear reverses and body rolls with this very fancy and variable advanced spear. Each of Jon Funk’s DVDs include the entire form at performance and teaching speed, clear explanations of the movements with attack and defense usage. Note: Advances but no menu.
NTSC: About 70 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21092 Buck Yuen Tow Toe
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

This DVD contains Buck Yuen Tow Toe (White Ape Steals the Peach) a basic and popular form. Steal Peach also helps to introduce many of the Seven Star Mantis basics: kicking, punching and positioning. Valuable if you are looking for a progressive series of lessons to learn Seven Star Mantis.
NTSC: About 54 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21093 Praying Mantis Techniques
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

PM techniques like: tapping, reaction distance line system, effective pressure points, distractions joint locks and effortless pressure points. Many very clear demonstrations of Chin Na movements especially concentrating on the upper body and wrist, elbow and shoulder controls. Some nice, straight forward lectures on the principles and requirements of good control and proper execution. Everything with a mantis flavor but all the key principles quite universal.
NTSC: About 42 minutes

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21094 May Fow Kuen
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

The Mantis Plum Flower Form, a more advanced set of the Mantis. Full breakdown of the moves. Definitely a more advanced form than previous. If Praying Mantis wants to move in a form it goes forward into a complete pose with all limbs used and balance very specific. This is a major Mantis form.
NTSC: About 63 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21095 Sam Low Chet Yuen
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

Three Route Essence. An advanced level Mantis fist form with emphasis on throwing and other higher level techniques. This has a complete breakdown of the movements. Fast footwork, many jump back, quick hand moves, skipping kicks, linked hand sequences.
NTSC: About 57 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21096 TongLongTouToe
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

Mantis Steals the Peach. This was Grandmaster Lo Guan Yu’s favorite hand set. Short but advanced, much trapping, with particular emphasis on “cheng” back hooking forearm smash and hand exchanging. As we said, an advanced but short for with a lot of emphasis on tactility.
NTSC: About 43 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21097 Tong Long Tsud Dung
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

Mantis Exits the Cave.
A lengthy set with a lot of movement. Throwing and evading tactics. Also quite a few height changes with special focus on the Kneeling Tiger stance. Multiple hand flurries mix with large throwing techniques.

NTSC: About 73 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21098 Law Hon Gung
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

The Nei Gong of the Mantis system. Essential open Iron Palm techniques linked with Qigong breathing exercises. Said to be directly form the Shaolin Temple, these are called the Monk’s Martial Exercises. Iron Palm starts around 28 minutes in. All basic training slapping motions are covered and then there is a section on training in the air and against a telephone book for application of power. Targets are demonstrated on an opponent’s body.

NTSC: About 70 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21099 Mantis Fighting Applications
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

Sticky Hand drills, sparring drills, speed drills. This is a DVD of applied Mantis. Definitely Sticky Hands definitely not Wing Chun. Some patterned exercises that smoothly move into variations. For instance the first is a quick three-0attack and defend sequence. Teacher Funk first performs it with chops, then adds kick, then traps, then converts it all to elbow strikes, without loosing the flavor of the style. Then a section on sparring with particular goals in mind. Loose, comfortable and relatively light.

NTSC: About 45 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21100 Advanced Mantis
$19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.  

This part of the series concentrates on street fighting and self defense skills. Many ideas here, from bag work with focus equipment to some leg sparring with a close approximation of Sticky Legs, to typical attacks such as chokes with the flavor of the Mantis in the counters. Much information not necessarily that advanced for some practitioners but education to see the Mantis answers to classic defense situations.
NTSC: About 100 minutes.

A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#18123 Grasping Foot Mantis Form
$19.50

This material comes from Yu Zhen Sheng of the Huang Pu Military Academy during the 1930's. At this time Huang Pu was the top military academy in China. Among others styles Yu taught Hong Quan, Pao Quan and Zha Quan not to mention this type of Mantis. From Yu it passed through Xu Gong Wei to this man, Fang Shan. This is said to be from a relatively secret style in Shandong and this form is the key set for understanding that system. It is not Bong Bu, but Chi Bu, Grasping Foot. The movements are long enough to resemble, at times, Contemporary Wushu. Spine stretches, actions are relatively soft with little emphasis on speed. Though there are no applications demonstrated the rather well done subtitles contain Fang's explanations of the use of the forms as he teaches the breakdowns.

About 57 Minutes English subtitles       

DVD#12052 Praying Mantis Steals the Peach
 $49.95 special Plum Price $39.50 (a 20% savings)

 

This DVD presents one of the favorite demonstration forms of well known teacher Law Kwong Yuk. Shifu Paul Eng is a lifetime practitioner of the art. His movements are soft, very refined and ever - dare we say it - joyous in execution. he never strains, he never grunts. The disk is well laid out with a history followed by basics in stances, punches and kicks. The form is cleverly shown in start-stop fashion with a complete description. Then the Four Sections are taught in a very clear presentation. Finally all four sections are shown with over 40 different applications. Shifu Eng's movements are so sophisticated that half the presentation lies in what is NOT discussed, simply shown. Here he leans a bit. Here he turns a tad. Watch and learn.

See this instructor's numerous books on Mantis.

About 35 Minutes English     

 See books by this teacher