Characteristics of Mantis Boxing

Although Praying Mantis seventeen sub-styles are quite different in their techniques, they all contain the basic structure and theory that was created by Wong Long.

The Northern Praying Mantis is a style characterized by the fast hand movements with the “trade mark” of the style being the distinctive hook hands that is found in all of the Northern Mantis styles. Northern Tang Lang Chuen’s main weapon is the blinding of the speed of the hands, trying to control the punch and the opponent. The system has a rounded and balanced combination of circular and straight movements.

Other important elements that Wong Long added to the art is the use of simultaneously blocking and punching, and strong devastating chopping punches, making these theories and techniques very practical movements for full contact and street defence. Some Chinese martial artists say that  Praying Mantis Boxing is the most aggressive style created in China. The techniques within the mantis system involve hooking, trapping, grappling, palms, strikes, kicking as well as nerve-attack, making the praying mantis system of Kung Fu vast in skills and theory. All of this is theory and teaching are put into 40 Fist Forms and four two person Fist Forms.  However, there is also one Chi Gung set, twelve two person weapon sets and twenty five single and double weapon Mantis sets within the seven star branch of Praying Mantis.

The theories of the Seven Star Mantis Style are based on the thirty one key word formula that is more of a formula for techniques than techniques in themselves.  There are

eight hard and twelve soft techniques combined with the theory of the three conditions of stability, the eight attacking  and eight non attacking points, the five internal and five external elements, three speeds and three attainments.

The Shan Tung Mantis Kung Fu Association follows Sifu Alexander Tse Wing Ming of Hong Kong in the traditional art of Praying Mantis.  Sifu Alex Tse Wing Ming is famous throughout the world for his knowledge and skill within Praying Mantis and for the rare video clips he has on Youtube.

Sifu David Graham is continually refining his knowledge and skill under his guidance.