No comments about Seven Star Praying Mantis #5.

No comments about Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu - Tape 4.

No comments about Secrets of 7-Star Praying Mantis (Kung Fu): Volume 2: Mei Hua Chien, Form and Applications.

1 comments about Secrets of 7-Star Praying Mantis (Volume 1): Shi Pa Shou (Kung Fu) Form and Applications [VHS].

1. This is Alexander Co's video on the second form in the famous northern 7-Star Praying Mantis kung fu style. The Bembo or "Crushing Step" form is the first, which is so-called because it teaches the student to advance and attack in a powerful manner.
   
   In this video, master Co presents the second form, which is notable for its varied defenses and attacks. What is unique about praying mantis is the blocks aren't separate from the attacks and usually multiple attacks are used also. The blocks and/or mantis hand traps blend seamlessly into the counters in a very fluid way. This is called simultaneous block and strike. It is considered possibly the most aggressive of all kung fu styles in that it constantly presses the attack and attacks are swift and multiple. It is thought northern praying mantis evolved into present day kenpo, with its similar approach.
   
   These characteristics make the 7-Star system a difficult system for most people because of the intricacy of the hand movements. By contrast, 7-Star's footwork is fortunately relatively simple, and usually the footwork pattern is simply up and back in a linear motion. It's said that praying mantis was a very advanced style right from the beginning as it incoporated 18 different styles already, and the legend is after that, since the mantis, although it has powerful arms, has weaker legs, so the master incorporated monkey style kung fu footwork to aid with the leg techniques and mobility.
   
   According to modern authorities, the current 7-Star form is actually comprised of three different historical styles in various proportions. It is 50% classical or original 7-Star, 30% Plum Flower mantis, and 20% Shiny Board mantis (I have no idea what that style is about).
   
   There are actually many styles of praying mantis, which are (I'm indebted to Fernando Blanco for the following information at the Atlanta martial arts directory website):
   
   Seven-Star Praying Mantis (Shing Tang Lang)
   Eight Steps Praying Mantis (Pa Pu Tang Lang)
   Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liu Ho Tang Lang)
   Secret Door Praying Mantis (Pi Men Tang Lang)
   Mysterious Track Praying Mantis (Mi Tzong Tang Lang)
   Throwing Hands Praying Mantis (Shai Shou Tang Lang)
   Plum Flower Praying Mantis (Mei Hua Tang Lang)
   Flying legs Praying Mantis from the Wah Lum Temple (Wah Lum Tam Tui Tang Lang)
   Jade Ring Praying Mantis (Yu-Huan Tang Lang)
   Long Boxing Praying Mantis (Chang Chuen Tang Lang)
   Great Ultimate Praying Mantis (Tai Chi Tang Lang)
   Eight Ultimates Praying Mantis (Pa Chi Tang Lang)
   
   The southern substyles include (Hakka shadow boxing):
   
   Bamboo Forest Praying Mantis (Kwong Sai Jook Lum Tang Lang)
   Chou Clan Praying Mantis (Chou Gar Tang Lang)
   Chu Clan Praying Mantis (Chu Gar Tang Lang)
   
   Familiar or non spread substyles:
   
   Han Kun Family Praying Mantis (Han Kung Chia Tang Lang)
   Drunken Praying Mantis (Chui Tang Lang)
   Shiny Board Praying Mantis (Kuang Pang Tang Lang)
   Connected Arms Praying Mantis (Tong Pei Tang Lang)
   Mandarin Duck Praying Mantis (Yuan Yan Tang Lang)
   
   But getting back to the present video, Master Co demonstrates the form at both regular and slow speeds, and breaks the form up into several sections for easier understanding. He also shows many applications of the techniques, and there is a presentation of the basic techniques and stances also.
   
   One minor quip. The video seems a little grainy compared to many I have but as this could be a almost 20 year old video that might be normal. But overall, an excellent instructional video from master Co on this very important style of kung fu.

No comments about Praying Mantis Kung Fu Steals the Peach.

No comments about The Deadly Art of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

2 comments about Praying Mantis Kung Fu: Bong Bo Kuen DVD.

1. I wish all martial art dvds were made this good. No skipping, no freezing, it just plays smooth. The dvd is easy to navigate and there is plenty of information. The form is shown at full speed, then broken down and applications are taught. As a long time martial artist with 42 years of practice, I have seen a lot of folks and a lot of videos, few would compare to Sean and his work here. Oh, and most importantly, this is authentic Mantis Kung Fu. Besides my training in Tang Soo Do and Hapkido, I have also studied numerous Mantis systems, 7 Star, Tai Mantis, Southern and Korean Mantis and I can assure anyone thinking about buying this dvd or any other dvds by Sean, that this is the real deal. One last thing, after being in the martial arts for over 4 decades, it is my honest and educated opinion that Mantis kung fu is one of the best systems for overall practicality, thus, if you are new to the idea of Asian self-defense methods and not sure which one to study, then my advice to you is this; you cannot go wrong if you pick Mantis kung fu.



2. This seven-star kung fu DVD, like all the other presented in the series offered by Sean Daily and Wes Hardy, is excellent. After purchasing this DVD, noticing that it was very well done, I kept purchasing the other seven-star kung fu DVDs offered by those martial artists.
   The Bung Bo Quan or Crushing Step Boxing form is presented in a very competent, neat, and easy too understand way. Images, moves and explanations are optimal and easy to understand, even for beginner kung fu students. Especially noticeable is the fact that about half of the DVD is focused on presenting in a distinguished way the form applications for a real fight contest.
   In my personal opinion, as an experienced martial artist, this all DVDs series is the best I have ever seen. I have been through a lot of bad, mediocare, and just ok kung fu Dvds during the past years....but I can say that finally I found what I was looking for.
   I would strongly recommend this DVD and the all series to whoever is interested in learning or perfecting the seven-star northern mantis kung fu style.

1 comments about Praying Mantis Kung Fu: Praying Mantis Chain Styles Vol. 1.

1. This is a very good instructional DVD for helping beginners or advanced kung fu practitioneers to master practical fighting and self-defense technique applications from the 7 star mantis kung fu system.

2 comments about Praying Mantis Kung Fu: Bai Yuan Tou Tao ("White Ape Steals Peach") DVD.

1. This DVD is excellent.
   The seven-star kung fu form "White Ape Steals the Peach" taught thorugh this DVD is well explained, well detailed, easy to understand, and focused in every important detail.
   Particular important is the fact that this DVD presents an in-depth analysis on real fight form applications.
   In my opinion, this is one of the best DVDs I have ever seen.



2. I must say the "White Ape Steals Peach" - DVD is VERY GOOD, with clear and precice instruction, that is easy to follow. I like the fact that they have included applications, different options to view the form, and detailed instructions on how to execute to moves.
   
   Mantis is quite a tricky style to learn, and through DVD it is even more difficult, but having a background already in Mantis, I found this instruction DVD to be very easy to learn from.
   
   This is excellent work!! Keep it up, and give us many more DVD`s in the future.
   
   I hope to see more weapons-DVD`s also (saber, stick, sword or other "exotic" weapons) from MartialSkill.
   
   I will definitely check out the other videos from MartialSkill as well, looking forward to see the "Chain Styles DVD" soon. :)

1 comments about Praying Mantis Kung Fu - Bong Bo Kuen.

1. Overall, I was pretty impressed with this DVD. The footage is of Master Tak Wah Eng doing a mantis form: Bong Bo Kuen. This DVD offers the form done once through from three angles, then the form again broken into sections from those same angles. Very good demonstration of Praying Mantis kung fu, although unless you already know the style I'm pretty sure you won't learn to much from it. They don't offer any explaination of what he's doing at all, just the form from the three angles.