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

4 comments about Praying Mantis Kung-Fu.

1. This DVD provides complete instructions for the vigorous, aerobic Chinese exercise, based on the movements of the praying mantis. This "form" is an exotic animal dance which serves to invigorate and revitalize the human body.
   It is also the beginning exercise of praying mantis "Kung-fu" and the self defense applications of each movement are shown. Also shown are the praying mantis "stances", another form of exercise based on this small but powerful creature.
   Complete step by step instructions are provided for each movement with careful explanation. The form is shown from various angles and at slow and regular speeds.
   With Bob Klein 90 minutes



2. I have previously reviewed Sifu Klein's video on the Mayflower Mantis form, which has a Taoist influence. This video has a more recent publication date on it, but sounds similar, as the previous one was 90 minutes also, but I can't tell from the description here if it's the same one. If it is, it's an excellent video and perhaps this is just a duplicate product link on Amazon.
   
   In this video, Sifu Klein and also one of his students presents the entire form, along with a section at the end showing the applications of all the moves. This was a very nice touch since usually in martial arts videos like this only a few applications are shown from the form, rather than for all the movements. That's one reason it's a full 90 minutes long, rather than 60 minutes or even 30 or 40 minutes like a lot of the martial arts videos out there these days.
   
   While I'm at it, I wanted to post a few comments on Sifu John Funk's praying mantis series, this one covering the famous 7 Star system. This is Sifu Jon Funk's 12 vol. set on 7-Star northern praying mantis kung fu from ESPY-TV. The reason I'm posting the comments here is that the video didn't turn up on an Amazon search, it's a very fine set, and this was the only way I could comment on it.
   
   7-Star Mantis is the most famous of all the northern and southern mantis styles and is possibly the style from which the popular Kenpo karate is descended, with it's multiple and rapid fire strikes and combinations. Modern day 7-Star Mantis is actually a combination of three mantis styles, which are the original classical 7- Star mantis, Plum Blossom Mantis, and Guang Dong or Shiny Board Mantis. (I know, weird name, but I don't know anymore about it than that). The original northern praying mantis style, developed by Wong Long, is said to incorporate the techniques of 18 different styles of kung fu. Later some monkey style footwork was even incorporated into the style.
   
   Praying mantis is one of the most historically important and famous of the kung fu styles, and it even had an influence on Indonesion Pentjak Silat. As many of you know, Bruce Lee incorporated Silat into his Jeet Kune Do from his friend Danny Inosanto. Some of the more famous Silat styles include Serah or Serak, Tjimande, Tjikalong, Mande Muda, Syahbander, Bukti Negara, the famous Harimau Tiger style from Sumatra, and many others.
   
   This is the most complete and detailed series on the 7-Star Praying Mantis style ever done, with very clear presentations and explanations of the forms. Forms range from beginning to very advanced and include empty hand as well as weapons forms. Sifu Funk also gives extensive instruction, along with many other pointers and details of the forms, including breathing, footwork, applications, how to practice, etc.
   
   The forms are presented a number of times during each tape, and from different angles for better understanding. The videos are as follows. (These descriptions are from the back cover of the DVD cases, along with some of my own separate information, so I credit the original publisher, ESPY-TV for their material here).
   
   Vol. 1. Bung Bo (Crushing Step) and Ng Long Gwun forms. Bung Bo is the foundational form for 7 Star Mantis, emphasizing sticking and adhering, combination throws, and close-range applications. The "Crushing Step" means that it teaches how to advance and attack strongly and powerfully. Ng Long Gwun is a long staff form that can be slip into two parts.
   
   Vol. 2. Baag Yune Dung and Yeen Tsing Doe. This intermediate form (White Ape Exits the Cave) emphasizes throwing techniques and grappling and striking. Yeen Tsing Doe is a very beautiful broadsword form that teaches basic techniques, parries and lightning fast combinations. This form is a very popular form and exists in a number of variations throughout China.
   
   Vol. 3. Fay Ngaan Tzerng and Yee Loi Mui Faa Tzerng. The two advanced forms in this video include the Flying Goose Palm form with its unpredicatable broken rhythm, and Second Route Plumb Flower Spear.
   
   Vol. 4. Buck Yuen Tow Toe and Seven Star Mantis Basics. This form teaches many basic applications and Sifu funk demonstrates and explains these clearly and in detail.
   
   Vol. 5. Advanced Praying Mantis techniques. Sifu Funk demonstrates and explains the advanced techniques and principles of the 7 Star system, including self defense concepts, reaction distance line system, the science of hand trapping, effective pressure point tactics, distractions, no strength pressure points, and joint locks.
   
   Vol. 6. May Fow Kuen. The advanced Plum Flower form, considered only for very serious students. Sifu Funk gives detailed applications and explanations for each movement.
   
   Vol. 7. Sam Low Chet Yuen (Third Route Essence Form). Advanced empty handed form with detailed explanations and applications by Sifu Funk.
   
   Vol. 8. Tong Long Tow Tow (Praying Mantis Steals the Peach). Another advanced empty handed form that was the favorite of the founder of the praying mantis style, Master Wong Long.
   
   Vol. 9. Tong Long Tsud Dung. This is the advanced Praying Mantis Exits the Cave empty handed form, with explanations and applications.
   
   Vol. 10. Law Hon Gung. Sifu Funk covers breathing exercises, Praying Mantis Iron Palm, and open palm applications.
   
   Vol. 11. Praying Mantis fighting applications, including sticky hands drills and applications, sparring drills, fighting strategies, and self defense.
   
   Vol. 12. Advanced Praying Mantis training drills, including situational self defense skills, and 2-man training drills.
   
   Overall, a great set from Sifu Funk and the most complete and authoritative series on the 7 Star system that I've seen commercially available.



3. Bob "the animal man" Klein has no discernible mantis martial arts lineage. He manages to reduce a dynamic energetic martial arts style to a series of alternately comical, alternately tragic arthritic antics. His knowledge of form and function is non-existent. For actual Praying Mantis Kung fu, look for Brendan Lai, Su Yu-Chang, Al Cheng, or Lee Kam Wing. Or even Jon Funk.



4. Bob "the Animal Man" Klein is something that must be seen to be believed. It is so bad, one feels guilty for laughing so hard. Obviously years of (bad)training have led this man to believe that his (lack of natural) talent and skills should be captured on video for all the world to see.

2 comments about Praying Mantis Kung-Fu.

1. This video teaches the Mayflower Mantis form (Mayflower is a kung-fu system combining Shaolin and T'ai-chi and was developed by the interaction of Taoist and Shaolin practitioners). This is an explosive, bouncy form just like the insect. The form is shown several times from different angles, both at regular speed and slow speed. Step by step instructions are given in which a student is being taught each movement and shown the self defense applications. The principles of the body mechanics are explained in detail and a series of "mantis stances" are also shown. This is a bit different mantis form than most people are familiar with and is very good for developing speed and explosiveness.



2. Very nice demonstration of the Mayflower mantis style with applications. Sifu Klein pretty well sums it up in his own review here, but I will say the form is very bouncy in the stances as he says, so the style of movement is different from the half dozen or so other mantis styles that I've seen. This style is a fusion of the Taoist Yang style tai chi form, if I remember correctly, and the northern Shaolin mantis style, and it produced something quite interesting as a result. Sifu Klein's ability as an instructor is seen in the very capable student who also demos the form. The form is beautifully shot in a spectacular natural setting in addition to the footage showing applications in the Sifu's kwoon or school. Sifu Klein also demos the form at normal and slow speeds. Overall a very good video on this unique style of praying mantis.

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

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 Mastering Praying Mantis Kung-Fu Self-Defense Tape 8.

No comments about Beng Bo (Crushing Step) and Knock Downs.

No comments about Praying Mantis Kung Fu - Bong Bo Kuen.