Praying Mantis Kung Fu
History of Praying Mantis (Southern)
Praying Mantis Boxing was originally created by Wang Lang during the Ching dynasty by incorporating the strong points of 18 boxing arts in North China.
The system quickly divided into two separate and distinctly different major factions, Northern and Southern Praying Mantis. These in turn branched into several styles.
Southern Praying Mantis Boxing is characterized by upright stances, hand forms and close range techniques. The exact origin of Southern Praying Mantis is controversial. It is generally believed to have been derived from the Shaolin System of Northern Mantis but refined and developed by the Hakka tribe of Kwangs province Southern China.
The Southern Praying Mantis system divided into four main branches, Chu Gar, Chou (Chow) Gar, Iron Ox, and Bamboo Forest.
In general Southern Mantis incorporates a centerline theory for fighting. Defense and attack techniques originate from one main stance. There is an emphasis on manipulation of an opponents attack to force openings in the defense. Vital points of the body are targeted, Kicks are often used in conjunction with arm movements for simultaneous attack or attack-defence combinations.