----- Original Message -----

From: aiwashihan

To: Alliance-of-International-Wadoryu@...

Sent: 10 July 2006 14:37 PM

Subject: Alliance of International Wado-ryu (AIWA) AIWa Open Budo Course!

22/07/06 - Multi-Art Budo Training Course.

Open to all Clubs & Groups.

Instruction in:

Tong-Long-Sau (Northern Shaolin Mantis Fist Form & application);
Instructed by Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi (Domei Kokusai Wadokai),

Tensho Chi & Combat Application; Instructed by Paul Elliott 6th Dan
(Samurai Enlighten Mushin Karate Academy),

Bo-jutsu (please bring a Bo-staff (broom-handle if junior) if you
wish to participate in this session); Instructed by Graham Chuck
(6th Dan) Renshi (Wado-ryu Karate-do Kenkyukai),

Aikido Instructed by  Steve Gray 3rd Karate 1st Dan Aikido (Samurai
Enlighten Mushin Karate Academy)

Please bring packed lunch. This course is to introduce Students to
some of the Groups and Instructors of AIWa. The course is to be lead
by the AIWa President, Gary E Swift (7th Dan) Kyoshi, and assisted
by Chief Instructors of each group in membership of AIWa.
Students will be put into groups of 10 to 20 students of their own
age and ability and taught by each Instructor of each group.
The course is being held at Tanbridge School Sports Hall, Guildford
Road, Horsham, West Sussex. Saturday 22nd July 9.30am to 1.30pm.
Price: £12.00 Seniors, £8.00 Juniors, £6.00 Low Grade Juniors for
two hours 9.30 to 11.30 . Open to all ages and grades. This is the
first AIWa course involving Group Heads, so do not miss this
opportunity to train with high grade Instructors and meet new
friends.

For AIWa Members located in Plymouth, 'limited' transport is
available so first come, first served if you require transport from
Plymouth, please indicate your intentions as soon as possible (01752-
493210). Due to the early start, we would need to LEAVE Pomphlett
Dojo 4.15am sharp.


Tong-Long-Chuan
Northern Shaolin Praying Mantis Fist

Programme

1.      The techniques of Tong-Long.
2.      The applications.
3.      Tong-Long-Sau - The 'Form'.

Conducted by: Gary E Swift 7th Dan.

Tong-Long History & Connections

ACU-POINT & ACU-POINT STRIKING = The pressure-points and pressure-
point striking skills. Known as Hsueh-dao, Tien-hsueh, Xue
(Chinese), Geup-so, Giap-sool, Jiap, Kup-so, Yakjom (Korea), Ate-mi,
Kyu-sho (Japanese). See also Acupressure.

ACU-PRESSURE = An art and science, similar to Acupuncture, where the
use of pressure and massage replaces that of needles to the Hsueh-
dao (vital energy points). In healing, certain 'points' are
prohibited with needles, as they may cause injury, so the advantage
of pressure replaces the point of the needle. The practitioner of
Acupressure understands more fully the potential of healing and
injuring with acupoint-pressure. In injuring, these points can be
used to stun, paralyse, render unconscious, and even kill the victim
if applied in the correct way. In the book Hsi-yuan-lu of 1247,
there are diagrams indicating all these 'vital-points' on the human
body. It is believed that there are over 300 of these points,
although there are only 108 major stunning and killing points, and
out of those, 36 are actually 'major' lethal points. Acupressure, as
well as Acupuncture, is a widely accepted and a most effective
method of healing and relaxing. See also Acupuncture and Jingluo.

ACU-PUNCTURE = A Chinese healing-art & science of medicine in which
needles are placed to 'points', known as the Hsueh-dao, on the body.
These 'points' are located on the Jingluo, energy channels
(meridians), through which Chi (Ki, Gi) or vital energy flows.
Restores the body to good physical and/or mental health. It is often
included as part of the healing arts studied by many students of
martial-arts. See also Acupressure, Chinglo, and Jingluo.

CHAT-SING-TONG-LONG = China. 'Seven star Praying Mantis'. Founded in
the 17th century by Wong-Long, the creator of Tong-Long, it combines
Monkey and Mantis boxing. The footwork is of the Monkey, while the
hands retain the characteristics of the fighting Praying Mantis. See
Tong-long. See also Hou-quan.

CHYU-GAR = China. 'Royal family'. A form of Shaolin Praying-Mantis
boxing developed by Chyu-Fuk-Tyu during the Ming Dynasty. An
offshoot of this style later developed into Kwang-Sai-Juk-Lam. The
system concentrates on striking the acupressure points of the
opponent with single-knuckle fist, finger-strikes, sword-hand
strikes, grasping techniques, and tearing techniques. See also Tong-
long. See also Acupressure.

HAN = China. Period name. The Han Dynasty (206 BC - AD 220). Notable
events: Liu-Pang leads a revolt against the Ch'in and establishes
the Han Dynasty, he becomes known as Emperor Kao-Tsu. Han Emperor
institutes Confucianism as the State religion and orders the
abolition of old nature worship. Emperor Liu-Ch'e, also known as Wu-
Ti, sends Chang-Ch'ien on a diplomatic and investigative mission to
Central Asia. Parts of Confucian Classics are salvaged and
rewritten. Chang-Ch'ien returns with information that leads to later
explorations and Chinese control of the Silk Route, the main trade
route to the West. Szu-Ma-Chun, writes the famous history Li-Shou-
Chun, first known alchemist, claims to have found the secret of
turning cinnabar into gold. From the Year 0: Wang-Mang usurps the
Han throne and attempts many radical social reforms during his short
interregnum. Bore-holes 2,000 feet-deep are drilled in the salt
mines of Szechwan. Wang-Ch'ung, brilliant and sceptical essayist, is
born. The growth of the fighting art Shoubo (wrestling) and Jiaodi
(cattle-horn fighting). Buddhist priests from India bring their
doctrine. The start of the fighting arts made into prearranged forms
(early Wu-shu routines). Paper is invented. The revolt of
the 'Yellow Turbans', a Taoist cult, causes the final collapse of
the official Han religion and contributes to the Dynasty's collapse.
Pan-Ku writes his meticulous 'History of the Former Han Dynasty'.
Astronomical instruments are improved to make possible the accurate
prediction of eclipses. Chang-Hen, poet and astronomer is the first
to use waterpower to run an orrery, the ancestor of the modern
clock. The 'Five Classics' and the 'Analects' are engraved in stone.
Buddhism becomes a popular religion. Ko-Hung, China's most famous
alchemist, caries out experiments attempting to find the elixir of
life. Period names include; Hsia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Chou
Dynasty, Ch'in Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Six Kingdoms (Sui Dynasty),
T'ang Dynasty. See Wu-shu.

HAN-WU-TI = China. The Emperor Han-Wu-Ti (140 - 87 BC). The first
Emperor of China to send Chinese ambassadors to the west. The first
to open trade with India with export of products as silk, before
which was never seen outside China. So started the Silk Trade. India
traded the silk with Syria, and so after time even to the borders of
the Roman Empire.

HOU-QUAN = China. 'Monkey boxing'. Bears striking resemblance to the
characteristic movements of the Monkey, both in the fighting form
and spirit. The performer walks on tiptoe, or skips about with his
back rounded, shoulders relaxed, body drawn up, hands hooked, and
eyes blinking. Developed from the Shaolin boxing styles and has now
become part of the Wu-shu system of today. See also Chat-sing-tong-
long.

JING-LUO = China. The main and collateral channels in the body,
along which the acupoints are distributed. Acupuncture's twelve
meridians of the body on which the key points of treatment lie and
which are associated with the vital organs. Each meridian is either
yin (for organs with mainly storage functions), or yang (for
actively working organs). In Dianxue-biqi the idea would be to hit
these points in order to stop the circulation of the 'vital' energy
along the Jingluo and injure the internal organs. In Jingluo there
are 130 acupoints (Xue) in total on the human body. There are
43 'major' points, 29 on the front and 14 on the back. These are
listed as: Frontal targets; Meixin (between the eyebrows), nose,
temples, Erhou (back of the ear), eyes, throat, Shanzhong (pit of
the stomach), Juque (gastric cavity), Fushuai (base of the ribs),
Shenque (the navel), pudenda, Neikua (the inside hipbones),
kneecaps, knee joints, shin bones, elbow joints, wrists, insteps.
Rear targets; Armpits, Yaoyan (either side of the small of the back,
just above the top of the hips), Naohu (base of skull), cervical
vertebrae, Shenzhu (neck base vertebrae), Zhiyang (vertebrae between
the base of the shoulder blades), Mingmen (lower three and four
vertebrae), Changqiang (base vertebrae or coccyx), back of knees,
side of neck. Also known as Ching-lo and Ging. See also Acupressure.

KUNG-FU = China. 'Skill acquired through hard work'. Only in recent
times has it become associated with Chinese martial arts. The word
Kung (Gong) encompasses numerous meanings
including 'Skill', 'Time', 'Work', 'Task', 'Ability', and
even 'Strength'. Also known as Gwo-shu and Wu-shu. Kung-fu has two
main streams (internal & external), with many subdivisions. More
correctly known as Chuan-fa. Also known as Gung-fu and Gong-fu.

KUO-SHU = China. 'National Arts'. The name that temporarily replaced
Wu-shu (War-arts) in 1928, during the period of time China competed
against Japan in the tournament circuit, until the War. See Wu-shu.

MUI-FA-TONG-LONG = China. 'Plum blossom Praying Mantis'. A Northern
Chinese style of a Mantis martial-arts system.

NGH-HAHNG-DAN-DOU = China. 'Five walking single sword'. A
broadsword 'form' practised within the Tong-long system.

SAI-MUN-CHEUNG = China. 'Four gate spear'. A spear 'form' practised
within the Tong-long system.

SIL-LUM = China. 'Little forest'. Shaolin, as pronounced and
practised in Canton. Also known as Siu-lam.

SUI = China. Period name. The Sui Dynasty, part of the Six-Kingdoms
period (AD 220 - 618). Notable events: With the Han Dynasty's fall,
nomads begin their innovations from the north; China is left without
a stable government for almost four centuries. Western Ch'in Dynasty
attempts to reunify China, but abandons the north to barbarians.
Hsieh-Ho lays down his famous Six Cannons of painting. Pictures
related to the life of Buddha are painted on cave walls at Tun-
Huang. The Sui Dynasty seizes power. The Empress Wu builds the
Luminous Palace. The author of 'Lao-Tzu' is canonised. Period names
include; Hsia Dynasty, Shang Dynasty, Chou Dynasty, Ch'in Dynasty,
Han Dynasty, Six Kingdoms (Sui Dynasty), T'ang Dynasty.

SA-MA-GUI = Korea. 'Praying Mantis fist'. As used in the Kuk-sool
system. See also Tong-long.

SHA-O-LIN = China. 'Young forest' or 'small forest'. The name of the
famous Temple built in China in AD 495. It is the most famous of the
Shaolin Temples and was built in the Hunan province at the foot of
the western slopes of the Songshang Mountains of Northern China.
This was the temple where it is said that all martial-arts
originated. By the mid 1600's, the monastery had over 1500 monks;
this included about 500 'fighting-monks'. In 1675 the fighting-monks
became so powerful that the Ching Emperor, K'ang-Hsi, considered
them to be a threat to his throne. Aided by a renegade monk, who was
able to show the emperor's forces a secret entrance, the monastery
was invaded. Overwhelmed by the surprise attack and force of sheer
numbers of troops, only 128 monks survived. Of these 128, due to
persecution and execution, only five survivors managed to remain
alive and escape from the emperor just one year later. These five
survivors, named Hung, Monk, Lau, Li, and Choy, became known as
the 'Five Ancestors'. They pledged to set up their own monasteries
and resist the Ching Dynasty, which they did. They also became
famous for the creation of the Triad societies. Triad
meaning 'Heaven, Earth, Man'. The Triads were responsible for two of
the greatest revolts in Chinese history. The Taipan Uprising,
against the Manchu rulers, and the Boxer Revolt in 1900. After the
overthrow of the Manchu's and the establishment of the republic in
1911, the Triads gradually lost a lot of their power on the mainland
and subsequently fled to Hong Kong and overseas.

SHAO-LIN-CHUAN = China. 'Young forest fist'. A system of Kung-fu
based on the five animal forms dragon, snake, tiger, crane, and
leopard. The school was divided into two training systems: Nei-chia;
Internal group, and Wei-chia; External group. See Shaolin-chuan-fa.

SHAOLIN-CH'UAN-FA = China. 'Shaolin Temple fist way'. The Wei-chia
martial-arts training methods that are thought to have evolved from
the Shaolin Temple Boxing. Derives from the exercises that
Bodhidharma taught to the monks of the Songshang Temple in the Hunan
Province. The Shaolin Fist styles are divided into five schools,
named after the particular Monastery the style developed from. They
are: O-mei, Wu-tang, Fukien, Honan, and Kuangtang.

TANG-LANG-CHUAN = China. 'Mantis boxing'. Created in the 17th
century, this style is characterised by a quick succession of
aggressive, springy movements involving arms and legs. The hands are
developed in such a way whereby the practitioner uses the hand to
grasp and tear the attacking limb of the opponent. Using this type
of technique can also allow strikes to be delivered at the more
vulnerable and softer parts of the body. The back three fingers are
the dominating feature of the fist grip. Developed from the Shaolin
boxing styles, it has now become part of the Wu-shu system of today.
Also known as Tang-lang-quan, and Tong-long-chuan. See also Tong-
long.

TANG-LANG-QUAN = China. 'Praying Mantis fist'. See Tang-lang-chuan
and Tong-long.

TONG-LONG = China. The Praying Mantis fist system of Kung-fu. Named
after the founder, Wong-Long, after he had witnessed seeing a fight
between a grasshopper and a praying-Mantis. The style originated at
the Northern Shaolin Temple almost 400 years ago. Wong-Long would
always be defeated by his peers in contests, so he decided to retire
and meditate on his faults and weakness'. During one of his periods
of meditation, he noticed a battle for survival going on right next
to him on the grass. It was a fight between a cicada, a type of
grasshopper, and a Praying Mantis. The cicada was much larger than
the Mantis, but the Mantis was being systematic in its attacks,
moving in a distinct pattern, striking and clawing from both sides.
The cicada, totally confused and finally beaten, flew away. Wong-
Long was so impressed by this fight that he captured the insect and
took it back home for further study. He noticed that the creature
could claw and grasp in every direction, coping with almost every
aspect of attack. The monk provoked the insect by prodding it, set
other insects onto it, until he decided to put the creature's
techniques into his own practice. Wong-Long devised a system of
fighting based on the Mantis's movements. After almost two years of
intense training in his new system, he decided to put his theories
to the test. He returned to the monastery and fought and defeated
the monks at the next contest. To celebrate the success of this, the
Shaolin abbot named Wong-Long's fighting technique Tong-Long. See
Chat-sing-tong-long. See also Tang-lang-quan and Chyu-gar.

TONG-LONG-CHEUT-DUNG = China. 'Praying Mantis exits cave'. A 'form'
practised within the Tong-long system.

WU-SHU = China. 'War arts'. The encompassing name for all martial-
arts practised in the Peoples Republic of China. Wu-shu is normally
classified into three main categories: Shadow Boxing, Weapons,
Combat. There were standard routines of bare-hand exercises in the
Song Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, Shadow Boxing branched into
the 'inner school' with emphasis on defence and the 'outer school'
with emphasis on attack. Later they were classified geographically.
The Yangtze River became the dividing line. The two schools became
what are now known as the Southern School and the Northern School.
Notable events in China, during the dynasties, regarding the
development of Wu-shu are as follows. ZHOU DYNASTY c. 11th century -
256 BC; Jiaoli (an early form of wrestling), archery, and chariot
racing became national sports. QUIN DYNASTY 221 - 206 BC and HAN
DYNASTY 206 BC - AD 220; The growth of the fighting art Shoubo
(wrestling) and Jiaodi (cattle-horn fighting), the start of the
fighting arts made into prearranged forms (early Wu-shu routines).
JIN DYNASTY 265 - 439 and the SOUTHERN & NORTHERN DYNASTY 420 - 581;
Wu-shu came under the influence of Buddhism and Taoism, Ge-Hong
(284 - 364), a famous physician and Taoist philosopher, integrated
Wu-shu and Qi-gong, an important branch of Chinese medicine. His
theories of 'External & Internal Work' in Wu-shu are still
universally accepted today. TANG DYNASTY 618 - 907 Wu-shu was
classed as the official 'War Art', soldiers must pass tests in
martial-arts before becoming eligible for promotion. Titles
as 'Warrior of Courage' and 'Warrior of Agility' were conferred on
outstanding masters of Wu-shu. LIAO DYNASTY 916 - 1125 & SONG
DYNASTY 960 - 1279; Wu-shu societies started to emerge. Skilful
performers displayed their arts in the streets, including 'sword
verses shield', 'spear verses shield', plus exercises without
weapons. According to a chronicle about the capital city of
Kaifeng; 'These street shows attracted many large crowds every day,
rain or shine'. MING DYNASTY 1368 - 1644; Wu-shu became one of the
largest martial-arts and prospered as never before. General Qi-
Jiguang, of national renown, compiled a book dealing with sixteen
different styles of bare-hand exercises and another forty exercises
of spear and cudgel, each with detailed explanations and
illustrations. QING DYNASTY 1644 - 1911; Imperial decree to stop all
form of Wu-shu practice within the civil populace. Secret societies
sprang up, creating the Taiji and Pigua society. In 1949, since the
founding of the Peoples Republic, Wu-shu was returned to public
favour. Wu-shu Sport Centres were built and the sport was promoted
and encouraged throughout China as the National Sport. The 'Warring
States Period', 403 - 221 BC, produced many strategists who stressed
the importance of Wu-shu in building a strong army. As in Sun-Tzu,
China's earliest book of war, 'Wrestling and fighting exercises
strengthen the warriors physique'. In 1928 Wu-shu was renamed Kuo-
shu, National Arts. See also Kuo-shu.
Seven Star Praying Mantis Original Forms History
History tells us that Wang's Praying Mantis was taught as a higher
level Kung-fu art to the monks of Shaolin for a number of
generations. As time went on the monks introduced improvements and
the system continued to develop.
A travelling Taoist, Sheng Xiao Dao Ren, stopped by the Shaolin
temple and observed the monks practicing a style of Kung-fu that
looked jerky and without much power. He asked for a friendly match
and quickly lost to a junior monk. He thought this must have been a
fluke so he asked to spar with a senior monk. Again he lost and was
thrown to the ground. When he pick himself up he asked what martial
art they were studying. The monks explained the Kung-fu style they
were practicing was called Praying Mantis.
Sheng Xiao Dao Ren stayed on at the Shaolin temple and learned the
entire Praying Mantis art from the monks. After mastering the skills
of this effective style he left the temple and began his travels
again. Sheng only taught one student , Lee San Jian. After Lee
learned the art of Praying Mantis he established a caravan guarding
service. As a result of his reputation (of nobody being able to beat
him) he was nicknamed The "Lee the Lightning Fist" by the local
bandits.
As Lee grew older he retired from the caravan guarding business and
looked for a successor to the Praying Mantis art that had served him
so well. Travelling, he arrived in Fusham and met with a local
champion called Wang Rong Sheng. Lee asked for a demonstration of
Wang's skills. Upon seeing his performance Lee remarked that this
exhibition of Kung-fu ability should have not have qualified him to
be a champion.
Wang was upset by these comments and challenged Lee to fight. Wang
attacked, however, whenever he came at Lee, he seemed to disappear.
Lee appeared to effortlessly evade any attack Wang could throw at
him. At this point Wang decided that he was facing considerable
skill and he humbly asked to be Lee's student.
As Wang was from a wealthy family he was able devote much of his
time to learning all his teacher had to share and therefore
developed the art of Praying Mantis to a high level. After several
years Wang accepted a student called Fan Xu Dong.
Nicknamed the 'Giant' and the 'Broadsword', Fan was a large
individual weighing over 300 pounds. Known as Giant Fan, he gain
notoriety for an incident involving a pair of bulls. As Fan was
crossing a farmer's field two angry bulls confronted him. As the
bulls charged, Fan kicked the first one and palm struck the second
one. Both bulls died and the farmer, although not happy with the
death of his livestock, accepted the explanation. Word of this
incident soon spread and generated some fame for Fan. He also gained
even more of a reputation when he travelled to Russia where he won a
challenge match.
Fan hand wrote five volumes called the "Shaolin Authentic." One book
was on herbalology, another was the Luo Han Gong (Monk martial art),
and the others were on the principles and concepts of northern
Praying Mantis Kung-fu. These five books were later hand copied in
Hong Kong by Huang Han Xuen. The original illustrations and
calligraphy on Luo Han Gong by Fan Xu Dong was reproduced in one of
Huang's books in which he added photographs to depict the movements.
In 1918, Fan was asked to come to Shanghai to be an instructor in
the newly reorganized Ching Wu Athletic Association. He declined,
however, he sent one of his students, Luo Guang Yu.
Luo, who was 20 years old at the time, started teaching in 1918 at
the Ching Wu headquarters in Shanghai as one of the four main
instructors. At the same time his Kung-fu brother Yang Gin Shang
also came to Shanghai to teach, but soon returned to Shantung. Luo,
being somewhat shy, kept to himself so unfortunately the others at
the Ching Wu did not get to know him. Because of his shy nature, the
other martial artists in Shanghai mistakenly thought he was rather
aloof.
In 1929 one of Luo's students, Ma Cheng Xin won a national
championship in a sparring division conducted in Shanghai. From this
success Luo gained respect from his fellow Shanghai teaching
colleagues. This helped solve some of the problems his reputation
for being a snob created.
Luo, a big man of almost 200 lbs, was well known at the Ching Wu for
his dedicated practice of Praying Mantis. Each day he would perform
each of the forms in the northern Praying Mantis system. Luo, a
master of the iron palm skill, was a big proponent of sparring
practice. At this time in China's history sparring was not a
prominent aspect of Kung-fu systems. Most northern Kung-fu systems
used the two man choreographed fighting sets to practice their
fighting skills. Northern Praying Mantis also uses the two man
choreographed fighting sets, but Luo also encouraged free sparring
practice as well. When Luo sparred with his students, however, he
would not attack, but only defend, as he was afraid that his iron
palm skills might inadvertently hurt his sparring partner.
Luo had two favourite forms: a hand set called Tang Lang Tou Tau,
and the three section staff weapon set. The hand set is an excellent
form for teaching quick fighting skills. It is performed with speed
and the combinations of techniques that develop useful flowing
combat tactics. His favourite weapon set was the three section staff
set, which is made up of practical techniques that effectively teach
how to utilize this difficult weapon in combat situations.
Luo also was quite fond of the straight sword form Tzu Wu Jien (High
Noon Sword) This form is considered the top straight sword set in
the northern Praying Mantis system. It is not a form with a lot of
fancy looking movements, however, it is a challenging set to master.
When Luo lived in Hong Kong he was fond of walking in the trails
around the city and often used a walking stick to practice some of
the movements of Tzu Wu Jien as he made his way.
Luo taught northern Praying Mantis in Shanghai until he travelled
south to Hong Kong. During his teaching career he produced 21
graduate students and taught for the Hong Kong Ching Wu until his
return to Shanghai.
Luo proved he was a loyal student to his master, Fan Xu Dong, and
demonstrated this by helping to support his teacher in his old age.
In 1944 Luo returned to Shanghai and died there the same year at the
age of 56. He is buried in the Shantung cemetery in Shanghai. His
wife, four sons and two daughters survived him.
Huang Han Xuen (Wong Hon Fun in Cantonese), one of 21 graduate
students of Luo Guang Yu, began his northern Praying Mantis teaching
career at the age of 18 years in Macao in 1932. He taught for over
40 years and retired at the age of 57. He passed away at age 61 in
1974.
His students considered Huang a perfectionist and they often told of
his strong temper when students didn't perform up to his
expectations. In 1933 Huang was sent by his teacher, Luo Guang Yu,
to Wuhan, Szechwan province to teach in the Ching Wu branch located
there. Before heading to Wuhan, Huang participated in the closed
door ceremony to become Luo's closed door disciple. Prior to the
ceremony he spent three intensive days learning from Luo. Huang
often spoke of this experience as "the time when studying for these
3 days with his Sifu was like practicing for three years on his own."
In Wuhan, Huang, had to overcome a number of teaching obstacles. He
first had to deal with the language barrier and to add to that, most
of his students were stronger and taller (Huang was 5' 7" and 160
lbs). In addition , Huang, was replacing a popular long time
teacher. It was Huang's knowledge and teaching skills that soon
overcame the problems he initially faced and later he was appointed
the chief instructor for broadsword training for the local military.
In 1937 Huang went back to Hong Kong due to the Japanese invasion of
China. There he took up teaching for the Ching Wu. Later, Huang open
his own school called the Hon Fan Athletic School. He also taught in
a number of high schools and benevolent societies. Huang believed
that a student could achieve satisfactory proficiency in the
northern Praying Mantis system in six years and after another two
years of instructor apprenticeship could achieve graduate status.
Huang, also published a series of books on northern Praying Mantis
Kung-fu. Beginning in 1946 he published the first of some thirty
volumes, which succeeded in documenting the northern Praying Mantis
system. The books featured forms, descriptions of principles and
concepts, fighting tactics, and history. There is a complete set of
Huang's northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu books on display at Harvard
University.
Huang published the form Beng Bu, common to all northern Praying
Mantis styles, in 1947 featuring his teacher, Luo Guang Yu, in the
majority of the photographs. Since Huang was a traditional medical
practitioner he taught his students these skills and he published a
book of herbal recipes and descriptions on how to do bone setting.
Huang Han Xuen taught for forty years and had many students that
graduated from his Praying Mantis Kung-fu school. In a commemorative
book published by his students in his honour there is a list of all
of Huang's graduates. If anyone sites they are a graduate of Huang
and his name is not present then they are not considered to be
accurate in their claim.
One of Huang Han Xuen's graduates, Al Cheng, immigrated to Canada in
1977. In 1979, after completing his education in Canada, he opened
his own Kung-fu school teaching Praying Mantis in Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada. Prior to immigrating to Canada Al Cheng won a Hong Kong full
contact fighting championship in his weight class in 1977.
Joining Al Cheng's Kung-fu school in 1979 as one of his first
students was Jon Funk. Later, a graduate of Al Cheng, Funk opened
his own Praying Mantis Kung-fu school in Vancouver, B.C. where he
continues to teach the northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu system.
Northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu, as taught by Lou Guang Yu, is made
up of the following branches of Praying Mantis: Chi Xieng (Seven
Star style), Mei Hua (Plum Flower style), Guang Bang (Shinny Board
style) Chang Chuan (Long Fist style), and Fan Che (Chariot style).
The style, as Luo Guang Yu taught it, is made up of 50% Chi Xieng
(Seven Star style), 30% Mei Hua (Plum Flower style), and 20% Guang
Bang (Shinny Board style). The Praying Mantis style, Guang Bang
(Shinny Board style) is the root style of both the Chang Chuan (Long
Fist style) and the Fan Che (Chariot style). Forms from each branch
of Praying Mantis were adopted into the northern Praying Mantis
system as taught by Luo Guang Yu. Each form teaches a somewhat
different aspect of northern Praying Mantis.
Historically it is considered that the monk students of Wang Lang
created the different Praying Mantis systems. Each monk student put
a different emphasis on the forms and approaches of the style
because of different desires and body types. The Taoist, Sheng Xiao
Dao Ren had the opportunity to learn these different Praying Mantis
systems from the Shaolin monks and pass them on.
From the Chi Xieng (Seven Star style) are forms such as Beng Bu
(Crushing Step), Shyh Ba Sou (Eighteen Old Men), Duo Gang
(Concealing the Hand), Tang Lang Chu Dong (Praying Mantis Exits the
Cave), Tang Lang Tou Tau (Praying Mantis Steals the Peach), and Mei
Hua Shou (Plum Flower Hand). Beng Bu is the foundation form of
northern Praying Mantis. It contains the twelve character principles
that Wang Lang used to formulate the original Praying Mantis system.
Most branches of northern Praying Mantis recognize that Beng Bu was
the first form created by Wang Lang.
Learning Beng Bu and the two-man version will give one a basic
understanding of northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu. Shyh Ba Sou is a
form that helps learn ambidextrous skills. The form Duo Gang offers
skill in joint locking. The two forms Tang Lang Chu Dong and Tang
Lang Tou Tau are excellent fighting skill development sets. They can
both be performed with speed and fighting intent. Mei Hua Shou is a
form with a diverse number of techniques. Practicing this form
increases the combination of techniques available in different
scenarios.
Mei Hua (Plum Flower style) contributes a number of forms to the
northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu system: Mei Hua Chuan (Plum Flower
Fist) and the Yi Lu Jai Yaw, Er Lu Jai Yaw, and San Lu Jai Yaw (1st,
2nd, and 3rd Route Essence). The form, Mei Hua Chuan utilizes quick
back and forth movement with both a defend and attack component to
them. The Yi Lu Jai Yaw, Er Lu Jai Yaw, and San Lu Jai Yaw sets are
a family of three forms that have a wide variety of technique
combinations that are thought to be a good representation of the
northern Praying Mantis system.
From the Guang Bang (Shinny Board style) come the forms Mei Hua Luo
(Plum, Flower Falling), Da Gia Shyh (Big Gesture Form), and Xiou Gia
Shyh (Small Gesture Form). Mei Hwa Luo, is an excellent form to
learn a combination of joint attacks, trapping and throws. The forms
Da Gia Shyh and Xiou Gia Shyh teach such skills as sweeps and
repetitive attacking methods.
From Chang Chuan (Long Fist style) come the fist forms, Cha Chuey
(Piercing Fist), and Syh Lu Bun Da (Four Direction Fist). Cha Chuey,
is considered a fist form to teach powerful techniques. The two man
version of this set is especially good at developing the trapping
and counter trapping of northern Praying Mantis. Syh Lu Bun Da, on
the other hand is a long range fist set and teaches some elaborate
kicking skills.
There are two fist forms from the Fan Che (Chariot style), called Da
Fan Che (Big Chariot ) and Xiao Fan Che (Little Chariot). Both of
these sets contain large arm swinging movements and this aspect
differs them somewhat from most of the other northern Praying Mantis
forms.
The northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu style is a complete system with
over 80 forms. There are empty hand forms, weapons forms, two-person
empty hand and weapon sets, one three-person empty hand form, one
three-person weapons form (straight sword, broadsword and spear), a
breathing set called Luo Han Gong (Monk martial art), iron palm, and
a drunken form called Juey Luo Han Chuan (Drunken Monk).
Northern Praying Mantis Kung-fu teachers have, with each successive
generation, added to the development of the system. As the social
conditions change so then can the training emphasis. In its
beginning northern Praying Mantis was a battlefield oriented art,
however, today the emphasis can be on more on modern day street
practicality.
What makes the system so effective as a fighting art is the use of a
guiding set of concepts and principles. Rather than a specific set
of confining rules that dictate the fighting method, northern
Praying Mantis has a more flexible approach.
In each situation, the approach and size of an opponent sets up the
northern Praying Mantis practitioner's decision on various fighting
strategies. Whether it is long rang, middle range, grappling range,
or ground fighting the concepts of the Praying Mantis style can be
applied making quite it adaptable to any fighting environment.

Excerpts taken from the 'A to Z of the Martial Arts World'. Written
by GE Swift Kyoshi