MantisQuarter
very branch of
anglang gives ccd
ict the same eight
‘en styles in their
origin traditions. There i=
lide literary or historical
information available about
snot ofthe masters cited
inthe ls, known by many.
asthe Shiba Jia Fa, Howe-
tr fortwo of these masters,
Yan Qing and Lin Chong,
there is an abundance of
stories a close as one's
bookstore.
Shui Hu Zinan is the
swory of a group of men,
including Yan Qing and
Lin Chong, who were driv
cen to became bandits by
the corrupt rule ofthe
‘Song Dynasty. Ie as sever-
al English tvs, including
Heros ofthe Marsh, Al
‘Men are Brothers and
‘Heroes n Waaer Margin.
‘A more accutae but seldom used translation of
the tice is Water Margin Chronicles. The best-
known English transition of this story is by
wellknown author Peal S. Buck, who azo
swrote The Good Earth
‘Dates given for when the book was frst pub
lished vary widely, ranging from the Yuan
Dynasty to the eisly Ming Dynasty. The person
credited for writing the book also varies, The Fist
Ibook has been actributed to ovo different men:
Shi Nafan and Luo Guanzong. A third theory s
that Luo Guanzong was acualy a peeudanym
for Shi Navan, or vice versa, Portions of the story
in poetic form actually peedate the book (ee
timeline, page 2), and the author no doubt com-
bined those poems with hisrory and imagination
to crate the novel.
“The story is drawn fiom an actual even. In
the yer A.D. 1120, a cv servant named Song
Tang led a rebellion and buile an impregnable
‘amp in 4 marsh near iangshan Mountain in
Shangdong, They opposed Song Dynasty emper-
‘or Hui Zang, who reigned from A.D. 101 unl
‘AD. 1125, when the Norther Song fell afer an
invasion by the Mongol.
The Song Dynasty sow 0 resugence of Confucanis os a sate elgon Piaured
here is the home of Canfuis, lecoted in Gul, Shandong Province
“The Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1297) was
iret fenene ee ae Rng Dee
{(&D-616:907) and Five Dynan periods
(AD. 907.960). Confucianism, which had been
eo pee malig
ae eee ete el
Buddhism daring the Song Dynan. Howeve,
tear apse poked eg Sasi wat
soe peat by ta cage
Wiis cg ee pat poeta
opie pee alice ora ul
baniptina of pera to preen the ate
alate peatpene TA aa ihe
Ao etl Tigh idl tn
pee within che ee, cal placed ls exper
ace persia command, whee ero in
Fidget uikimatly led the ates dee by
{he Mangal and othr
Yan Qing in Martial Legend
Yan Qing ira name wel known by most
“Tanglang pracitoners, The Yan Qing Dan Dao,
cor Yan Qings Single Broadewor, i practic
throughout Qixing Tanglangs many branches
Nexy a falar You Qing Po Shou,1101-1125
Reign of Song
Hui Zong
‘he stores about the
Wer Margin Outen in
eos of the Mash are et
uring tis pesiod
1120-1122
Fang La Rebellion
Song ang the leader of
‘he cau inthe series,
wae mentioned in storia
records one of the leaders
ofthe Fang La peasant
pring in Norther Chins
1127-1279
Southern Song.
Dynasty
Ballads and storie featuring
the Water Margin Otews
became popular ue
China daring this perio.
1279-1368
‘Yuan Dynasty
Dramas featring the
unos were peor,
nd sons continued 0
eve les about them
dng the an Dyas,
1368-164.
‘Ming Dynasty
‘The publication date given
forthe the ist writen
compiltion ote stores of
‘the Water Margin Quon,
Shui tu Zhuan eres of
the Mors) ves fom the
‘Yuan Dyrasty period to
the ety Ming
1641
Jin Shengan (1608-1661)
publahed a 7-chapter
version ofthe Water Margin
‘utawes sve that
remained the standard
‘unt the 208 cent
‘ounce rchniques to
fn opponents attempts
fc secking oF trapping
Ta the Shiba Ja Fs of
“Tanglang, he is given
creie for throwing,
techniques chat need
‘only a moment con-
‘Whether these tech
nies were actually
cated by Yan Qing oF
their atibution to hi
stands solely on his
boing the inspiration
for chem will probably
never be known, How
‘ve eis interesting to
note that inthe eight-
cen source styles of
Minghu Quan (ce Mantis Quarterly, Valume 2,
ae 4), Yan Qing is noted a having "sticky
palms and leaping stops," which could be arefer-
fence tothe Tanglang Po Shot.
“There a martial art known as Yan Qing
‘Quan (Yan Qings Boxing Style), also known as
Mizong Quan (Lost Track Boxing) Its origin leg
ced bolds that Yan Qing learned the syle fom a
‘monk named Lu Jizoyi ar the Shaolin Temple.
‘Their story assers hat followers of Yan Qing
called the syle Yan Qing Quan but later changed
the name to Mizong Quan to hide is exgia
from the government. Othets hold that it began
inthe Ming Dynasty, around the mid-1700s,
‘witha matial artist named Sun Tong.
“This boxing style i itself a combination of
systems, claiming influence from Taiji, Baqua,
Xing Yi, Eagle Claw, Tanglang and Tam Tui
The system is known for movements that con-
fase the opponent and superbly developed
ability to avoid rather than block attacks. The
best-known exponent ofthis style is Huo Yuan-
ja, the famous boxer who started the Qing Wi
Association in Shanghai
‘devin dick Kk
Yan Qing in Literature
In Herves of the Marsh, Yan Qing isan adopted
child who displays alent in languages, music
and fighting as. He isan albino and has blue
tattoos on his body: His is nota major role in the
‘novel, bur his intelligence and fighting sil are
important a crucial moment.
Chong in Martial Legend
(Chong ss known by armen
circles than Yan Qing, but his rama ech=
gue of yuan yang a (Mandarin dck Kc) is
2 | Mantisauesiy
Yon Qing (lef. represented here in drawing based on raion Chinese paper
cis of Water Margin charactor, is he ingpration i atthe creator, of mare thn
‘ne marl art Ln Chong (right) is the legendery source of Mantis Boings Man-
well known, Mandarin duck kicks are executed
in pairs, usually while jumping, The technique
tales its name from Mandarin ducks, who mate
for life and therefore are most often scen in pairs.
Lin Chong is also credited with the yuan yang,
jiao in the Minghs: Quan origin story.
Lin Chong in Literature
In Hees of the Mar, Lin Chong is ako
kaown as Panthers Head Though quite
young, he a mala instructr forthe
Trnpetial Guards. Envious cals aang 2 Else
charge of murder to be brought against him,
and he isconvicicd and his fice tarooed to
indict his eiminal aru. As punishment, he
is eiled, but an assassination atvmpe s made
con him as he is beng rangporsd. li ssved
by a member of the Liangahan Mountain rebel
but decides o seman with his caporsbeause
fe wishes o be cena opal cien regards
ofthe circumstances. Finally after another
fitempe on hi if he is forced kl his ene-
Ines and Ieave for zngshan Mountain, where
te joins the rebellion
Heroes of the Marsh
in Chinese Culture
Lin Chong’ story and the rest of the novel are so
‘much a pare of Chinese culture that an expres
sion arose from it, "bi shang langshan,” o be
forced co join those at Liangshan Mountain Ie
refer to Being forced ro do something desperst.
Heros ofthe Marsh is great reading. Ici history.
fantasy and action adventure all rolled ino one
book. More than this, however, i gives profound
insight into the inspiration behind the st form
wwe call Mantis Boxing, MQ.| Theory
The Praying Mantis Torso Method,
Introduction
“There are five important cements fora pract-
sioner of Praying Mantis pugilism: the mind, the
eyes, the hands, the feet and the corso. All of.
these must be engiged during an altercation with
an opponent. The tono becomes an obviows tar-
get hoes a te physical sizes thereore tn
bh vigorously trained so thats doesnt hinder the
Manes sylis in any way. The torso method,
shen fin Mandarin pinyin, can be summarized
four extegories of ations shan (dodging),
2huan (turning) tng (leaping) and uo (shif-
ing). They ae actually inseparable, and cements
‘ofall of them can be found in each one. Mantis
practitioners with well-trained body method can
nor only evade ferocious artacks bu can also
remain within sucabe fighsing range to launch «
counter offensive
“The torso method is an arcunt itself. Mas-
tering i will immensely improve the Mantis syl-
inc sls In this article, we wll explore the four
‘actions found in Mantis Boxing's oreo method
and look sta combination called Xin Ren Joa Fa
(mumoreal Pulls Hai), found inthe Yiu Zhaiyao
(Firse Routine of Essential form),
Four Actions in the Torso Method
‘Shan (dodging)
Dadging without foorwork looks vey simile 9
the dacking, hobhing and weaving of western
boxing. A Mandi svi would, however, capital
ine on this type of dodging with an aetack a head
brut tothe opponent's stomach a he dicks for
‘xample, This allows the practioner to ty
‘xremely clon ro the opponent. With Foarwork
dag opens up aloe of opportunites beease
‘ofthe angle thai created by moving off the
‘orginal ine of stack. The obvious example is
the ex punch (buch) ftom Bengbu (Crash
and Fl fom). Ies no just an crave measure
though. Dodging alo opens che way fora ake.
down. When used in conjunction wich aggressive
secon, ican tur the ables on an opponent by
coming fom comple unorescen angles
Zhuan
“Turning belongs to a category of techniques
unique to Chinese martial ats known as “deceiv-
ing” Ie san effective way of dealing with an
agile opponent who tres outmaneuver with
‘superior foorwork. Kalo allows the Mantis
boxer ro surprise someone who has tight frontal
defenses Footwork includes diferent degrees of
turning, which are expresed in the forms. Two
tha are quite often found in forms are the 180-
sdeyce turn and the 360-degree cur. Thete ate
many of examples ofthe 180-degree ruzn, where
the performer changes direction from road to
road, Close examination reveals that no ow0
tums are che same inthe forms, illustrating the
watery of techniques available to che Mantis
‘boxer while curning. The large, oor sweeping
kc and the hurricane kick, more commonly
known asthe tornado kick, are examples of $60.
degre turns. The torque created by turning also
adds tothe power of clse-quarer, hand-to-hand
‘combat coo ike the elbows. This is bes illus
trated inthe Bazhou (Eight Elbows fon).
Teng (leaping)
Leaping literally adds another dimension, sha of
superior height, to the Mantis sists asa. Ke
Tings nt play powesfl kicks a well ax elbow
ana ne eeu, Many ses have leaping,
but few use leaping the way Mantis dos, Leap
ing enables the Mani ss ro reat helt
slo that be ese has thee or our ne atack-
ing at the sae time, diving the opponent
toward amore pase role and allowing the
Mantis elo gan al contol of he bal
‘uo (shitting)
‘Shifing happens within the tapping and clinch
ing range Ie fllows the principle
svhat comes an fle what gos” In other
‘words is moving ach the opponent. Some
times ican be a simple as moving lett
being rapped by che opponent’ eg 0 3 new
position that has a wapping effec on the oppor
nent. This technique shoul not be confused
wih foorwor In shiting the body atively
involve in aborting and relicting incoing
forces ina subile manner The entre body works
wich the limbs sone unit Shifting ean alo
vwork gains pushing, soosingo racking ype
if akedown. Like the other thee categories of
‘econ inthe Mantis toro method, sing has
suprisingly poive revue when wed in
aggresive manner
"The four categorie of actions are often
pied, sch as teng/nuo or shan/huan. They
Can alo all be combined into one, Thee i 3
‘About the Author
‘St Robot Hut began his
ang Fi tring in the
‘Souther Oran cd ak
‘al ses in 1972 unde the
fete Stu Chow Fu. While
Studying in Vancouver BC.
(Canada in 1983, iy Hus
‘met Galen Fok who inso-
dace im tthe ot of Pa
(2 (og) Praying Monti:
‘St then rotumed to
ong Kong to sty under
the late Gonder Chis
(Chk Ra tom 1987 1991.
Crenty he i reseorehing
‘nd teaching Grandmoster
(O's at Chis hh al Ta
(Praying Mona in Yl
orf, WT Cond.
Conte Sit ui ot
slut itemorthcom
arcuGray punches
(traightine attack)
at Black.
2. Black counters with
yang jeung (vertical
palm), blocking and
possibly striking,
13 Black swiftly uses a
double-sealing hand
as he moves off the
Tine of attack (dodg-
ing). Note the left lu
shou (grabbing
hand) position that
could be used to
squeeze the pres-
‘sure point of Gray's
right shoulder.
Black uses a haie
‘grab on Gray to con-
‘to! his movement.
basic dill in Chiu Chul Kai Tai Chi Praying
Mantis called Nao Hao Sheng Feng (Wind Blows
ar che Back of the Head) chat is superb for
{sling all four categories of action inthe torso
method. We will cake a look atthe following
techniques found in Xin Ren Jua Fa (Immoral
Pulls Hae fom the Yilu Zhaiyao (Fast Routine
of Essentials form) of CCK TCPM,
Immortal Pulls Hair Applications
Xin Ren Jus Fa applies the torso method fom
the dill Nao Elo Sheng Feng ke alo wes the
Signature Mantis hand method, the hok-grb-
pluck technique eis one ofthe many beni
Mantis techniques that combine ll of the actions
ofthe tori method withthe hook: grab-pluck
hand method. A good practioner can use this
technique to take control ofan opponent inthe
blink ofan eye from an unexpected angle.
The first sex of photos ilustaces the move asa
takedown, This scries demonstrates the basic
application. The concept here sto move off the
line of atack and quickly enn contol, landing
behind the opponene by capitalizing on che
incoming committed straight-line atack. In doing
20, i minimizes contact while maximizing conto.
There are other more advanced ways of applying
the same move not show here The fice gra is
an alternative way of dealing with an opponent
with ide or no ai (continued on poge 6)
TER 20085. Black moves behind
Gray to a place that
is secure from
potential counters.
6. Black kicks Gray
behind the knee to
break his balance
and uses the hair
grab to level Gray to
the rear
7. Rear view of hait grab and knee kick.
Note the collar catch,
‘8. Black completes the takedown and.
strikes Gray in the temple with his elbow.
Note the use of Black's knee to restrain or
perform a knee drop on Gray's ribs.
9. Close-up of Black's knee drop and elbow.
WINTER 2004 ‘MantisQuarterty | 51. The landing position
ater picture four of
the fist set. Black
momentarily estab-
lishes control
2. Black strikes Whites’s
back (tailbone) with
his knee and wraps
is left hand around
White's neck (two of
the Eight Forbidden
Strikes).
'3. Black performs a choke with a
face grab to attack the eyes (one
‘of the Eight Forbidden Strikes) and
steps back to take White down,
|. White is down on the
secured.
'5. Face grab and rear choke positions
with White's arm trapped by
Black's leg.
Technique
The Follow-Up/Finish Control
“The second st of photos shows che follow-up rear
choke finished with an arm tap. Tis series also
shows che Eight Sikes and Eight Forbidden
\ 2
‘ground and
Sikes of Mantis being used together. This choke
Finish can also be a transitional phase wed eo lee
‘ontto (nor shown here), which has law enforce-
mentor cotcaiona services applications. MQ.
|Diao Shou (Interception Hand)
ino show (interception hana) i hand fo
‘mation unique t the Praying Mantis
style. Even poople with no martial arts
traning all would recognize thi Mantis pos-
tue. Diso shou mimics che action ofthe pra
‘mantis forelegs when capturing prey. The forelegs
ofthe mantis extend forward andl sprad open ina
relaxed manner. When they contact the prey, the
foxclgs will grab i tightly and cetreve it quickly
“To form diao shou, press the thumb agains
the index finger. The inde finger is extended
forward yer slightly bent, while the ase thece fin-
gets tighten inward, moving from a loose to
‘rip. The five fingers coordina with cach
‘other: As the hands relax and tighten, this fo
mation can be applied with other hard and sup
ple hand techniques. Why should the index
fer be extended yer sighly bene? Because the
index finger will ot be abl co generate strength
‘extended full ic will lose is offensive func
tion when itis sersightened
Applications of Diao Shou
Diao shou can be used to counter an opponent's
suite, develop contact and cling ations, capital
incon thee actions, and follow up with ocher
hand techniques ro atack the opponent.
Tea change from dio sho to chan i show
(itkreetng han, afer contacting and clinging
to an opponents limb Chan si shou can tans
form into chin na techaiques that lock che oppo-
sents joint) and enable techniques tha divide
tendons and displace bones
‘The Fingertips can be used co directly gouge
cor haw an opponent’ vital areas, such athe
ye, throat, groin, jugular veins, ete
As the lst thre fingers ofa diao show tght-