Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu

Southern Praying Mantis is a close-in to medium range fighting system, using soft and hard movements, circular and straight lines, and internal and external techniques.  Southern Mantis is famous for it’s utilization of “inch-force” power or shock power (also known as gen or fa jing). This internal force is similar to that of a compressed spring that has an explosive force when released. With proper development of  fa jing, one will be able to reflexively strike his/her opponent from short distances without “winding-up” the arm to generate power. An effective Southern Mantis practitioner attacks by delivering rapid-fire strikes while continuously shifting in at a close distance to smother and defeat his opponent. 

Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis (Chow Gar Tong Long) was founded by Shaolin Monk, Chow Ah Naam during the Ming Dynasty in China. Chow Gar is one of at least four different Southern Praying Mantis arts: Chow Gar, Chu Gar, Jook Lum, and Iron Ox Tong Long.

Of these arts that are listed, kung fu classes at EMAA will emphasize training techniques from Chow Gar and Chu Gar Tong Long.

Training methods in this style include hard and soft qi gong techniques to build power and develop a strong body to withstand blows and for striking an opponent. Sensitivity drills, two-man conditioning drills, and fighting forms are used as a traditional approach to kung fu training that prepares a practitioner for combat. 

Southern Praying Mantis is a Dim Mak/Dim Yuet system, attacking the body’s vital points; this kind of striking can be deadly, cutting off the distribution of chi to vital parts of the body. Dim Mak is sometimes known as “acupuncture boxing” due to the fact that knuckles and fingers are used to strike vital acupuncture centers in rapid succession. Used in combination with techniques such as seizing, throwing, and various kicks, Chow Gar is a very direct and highly-effective method of self-defense.

Required for class:

• White t-shirt

• Black kung fu pants

• Red kung fu sash

• Dit da jow (can be purchased from the instructor)

• Small hand towel

Optional training equipment:

• Iron rings

• Iron palm bag

• Bicycle tire-tube

Class schedule is as follows:

Evergreen Martial Arts Academy uses a pay-as-you-go plan for tuition fees. That means no contracts! Discounts are available for 3-monthly payments and for multiple family members.

The fee schedule is shown in the following table.

OR pro-rated at $12/class. If you are unable to make a class, please call the instructor a minimum of 6 hours prior to class time. 

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