Southern Sub-Styles (Hakka shadow boxing)

["Dixie" <Dixie@singnet.com.sg>]

Subject:      rec.martial-arts FAQ part 3 of 4 (LONG) 
From:         PALS@IPACT.COM 
Date:         1997/10/27 
Message-ID:   <martial-arts/faq/part3_877948071@rtfm.mit.edu> 
 
 
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Northern praying mantis is a style characterized by fast hand 
movements. The hook hands are the "trade mark" of the style and they 
are found in all the northern sub-styles.  Northern Tang Lang Chuen's 
main weapon is the blinding speed of the hand trying to control and 
punch the opponent.  It has a balanced combination of circular and 
straight movements.  
 
Other important elements are the simultaneous block and punch, and 
strong chopping punches.  These are practical movements for full 
contact street fighting.  Some Chinese martial artists say that Seven 
Star Praying Mantis Boxing (one of the praying mantis sub-styles) is 
the most aggressive style created in China.  Grappling, kicking, 
nerve-attack and weapons complete the northern branch.  
 
Southern praying mantis is very different.  It is an infighting system 
that resembles Wing Chun.  Chi Kung is very important in the Southern 
Praying Mantis.  Movements are continuous and circular, soft and hard, 
except in attack, where the middle knuckle (phoenix eye) of the index 
finger is used like a needle to pierce the internal organs. A punch 
with the fist produces an external muscular bruise, striking with the 
phoenix eye produces an internal bruise.  
 
 
Sub-Styles: 
 
Northern Sub-Styles: 
 
Seven Stars Praying Mantis (Chi Shing Tang Lang) 
Eight Steps Praying Mantis (Pa Pu Tang Lang) 
Six Armonies 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) 
Plumb 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) 
 
Southern Sub-Styles (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 Sub-Styles: 
 
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)