First,
be advised that all of these VCD's are IN
CHINESE ONLY . In our opinion that
doesn't matter much because the instruction is clear and the quality
of photography very good. But we will not accept returns just because
people didn't read... IN
CHINESE ONLY.
Given that, these are really tremendous deals for the money. Each
of these special VCD's can be played on a computer for full enjoyment.
Made for PC's they are also Mac compatible by downloading Quicktime
(for free) and any similiar VCD player pro gram.Also playable on
most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow! |
TAI
CHI style Praying
Mantis 太极螳螂
Mantis
Boxing was created by Wang Lang, a person fighting against the Qing
dynasty at the end of the Ming dynasty; then it was inherited by
Li Bingxiao and passed to his offspring for eight generations in
Laiyang. It is known by its oblique postures , andis characterized
as brave and forceful. When you exercise Taiji Mantis Boxing, you
should emphasize changeability of postures by "BengBu", increase
your power on the basis of "Eight Elbows" and learn the techniques
of this boxing style by "taking the Abstract as an template." Tai
Chi Mei Hua (Plum Blossom) Praying Mantis is almost a redundancy
since, in the area of its origin, this style is generally called
"Mei Hua" Mantis but by people outside the area "Tai
Chi".
Instructors: The first section of this page is demonstrated by Xia Zhao Long, the direct disciple of Wang Yu Shan.
VCDs 234 through 243 are demonstrated
by Zhi Bin; and explained by Sun De, eighth-generation disciple and director
of China Yantai Wang Lang Mantis Boxing Rearch and Promotion Center.
!!!See below for our Blue Panel Sales!!! |
Click on pictures to see larger
versions. |
 VCD#1615 Zhai Yao first three sections
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
This seventh generation practitioner of the Tai Chi Mantis is not only fast but he packs a wallop. His movements have the almost casual appearance of long time practice. This is the fundamental form of Tai Chi Mantis (Zhai Yao is often the working form of a number of mantis branches). It is, as always, divided into section. Xia demonstrates each section then immediately gives hints as to usage. In this first VCD we see the primary three sections each of which contains many movements. There is certainly a lot of applications giving the specific strategies and flavor of the Tai Chi Mantis. |
 VCD#1616 Zhai Yao latter three sections
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
This is both the fundamental and the "master" form of Tai Chi Mantis (Zhai Yao is often the working form of a number of mantis branches). It is, as always, divided into section. Xia demonstrates each section then immediately gives hints as to usage. In this second VCD he concentrates on the movements of the second three subsets. There are many applications giving the specific strategies and flavor of the Tai Chi Mantis. . |
 VCD#1617 La Feng Da with Fixed Steps
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
Xia Sifu, starting with the base exercise Tap, Hook and Hit Sifu, shows a method of building up a practice method for mantis similar to Push Hands or Sticky Hands. La Feng and Da may be said to mean Pull or Pluck, Seal and then Strike. It is a classic Mantis pattern which Xia uses to show a host of applications. In other words you can practice the pattern and then break into any of specific applications. This is the bridge from form to application in this style. |
 VCD#1618 La Feng Da with Live Steps Double Disk
A Double VCD, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
HuoBu LaFeng DaShou
Continuing with the base exercise Tap, Hook and Hit Sifu Xia shows a method of building up a practice method for mantis similar to Push Hands or Sticky Hands but with living steps and considerable freedom of interpretation. In this branch the pattern is called Pull or Pluck, Seal and then Strike. It is a classic Mantis pattern which Xia uses to show a host of applications. In other words you can practice the patterns and then break out with any of the specific applications. This is the bridge from form to application in this style. At this more advanced level Xia Sifu shows variations which utilize the mantis footwork with extra attention paid to those famous little tripping leg actions of the style. We consider this a very good way to make the bridge between creative response and the surety of choreographed practice. A Double VCD.
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 VCD#1619 Free Fighting Technique
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
San Da Ji ji
In this VCD Xia Zhao Long shows training drills and applications. These are based on the Zhai Yao form derived from his Tai Chi Mantis. In this case he “breaks” the movements completely out of the form and shows not only the basic applications but the all important “what if” variations when the opponent tries to neutralize the counters. The movements are fast and variable and a good demonstration of the radical fact that movements which have worked for two thousands years probably still work since our elbows and knees are in the same place as they have been for the last quarter million years or so. |
|  VCD#234 Tai Chi Mantis Survey
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
This survey shows the basic sets without breakdown and a couple
of weapons forms.
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  VCD#235 Eight
Elbows
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
Pachi Tang Lang Sifu Su Yu Chang once informed us that the Praying Mantis style was so unique that, should you need to defend yourself, your opponent would with his expiring breath no doubt say, “Thank you, otherwise I could never have seen such unusual movements.” The Mantis does indeed have its own flavor. Even given this the Eight Elbows form uses striking postures and intriguing angles of attack. Notable features include a large number of seemingly one handed action movements, many wrist curls under the armpit as in Bagua, Sun De, the eighth generation inheritor of this style, not only shows the form and its breakdowns but goes into applications as well.
| This VCD special price: $5.95 |
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 VCD#236 Beng Bu Thrust Step
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
The
Tai Chi Mantis version of the classic Mantis set. A complex and elaborate
version with much emphasis on loose spine and wave-like motions.
The most complicated version of this set we have seen and pretty
indicative of Tai Chi Mantis flavor.
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 VCD#238 Zhai-Yao Summary
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
This
takes the Zhai Yao forms which, on the other VCDs are show as sets,
and breaks down the usage. Much specifically Mantis applications with hooking actions, mixed Chin Nah and more.
| This VCD special price: $5.95 |
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 VCD#239 Tai Chi Mantis Secret Hands
A Double VCD, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
Secret
Hands has many mixed and usual folding actions. Upward power (Ti)
is a theme. Hooking actions, off angle kicking, returning fists.
An advanced Mantis set. A Double VCD.
|
 VCD#240 Applied Techniques
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
Many
applications based on the techniques of Praying Mantis.
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 VCD#241 Two-Handed Sword
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
One
of the best Mantis sword sets we have seen and also one of the better
two-handed sword forms. Definitely keeps the flavor of Mantis. Good
sword manipulations including one and two-handed passes, behind
the back transfers and body twirls.
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 VCD#242 Zhai-Yao First section
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
This is the first of three sections for this form. Zhai
Yao (Abstract) is a classic Mantis set represented in
different branches. In Tai Chi Mantis it is the basis of the style
showing essential hooking, returning fist, tripping and body inclining
actions.This, though not high level, is definitely one of the "master forms" for the system and is challenging enough that it should probably be learned in the three part breakdown suggested. Wherever Zhai Yao is a basic form for a branch of Mantis it is considered to be a catalog for most of the key actions to the system.
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  VCD#243 Zhai-Yao Third section
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
Even though it says "3rd Section" this is the second of three sections for this form (numbered one, three and five for some reason). Zhai
Yao's (Abstract) middle section is a more intermediate form stressing
longer arm motions. Many repeated basics gives this form a feeling
like a sort of Mantis Tan Tui and a representative set at the same
time. This, though not high level, is definitely one of the "master forms" for the system and is challenging enough that it should probably be learned in the three part breakdown suggested. Wherever Zhai Yao is a basic form for a branch of Mantis it is considered to be a catalog for most of the key actions to the system.
| This VCD special price: $5.95 |
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 VCD#237 Zhai-Yao 5th section
About 1 Hour, See Main VCD page for prices, Chinese Only
Even though it says "5th Section" this is the third of three sections for this form: Zhai Yao (Abstract) series. Tai Chi Mantis's Zhai Yao is long form which can be
linked together or
not. Different versions of Zhai Yao are common in Mantis but in Tai Mantis it forms the
basic structure for the style. This one emphasizes more mixed hand
combinations and leg actions. Unusual punching angles and many vertical
actions. Angular footwork. This, though not high level, is definitely one of the "master forms" for the system and is challenging enough that it should probably be learned in the three part breakdown suggested. Wherever Zhai Yao is a basic form for a branch of Mantis it is considered to be a catalog for most of the key actions to the system.
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