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
Click on pictures to see larger versions. |
 VCD#1615 Zhai Yao first three sections About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, 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, VCD pricing, 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, VCD pricing, 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. |
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. |
 VCD#1619 Free Fighting Technique About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, 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. |
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This survey shows the basic sets without breakdown and a couple of weapons forms.
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Many applications based on the techniques of Praying Mantis.
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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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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. |
  VCD#243 Zhai-YaoThird section About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, 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. |
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. |
VCD#1618 
VCD#234 Tai Chi Mantis
VCD#235 
VCD#236 Beng Bu 
VCD#238 
VCD#239 Tai Chi Mantis
VCD#240 
VCD#241 
VCD#242 
VCD#237