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 similar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!

SOUTHERN Praying Mantis Boxing

Demonstrator/Teacher: Liu Hui Tang

One should know that Southern Praying Mantis has a completely differnent origin and feel from the Northern variety. Side note: It's been very hard to get decent Southern mantis in VCD series. When we do find them they go out of print. Expect this area to expand but, as we said, top notch material has not been easy to come by.

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VCD#1622 Southern Praying Mantis
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

There is a dearth of really good material on the Southern Mantis and this DVD doesnÕt help. We would like it if someone could actually detect anyÑeven oneÑauthentic Southern Mantis movement in the form. This doesnÕt even look like an imitation of Southern Mantis but rather Northern Mantis. The problem is that the form is kind of cute and hook hands abound, but mantis? We are reminded of that scene in The Mantis Cage: ÒTwyla, Twyla, Fosse, FosseÉÓ The training section, if we even want to continue the discussion, involves striking sand and wrapped tree trunks with the mantis claws (something it looks like the practitioner would rather not be doing). The applications encourage you to stand in a horse with hook hands ready then perform movements that look like Shotokan. So, why do we sell this? Not just for entertainment value. Sometimes a really bad movie is a lot of fun. But, to paraphrase Da Vinci, the contemplation of the inept aids us in regarding the authentic...

VCD#1497 Southern Mantis Small Tiger Goose
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

No, not the Tiger/Swallow set. This is considered a fundamental and representative form of the Southern Mantis branch. After introductory hand and leg motions Mr. Hui demonstrates.This is a fairly complex set, like a Zhai Yao series, with definite Long Arm influence (as many beginning Mantis sets have). There are some jumps and turns. The Mantis Hook is utilized but the elbows are not kept particularly tight. See below for other influences in the general style.

VCD#1498 Southern Mantis Black Tiger Saber
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only

Quantity

This is a relatively rare saber from the Mantis system. It is not, however a beginner's form. In fact, we have to admit that though Mr. Liu is obviously well versed there certainly looks like some Northern Mantis and even contemporary Wushu influence here. This is not inherently bad, but we are trying to represent the purest heritage we can. Tonado kicks and other aerial work tend to make up raise an eyebrow. Not a bad set and there is some mantis flavor though mostly from adjunctive hand positions. Introductory material on the weapon is given. NOTE: Cantonese spoken.


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VCD#1224 Cha Chui Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
Quantity

This is a relatively short but very well known form. It is outlined in Wang Hon Fun's series of books and correlates to our traditional Chinese book #TC403. The movements here are fast and angular with the Mantis flavor and applications are shown (partially) for numerous actions in the form. This is a rooftop production and while possibly not the best Mantis we've seen is an accurate version. One little thing, the practitioner - to our eyes - might have had some Southern training as well as Northern. On the other hand, as anyone knowledgeable will tell you, Mantis, like Tai Chi, is a single family.