THE DEADLY FIGHTING SKILLS OF CHOW GAR KUNG-F By Douglas Farrer how gar praying mantis kung-fu is a close-in and medium range-| fighting system. It's techniques are comprised of soft and hard movements known as “gong and yau”, which can be both circular and straight actions. The techniques are also classified as Brg) incernal and external combined. Because of the close proximity of combat, the Aighting skills of chow gar praying mantis make full use of short-range strikes and seizing skills, including those relating co the three levels such as floor fighting skills, dragon owisting escapes, and “kum na” or chin na methods. There are also strikes combined with these seizin: (foong loong keok) that make use of kills. Within the southern mantis system are many key words which give insights into che sol, including “chor” co break, "a seize “da to hit, “jai” to pluck, “lau” to leak, “dul” co lift, and “sharn” to dodge. These must be applied in the style’s 25 principles of fighting. As such, mantis techniques and movements in | training exercises or forms rely on a formula called “to float, sink, swallow and spit.” This is known in Chinese as fau, chum, tung, and tow. These qualities are harnessed to release the sudden burst of “gen” power through the arms, legs. and waist, to produce an awesome fighting system. | The chest is pulled in with the back pushed out (tung hung) by withdrawing the chest ro help | one use the hand techniques. The head is tilted down with the chin kept in. This is called “chen row” o 1,000 head, because a Chinese character for 1,000 resembles a man with his head down, | In sinking “chum” there are several actions, both for protection and firmness. The qi is held at the dan tian, the elbows sink down, the shoulders sink down, the ribs sink also. These actions should | be automatic when sinking, The burtocks are pulled up, making for easier mobility by putcing the | center of gravity at the middle of the body. All this must be applied while in the mantis triangular- hapa stance. By understanding and i Douglas Farrer is a freelance writer based in the Unite Kingcom. He nas i rm E . H resides in the Unitea Kingdom, teaching fl time ang treating patents with sit ¢ar meaicine. He can be rearnes at (018) 471 7230, i i Paul Whitrod, one of Europe’s om top southern praying mantis masters, reveals | the secrets of this hidden and mysterious art. |Grandmaster Vp Sul practices the “gan tk” oye of Wong Rong atin the 1940s, Tis oxecie I raticed by ceiating the ners develop poner in the ngers and strength inthe wet vila along the spine combined with oling the eyes. The hands are aso throug hen die such a2 mor Ju" Cle onde ‘eed to focus and ekanne the eh of “hay” It Cantonese. Inside Kung-Fu + February 1998 444 “cers unease ep pam tt“The chow gar praying mantis system is _ # bic” ss? few” and “sam bo fil, They chen move ome famous for its inch force power. This inch frm” nich sere ae 36; number include ee power not only eminates from the fist, but ands’. "bo sim sau’, “4 gate hance’, “say man sau’, “9 cop asking from every part of the body. Inch force Seen OC a OCR power can only be achieved by practicing ac pic ot sr bua, sen est pole (bm bua extraordinary mantis training methods.” and “yelow cow ewising counge (omg ngou chin chny kun). The u staight sword is represented by “swimming éragon sword” ( he cident. Buttery knives dit je gin]. Other popular weapons {iron euler) speae, walking stick, Sau gai boo refers to your back and front. By keeping the ch This Dim Mak in Mantis Forms Southern chow gat praying mantis kung-fu x plexi of es orm. Such techniques contin poinss. Just form contains in, which curves the back, you ate protecting your chest allows vou fo ws vour sechniques mote profi Dip Gwut Gung (Rib bone power) the approprine angle 3 Dip ghuc gang, meaning rib bone poset is one of the Tike boo dha has mary haps. oo dos 2 snl proving mantis hung eaining il sed throughout is forms, This eins, Ech sein ha is goup of wel ons, with some te fcsion is performed by the opening and closing ofthe ib cage hes tengthening the rib bones andthe ligaments tht join them eo sremum and spine ery much alive d other necestiating multiple blows, iques using a single seke etcain chow g ig mancis forms will highlighe p ital points. One example, "bo sim sau" of searching insect noise hands the 36 say yuet point. The name of the form con: “The hands that seeike es 0 sti sod jus like che murs sv be strengthened with certain exercises ould realy such 3 “ip gu ne lik” eraining skill). The ibs cals the rue meaning, wi the 36 death points.” Other forms, such as mountain power, contain deadly seizing skills co power dill) and on the arms and shoulders. Banging on dr protect our inteinal organs. The exible and move san gung” or pick up the body moves, used on vital poines downward srikes, “ip gwut gang’ work on ths movement sheoush rigorous dis that build body wich Chow gar southern praying mantis ku wellknown art in the world, And ie may not be the most popular, But ks to masters like Paul Whitrod, its furore remains in good bands hniques as solid today as they were 400 years ago. ies may not be the most up the muscle usue and ligament around the rds so the midsection and nd punches, Since iti tesonble ro assume chat ever pu tcining ro absorb punches also must be empha sete. “Dip gue gung, gen rung ge.” meni shock-like power gen comes fom the p ; — | SOUTHERN CHOW GAR | PRAYING MANTIS KUNG FU Lab eAeAR Sifu Paul Whitrod United Kingdoms most bods: Inch force power ean on sd by pracicing exraordinary Se Ceca co} ‘mantis waining methods. These methods may at times be hard and bor S jge a marl ars neds to win an ight Inch Force Power The d This power not onl emi OE ee er ee Ponareeneeer ner) Daryl ge de eomed gen. neh fo wih tele mane forms and ils nthe man etem whch | Slam In inch power here sno need to wind upto throws panck or | rene pall back before sriking Se ee if eee moves eminscent of ll = | eh a ED : ae power TES RT CORT a errr es sof and haed power, rooted power. and mind Hsing Yi, Ba Gua, T power, inch force powe power. ‘One arining drill, “chy sau” or grinding hand, develops the wrist forearms, shovlders and back. Though it seems a simple exercise its rain tak is 0 push our che vis internal power to the Sing viding the explosive “ger” power. The hones, joints. and ligament become strong and the limbs will posess the heavy arm power. This exercise has 18 variations each guaranteed co produce a sronger, more develops what is called “sav = (eres on See ea roe en eg 3735 Alabama Avenue St Petershury, Florida 33703 o¢ 123 Chadd Green Plaistow London E13 OND. United Kingdom or 4 power, This cwo-man drill enhances the forward movi ower which many ave talked about but few have experienced Forms and Weapons ‘There are many famous forms and hidden training drills which make southern praving mantis kung-fu unique. Neophyte: bee! Inside Kung-Fu » February 1998 113