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| About Chow Gar |
 About Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu is a close-in and medium fighting system. Its techniques comprise of soft and hard movements known as 'gong and yau' that are circular and straight actions. The techniques are also classified as internal and external combined. The three areas that make a martial art complete, other than its weapons, are to hit, throw and seize. Because of the close proximity of combat, the fight skills of Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu make full use on the short range strikes and seizing skills. Seizing skills relate to the the three levels such as floor fighting skills called Dragon twisting legs 'Foong Loong Keok' that make use of escapes and also 'kum na' or 'chin na' methods. In addition to these seizing skills there are strikes that are combined with them. The 4 Principles Within the Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu system there are many key words that give insight to the style. 'Chor' to break, 'na' to seize, 'da' to hit, 'jai' to pluck, 'lau' to leak, 'dul' to lift, 'sharn' to dodge and so on. These must be applied in its 25 principles of fighting, still what is really needed is to develop oneself and to do this one must train the vital 'gung lik' (meaning trained power with the first four basic principles) As such all Southern Mantis techniques and movements in training exercises or in its forms rely on the emphasising formula, which is called to FLOAT, SINK, SWALLOW and SPIT. This is know in Chinese as FAU, CHUM, TUNG, TOW. All these qualities are harnessed to release the sudden burst of 'gen' power through the arms, legs, waist etc to produce an awesome fighting system. Although all four principles are important, the most important are 'sink' and 'spit'. The 'fau' or float is when the techniques are in a state of neutrality with the energy or 'qi' is central. 'Chum' meaning to sink is also to root oneself, this will close off any openings and add stability. 'Tung' to swallow or withdraw is practiced aling with 'chum', such as the chest being withdrawn and the qi contained with the reverse action. 'Tow' to spit, is to release power or energy. The chest is drawn that rounds the back and is known as 'tung hung', as such, by withdrawing the chest to enable one to use the hand techniques proficiently. The head is tilted down and the chin kept in, this is called 'cheen tow' or one thousand head because the Chinese character for one thousand resembles a man with his head held down. In sinking 'chum' there are several actions, both for protection and firmness, the qi is held at the dan tin, the elbows sink down, the shoulders sink down, the ribs sink also. These actions should be automatic when sinking. The buttocks are pulled up which puts the centre of gravity at the middle of the body, which makes for easier mobility. All this must be applied whilst on the Mantis triangular shaped stance. By understanding and applying these characteristics one will cover every angle of attack and defense leading to victory in self defense. |
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