|
| History |
History of Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu The founder of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis martial art is Chow Ah Naam. He spent many years in the Shaolin Monastary (Sil Lum Jee) harnessing the body's hidden powers through Shaolin secret training drills. These special skills and methods were bestowed upon individuals who showed tremendous martial skill and intuition. Chow Ah Naam was one of those rare individuals. Because of his incredible skill, the hall of Shaolin was given to him to teach this elite art. The short range powerful gen movements he had harnessed easily overcame the other Shaolin arts. The name praying mantis was given to the system after a praying mantis was seen overcoming a blackbird with sudden actions reminiscent of Chow Ah Naam's shock like power. Chow Ah Naam was a resident of Shaolin Monastry since the age of 10, and was once cured of a stomach ailness. His first job was as a cook. during his free time he was taught the Shaolin arts. His martial skill grew exceptionally and so he was taught the highest Shaolin martial skills from the high monk Sim See Yan, which Chow Ah Naam incorporated into his own system. Of all the monks Chow Ah Naa, taught, it was Wong Fook Go who became Chow's successor. Wong Fook Go later became a travelling monk, spreading Buddhism as well as martial arts. When he was at Wai Yearn Village in the area of Tung Kung (East River), he met a young man name Lau Soei, already an accomplished master of several arts, most notably the Ma Kuen (horse fist). It was said that when he practiced the ma kuen, his pony tail was always in flight. The pairs meeting is a story unto itself. According to a legend, a challenge was issued by Lau Soei to monk Wong Fook Go, after Wong Fook Go stated that Lau Soei's art merely looked good at demonstration. The challenge took place and Lau Soei lost the bout. He tried again and lost again. He told Wong Fook Go that when he was hit it felt like he was being hit by lightening (shock power). Wong Fook Go explained to him about the mantis and its "gen" powers. Duly convinced,, Lau Soei became a student of the monk and was the first non monk to be trained in Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Wong Fook Go taught everything to Lau Soei and years later Lau Soei began teaching at Wai Yearn village. Near the end of the Ching dynasty many people moved to Hong Kong. Lau Soei also moved to Hong Kong in 1913. He began teaching this hidden art and taught many people, including Yip Shui, Chu Gung Wa and Tam Wa. but it was Yip Shui who became the Chow Gar Praying Mantis successor. Many tried to topple him, but Yip Shui defeated all comers and truly established his position. Later, Yip Shui taught his own family members, including his son, Yip Chee Keung, who came to England in 1974. In the United Kingdom he taught Paul Whitrod and others. In 1987, Grandmaster Yip Shui and Master Yip Chee Keung made a formal visit to the United Kingdom and named Sifu Paul Whitrod the UK representative of Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Sifu Paul Whitrod began studying Chow Gar Praying Mantis Kung Fu at the age of 15 in 1975. Sifu Yip Chee Keung later invited Sifu Paul Whitrod to study in Hong Kong. Staying at the Grandmasters home, Sifu Whitrod became a closed door student, learning not only the core system, but also dir dar medecine (fall and hit medecine). After opening his first full time school in London in 1986, Sifu Paul Whitrod as gone on to promote this unique system of kung fu through articles and videos. He has also appeared on UK telelvision performing praying mantis skills. He now has many students of his own teaching in Australia, Europe, and the U.S. he continues to enlighten his followers and marital artists worldwide about southern chow gar praying mantis kung fu. He still goes to Hong Kong regularly, keeping his roots strong and paying homage to the masters of chow gar praying mantis kung fu. |
|
Website Powered by Subdreamer