by Master Simon Wong & Martin Butler

Introduction
The Mantis systems of Kung Fu have developed in both the north and south of China, and are now renowned and practised world wide. The southern systems of Mantis Kung Fu have only recently travelled to the west, where their impact has been quite dramatic. There are four southern mantis systems of Kung Fu:

1) Chu Family
2) Chow Family
3) Iron Ox
4) Bamboo Forest Temple

Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis has only recently been taught to westerners. Before this, the knowledge of this system was always kept amongst the Chinese.

Consequently, its fame has mainly been contained within the Chinese community. One such practitioner of this system is Sifu Simon Wong. Born in China in 1956 and having moved to Hong Kong in 1963, Sifu Wong emigrated to England at the age of 23 in 1978 where he has trained in the martial arts for just under 20 years. During this time, Sifu Wong has mastered many styles of Chinese Kung Fu such as the large and small circle Tai Chi systems and two of the southern mantis systems. Sifu Wong has trained in Chow Family Mantis for over ten years and has studied the Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis system from the much respected master, Kim Law, for over 7 years. This article charts the development of the Bamboo Forest Temple Mantis system from its origin to the present day.