The Fighting Methods Of Bamboo Forest Southern Mantis
Bamboo Forest Temple Southern Mantis Kung Fu is a much advanced and
perfectly developed combat system. It is designed around the centreline
theory, which forms the basis for its attack and defence strategy.
The body is divided into three main regions, the upper, lower and
middle regions, and each of these 15 divided into three further regions,
a total of nine target areas. These are known as the "Nine Gates
of the Mantis". The system involves the use of both elbows as
a protective shield for the practitioner's upper body, and allows
the distancing of the vital organs from attack, by the arching of
the back and rib cage.
All defence and attack techniques originate from one main stance from
which the mantis system draws its strength. It allows a firm foundation
for the dominant power and skill of the mantis system, and are used
to manipulate an opponent's attack and to force an opening in the
defence allowing for reprisal of lethal and devastating effect and
permanent damage.
Bamboo Forest Temple Training Methods
This style of mantis is purely for street fighting, and is not designed
to make the practitioner look like a bodybuilder It is a dangerous
and cruel combat system, relying on the internal power and external
toughness of the practitioner, which is developed by training and
refining the required muscle, bones and power areas order to achieve
the necessary results in every technique. The training is such that
the power of the practitioner cannot be appreciated until physically
experienced, a mere visual interpretation of their ability would be
most inaccurate. The body is conditioned, in much the same way as
that of a prize fighter in bare knuckle boxing, to absorb full power
blows. The whole body is toughened and strenghtened with much effort
spent on the conditioning of the arms. The main defensive and offensive
weapon of the mantis system.
This is achieved by the use of metal rings which are placed around
the arm, during training, having the same effect as constantly smashing
the arm against a scaffolding tube. This type of training is required
to create an aggressive character within the practitioner, which in
turn will create a vicious fighter.
Powerful Mantis Forms
There are but a few fighting forms in this style of mantis, such as
DangJong, Sheong Jong, Fatsow, Sang Jing Yeul Que, Say Moon Ba Qua
and Ba Moon San Sow.
They involve the incorporation of the main stance Ding Ba Ma with
Sang Sow set movements numbering approximately 36, and comprehensive
combinations of kicks. The stance is designed so as to distribute
bodyweight evenly between both legs so that the point of balance is
stably positioned in the middle of the stance. This in turn allows
for the possibility of shifting the body in any direction, allowing
for both defensive and offensive postures. Kick are used in conjunction
with arm movements so that his opponent is exposed to simultaneous
attacks from both arms and legs, or if need be the practitioner can
defend and attack at the same time, blocking upper region attacks,
and striking at the opponents vulnerable lower regions. Emphasis is
placed on the use of the low kicks which are most effective and least
likely to place the practitioner in a vulnerable position. The set
movements make use of short and long range strikes using both combined
and single hand techniques. The combination of all these factors produce
a system of Kung Fu whose applications can effectively be applied
to today's street fighting.
"The hidden essence of Bamboo Forest
Temple Mantis"
