VIDEO TRANSCRIPT (PDF):

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In this lesson with my Sifu, Grandmaster John Cheng, we delve into the Foundational Praying Mantis sets: the 8 Hard Form, the 12 Soft Form, followed by the 12 Keywords. Additionally, we begin learning the spear form, 3 Loyalty Spear. 

Here are my lesson notes from this training session:

The Eight Hard Form: Power and Structure

Mantis Kung Fu has a foundation built upon eight “hard” principles that create solid structure and powerful strikes:

• Splitting
• Crushing
• Thrusting
• Folding
• Changing
• Palming
• Leaning
• Compressing

As Sifu Cheng explains the Folding principle, “The folding of the arms creates this ‘I’m getting attacked’ sensation. It’s not necessarily an elbow strike; it’s the folding of the arms.” This subtle distinction highlights how Mantis techniques often operate on principles rather than simply memorized movements.

The Twelve Soft Form: Fluidity and Adaptability

Complementing the hard principles are twelve “soft” principles that allow for adaptability and energy redirection:

• Yielding
• Returning
• Emptying
• Leaking
• Locking
• Linking
• Plucking
• Parrying
• Circling
• Pressing
• Collapsing
• Upward Glancing

Sifu Cheng distinguishes between collapsing and leaking, two crucial aspects of the soft principles. Collapsing involves emptying the structure of your opponent’s defense. You make contact, measure the energy they provide, and then release that energy to gain an advantage. This energy release is the “collapsing” component of the principle.

Leaking is often employed in conjunction with Collapsing. After releasing the energy, the strike advances and “leaks” through their defense, as if you’re slipping through. I often think of the strike finding the path of least resistance. 

The 12 Keywords: The Essence of Mantis

Here we explore the 12 Keywords or principles that define Mantis Kung Fu:

AU LOU CHOI (抅摟採): Hook, grasp, pluck

KWA (掛): Hanging techniques

BUNG (崩): Crashing/crushing movements

DA (打): Fast attacks with various body parts

DIU (刁): The characteristic mantis hook

JUN (進): Forward advancing motion

JIM-LIM (粘黏): Making contact and sticking to the opponent

TIP (貼): Closing the gap

KAU (靠): Leaning techniques

As Sifu Cheng notes,

“Those are 12 characteristics of the style that make it Mantis. It’s what a Mantis practitioner should do well.”

Weapons Training: The Three Loyalty Spear

The lesson extended to learning the first section of 3 Loyalty Spear. It was exciting to pick up a new spear set after nearly 20 years of learning Plum Blossom Spear.

He discussed the applications of the blocks, the off-hand in the opening move, and went in-depth into the flowers. He also explained the differences between Traditional spear work and Wushu spear work. He shared an anecdote about how Wushu training affected his Traditional Kung Fu.

I asked if he could teach me any spear tricks, and he obliged by showing me some Wah Lum spear techniques and a move from a Shaolin form Sigong Fogg taught him.

I enjoyed listening to the stories of the Wah Lum Temple and his spear training regimen.

What I enjoyed most was my Sifu’s enthusiasm for working with and teaching the spear. 

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CHAPTERS

[00:00] – Introduction/Preview

[00:36] – 8 Hard Form (八剛)

[01:33] – Explanation of Folding – 8 Hard Principles

[02:45] – Explanation of Crushing – 8 Hard Principles

[03:00] – 12 Soft Form (十二柔)

[04:08] – Collapsing vs Leaking – 12 Soft Principles

[05:33] – 12 Keywords Form (十二字訣)

[06:34] – Explanation of 12 Keywords

[10:30] – 3 Loyalty Spear (三義槍)

[14:52] – Difference Between Traditional and Wushu

[15:20] – Throwing Shade at Wushu

[16:10] – Spear Low Sweep

[16:46] – Explanation of Flowers

[18:19] – Different Ways of Teaching Flowers

[19:25] – Flowers for Mobility

[20:07] – Spear Flipping

[21:02] – Catching Spear Behind Back

[21:34] – Wah Lum Tiger Fork Story

[23:15] – Shaolin Spear Trick

[23:45] – Wah Lum Spear Pickup

[23:57] – Practicing Spear with Bushes

After a long hiatus from lessons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Grandmaster John Cheng, a beloved figure in the Mantis community, decided to record and archive our lessons for future generations. Tragically, less than a year after the resumption of our lessons, he passed away as a hero when he bravely tackled a gunman at a church in Laguna Woods on May 15, 2022. His selfless act of courage allowed fellow parishioners to subdue the attacker, making him the sole fatality in the attempted mass shooting.