Southern Chow Gar Praying Mantis History
One of the key elements of training in the Mantis style is to learn to generate the Gen or Shock power. One of the first exercises to help in this development is called Chia Sau or Grinding Arm. As one becomes more experienced the more one begins to be relaxed in the exercises, building power and strength through a relaxed force which otherwise, to a beginner, seems very physical. This is a stage where the power emanates from the joints and bones.
A BRIEF HISTORY The founder of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis martial art was Chow Ah Naam. He had spent many years in the Shaolin Monastery (Sil Lum Jee) harnessing the bodies hidden powers, through the Shaolin secret training drills. These special skills and methods were bestowed upon individuals that showed tremendous martial skill and intuition, and 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 that He had harnessed easily overcame the other Shaolin arts, and the name praying mantis was given to the system, after seeing a praying mantis insect overcome a blackbird with sudden like actions, was reminiscent of Chow Ah Naam's shock like power. Chow Ah Naam had been staying in the Shaolin Monastery since he was 10 years old, after being cured of a stomach illness that he had suffered as a young boy. His first job was a cook at Shaolin, and then he started learning the Shaolin Martial 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 that Chow Ah Naam taught, it was a monk named Wong Fook Go that became Chows successor. Wong Fook Go later became a traveling monk, this was quite a common thing in those days to spread Buddhism, as well as martial arts. He had went to a place called Wai Yearn village in the area of Tung Kung (East River). Once there he met a young man named Lau Soei. Lau Soei was already a accomplished master of several arts, most notably the Ma Kuen (horse fist). It was said that when he practiced the Ma Kuen, his ponytail that he used to wear in those days, was always in flight. A great story how these two men met and how Lau Soei started learning Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu was documented. A challenge was issued by Lau Soei to monk Wong Fook Go, after Wong Fook Go stated that Lau Soeis art merely looked good at a demonstration he had shown. The Challenge took place and Lau Soei lost the bout, however not being satisfied with his first attempt tried again, but still lost. He told Wong Fook Go, that when he was hit it had felt like he was being hit by lightening (shock power). The monk Wong Fook Go explained to him about the Mantis art and its "gen" powers that are trained. It was from here that Lau Soei was convinced about this unique system, he became a student of the monk and was the first non monk to be trained in the 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. It was nearing the end of the Ching Dynasty that 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, Tarn Wa etc. But it was Yip Shui that became Lau Soei’s successor to carry on the name Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu. Many tried to topple him from this position of being the successor, but Yip Shui defeated them in martial arts contests and truly established his position. Later, Yip Shui heir to the Chow Gar Praying Mantis system taught his own family members. Later his son Yip Chee Keung came to England in 1974,. Where He taught many people, must notably, Nelson Chui, Steve Apple, Eric Tsang, Paul Whitrod and others. In 1987 Grand-master Yip Shui and Master Yip Chee Keung made a formal visit to the United Kingdom, and honored Paul Whitrod as the UK representative of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu. He now has students himself teaching this unique system carrying on the traditional methods that have been handed down over the centuries, and what made Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu a unique fighting martial arts system. FAMILY TREE
Tony Willis is one of those students of Master Paul Whitrod who now teach. Tony has 2 schools one near Chelmsford and one in Chelmsford in Essex, England and enjoys meeting martial artists of all styles who come to the area. Tony welcomes anyone from another style and also enjoys training and teaching complete beginners. Tony continues to train with his Sifu, Paul Whitrod and is pleased that Sifu still teaches him.
Questions and Answers on Chow Gar
Question; Many believe that Grandmaster Yip Shui married Lao Soei's daughter
Answer; Lau Soei never had Children because he practiced the highly dangerous (Sun Sook gung ) Bringing up the testes, and so prevented him having children.
Question; Lau Soei taught in Hong Kong around 1953. This is often put forward by another Southern Mantis system to substantiate their claims as being the first mantis system.
Answer; Lau Soei died in 1942 at the age of 79.
Question; Grandmaster Yip Shui changed the name from Chu Gar to Chow Gar
Answer; In Hakka dialect, Chow and Chu are pronounced Chu. When it comes to pronouncing the characters in Cantonese, then there is a difference in sound. Last but not least all the old Masters and history of the system suggest that the original system was infact Chow
Shock powerTechniques (Gen Power)
Low Kicks
Use of fingers, Claw, Phoenix eye Fist, Palm, Edge of hand, Elbow, knee and shoulder for striking.
Use of the Dim Mak points in blocking and striking.
Although I consider that I have only scratched the surface of a lifetimes training, I owe all I have learnt in Southern Chow Gar Mantis to Master Paul Whitrod. I owe him a great deal, certainly more than I could re pay and this will never be forgotten. Sifu Paul has shown understanding and a great deal of patience in his dealings with me, one who has certainly not been the perfect student. Often today we are all too busy, or thats the excuse, to show any respect to others. However I believe that Sifu is fully deserving of my respect and I hope that this is always apparent. I do not believe that we should act disrespectful to our teachers as is often seen at tournaments and on discussion boards.