What are the origins of Praying Mantis Kung fu? Why do they call it Preying Mantis?

Question

I am interested in learning the origins of Preying Mantis Kung fu. How did the Preying Mantis come to be associated with this style? Where can I find more info on why they chose to name it this? Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

It's given that name, because a Shaolin monk literally observed a praying mantis fighting a cicada, took the movements from it, and applied them as a martial art.

The praying mantis is very good at warding off bigger opponents, and the same thing applies to that art when it's in the right hands. The striking is quick, precise, and startegic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Praying_Mantis_%28martial_art%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Praying_Mantis_%28martial_art%29

Answer 2

Okay grasshopper. I beleive the origins of Preying Mantis came about when a Shaolin Monk spotted a Preying Mantis attacking his prey. This intrigued the monk and he started out mimicking the praying mantis' moves and found them to be an effective way of fighting.....I studied Wing Chun Kung Fu.

Answer 3

Yoga seems to be more readily available, so just learn it. Although since you're a dude avoid the back bending exercises; one of the things I can't stand about fitness is how saturated its literature is with feminist bullcrap, saying "men and women are the same" when they're not. Chemically, yeah there are BASIC similarities, but outside those, men and women's fitness needs are totally different. For example, because testosterone is basically a neurotoxin of sorts, the only way for a man to stay healthy is to actively keep that toxing active and circulating through the muscles, so that it does not destroy the nervous system. Because of women's tendency to store fat, women need something that is both aerobic, and muscle building, that is why pillates will work better for them than weight training whereas for a guy it will do almost nothing. Think about it man; women's bodies react almost immediately to pillates while for guys it takes longer, on the opposite end of the spectrum, with strength training, men's bodies respond right away but women have a terrible time with it by comparison. Case in point; different body chemistry, different hormones, demand different approaches to strength training. Although the one gender neutral fitness sytem there is, with the exception of the backbending exercises, would have to be Yoga. You should start with Yoga, as it will increase the flow and efficiency of your nervous system, which will help with focus and how your muscles react to neurotransmissions. If you do Yoga for a few months to a year, and combine it with cals, the Atlas system, or whatever strength training method you wish, by the time you get a chance to learn Kung Fu you'll learn it much faster. good luck.

Answer 4

Shoalin Kung Fu.