"ABOUT THE BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO SERIES"
Available To The Public Without Obligation
Southern Praying Mantis Kungfu has long been recognized as a “fighting art” of self-defense with sayings like, “nothing for show, everything for use.” Based on the principles, “hand to hand, heart to heart, you don’t come, I won’t start,” southern mantis waits for the opponent to come close enough to attack, then when the opponent strikes, hand or foot, the principle of “contact, control and strike until you see red (blood)” is employed. Within three steps the opponent is subdued.
Southern mantis is truly among a handful of martial arts that have retained their traditional content and values. It is rare today. Around 1900, with the advent of firearms and military technology, old style martial arts of survival took a turn toward ways of self-cultivation. Martial arts began to emphasize inner cultivation through self practice, artistic value in performance or athletics and acrobatics. The combative skills of attack and defense were less emphasized.
As a result, we can see today that most contemporary forms of training and their function in practice have become separated. How many times have you seen contemporary stylists, all practicing their different styles, forms and skills, yet using the same boxing and kicking techniques in combat? Southern mantis is not that way. It is one of those old-style arts that employs form and function as one - what you train is what you use.
We are pleased to offer for the benefit of the public, without obligation, this basic instructional series teaching the fundamental skills of southern praying mantis presented by Roger D. Hagood, 40 years in training. Step by step, following volume one through nine, you will learn the fundamental principles, posture, stepping patterns, attack, defense, counter-attack, sticky hand, internal strengthening exercises and more. These films are not made to demonstrate, to entertain you or dazzle you with special effects. The sole purpose of this series is to provide a method of useful instruction in southern mantis kungfu to those with an interest. The teaching is progressive and to gain a full understanding you should begin with volume one and continue film by film training the entire series. After training this Basic Instructional Series, those with further interest may continue personal training or seek a regular school.
