Tang Lang Quan

          METHODOLOGY

PRAYING MANTIS BOXING SYSTEM

Ji Ben Gong Fa (Basic Skills Development)

The practice of Praying mantis includes Xinggong (Movement Practise), which is basically the physical development of coordination, flexibility and strength. So the practice of the Coordination of the Shoulder, Waist, Hips, Legs and the ability to maintain lively actions is a preliminary point. This is followed by active basics including the fists, palms, hooks, kicks, stances and body methods and also Zhuangbugong (Standing Exercises).

Once the coordination of one’s on body is achieved, the introduction of combination methods and dual partner practice commences. This includes Yuhuanbu (Changing Steps), Qishou (7 Hands), Sanchui (3 Strikes), Shuaidiefa (Throwing and Falling Methods), Qinnafa (Grappling Methods), Dianxuefa (Point Striking methods), Fenshen Ba Duankaoda Fa (8 Close range striking methods), shadow boxing and practical sparring or combat.

To understand the process of developing the above skills we also need to outline some of the methods in Praying Mantis that are available to achieve them. These include the Sanhuijiuzhuanluohangong (3 Returns 9 Rotations Luohan Skill), Taiyi Zhenren Baduanjin (True Taiyi 8 Brocade), Xiuxifa (Resting Methods), Chunyang Tongzigong (Youth Skill), Bada Jingang Qigong (8 Great Diamond Qigong), Tie Luohan Gong (Iron Luohan Skill), Paida Gong (Body Hitting Skill), Kaoti Gong (Body Close in Skill), Tie Sha Zhang (Iron Palm), Tiebigong (Iron Arm), TidaShabao (Striking and Kicking Sandbags) and others.

System

The Praying Mantis Curriculum of the Taiping Institute is a process of development that incorporates the cornerstone aspects of the Qixing (7 Star), Meihua (Plum Blossom) and Liu (6 Harmonies) boxing methods. The depth of the Praying Mantis Styles precludes the fact that there are many forms and sets of practice of empty hand, combat and weapons. The curriculum (not necessarily in order) consists of the following aspects:

Single and Linked Techniques

These are very short sets ranging from basics to that of the more infamous series of attacks and combat methods, most of them are derived from existing sets but are practiced in shorter spurts with emphasis on combat effectiveness and ensuring the essence of Praying Mantis. Some are practiced as basic or fundamentals whilst others are more advanced in nature.

These include basics such as Zhanzhuang (Stances) which trains the key stances of Praying Mantis Boxing. Followed by the training in basic techniques such as Gouzijiao (Hooking Legs), Sanchui (3 Strikes), Liuxing Ganyue (Meteor Chasing the Moon) and more. To many of the methods there are variations, as an example, Sanchui has Shang Sanchui, Xia Sanchui, Xunbu Sanchui, Aobu Sanchui, etc......

Some of the longer series include Duanda Wulianhuan (Short Strikes 5 Links), Shibashou Dafa (18 Hands Striking Methods), Wutangchui (5 Sequence Strikes), Yuejiachui (Yue Family Strikes), Liuhechui (6 Harmonies Strikes) and more.

Fundamentals

These are based on the 7 Star Praying Mantis Boxing curriculums, which is predominantly influenced by the Changquan or Mizongquan styles via the developments of Wang Rongsheng.

• Yantai (Da) Bengbu (Crushing Step) : The most commonly known and practised set in the Praying Mantis Boxing world. A key component of 7 Star Praying Mantis introducing some basic concepts such as the Gouloucai (Hook Lead Pluck), Bengbu (a pouncing full body backfist), Puchan (Catch Cicada) and other key methods.
• Cha Chui (Piercing Strikes) : Derived from the Yanqingquan/Mizongquan set of the same name, this Praying Mantis version emphasis the strength of the lower plane and introduces some striking methodologies
• Fanche (Turning Wheel) : There are two key aspects to this set, Small and Larger Turning Wheels which is combined into one. This introduces the basic Fanche Luhuchui techniques and their variations
• Bengda (Running Strikes) : Another set derived from Yanqingquan/Mizongquan set of the same name which allows the study of multiple directions.
• Cuogang (Avoiding Hardness) : This set emphasises the study and comprehension of the 8 hard principles.
• Rouling (Soft and Lightly): This set emphasises the study and comprehension of the 12 Soft principles.
• Xiaohuyan (Small Swallow): This Yanqingquan/Mizongquan derived set studies the leaps rises and falls of movement.
• Tanglangshou (Mantis Hand): This emphasises the study of the Goushou (Mantis hook) and shoufa (hand methods).
• Shibasuo (18 Locks): This set emphasises the study of Qin-na and Suohou (grappling and throat locking).

   

After the completion of the fundamentals, the basis allows for diversified approach into the other sets of practice. Other branches of Seven Star Praying Mantis include many other sets (i.e. Qingdao & Yantai influenced by other styles and Jingwu Praying Mantis influenced by Fan Xudong and mainly Lou Guangyu who added many sets and materials), however they are not part of the Taping Wuguan curriculum as many do not add further skill or development to the core above but supplement aspects considered in other parts of the Taiping Wuguan curriculum, remembering that the drills and combat practises are more important than the routines alone.

Advanced/Combination Sets

These are nowadays representative of the advanced and combined sets of Praying Mantis Boxing. These are a series of sets designed to combine some of the purer methods into effective fighting chains of practice.

• Meihualu (Plum Blossoms Roads)

• Puchan (Catch Cicada)

• Baiyuan Tou Tao (White Ape Steals a Peach)

• Baiyuan Chu Dong (White Ape Exits Cave)

• Baiyuan Xian Guo (White Ape Offers Fruit)

• Baiyuan Kui Yuan (White Ape Peep into Garden)

• Baiyuan Panzhi (White Ape Climbs Branch)

• Baiyuan Xiao Mu (White Ape Filial to Mother)

• Baiyuan Xianshu (White Ape offers book)

• Baiyuan Rudong (White Ape enters Cave)

The Baiyuan (White Ape) series were taught in Yantai (Also spread to the Hao Family and Qixing (Seven Star) Praying Mantis Style) after the founder returned from Cangzhou in neighbouring Hebei Province. Some instances mentioned a 'Sheng Yuan Men' (Ape Sage System).

Core Pillars

These are based on the pure core of TaijiTanglangquan or Meihua Tanglangquan as taught by Liang Xuexiang and his disciples. These are the oldest and most representative of the style. Taiping Wuguan practices those of the Cui Shoushan lineage. A famous Tanglang saying sums up the value of the first 3 sets below " Luanjie Bengbu plus Bazhou, Saints and Immortals when challenged cannot leave easily"

• Laiyang (Xiao) Bengbu (Crash and Fill): This set of Bengbu (different characters) is smaller in frame to the Da Bengbu, although some of the general make up resembles the other, the angulations, body methods and power generation is more complex and refined. It is often said that this is the older of the Bengbu which was the origin of the later Da Bengbu.

• Luanjie (Chaotically Connected): Consisting of 36 hands/methods and include concepts such as Gang-Rou (Hard-Soft), Yin Yang, Xu Shi (Empty-Full), these are the 6 characters, "then by the six lines of the trigrams (6 x 6) 36 is derived. Following in commune with the Yiching, Luanjie commences with Taiji which is the outcome of Yin Yang originated from Liang Yi (Two Polars)". Luanjie is one of the most liked sets by previous generation masters.

• Fenshen Bazhou (Separating Body 8 Elbows): Bazhou is considered one of the older original Praying Mantis Boxing routines dating back to the times of Wanglang (In legend). Sometimes it is divided into sections (commonly 4), with 64 techniques/hands within," these following from Luanjie are relating to Liangyi creates Sixiang which gives rise to Bagua (8 Trigrams), the keys of Bazhou are Yinyang, Gangrou, Jintui, Xushi (9 Characters), 8x8 equals 64 elbows/methods". Together Bengbu & Bazhou are considered the mother of Praying Mantis Boxing. There is a saying "Bengbu Dao Bazhou Shenxian Ye Nan Zou" - From Bengbu to Bazhou even the Immortals have difficulty in escaping.

• Zhaiyao (Essentials): There are 6 Sections of Zhaiyao which are said to have been developed on the basis of Mishou (Secret Hands) also known as other names, thought to be the combat orientated techniques rarely passed to students. There are around 365 hands/techniques in the Zhaiyao. "In line with the Yiching again, derived are the 360 days to a cycle. It is said heaven has 4 seasons, man has 4 limbs, fists have 4 shapes. Heaven has 8 sections, man has 8 sections etc....also delivering heaven has 365 days, Man has 365 parts, Fists have 365 hands. Heaven has 3 treasures (Moon, Sun, Stars) and Man has 3 treasures (Qi, Blood, Essence) and so forth." In the Taij Tanglang lineage an additional section 7 was created which emphasises Digong (Ground) techniques.

 

Ruan Tanglang (Soft Mantis) practices

The smooth yet explosive methods of Liuhequan Tanglangshou (Six Harmonies Boxing - Praying Mantis Hands), often known as Soft (Ruan) Mantis from the Zhaoyuan Liuhequan Praying Mantis Hands methods, are these sets as practised by the Taiping Wuguan as per the Zhao Tongshu lineage.

• Zuo you Quan (Left & Right Circles): One of the most basic sets, this introduces the Tanglang shou (Mantis Hands) of Liuhequan Tanglangshou. As distinct to the basics required from Duanchui (Short Strikes).

• Jie Shou Quan (Connecting Circle Hands): Another short and fundamental set that emphasises methods such as Jieshouquan (A circular strike from the outside which can be sequenced over both hands).
• Tie Ci Shou (Iron Threading Hands): An intermediate set which although short like most Ruan Tanglang sets, it introduces the key method/technique Gou Ci Shou (Hooking threading hands).
• Liao Yin Zhang (Lifting Yin Palms): Another intermediate set which has some unique uplifting and entering methods as opposed to the usual entering over or beside.
• Jing Li Cang Hua (Concealing Flower in the Mirror): This set is also known as Cang Hua Shou (Concealing Flower Hands), It refers to the concealment of technique. So when a hand is in an action be it defensive or in attack, the movements hide that of the real hand (the other). Further is the continuous inter play between the real and the false hands as they mutually and deceptively interchange from leading to hidden, which is where the 'mirror' aspect enters the equation.
• Zhao Mian Deng (Facing the Light): One of the representative sets considered more advanced, with speedy hands it encapsulates the 5 essences of Liuhequan Tanglangshou - Huo (Lively), Shun (Follow), Gang (Hard), Rou (Soft) and Hua (Neautralising).
• Shan Shou Ben (Rushing Lightning Hands): Also known as Xian Shou (Immortal Hands), this set is a powerful and fierce with a more harder force, with hammering strikes and strong grabs
• Shuang Feng (Double Sealing): Along with Duanchui (Short Strikes) and Canghuashou (Concealing Flower Hands), this set Shuangfengshou (Double Sealing Hands), is considered a core and essential method of Ruan Tanglang.

   

Combined Empty Hand combat Sets

Praying Mantis boxing also contains a large array of drills and technique exercises that develop combat efficiency. Many of the Fundamental can be converted into two man set practices to allow one opponent as the attacker and the other as the interceptor. Additionally there are some specific combat sets both empty hands, weapons and combination thereof, some of the key empty hand ones are noted below:

• Tao Hua San (Scattered Peach Flower)

• Po An (Investigative method)

• Bengbu Duichai (Combined Bouncing Steps)

• Baduan KaoDa (9 Short Close In Strikes)

• Mopan Shou (Rubbing Dishes Hands)

There are a few others and additionally, there are specific combat drills and strategies around some key principles and techniques, these include Liuhe Tanglang Jiji 93 shou (93 hands of Six Harmonies Mantis), Mishou (Secret Hands) and more.

Weapons

Like most Chinese martial arts, Praying Mantis Boxing also includes the practice of weapons. Originally the number of weapons practiced are few with the Sword as the most prominent. Some lineages of Seven Star Praying Mantis have a large array of weapons but this is mainly due to the association with the Jingwu associations of Shanghai and Hong Kong rather than pre-existent in the Shandong Praying Mantis Schools. Others have picked up certain sets from other styles. There are now many and some of the Sets/methods include:

• Shuangba Jian (Double handed Sword)

• Baxian Jian (8 Immortal Sword)

• Liuhe Gun (6 Harmonies Staff)

• Luan Qiang (Chaotic Spear)

• Taiyi Qiang (Taiyi Spear)

• Lanmen Dao (Lanmen Broadsword)Zhan Zhuang (Standing Practices)