Chow Gar Tong Long or Chow Family Praying Mantis is a style of Kung Fu that has been practised in southern China and Hong Kong for over 250 years. Traditionally, most Chinese martial arts were developed for the battlefield. Those systems that proved effective survived to be passed down to the next generation. Sifu Ip is a 5th generation Master of Chow Gar, and has established this school in the UK to teach the genuine style. Londonkungfu.com aims to provide information on training to those interested in joining our school, and as a resource for current students. If you are new to Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu, you may want to find out more. Please visit our contact page and choose when you'd like to join us at training and find out whether our system is right for you.
Chow Gar Tong Long is a member of a family of "Southern Praying Mantis" styles of kung fu, and being such, most of the system consists of close range hand techniques. There is little use of the legs, with kicks seldom above waist height. Chow Gar centres around the development of speed, power and accuracy, presenting the skilled practitioner (the Mantis) many options. With the development of "Ging Lik" (loosely translated into "shock power") the Mantis is able to generate devistating power in a matter of inches. While "iron shirt" training cultivates internal power to allow the Mantis to withstand strikes from an opponent without harm to internal organs and vital systems. There are parallels between Chow Gar and other southern systems such as Pak Mei and Lung Ying Mor Kiu, including the use of simple, direct and aggressive attacks with simultaneous defence. Chow Gar tends to use narrow upright stances compared with the common low northern Shaolin stance. The greatest difference of the style is in the generation of Kiu Sao (bridge arms) - a trademark of the Mantis is to have very strong arms; and the cultivation of Ging Lik (energy and power). This refined strength allows the Mantis to create and release great power in a very short distance. This formidable strike is devistating to an opponent.
