Suthern Praying Mantis Kung Fu

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

well, i dont know what time im going to have, as i am planning on joining the army. so i do want to train as much now. i dont know, perhpas it does hinder my mantis, but i havnt noticed it. i mean, like i said, i train them both seperatly and individually because they are so different. to use another example, i guess its kinda like playing football and basketball in high school. they are both sports/martial arts, but they are so different you can spen 15 minutes, half an hour, an hour, however long on one, and then do a weapon, and then spend some time on the next. becasue they are so different they dont really conflict with eachother, its easier to conflict when they are close, but have some differences, then when they are completly different. you know what im saying?

now, i would take other styles, like kali or boxing, but i really cant find places any where near here. i was lucky to find out that i live 5 minutes away from my mantis school, but i have had no (and i mean absolutly no) luck whatsoever locating other places.

(and together with school i hardly even have enough time for mantis and tai chi)

i suppose it also helps that my tai chi instructor is experienced in mantis, and my mantis instructor is an expert in tai chi. they also both train together regularly, and the classes are in the same place, so i dont really get conflicting opinions when i study either styles, because both my instructors have found thier own balence between the two, and are more able to teach the balence.

also, sincei dont really understand the whole chi kung thing, and since (at least, acording to what i have heard) the chi kung is different (the power in mantis comes from the twisting of your arms and body, the power in tai chi comes from.......doing tai chi.....this is where i lose the whole chi kung thing). so i mean, as far as fighting styles, they compliment eachother, but as far as chi is concerned, i really try to learn both, and since i have no understanding of it, i just kinda go with the flow.

ive taken mantis for probably about 6 months longer than tai chi, and i really dont notice a difference between my focus/effort/ability in mantis since i have take up tai chi.

[Nobody Special]

Hello Mr. Gordo,
No, I didn’t take Socomsa’s remark seriously; I just felt it was in bad taste, and due to his age that’s understandable. The only reason I mention it is because there are a lot of people (myself included) that talk before they think. Both of these teachers, have had problems with bad press in the past and while I’m sure they could care less about junk posted on the inter-net, many of their student’s do read this stuff and take it way to seriously. That is how most of these silly augments get started, someone says something in jest and you end up with another, “he said, she said”, battle.
I agree with you that taking Mantis and Tai-Chi at the same time could be difficult. I think it would be hard to actually get the principles into your body. I don’t know much about the difference between the Taoist and Buddhist breathing techniques other then one use’s natural breathing and the other what is called reverse breathing. I wouldn’t think that it’s good trying to get your body used to breathing in two different method’s, but then there are a lot of master’s that do both and don’t seem to be suffering for it. But then, like you said, Socomsa is young and has his life ahead of him, plenty of time to devote to both.


Thanks Socomsa (Nat), for offering the advice on etiquette, I’m not sure what you mean about Mr. Yee being different? Any advice that you can give me will be appreciated. The martial arts are wonderful but don’t let the school work suffer, it’s not worth it. I doubt that your teacher would remember my name; we met a long time ago down south, and only briefly. I’ll look for you at the seminar Sat. morning, sounds like it will be a great time and I’m looking forward to making some new friend’s. I’d really like to meet Mr. Yee; maybe you or your teacher could introduce me? I’m not a fast learner but hopefully I’ll get a few things down well enough to practice at home.

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

well, as far as sigung yee being different, its hard to explain. apparently hes a nice guy, but somtimes his mood changes, for example, last time he was here (i wasnt there, this is only what i have heard) he threw 2 of his top students out of the class because he thought they werent working hard enough, then went to dunkin doughnuts and spilled coffee on his while uniform. as far as eitiquite is concerned, i would be there early, like, no later than 8:45. umm, i think i told you about not asking too many questions, again, ask russ during the break. other than that, you might want to talk to russ about it if you get there early.

umm, i dont think i will be introducing you as i have never met him myself. but if you hang around in our school long enough youll hear alot of stories about him. but hopefully he doesnt throw anybody out this time.

but besides that i would talk to russ. he knows what hes doing.

oh, and also, i dont let my school work suffer. im just not the best student ever. i cant do math or foriegn languages.

[Nobody Special]

Socomsa:

Glade to hear that you dont let the school work suffer. Your Sigung sounds like any average guy,heck, we all have our mood swing's. If he put out two student's for not working hard enough, he must run a tight ship. You mentioned that you practice Som Bo Gin, will that be taught at the seminar? I have heard a lot about this form and cant wait to see it. Well have to get back to work, I'll take your advice and try to get there early!

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

yes, i expect we will be practicing som no gin, alot infact. in addition, i have never met yee, but russ says he is an interesting guy, and i for one hope i dont see him being interesting this weekend.

also, as far as som bo gin is concerned, i wouldnt expect some high flying special effects kung fu form, but i think if you take time to look inside it and study it, you will be impressed, i was.

i guess we will both have to find out tomorrow.

[Nobody Special]

Thanks again for the info, Socomsa! I'll see you tommorow, I'm looking forward to meeting you. I'll be easy to spot. I'll have a blue ball cap on.

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

alright then

[SOCOMSASGsG9]

hey nobody, that was funny.....haha. i must apologize, if i had known who you were i would have probably bowed down before your superior kung fu.....ness, instead of trying to "educate" you. so again, i apologize.

that was funny, i mean, ive heard your name, if you had told me your name, i would have been like "wow, hes one of the guys."

haha, anyways, so now i know you.

you know that guy, otto, the chinese kid with the long hair in the back? he had a blue hat on, and for a second i thouhgt he was you, but i didnt want to say anything, you know? anyway, how did you like the seminar?

(oh, and did you tell russ about me, so im going to catch heck on wednesday?)