The origins of Praying Mantis Kung Fu are founded in the tradition of Shaolin integrating Ming dynasty martial practices with the Chan Buddhist meditation and Neo-Confucian philosophy. It is premised on the notions of self preservation, individual autonomy and the natural right to self defense in the pursuit of peace. Peace is commonly understood to mean a lack of violent ...
Continue Reading →
Goal Setting and Planning
The end of another year is quickly approaching making it the perfect time for year-end reflection and new year planning. Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn vision into reality. The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. ...
Continue Reading →
In recognition of Master Pel celebrating forty years in Northern Shaolin Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu.
A foreword by Andy Best, student of Master Kai Uwe Pel.
This year Master Kai Uwe Pel celebrates forty years dedicated to the mastery and preservation of Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Master Pel of the ...
Continue Reading →
Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu is an ancient system of combat with deep roots in Shaolin tradition that teaches you about the mastery of violence, the mastery of training, the mastery of learning, and most importantly the mastery of self. In this sense it is just as much a pathway towards Self-Realization as it is Self-Protection. Some people may ...
Continue Reading →
Dear Friends & Students,
It is with a deep sense of honor to announce that after dedicating forty years of my time and energy to the study and teaching of Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu, I am officially retiring from the arena of public teaching.
Praying Mantis kung fu continues to be a large part of my life and I ...
Continue Reading →
Northern Seven Star Praying Mantis kung fu is a highly famed martial art recognized for its practical no none-sense approach to self defense. But perhaps lessor known is that it also promotes a strong foundational philosophy and value system that acts as a moral compass to ...
Continue Reading →
The study of Mantis Kung Fu is just as much a path of Self-Realization as it is Self-Protection. Some people may find this hard to understand, but the true journey of the student and teacher alike is all about living a harmonious and meaningful life. Through diligent study over time a student develops practical self-defense skills. But this is the just ...
Continue Reading →
It’s been a long four months, and we are happy to finally announce that training in Shanghai will start up again this week. First class will be on Tuesday, June 16th, 19:30-21:00. Click on the image link above to download full announcement and see important details on location, times, training protocols, class ...
Continue Reading →
At the heart of the Seven Star Praying Mantis system is a brilliantly designed training methodology that is holistic, scientific, and regimented. Training is combat focused with an approach that develops strong technical fundamentals in the early years while promoting applied performance in the later. As with many traditional Chinese martial systems, Praying Mantis kung fu has three ...
Continue Reading →
See the latest book from Kai Uwe Pel entitled, “Luo Guang Yu’s Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu – A Traditional Chinese Martial Art”. This is a must read book for students, teachers, and enthusiasts who are interested in learning about the rich history and concepts of Master Luo Guang Yu’s Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Click on the link below to be taken to Amazon where you can place your order.
How Low Can You Go? A Low Frame Methodology to Footwork in Mantis Kung Fu
Footwork is an essential aspect in Qixing Tanglang Quan (QXTLQ), as it provides a platform for mobility, positional entry/exit, and offensive delivery. Tactically QXTLQ footwork makes use of many patterns that employ rapid darting (in and out), swift lateral movement, and explosive level changes, that incorporate deceptive feinting and baiting. Footwork is intricately coordinated with kicking, striking, grappling, and throwing combinations designed to out-wit, out-control, and ...
Continue Reading →
This year June 8th 2019 we celebrated our teacher’s birthday in Shanghai. Master Kai Uwe Pel of the Seven Star Praying Mantis style came to Shanghai to teach from 2002, first with the surviving Jing Wu organization, then at the Longwu Center and privately in the suburb Xin Zhuang. We identify our schools with the great grandmaster Luo Guang Yu and name our modern clubs Luo Guang Yu Seven Star Praying Mantis. This year also marks a hundred years since ...
Continue Reading →
Celebrations
On June 8th 2019 the Shanghai Luo Guang Yu Seven Star Praying Mantis Association hosted a birthday celebration dinner in honor of Kai Uwe Pel. The event was attended by close friends and students with the celebration including kung fu performances, gift exchanges, ceremonial awards, and a Chinese banquet featuring traditional Shanghainese cuisine. Celebrations were especially memorable given the greater historical context marking one hundred years since Master Luo Guang Yu brought Seven Star Praying Mantis to ...
On Tuesday, January 22nd, Nathan hosted a special year-end dinner celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year with students of the Shanghai Seven Star Praying Mantis Club. The evening was filled with good friends, good food, and some good banter. Not to mention a spontaneous kung fu pop up ...
Continue Reading →
On behalf of the Luo Guangyu Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association, we would like to wish everyone and their families in the traditional Chinese martial arts community the very best in health, happiness and prosperity in 2019 – the year of the Pig!
The new year is a perfect time for goal setting. Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn vision into reality. Read more about how to ...
Continue Reading →
Goal Setting and Planning
Another year has quickly come and gone making it the perfect time for year-end reflection and new year planning. Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn vision into reality. The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you to concentrate your efforts.
Reflection
Begin by looking back ...
Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu will soon be celebrating its 100th year anniversary in the city of Shanghai (1919 – 2019). To mark this special occasion the Shanghai Luo Guang Yu Seven Star Praying Mantis Association will be hosting a number of celebratory events, training seminars, and sightseeing tours in June 2019.
A one-week program of events in Shanghai including: a celebration dinner with Master Kai Uwe Pel and special guests, daily training sessions led by our ...
Continue Reading →
I have had a number of enquiries from people asking me whether Michael Streit continues to be my student. The short answer is no and has not been for some time. Effective October 1, 2015, I made the final decision to stop teaching him, and no longer regard him as one of my students. My decision was not ...
Continue Reading →
Self Defense Hamburg hosted special guest Kai Uwe Pel in Hamburg, Germany, on June 7, 2018, who delivered a very special and in-depth seminar on the “Eight Elbow” Methods of Seven Star Praying Mantis – Techniques, Grappling, and Free Fighting Application.
After of the seminar the group enoyed a nice Chinese dinner celebrating an evening of hard work and a birthday too! Thanks to everyone who came out on this very special day.
Content: Eight Elbow Methods of Seven ...
Continue Reading →
On behalf of the Luo Guangyu Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association, I would like to wish everyone and their families in the traditional Chinese martial arts community the very best in health, happiness and prosperity in 2018 – the year of the Dog!
Be honest, be kind, be focused, and be diligent in all your ...
Continue Reading →