Chow Gar


Tung Kong Chow Gar Tong Long is a southern Chinese martial art of the Hakka people. It is one of the four major schools in Southern Praying Mantis, the other schools being Chu Gar, Kong Sai Jook Lum, and Tit Ngau. It is an aggressive style with emphasis on close range fighting. These skills are developed by utilizing a range of training techniques which have been developed over several centuries.
This style is not related to Jow-Ga Kung Fu, a southern Chinese martial art founded by Jow Lung in the early 1900s. It is also not related to the Northern Praying Mantis systems such as 7 Star Praying Mantis, Plum Blossom Praying Mantis, Taiji Praying Mantis etc.

Introduction

History

The history of Chow Gar Praying Mantis was transmitted orally with little supporting documentation until the 1900s. The origins of Chow Gar are similar to other martial arts of the Hakka community with references to the Southern Shaolin monastery and exploits centered around Southern China. Information prior to the turn of the century is speculative at best. In the modern era, Lau Soei is recognized by both the Chow Gar and Chu Gar practitioners as the leading promoter of this style. The leading authorities on Chow Gar are the students of Yip Shui and their schools can be found worldwide.

Lineage Masters of the Past

Chow Ah Naam
According to Chow Gar tradition, the founder of the style was Chow Ah Naam who lived in the 1800s. He had spent many years in the Southern Shaolin Monastery under the guidance of the abbot Sim See Yan. He created a new style which he called Praying Mantis from watching a fight between a praying mantis and a bird. His style is not related to the Northern Praying Mantis created by Wang Lang during the Song Dynasty. Ah Naam taught the style to many people in the region and one of his students was Wong Fook Go.
Wong Fook Go
Wong Fook Go was initially a lay person but later became a traveling monk. He travelled throughout Southern China including Wai Yearn village in the area of Tung Kung.
Lau Soei
Lau Soei was an accomplished teacher of the martial arts in his home village of Wai Yearn in GuangDong Province, Southern China before meeting Wong Fook Go. Oral traditions suggested that Lau challenged Wong and was soundly defeated by Wong. Lau then became a student of Wong and became proficient in the Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis. Using this knowledge, he further enhanced his reputation and earned the nickname as the "Number one of the three tigers of Dong Jiang.
In 1913, Lau Soei moved to Hong Kong and established a Southern Praying Mantis school in Kowloon. Initially, he would teach his system only to members of the Hakka community. Near the end of his career, he opened his teachings to the general public. Yip Shui was one of his first non-Hakka students. Lau Soei died in 1942.
Yip Shui
Yip Shui continued on the tradition of Lau Soei after living and training extensively with Lau Soei. He established a reputation for the effectiveness of the Chow Gar style by meeting all challenges. He worked hard to teach and promote this style. Yip Shui died in 2004.

Masters currently teaching in Hong Kong

After the passing of Grandmaster Yip Shui in 2004, the legacy of Tung Kong Chow Gar Southern Mantis Kung Fu continues to be taught and passed down to future generations, listed below are some of the masters who are currently teaching this system in Hong Kong:

Masters around the world

In the United Kingdom, Paul Whitrod started his training in Chow Gar Praying Mantis at the age of 15 with Yip Chee Keung at his school in 1975. Paul later visited and trained in Hong Kong where he stayed at Grandmaster Yip Shui's home, he became a 'closed-door' student, learning the finer details of the system and traditional Dit Dar medicine. In the fall 1986 Paul Whitrod opened his first full-time school in London and the following year invited his Yip Shui Sigung and Yip Chee Keung Sifu to London. It was at this time they made Sifu Whitrod as the UK representative of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis kung fu of June 1987. Sifu Paul continues to teach at his school in Stratford, London, and has taught many students over the years, many of whom have gone on to spread the art in other countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Greece, and America.
Chow Gar Mantis Australian Representative Paul Brennan original student of Yip Chee Keung & father Yip Shui is now a closed door student of Master Ng Si Kay currently has branches in Queensland Australia.
Hungary branch

Forms

There are many different forms in the Chow Gar system and each instructor may teach a variety of forms.
In addition to the solo forms, there are also numerous pair forms for empty hand and weapons, and many two person drills to train techniques, sensitivity and power.
The names for some of the solo forms found in the system include:

Core fist forms (拳種)

Chow Gar Tong Long has a core set of basic forms that all instructors from different schools and lineages will teach, these are:

Intermediate forms (中級)

Chow Gar Tong Long has a modular syllabus, the names and order of forms may vary depending on instructor.
Some of these intermediate level forms have relatively short sequences and can be trained in combination with other sections, here are the names for some of these forms:

Advanced forms (高級)

Chow Gar Tong Long has a modular syllabus, the names and order of forms may vary depending on instructor.
Here are the names of some of these later advanced forms:

Qi Gong/Hay Gung Sets (氣功)

There are many hay gung sequences found in the system.
Here are the names of some of the key sets:

Weapons (兵器)

The main weapon of choice in Chow Gar Tong Long is the long pole, this is the 'Dan Tau Gwun' or single headed long pole.
This type of pole is typically around 7 ft 2, and is tapered.
The long pole forms include:
Other weapons include:
Weapons Pair work:

Techniques

Basic Movements (散手)

In 1965, Grandmaster Ip Shui published his famous book "Mantis Boxing Basic Techniques", within it he described the history of the style, along with explanations and instructions for some of the most common basic techniques and fundamental training methods found within the system.
There are at least 36 basic movements consisting of one or 3 moves, known as San Sau.
They include:
Fundamental Training Methods

Training Methods

The Chow Gar Tong Long has numerous training methods for both solo and partner training.
There are a handful of very important exercises that every practitioner of Chow Gar Tong Long must train from the beginning and then continue to train constantly and consistently even in the advanced levels, these are Saam Bo Gin, Chy Sau, Doi Chong and Chuen Saan Gap.

Saam Bo Gin (三步箭)

Saam Bo Gin means 3 step arrow, it is the first form that is learnt in the system, and also the most important.
It develops all the foundations required to progress in this system, and training in this form never stops.

Chy Sau (搓手)

Chy Sau, this exercise is trained with a partner and aims to develop the power of the body into the arms and the bridge.
There are several variations of this exercise with emphasis on different aspects of training.

Doi Chong (對樁)

Doi Chong, these exercises takes the energy that is developed from Saam Bo Gin and Chy Sau, and teaches how to release the power onto a partner, and also how to receive the incoming attack, both while keeping balance and with the correct structure and shape.
The exercises are initially done with both arms together "Seong Chong" , this progresses to alternating single arm "Dan Chong", and this is done with increasing resistance, speed and intensity. Eventually, every technique within the system can be trained in this format as a paired drill.
There are many partner drills in this system, they are used to help train different techniques, conditioning, sensitivity and power.
Including:

Chuen Saan Gap (穿山甲)

Chuen Saan Gap is a type of press up where you dive into the ground then back up again, the shape resembles that of the Pangolin animal when it burrows into the ground, hence the name. As this practice advances in later stages, this can be done on the finger tips with the hands in the shape of a claw, and also one handed. Over time, this exercise can develop tremendous strength into the fingers, elbows and arms.

Special Skills and Characteristics of the Style

All martial art styles will have their own unique flavour and special set of skills that distinguish them from other systems. The Chow Gar Praying Mantis also has some unique skills which aim to give the practitioner an advantage during a physical confrontation. Some of these skills are described below:

Shock/Scared Power (驚彈勁)

The short-range power that can translate into shock power or scared power is a basic characteristic of this style. According to legend, this technique was created when founder Chow Ah Naam saw a praying mantis fighting off a blackbird using quick sudden movements.
In the Chow gar Tong Long system, there are three stages of achieving this type of power. The initial stage is referred to as "cho ging" or rough unrefined natural power and strength. The second stage is a type of refined and trained controllable power called "um ging" or hidden power. The final stage is the shock power "geng tan ging".
...to be updated...

Four Directional/Plane Power (四板勁)

This skill trains the techniques so that within each movement, the power is never only in one single direction or plane, but in multiple directions. Essentially this skill allows the defence and offence to be combined into one movement.
...to be updated...

Golden Bell Shroud/Iron Shirt (金鐘罩/鐵布衫)

This type of skill is to condition the whole body to become hard as iron, so that it is able to withstand strikes from an opponent. To achieve this skill, there are various Qi-Gong sets which are trained alongside physical hitting drills, and then the correct traditional dit-dar herbal medicine must be applied to the area or ingested. All areas of the body are included, beginning with the arms, hands, feet, legs, hips, waist, back, chest, body, neck, head etc. In the later advanced stages, the special exercises allow even the weak pressure points to be trained and closed off to prevent injuries.
This training requires a gradual step by step process and cannot be rushed, there must be proper supervision by a qualified master or else there is a risk of causing internal injuries to the body.
...to be updated...

Sun Sook Gong (Testicle Retraction)

This skill is train the body to suck the testicles into the abdomen so that during a fight, the testicles cannot be kicked or grabbed.
There are a number unique Qi-Gong exercises specifically to train this skill.
...to be updated...

Principles and Theory

There are many poems and maxims found within the Chow Gar Tong Long system, these poems aim to help the student understand how the system works, and how they should train and practice. Here are some of them.

Morality and Ethics

學仁學義學功夫
遵親遵師遵教訓

Poems and Maxims

Each style has its own requirements on the body structure for application, which are expressed by the body, hands and steps. The Chow Gar Tong Long system has some special characteristics regarding its body structure that are passed down in these poems.
Contributor's Note: Some of these poems are incredibly difficult to translate into English. In Chinese there are often multiple layers of hidden meanings behind each phrase depending on the level of understanding. The translations presented here are the literal surface level meanings only. Where possible, I have annotated some notes alongside to give some context to the translation. These translations will be updated when new insight and understanding is gained, and validation from masters of this art, this work is in progress...

Characteristics of Posture (莊頭) http://www.southernmantis-litinloi.hk/fist.sturture.html

懸吊索、擒拿揸捉、
千字頭 、蛙仔膝、
筲箕背、鐵尺腰

Xin Fa; Principle (心法) http://www.southernmantis-litinloi.hk/fist.sturture.html

馬步丁不丁、八不八、
手從心口發、你不來、我不發、
手從心發、法從手出、手去身沉、
橋來橋上過、無橋自造橋、兩橋不歸隨手轉

Shen Fa; Body Method/Posture (身法) http://www.southernmantis-litinloi.hk/fist.sturture.html

要求沉肩墜肘、吞胸拔背 、
吞不能死、吐不能盡、
有吞則吞、無吞則側、
及雙單要醒
''

The 5 Large & Small Strengths

五大勁 :
五小勁 :

The 3 great treasures (周家螳螂三大鎮山之寳)

拿龍爪, 拔山功
驚彈勁, 疊骨功
穿山甲, 鐵指功