“Beyond Just Combat”
There are only a few English texts available on South or Northern Mantis, which all contribute to the body of written work on this subject. This page, like all pages on this site, will be updated over time and is intended as a martial research site. It is not meant to replace good instructional interaction with a qualified teacher of the system.
As our version of Seven Star Praying Mantis has its roots in the classical Buddhist Shaolin temple, let us begin our study there. While much has been said about the history of the Shaolin temple, little has been discussed about the Buddhist concepts that can be applied to the life of a mantis boxer or the Shaolin monk who takes up the system.
Research:
The various options in combat methods that one can take from a particular posture or movement can be seen in terms of the mathematical concepts of domain and range. The domain would be the type of movement posture used in the context of a given offensive or defensive movement at the moment of execution, while the range would be the possible options one has in executing a movement. Understanding these concepts can provide a deeper understanding of the system’s versatility in combat situations. However, it’s important to remember that while research is valuable, it’s always best to supplement it with quality instruction from a skilled teacher.
