Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Mantis Schedule: CANCELLED!
Upstairs at Sangha Space
Fridays @ 7:00pm hosted by Ivan
Instructor: Phil Weibl
$5-$10 Suggested Donation
Contact: Ivan @ 215-880-8666 or
We are offering an introductory course on Southern Praying Mantis Kung fu. The Chinese name for this system of self-defense is Kwong Sai Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai which means: the Kwong Sai Province of China Bamboo Forest Monastery Praying Mantis Family (of self-defense). This style started when the monk, Som Dot, while meditating in the monastery garden, observed a bird trying to eat a small insect. The insect somehow fended off this much larger attacker with not much difficulty. Som Dot was so intrigued by this that he spent years studying the insect, the praying mantis, to develop its way of fighting. Through physical exercise, qigong and meditation he eventually developed this school.
The hands and feet become quick and agile over time and you develop many skills with diligent practice. It is particularly good for smaller people and women as it does not require a large amount of strength to execute as demonstrated by the original mantis story.
Phil Weibl
Southern Praying Mantis Kund Fu has been handed down directly from Som Dot to the present day master Gin Foon Mark. Sifu (teacher) Mark taught the style to Joe McSorley who taught it to the teacher of this class; Phil Weibl.
Along with studying Praying Mantis Phil has also studied Wing Tsun Kung fu, karate for over 25 years, and is an ex-Marine. The class is taught in a friendly, non-threatening environment with hands on instruction the entire time. Please feel free to come check us out and see if this unique art appeals to you.
Southern Praying Mantis is an intelligent and efficient form of self-defense that is ideal for everyone because it adapts to the individual's size. It is a close quarters fighting system that uses quick precise strikes to disable the opponent.
