Because of some statements in the Movie - Thread:
What do you think is the propper interpretation of the mantis moves in forms?
I just remember countless flicks of mantis sitting there almost invisible and moveless. Sudenly with an explosion of lightning fast moves with the forearms grabbing the victim!
No shaking and waving with arms in the meantime … 
kind of a hard question to answer GBL,…any particular moves you are looking for interpretations for?? That would be alot easier to answer,…And no,…no shaking or waving the arms in the mean-time…LOL!
Originally posted by BeiTangLang
kind of a hard question to answer GBL,…any particular moves you are looking for interpretations for?? That would be alot easier to answer,…And no,…no shaking or waving the arms in the mean-time…LOL!
Okay, take the move: tong long bou sin or tang lang bu chan…
Do you keep still at the end or do you move a little bit with your arms?
Or how do you perform bodymoves? When you turn for eg TLBS do you lean forward and flip back?
I asked for that I guess, so I’ll take a shot at answering.
Regardess of the move (posture) in question, I use my body to perform the movement dictated by the form, with martial intent, for my interpretation of what that move is supposed to accomplish.
Would I sway to do tong long bou sin or tang lang bu chan?
Yes & No.
No, I will not fake a sway for “sways” sake.
That was about as clear as mud, but the best I can think of this early in the day.
~Best Wishes,
BTL
Subtle science exact art…
Well, first and foremost there is a huge difference between movie-fu and Kung Fu. What looks good in movie fu may very well cause you your life in the street. Besides most so-called Mantis fighting move has nothing to do with the real Mantis way. One tell-tale sign is the seperate use of the hands. Mantis always use the hands in support of each other. Anyway, Forms performance as an art of self-expression is just that - a self-expression. What type of message about you that you want to send out is of main concern. Do you want to accent your athletic attributes, and for that matter plain showmanship, or do you want to showcase your solid technical merits obtained from thorough understanding of the form especially application wise. Remember you are letting people forming an opinion of you (knowledge and attributes wise) while you are performing your form.
The mantis stance (Tanglang Puchan) is IMHO a distinctive mantis Chin Na move that leads to other devastating moves so it should not be treated lightly. IMHO Tanglang Puchan as a Chin Na move (an armbar), the hands and the feet should be in place in a “solid” manner not dancing all over the place. It should also see the commitment of the body weight which is where the main power source of the move. The root is from the feet and up. The hands turn only if the opponents elbow joint is not exposed. Over doing the turn means lost of target.
All in all, your combat philosophy and strategy should be of prime concern rather than how do you look in a camera.
Just sharing a few thoughts.
Mantis108
I was taught not to sway or move at the end of Shuang Feng Shou/Pu Chan. The hands should snap shut and the movement terminates. There are times when there are small ‘jerks’ at the end of moves as the result of power etc, but waving the hands or arms in a visibly detectable circular motion at the end of this movement is definitely a theatrical addition introduced and popularised by Yu Hai. Even some real mantis boxers do add this flair on the end of their taolu in competition but even they will admit it is just for show. I hit my students if I ever catch even a hint of it. In my opinion it is one of the things that has tainted the rest of the worlds view on mainland Tanglang yet is not advocated by the majority of chinese schools.
Glad to read you guys with that statements.
Especially the TJPM People (because I only catch some impressions of TJPM).
Your statements on performing the Art is the way I see it too.
The mind must focus your inner sight of the way you want to apply and perform the techniques for fighting. It should not be diverted by thinking of doing the best show!
IMHO Mantis should be performed fast and with depth in technical understanding.