from going to a Temple Kung Fu school tomorrow… it was a close call!
What I need from you guys is a list of good schools in Edmonton for Kung Fu. I know there’s a reputable Tai Chi Mantis school there, but I can’t remember the name… anyone have any suggestions I can give him?
PHEW
mad props to hau tien. one more person safe from his holiness. 
tai chi mantis?
tai chi/mantis?
No, you read right. There is an actual style named Tai Chi Praying Mantis. I think the other name for it is Plum Flower Praying Mantis. I dont think it has anything to do with Taijiquan though 'cept the name.
Tai Ji Mantis is the same as Plum Blossom.
They use Tai Ji to indicate that they are the original Mantis (is that true?).
Slow mantis movements? 
I thought plum-Blossom resembled Pakua/Pikua?
I’m guessing that taiji mantis has nothing to do with how it’s performed. Taken literally, taiji means ‘grand ultimate’, yeah? So whoever named it was simply describing it as the ultimate mantis. Nothing to do with the speed, relaxation, etc. associated with taijichuan.
Stuart B.
Yeah… it has nothing to do with Tai Chi Chuan, so far as I know.
I didn’t know it was the same thing as Plum Flower… that’s a neat bit of info.
Anyway… good schools in Edmonton that I can suggest to my friend?
it’s interesting that even on a forum of knowledgeable martial artists that taijiquan is still thought of a slow moving martial art. One of its training methodologies is done with mainly slow movements. However, it is not performed slow in practical usage. Many styles contain standing meditation as one of their training methods. Does this mean that their style expects them to defend themselved by performing standing meditation? No.
With the rant now over, I would be interested in knowing if there is in fact a taiji mantis teacher in Edmonton.
Bye for Now
Found them
Thanks for the link, Lisa 
As i have heard and understood it, taichimantis was named so because the founder found a mantis with a marking on its back that resembled the taichi symbol, yin and yang.
Thats a myth.