Another perspective…
Thought I’d wade in briefly with my perspective. Eight Step Praying Mantis is an authentic, traditional system of Kung Fu. Anyone priviledged enough to have a qualified instructor near them owes it to themselves to check this system out. Grandmaster Sun has done much to bring this system to the West. You mention colored belts/sashes as a “warning sign,” but this is actually an update to the system to make it more “rewarding” for Americans who seem to need affirmation for every little achievement.
Eight Step uses a “Sash Program” followed by a Silver Mantis ranking level and a Gold Mantis ranking level. The Sash Program is perfect for most people who want to learn traditional Kung Fu, but can only train one or two days a week and/or have a life outside of the training hall.
Yes, there is lots of things that are “held back,” but you’d never have time to train and learn them anyway. Don’t worry about it.
If you’re goal is to learn an entire traditional system, then you’ve probably already made your mind up to devote your life to the style. You’re going to be spending almost all your free time on the training floor anyway, so you’re long-range goal is to open your own school one day. If you’re ready to make this kind of commitment, the “Sifu Program” will teach you the entire and complete authentic Praying Mantis Kung Fu system.
However, if you’re “hard core” and want to learn the whole system, but aren’t interested in being a Sifu, you’re pretty much out of luck. That’s the nature of the system. As with any large organization, there has been in-fighting in the Eight Step Federation with several Sifus complaining that they don’t have the entire system after decades of training and running schools for the Federation. Probably the biggest sticking point has been the “Ground Fighting Level,” which is known to only a handful of dedicated Sifus.
Is Eight Step Mantis “Authentic?”
Absolutely.
Of course, “authentic” has it’s pros and cons. The PRO side is that you get to learn all of the arts of Kung Fu, including Taiji, Qigong and Healing. The CON side is you get stuck with a lot of the traditional “baggage,” including stuff that can get you seriously hurt or worse in a real fight.
Is Eight Step Mantis Effective?
Absolutely.
If my “can get your seriously hurt” line got your attention, note that the vast majority of Mantis is a combat-proven martial art that is relentless and devastating. My personal favorite is the joint locking and throws that are based on the system of Shuai Chiao. As a whole, you will learn to be an effective fighter in the “Ba Bu Tang Lang” system.
Is Eight Step Mantis for Everyone?
Of course not.
If you’re goal is to learn an Authentic Art of Kung Fu, you won’t go wrong with Eight Step. If your goal is Combat/LEO/Military or personal self-defense training, it is of much ore limited value. The “basics” of Eight Step are the same basics you’d learn in any good system of Kung Fu, and are applicable to most any self-defense situtation. At higher levels, though, you have to begin making distinctions between “Art” and “Science,” and this is something no Sifu is likely to tell you.
This is liable to get some folks upset, so I won’t go into detail about this. Suffice to say that at some point, people who are interested in no-nonsense self-defence or combat science will stop Mantis training to avoid picking up habits that will get them hurt on the street. If you are ever on the training floor and are told, “We practice it THIS way so no one gets hurt, but if you ever have to use this for real you do it THIS OTHER way,” then you’ve reached the breaking point between ART and SCIENCE.
This is not a slam against Eight Step, which I highly respect and admire. There is simply good points and bad for “tradition.”
Syre, you’re situation sounds very familiar. I hope this was helpful. If there’s anything I can help with, Email me at “webmaster@kungfuonline.com”.
