Chu Gar Mantis: Lao Sui's Martial Art Legacy in China

Among the books that speak of this martial art, this is an important historical content for the practitioner and for those individuals practicing Chinese martial arts with kinship with this. For me this book was very important, since I found out a martial art that has the same historical root that my the Yau-Man (Gaae Bon).

Not bad, but the techniques of those followers of Lao Sui at China is a bit not practical in combats ! Elaboration of Chu Gar Mantis Boxing history is quite detail…

Great overview of Chu Gar Mantis with a lot of history and coverage of the fundamental techniques and theory. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Southern Praying Mantis.

For those of you who know, books about South Mantis Kung Fu in all its branches: Chu Gar/Chow Gar, Jooklumgee, are as rare as legs on snakes. Southern Mantis Press and Shifu Roger Hagood have put together a great book that has more background information on a famous teacher of South Mantis, Lao Sui Shifu. Color photos of Lao Suis home, his living descendants along with information on his students still living and teaching in his hometown creates a legacy that cannot be denied. Lao Sui lived, ate and breathed Kung Fu. This book explores the life and background of Lao Sui Shifu. Where he lived, who taught him, and his surviving family and students. Two forms are shown in photographs. Not that you can learn the forms from the book but you can see the structure and intent of the performers. Also the forms are set down before the teachers are too old to fully show the structure of the material presented. A great addition to my library on South Mantis. I bought the Chinese version as the paper is Glossy and the photographs richer and fuller. Many people like to buy the USA editions. No matter which edition you like, you will not be disappointed at the content. No one else is researching, documenting and writing about South Mantis except for Shifu Roger Hagood and Southern Mantis Press. I commend him yet again for all that he has done to document the roots and branches of this once secret closed door system of Chinese Martial Arts. Not only has he been writing books but visiting and meeting with all the people in the books and taping their material as well as preserving it through photographs for future generations to see.

Strong research, foundation and understanding of not only the history, but the culture of Southern Mantis. Easy to read and great full colour pages!