Newbie question about Northern Praying Mantis

[Hurdoc]

Hello everyone,

I posted this question at another website as well but I discovered this one and thought you could help. I'm interested in joining a martial art, I've never been in one, but my smallish city only has a few choices: American Kenpo, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, and Northern Mantis (I'm not sure what style, I'll find out).
I'm interested in practical self defense primarily and have read about the first 3 arts, of which Kenpo seemed most fitting. I cannot find much information about what NPM is exactly. Is it a striking art? grappling? Can it cover the 4 distances that I read about in fighting (long strike, short strike, grappling, ground)?
I'd appreciate any help. I did attend a Kenpo demo class today and they seem to be pretty good but don't have many locks/throws I think (at least from what I saw).
Also, Kenpo doesn't seem to have the "history" that Kung Fu does.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

[18elders]

I have tained in a few different styles(japanese, Korean) and now mantis.
I would go with the mantis, if you have a knowledgeable teacher you will learn it all from your mantis.
The kung fu is more rounded of a stystem compared to the others.
Tae kwon do will be good for kicking but not good with their hands. You also won't learn the weapons as you will with kung fu.
I have seen some strong kenpo people but they are too rigid, no fluid motion.
That doesn't mean mantis is for you, i would suggest seeing if you can take a week of lessons in each style and see which one you like better. Watch as many classes as you can and ask alot of questions.
Good luck

[Tainan Mantis]

What Mantis style?
Teacher's name?

[Hurdoc]

The style being taught is called 7 star, and the city is London, Ontario in Canada (not UK!). I don't know the teacher's name right now...

[TaiChiStorm]

Hey Hurdoc,
just check anyone of them out and see where you fit in best!!
You should find YOUR personal style by yourself. It is just important to keep on doing it after you decided!!

[Stone Monkey]

Hi Hurdoc -

Here is a link to a page on Sifu Jon Funk's site that has good information on Seven Star PM - the skills, the forms, trapping, strategy, PM vs. other arts, etc., as well as some history about the style:

mantiskungfu.com (http://www.mantiskungfu.com/completesystem.html)

Here are some more Seven Star links you may want to check out:

Practicing 7 Star Praying Mantis (http://www.leesshaolinkungfu.com/mantispractice.html)

northernmantis.com (http://www.northernmantis.com/home.html)

martialartmantis.com (http://www.martialartmantis.com/intro.html)

authentickungfu.com/mantis (http://www.authentickungfu.com/mantis_directory.html)


Maybe this will help you make a decision - good luck with your training...:cool:

[northernJump]

http://www.studiomantis.com/index.html

is a 7* nothern mantis school in cambridge which is kinda near you.