Sticky Hands: Northern Mantis vs. Wu Mei

[Scarletmantis]

Greetings fellow Mantids!
This is my second post on this board. I've been reading your opinions with great intrest over the past few months, but only recently got an E-mail address (scarletmantis@Aol.com). It's nice to finally talk to you all!
I live in a fairly remote location at this time, but have been training in the Arts for Eighteen years (ten in NPM). I still have friends in the TCMA community though, and recently was practicing Sticky Hands with a Wu Mei friend of mine.
During our session we discovered many similarities and quite a few differences between our styles. He likes to apply Chin Na techniques liberally, and found many openings for this in my ongaurd position.
I usually practice Sticky Hands with my elbows dropped, almost touching my centerline, hands relaxed so that I can feel openings for trapping maneuvers. Is this an inherent weakness in my approach? In my training? Or is this a common problem for Mantis practitioners?

[Scarletmantis]

Greetings Again!

In retrospect, it appears that the description I gave of my dilemma was not as clear as it could have been. As my Wu Mei partner pointed out to me, the extreme angle that my elbows and wrists tend to make in the Mantis Catches the Cicada position, leaves me open to certain Chin Na maneuvers.
While I understand that my sensitivity should compensate for what my Wu Mei friend sees as a defect, I'm wondering if anyone has any technical advice. Working out with an opponent from another style has given me the opportunity to examine my training from another angle. Plus I'd really like to solve this problem so I can beat the pants off him! ;)

[HKMantis]

We also train in sticking hands on a regular basis not only amongst ourselves, but against against Wing Chun. Without seeing and feeling what your doing it's hard to make a good suggestion. It could be anything from stucture and alignment to sensitivity inhibited due to stiffness. (not knowing the speed that you are working at) I would suggest that you have him show you what and how he's able to get his chin-na slowly. This will allow you to see where the counter is and then apply it.

I will be in Pasadena in March visiting my Eagle Claw friends and for their 5th annual Jade Mountian Tournament being held in Monrovia. I realize it's about an hour and a half drive for you, but if you want to make it, I'd be glad to meet with you and exchange information and ideas. There will also be alot of other Northern stylist there to meet and talk to, A good time was had by all last year, and looks as though it will be as good if not better this year.

H.K.

[seung ga faat]

certain chinnas work very well if your arm is cooperative or your mind is fixed. the seung dui sau hand position is not a fixed idea or position. use your entire range of hand motions, experiment with rope arm skills,loose body skills
hooking picking and rolling hand. remember to use you forms as a armory. believe in and use you style as it has been presented to you then ,question and dissect all that you have learned. do not co-operated in your movement. feint, lead , and escort instead. i hope this has been helpfull.

Thanx, Sifu Othal Thomas

[Scarletmantis]

Thanks Sifu Thomas and H.K. for your responses! Sifu Thomas, you are absolutly correct. I have some training in Yang style Tai Chi. In Tai Chi we call it "yielding", which we do for sensitivity, but there must come a time when I should lead rather than cooperate. It's funny how someone else's perspective can help so much. Many Thanks.
H.K., Your perspective was also very useful. Instead of competing with my Wu Mei comrade, perhaps I should let him instruct me a little. I could learn some great Chin Na from him. Thanx again! :)