I'm posting this here and at the Northern Board since I know some don't visit the others too much. Last evening, I was at a Praying Mantis school for the first time. At the beginning of the class, they all did a step I've never seen before and was wondering what it was and its purpose. I didn't get a chance to speak with anyone after class to ask.

As they walked - a normal walking step, but about a 1/2 to 3/4 step, they lightly slapped into the rear of their own ankle with the instep of the other foot, i.e., left step, right instep slap; right step, left instep slap. What's the purpose of this. Some slapped harder than others.