Tainan Mantis's Radio Silence
In case any of you have been wondering where Tainan Mantis has been this last week, thus his radio silence, he has been visiting in San Francisco for the last few days.
I have finally had the chance to meet Tainan after numerous e-mail and forum exchanges. His martial skill matches his academic knowledge of the Mantis system. Though I am not a Mantis practitioner I was fortunate enough to be able to learn a touch of the basics of the Mantis system, two hours worth at least :-))).
It really is a most devastating and practical system. Some of my favorite techniques were the short strike techniques. The shoulder and chest strikes are really the ideal compliment to the long range movements.
I also learned from Tainan Mantis that the two man forms of hand and weapons are of utmost importance to get the feel combat and to know the uses. I myself plan to pursue learning even more of form applications and two man forms.
It is great to be able to meet Kung Fu brothers from around the world and exchange ideas, skills and viewpoints.
cheers to all.
Buddhapalm
"In heaven and earth no spot to hide;
Bliss belongs to one that knows that things
are empty and that man too is nothing.
Splendid indeed is the Mongol longsword
Slashing the spring wind like a flash of lightning !"
Monk Wu-hsueh Tsu-yuan - Reciting as the Mongol sabers slashed towards him. The Mongols spared him out of respect. For no ordinary man recites a poem facing death.