Originally Posted by
Yao Sing
So where does your insight into WL mantis come from that you can state as fact that MC's mantis is not the same? And also, can you put me in touch with that source?
I was at the Temple in the early 90's and I never saw any evidence of hiding the origin of the style. This is one of those myths perpetuated by frustrated ex-students like the one about the training damaging knees. Just not true at all.
If you define Mantis by the forms taught then I can see your point but WL has Mantis moves and principles spread across most of what's taught. I'm really surprised it's not more evident to you after studying other more mainstream branches of Mantis.
Like I said, I was there at the Temple around that time and I've always known it as a hybrid system although heavy on the Mantis for marketing purposes. I don't recall anyone claiming it to be pure Mantis. The name, the handbook, it's all there right out in the open.
Everyone likes to throw these claims around yet when pressed nobody can provide evidence that it's true. I have a bad right knee but I slammed that in 2 different motorcycle accidents long before training in WL. I did make it worse by showing off doing a move in 36 Hands.
DW was a power lifter in High School and was squatting some serious weight considering his size. Think that had an affect on his knees or was it the WL training?
There are others but I don't want to publicly state where their knee problems may have come from.
How many guys in a physically active sport end up with joint problems when they reach their 40s?
You know there are guys with 15+ years in WL without knee and hip problems?
Sorry, I just haven't seen any of these claims turn out to be true. Most of the time they're just repeating what they've heard. Sorry, this is something of a pet peeve of mine.
SC was your teacher based on what I recall of your past posts. All in all the more I see, and learn, of the more mainstream NPM the more I see of it in WL. But if you're looking for purity of lineage then you might want to look somewhere else.
Yao Sing,
WL has always had mantis principles intermingled within the style. To me, that doesnt make it a mantis style. Injury to knees, etc. I seen it time and time again with WL students. Even my teacher, who was extremely talanted had extensive knee problems that developed after training in WL. All this really doesnt matter anyway. I spent many years in WL and have NO misunderstanding about the system. Even alot of the old timers have left WL to train and teach in other styles. WL is great for those who WANT that type of training. I hope WL continues to have good luck and open many more schools. I just dont buy into alot of there junk anymore. I have resources that contradict WL. I dont readily throw names out there. I tell everyone to research it like I did. "Because really, if one doesnt seek the truth it will never be found".... I'm not a WL'er anymore. I have nothing to gain by proving or disproving the style, but the info is out there for anyone who really wants to find it.
Wah Lum Power Never Goes Sour
Ron.
The Style Doesn't Make The Master Famous. The Master Makes The Style Famous!