Tao Institute Online

About Praying Mantis Qigong

Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu originated in the Shandong Province of China.  According to most sources, it was created by a master called Wang Lang around 400 years ago.  Master Wang Lang found inspiration after observing a Praying Mantis attacking a Cicada.  He was impressed by the insects ability to overtake a much larger opponent, and spent several years studying the insects movements and fighting tactics.  The result of Wang Lang’s study was the Northern Praying Mantis style, which utilizes the hand and arm techniques of the Praying Mantis insect and the eccentric and agile footwork pattern of the Monkey.

Wang Lang’s Northern Praying Mantis style eventually became the main empty hand style of the Wah Lum Temple in Shandong Province, and was later added to the curriculum of the Shaolin Temple along with 18 other animal styles.  This training was passed down to Sifu Paolillo through the tutelage of Grandmaster Chan Pui, a 6th generation successor of the Wah Lum Northern Praying Mantis system.

Northern Praying Mantis is Sifu Paolillo’s primary Kung Fu training, and will always be an important part of Tao Institute’s curriculum and history.  Sifu Paolillo feels that the soft technique of the Praying Mantis hand is conducive for internal martial arts and blends seamlessly into the Tao Style as one of the three primary hand techniques along with Snake and Dragon Palm.

Praying Mantis Qigong covers all of the basic techniques needed for a good understanding of the Praying Mantis hand and is an important foundation for future form training.

About Tao Style

Tao Style is Sifu Paolillo’s personally developed style of Internal Kung Fu.  Tao Style combines all of Sifu’s fighting skills, traditional training, study, and personal transmissions into a unique set of forms and methods that are incorporated into our curriculum at every level.

Tao Style is the essence of the Tao Institute system.  It features fluid, natural movement with continuous circularity and connected, free flowing techniques.  Tao Style represents Sifu Paolillo’s continued refinement in his creative cultivation of the martial arts, and every form is designed according to the energetic principles of the Tao.  He considers his work to fall under the category of “Martial Qigong” — as it always incorporates detailed and complex fighting application, as well as energetic methods.

Praying Mantis Qigong is a short qigong form that introduces students to some of the basic techniques, postures, and energy methods that are seen in Tao Style forms.  Similar to our other short qigong forms, Praying Mantis Qigong is a stationary form, which allows the student to focus on developing foundational skills such as rooting, whole body spiral power, and mind intent without too much additional complexity in the footwork pattern.  Understanding these skills is an important foundational step, as later forms in the system contain much more continuous, free flowing footwork.

Praying Mantis Qigong, along with the pre-requisite course material, Qigong Foundations, develops the quality of mind, precision, and whole body connection that are essential for the skilled expression and fluidity of movement in Tao Style training.

Benefits of the Praying Mantis Qigong Form

• Trains the intricacies of various types of Praying Mantis hand and arm techniques
• Develops focus and precision
• Trains rooting and spiral power
• Develops whole body connection
• Improves horse stance & flexibility of the waist
• Strengthens the legs
• Increases internal awareness
• Builds subtle strength and suppleness
• Excellent for health & longevity
• Strengthens our vital energy and by keeping energy flowing 
• Nourishes the internal organs
• Greater calmness in daily life
• Increased mental clarity, intuition & creativity
• Deepens relationship with your spirit and the Tao