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The Praying Mantis Kung Fu Academy is a martial arts school based in Sydney NSW Australia and offers classes in traditional Northern Praying Mantis, competition Wu Shu, Wu Dong Tai Chi, traditional Chinese weapons and advanced techniques such as Chin Na and Iron Palm.
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| About Kung Fu / Wu ShuThe term “Kung Fu” is often used to describe the many styles and systems of Chinese martial arts. Its actual meaning is “skill or mastery” through “practise or effort”. So one can have kung fu in any personal pursuit such as cooking or flower arrangement. However, in popular Asian culture it is synonymous with “Wu Shu” or “martial art” especially in Cantonese literature and film. While “Wu Shu” is a more accurate term there is some confusion as it is used as a generic term to describe all Chinese martial arts as well as the modern sport based on traditional martial arts movements. To differentiate the two, most Chinese martial arts are referred to as traditional wu shu while the modern sport is sometimes referred to as sports, modern or contemporary wu shu. Modern Wu ShuWu Shu (wushu) is a modern sport based on traditional Chinese martial arts techniques. The sport is governed by the International Wu Shu Federation (IWUF) and is rapidly growing in international popularity. The first world championship was held in Bejing in 1991 and is a “recognised sport” by the International Olympic Committee. There is currently a proposal for Wu Shu to be a demonstration sport at the Bejing Olympics in 2008. The sport has two components; Taolu (exhibition forms) and San Shou (full contact sparring). In Taolu, a competitor completes a “form” or a predetermined sequence of movements. Wu Shu forms comprise of stances, punches, kicks, jumps and other techniques similar to those used by traditional wu shu styles. Forms can be open handed or include various traditional martial arts weapons such as the staff, spear or sword. Completing these forms requires great agility, control, strength, flexibility, stamina and balance. Many of the moves are highly acrobatic and competition scoring is similar to gymnastics. Forms are scored based on quality of movements (5 points), overall performance (3 points) and degree of difficulty (2 points). In Sanshou competitions, opponents must score points during sparring in a similar manner to kick boxing or tae kwon do. Points are awarded for hits and kicks to the body or head, or for causing the opponent to fall. Opponents are matched by body weight and must remain within an 8m x 8m area during three rounds of two minutes. The Praying Mantis Kung Fu Academy provides Taolu training for both kids and adults to competition level and regularly enters teams to compete in state, national and international martial arts tournaments. Some of our older students also participate in Sanshou competition. |
 Useful Links International Wu Shu Federation National All Styles Tournament World All Styles Tournament  2005 NAS Senior team  2006 NAS Junior team |