The founder of the Chow Gar Praying Mantis martial art was Chow Ah Naam. He had spent many years in the Shaolin Monastery (Sil Lum Jee) harnessing the bodies hidden powers, through the Shaolin secret training drills. These special skills and methods were bestowed upon individuals that showed tremendous martial skill and intuition, and Chow Ah Naam was one of those rare individuals. Because of His incredible skill, the hall of Shaolin was given to him to teach this elite art. The short range powerful gen movements that He had harnessed easily overcame the other Shaolin arts, and the name praying mantis was given to the system, after seeing a praying mantis insect overcome a blackbird with sudden like actions, was reminiscent of Chow Ah Naam's shock like power. Chow Ah Naam had been staying in the Shaolin Monastery since he was 10 years old, after being cured of a stomach illness that he had suffered as a young boy. His first job was a cook at Shaolin, and then he started learning the Shaolin Martial arts.

Chow Gar is a Close in fighting system from the Southern Shaolin. It is famous for its aggression and effectiveness in close in fighting. These skills are developed by utilizing a range of training techniques developed over the years and passed down through authorized teachers of the system.

One of the key elements of training in the Mantis style is to learn to generate the Gen or Shock power. One of the first exercises to help in this development is called Chia Sau or Grinding Arm. As one becomes more experienced the more one begins to be relaxed in the exercises, building power and strength through a relaxed force which otherwise, to a beginner, seems very physical. This is a stage where the power emanates from the joints and bones.

The whole of the body is used as a weapon including the use of the fingers, wrist, elbow, claw, phoenix eye fist, knee, shoulder and low line kicking. In addition a number of weapons are taught within the system including Pole, Straight Sword, Broadsword, Sai, Tiger Fork and Spear.

Click here to download a brief video introduction to Chow Gar Southern Mantis Kung Fu.

The Kickboxing at 5 Elements Martial Arts is based on the syllabus from the WKA (World Kickboxing Association) and encompass a range of different kickboxing styles which is in my opinion one of its key advantages. Kickboxing is great fun to learn and is very good for those wanting an effective art in a short period of time. Due to the techniques and training sessions Kickboxing is very effective in improving fitness, assisting weight loss and improving cardiovascular fitness levels.

Classes consist of fitness and pad work with some partner work enabling you to practice the techniques you have learnt. These are normally  based on a 2 minute round with 30 seconds rest.

You have the option of training purely for your self improvement, fitness and enjoyment, or you can follow the competition route which we are able to offer due to our membership with the WKA and BFKKO (with its links to WAKO) into either light contact competition or the different styles of full contact fighting.

At 5 Elements we cover training for the following competition styles: