Customer Reviews

Praying Mantis Kung Fu: Bong Bo Kuen DVD

5 star:		(4)
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Excellent format for demonstrating both theory and practice of Bong Bo form and Sevenstar style thus far. A novice to martial arts would be well served to find an instructor to learn the fundamentals of breathing, chi, posture/stance, delivery, character (etc)--but if you're coming from a background with some martial arts, the martialskill products are particularly good at communicating the forms and the applications. Some of the supplemental two-person exercises are very useful for developing timing and delivery of strikes. Over-all, I'd recommend it both for the content of the form which is a library of most of the techniques within the mantis system, and the way the form is taught. I appreciated greatly the emphasis on waist-power. A common error is to teach a form/style much more linear, much more "hard"; another common error seems to be teaching a form as demonstrating movements devoid of application. Waist-power taught early more quickly translates into application-power for delivery of strikes--especially important to develop this type of power for close-in fighting characteristic of mantis. This particular form of Bong Bo is close enough to most lineages with some variations that learning it well will not have to be unlearned under another lineage. Foot-work is explicated, if not always emphasized; the principles are there to be extracted--and this is an important point for sevenstar mantis in particular. Also appreciate the note that each form should be practiced hundreds of times before achieving moderate proficiency. The over-all presentation should be a model for others wishing to preserve their branch/style of martial arts. Nothing replaces a good instructor in person, and nothing replaces multiple partners of different heights, size, strengths, weaknesses, levels-of-knowledge to work with to refine and learn about effectiveness of various applications under different conditions. But I will agree that most of the tools necessary to learn sevenstar mantis are already present in the form itself and the way it is presented gives a pretty well-rounded understanding. I was satisfied with the demonstrations of the forms that Wes Hardy, Sean Daily, Carlos Lopez are proficient, show clean form, executed power, poise, timing, and expertise. Look forward to the complete library of sevenstar forms being released.

I wish all martial art dvds were made this good. No skipping, no freezing, it just plays smooth. The dvd is easy to navigate and there is plenty of information. The form is shown at full speed, then broken down and applications are taught. As a long time martial artist with 42 years of practice, I have seen a lot of folks and a lot of videos, few would compare to Sean and his work here. Oh, and most importantly, this is authentic Mantis Kung Fu. Besides my training in Tang Soo Do and Hapkido, I have also studied numerous Mantis systems, 7 Star, Tai Mantis, Southern and Korean Mantis and I can assure anyone thinking about buying this dvd or any other dvds by Sean, that this is the real deal. One last thing, after being in the martial arts for over 4 decades, it is my honest and educated opinion that Mantis kung fu is one of the best systems for overall practicality, thus, if you are new to the idea of Asian self-defense methods and not sure which one to study, then my advice to you is this; you cannot go wrong if you pick Mantis kung fu.

Very nice job on the Bung Bu DVD! The DVDs are a very high quality production. The best I have ever seen.
Sifu Wes Hardy's explanations were very clear and Sean Daily's performance of the form was excellent!
I will definitely be recommending this video to all my students.

Richard A. Tolson
Wuying Tanglangquan Training Hall
North Canton, Ohio

This seven-star kung fu DVD, like all the other presented in the series offered by Sean Daily and Wes Hardy, is excellent. After purchasing this DVD, noticing that it was very well done, I kept purchasing the other seven-star kung fu DVDs offered by those martial artists.
The Bung Bo Quan or Crushing Step Boxing form is presented in a very competent, neat, and easy too understand way. Images, moves and explanations are optimal and easy to understand, even for beginner kung fu students. Especially noticeable is the fact that about half of the DVD is focused on presenting in a distinguished way the form applications for a real fight contest.
In my personal opinion, as an experienced martial artist, this all DVDs series is the best I have ever seen. I have been through a lot of bad, mediocare, and just ok kung fu Dvds during the past years....but I can say that finally I found what I was looking for.
I would strongly recommend this DVD and the all series to whoever is interested in learning or perfecting the seven-star northern mantis kung fu style.