Student's comments

When I came to China I didn’t know anything about mantis boxing. But when I started to learn it my interest grew very quickly. This animal style not just seemed to be a very effective way of fighting but also a good way to train your body. After a while you can feel clearly a changing of your whole body. Joints and tendons become more flexible and stronger. That means also that you feel more comfortable in normal life.

The internal training which is part of mantis boxing has a positive effect of the wellbeing, too. But first of all I think I have to thank Master Qu who made the training of mantis boxing because of his traditional and diversified way of teaching so interesting.

In mantis boxing there are not just fist forms to learn but also weapon forms. Some people say weapon forms are not practical. I would say that is not true because by handling a weapon such as staff or sword your body is getting also stronger and more flexible. Another point is that you have to learn to use not only the strength of your muscles but the strength of your whole body otherwise you will become very fast tired by doing forms. Especially forms with weapons. The real marital artists don’t waste their time in building up their muscles by lifting weights. They generate their power by standing stands. I think that is the key of any kind of martial arts. By standing stands they also train their muscles but mostly it is to train the tendons to make them stronger and more flexible and above all to build up internal power. It is amazing to see how a master can use his internal strength to defeat an opponent who is much bigger than himself. The real martial artists are able to move their energy which is also called "Qi" through their body and focus it suddenly on a special point to give out strength. This is just a short overview what I have been taught in mantis boxing. But one thing is sure if you start to learn it you will like it because you will see that it affects the normal life in a positive way.

Christoph Baumann

My E-mai: baumannchristopher@googlemail.com

My name is Lee Faller and I come from Glasgow, Scotland . I have been studying Kung fu for 6 years now and I have trained with different teachers. Qu Peiwen has by far been the most impressive.

I am very proud and grateful to master Qu for all that he has taught me and I plan to learn more from him in the future. Master Qu has unbelievable speed and power that you must see to appreciate. The thing that stands out most about master Qu is kindness he is more than a teacher he is also a friend. I have yet to meet another person who has the same passion for what they do. I would recommend anyone who has an interest in Chinese kung fu to learn from master Qu it will be an experience you will remember for the rest of your life. Thank you Qu Shifu.

If anyone has any questions regarding the school please do not hesitate to email me and ask me.

My email: Lee_faller_2005@yahoo.co.uk

Lee Faller

My name is Shlomit [I’m a girl], I had trained under Qu Shifu’s instruction at the age of 28 for a month, during which I learnt a lot from him and enjoyed it very much. Qu Shifu’s performing and teaching made me like it and want to learn as much as I could from him.

The trainings combined both internal and external work. He taught us mainly mantis-basics, a form ("Kata") and some qi-gong. Qu-shifu was patient and thorough. He made us realize and understand the applications of each part of the form. Qu-shifu was always ready to answer our questions. Every lesson ended with him asking if we have any questions, not to mention his replying to my e-mail questions after I had left.As a teacher, he was not judgmental, rather - he encouraged us to work as much as we could. When he noticed I was a little sick he treated me well and recommended of ways to practice (or rest).

It seems he knows a lot about many aspects of kung-fu such as point-massage, qi-gong and praying-mantis style; and he combines them in his teachings. He truly likes martial arts, and considering all the Chinese and foreign students that keep coming to him, he apparently likes teaching as well. he told me he likes martial arts and that’s why he likes all of us who are interested in the field. I went on feeling that I got a lot from his teaching, and waiting for the opportunities to keep going on with it, in addition to many things I still have to work on.

For me, training under Qu-shifu was one of the greatest things I did in my trip to china. I recommend this experience to anyone who likes it, and I think Qu-shifu is a special teacher in china for foreigners, that sincerely cares about his student’s martial arts trainings and can teach them a lot. I am waiting for a chance to be trained by him again.

Please contact me if you have any question.

My E-mail: shlomitmsn@hotmail.com

When I first arrived in China my physical condition was not very good, but under Master Qu’s guidance and endless patience it improved rapidly, much faster than i could have hoped for, thanks to his vast knowledge of physical training and how to train individuals according to their needs, and also thanks to his vast knowledge of Qi Gong.

I have found Mantis boxing to be an amazing system for self defence and for health keeping.

One of the things i like best about Mantis is that it makes it easy for a smaller person to combat with bigger people or multiple opponents, due to it’s use of internal strength, speed and redirecting opponents force, as opposed to using your own muscle power against your opponents muscle power. Mantis also contains a lot of conditioning routines to strengthen bones and prepare the body to withstand attacks.

However my favourite part of Master Qu’s teaching is the Qi Gong,this was the main contribution to the rapid improvement of my health, and a vital part of real kung fu.

When you study Mantis you get to see your body changing and becoming stronger, your tendons become stronger, and you become faster, this has made me far more confident and happy in my everyday life.

Master Qu is the greatest man i have ever met, he has skill that takes a lifetime to acheive, strength and speed that have to be seen to be beleived, discipline that only true masters have and patience and kindness that is so hard to find in people these days! In fact, after the time I have spent with Master Qu, I have chosen to move my life to China so I can study under him for as long as possible. I plan on being here for at least the next 5 years, although I will probably be here much longer.

Qu Shangwu

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