Pretty cool. And ya know what? I've seen a thousand videos on youtube of Chinese boxing being practiced BY Chinese people IN China and this guy looks just as good as they do…just saying…'cause I know some people on this comment thread can't seem to look past nationality when it comes to martial arts...
I studied under sifu Funk in the early 90's and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. He's a former Canadian forms champion and I think his PM forms are among the best you can find in this day and age. His sword forms are incredible.. not only for the precision, power and beauty but from the fact that he does his forms with "real" weapons which are *much* much heavier and more difficult master than the aluminium weapons most people use.
come and teach in athens-greece...we don't have praying mantis schools here..only wing chun,hung gar,tai chi,eagle claw..i like wing chun but praying mantis is fantastic..
SiFu Jon Funk is very competent on the 7 star mantis system. As a seven star kung fu expert, I can say that his videos has very instructive and useful. In my opinion he is one of the best kung fu masters in North America, much better than most of the contemporary wushu Chinese practitioneers.
o.k ...Jon Funk has never done karate, his back ground was in judo and boxing. His 7 star is just as good if not better than any of the 7* i have seen coming out of Hong Kong. There are several different styles of mantis. Plumflower is the one that is very flowing and animated, this is Hong Kong 7* and this is how it is done.
@martialarchivetv - believe what you want - for myself i wouldn't take traditonal chinese martial arts from a western "sifu" - for real mantis style try the real masters in china.
@bigkittysmile Let's see you then. Or direct us to a video of someone who does 7 Star to your expert eye's qualifications. Sifu Funk has done pretty much more than anyone in North America to bring Seven Star to the public's attention. And he has done it by keeping as true to his master's teaching as he can. In this world of self-appointed masters and a "new" fighting system every 15 minutes, Sifu Funk stands out as a teacher of traditional integrity.
@MartialArchiveTv gee it's been four months and Bigkitty smile hasn't posted any videos as a reply of what he/she can do. Hmm, don't let your "mouth write checks your ass can't cash." John Funk knows his stuff, especially application.
@deejin25 We now live in a global society of "opinionators". People who talk (post) to convince themselves of their delusions instead of actually acting on their convictions (and possibly learning that they might be wrong).
@MartialArchiveTv A sad but true commentary on the state of affairs. Funny thing, there are so many ways to do mantis and make it work, get the health benefits, and enjoy it, claims of the best way to do things seems so empty.
@bigkittysmile His 7 star is better than any of the so called masters I have seen out of Hong Kong. 7 star mantis, hong kong 7 star, plum flower mantis, 5 harmonies, tai chi mantis all move and look different.
@bigkittysmile have you even seen one of sifu john's instructional videos? he demonstrates profound knowledge in not only explaining/demonstrating the movements, but also explaining/demonstrating both basic techniques, and a handful of "secret" techniques which make a throw out of a simple strike.
Sifu Funk never did karate, his background is in judo, hung gar and boxing before he started mantis. I have never seen him do a half ass technique..and his forms are a hell of a lot better that the so called 7* sifus out of Hong Kong.
I only have two issues of inside kung fu that I bought for no particular reason. One of them is the issue where he demonstrates the 7 star system, the feb '84 issue and I am just now gaining interest in this style, over 20 years later.
Mr Funk is a bit stiff on these forms because of his heavy karate background. He also does individual techniques too quickly without allowing time to complete them and/or show concentration.
@alci720 Possibly but just let him try those techniques on you. He knows how to use them much better then most. We know, this was over 15 years ago and our arms still hurt.
I think he needs to use more hip. His moves don't look that powerful. Possibly relax a bit more.
lightless2 2 months ago
I have taken his class and i know that he is a great teacher of form and theory.
thanks jon.
hungeryTV 2 months ago
Pretty cool. And ya know what? I've seen a thousand videos on youtube of Chinese boxing being practiced BY Chinese people IN China and this guy looks just as good as they do…just saying…'cause I know some people on this comment thread can't seem to look past nationality when it comes to martial arts...
blackflask 5 months ago
The power of Canada. Rolled up into this man's fist.
jeffdoeskungfu 6 months ago
I studied under sifu Funk in the early 90's and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him. He's a former Canadian forms champion and I think his PM forms are among the best you can find in this day and age. His sword forms are incredible.. not only for the precision, power and beauty but from the fact that he does his forms with "real" weapons which are *much* much heavier and more difficult master than the aluminium weapons most people use.
roturner 6 months ago
The Funk Master.
shengchenfan 10 months ago
come and teach in athens-greece...we don't have praying mantis schools here..only wing chun,hung gar,tai chi,eagle claw..i like wing chun but praying mantis is fantastic..
Alien0one 11 months ago
SiFu Jon Funk is one of the best martial artist ever!
brianthunder33 1 year ago
SiFu Jon Funk is very competent on the 7 star mantis system. As a seven star kung fu expert, I can say that his videos has very instructive and useful. In my opinion he is one of the best kung fu masters in North America, much better than most of the contemporary wushu Chinese practitioneers.
brianthunder33 1 year ago
what is the name of the third form?
cesarfsaenz 1 year ago
@cesarfsaenz BAAG YUNE TSUUD DUNG white ape exits cave
kelcca 1 year ago
o.k ...Jon Funk has never done karate, his back ground was in judo and boxing. His 7 star is just as good if not better than any of the 7* i have seen coming out of Hong Kong. There are several different styles of mantis. Plumflower is the one that is very flowing and animated, this is Hong Kong 7* and this is how it is done.
kelcca 1 year ago
@martialarchivetv - believe what you want - for myself i wouldn't take traditonal chinese martial arts from a western "sifu" - for real mantis style try the real masters in china.
bigkittysmile 1 year ago
jon funk does mantis style like all westerners - with no flow or proper style - it's more
than just copying moves
bigkittysmile 1 year ago
@bigkittysmile Let's see you then. Or direct us to a video of someone who does 7 Star to your expert eye's qualifications. Sifu Funk has done pretty much more than anyone in North America to bring Seven Star to the public's attention. And he has done it by keeping as true to his master's teaching as he can. In this world of self-appointed masters and a "new" fighting system every 15 minutes, Sifu Funk stands out as a teacher of traditional integrity.
MartialArchiveTv 1 year ago 5
@MartialArchiveTv gee it's been four months and Bigkitty smile hasn't posted any videos as a reply of what he/she can do. Hmm, don't let your "mouth write checks your ass can't cash." John Funk knows his stuff, especially application.
deejin25 1 year ago
@deejin25 We now live in a global society of "opinionators". People who talk (post) to convince themselves of their delusions instead of actually acting on their convictions (and possibly learning that they might be wrong).
MartialArchiveTv 1 year ago
@MartialArchiveTv A sad but true commentary on the state of affairs. Funny thing, there are so many ways to do mantis and make it work, get the health benefits, and enjoy it, claims of the best way to do things seems so empty.
deejin25 1 year ago
@bigkittysmile racist..the problem is Jon is not Asian..if he was you all would think he was the cats ass!
kelcca 1 year ago
@bigkittysmile His 7 star is better than any of the so called masters I have seen out of Hong Kong. 7 star mantis, hong kong 7 star, plum flower mantis, 5 harmonies, tai chi mantis all move and look different.
kelcca 1 year ago
@bigkittysmile have you even seen one of sifu john's instructional videos? he demonstrates profound knowledge in not only explaining/demonstrating the movements, but also explaining/demonstrating both basic techniques, and a handful of "secret" techniques which make a throw out of a simple strike.
mintai2003 1 year ago
@bigkittysmile He loooks pretty damn good to me and isn't kung fu all about making the style your own and not mimicing your teacher?!
PumaDown 1 month ago
Sifu Funk never did karate, his background is in judo, hung gar and boxing before he started mantis. I have never seen him do a half ass technique..and his forms are a hell of a lot better that the so called 7* sifus out of Hong Kong.
kelcca 1 year ago
this is cool. feel like some of the stances should be lower though.
dmd54 1 year ago
I only have two issues of inside kung fu that I bought for no particular reason. One of them is the issue where he demonstrates the 7 star system, the feb '84 issue and I am just now gaining interest in this style, over 20 years later.
mbp7060 3 years ago
This is the real Kung Fu before that fancy new age stuff came out.
RBikeEnthusiast 3 years ago
Mr Funk is a bit stiff on these forms because of his heavy karate background. He also does individual techniques too quickly without allowing time to complete them and/or show concentration.
alci720 3 years ago
@alci720 Possibly but just let him try those techniques on you. He knows how to use them much better then most. We know, this was over 15 years ago and our arms still hurt.
MartialArchiveTv 1 year ago
@alci720 Please demonstrate for us the correct way to do it.
mumbleora 1 year ago
Awesome display.
Tazz77 3 years ago
wow...I love this!
windcu 3 years ago