秋日偶成 宋‧程顥

閒來無事不從容，睡覺東窗日已紅。
萬物靜觀皆自得，四時佳興與人同。
道通天地有形外，思入風雲變態中。
富貴不淫貧賤樂，男兒到此是豪雄。

About 350 years ago, in Shantung province, Northeast of China, Master Wong Long, through his observations of nature, combined the predatory skills of the Praying Mantis and the agile footwork of the monkeys, found the Praying Mantis Kung Fu style during his quest for excellence in his combat skill. Since Shantung is a northern province, Praying Mantis Kung Fu is often categorized as a northern style. It is believed that Master Wong was proficient in 17 various styles, which were all northern styles, prior to the creation of his own style. There are as many versions of the birth of various Mantis styles as there are the number of the Mantis branches. Major branches of Praying Mantis include Northern, Seven Stars, Plum Flower, Six Harmonies, and Taiji are practiced worldwide. There are also many other hybrids of Praying Mantis styles. Taiji Praying Mantiss own documentation shows that Master Sun Yuen Cheung (5th Generation) officially named his branch Taiji Praying Mantis which at that time had no affiliation with Taijiquan at all. It was until Master Chiu Chuk Kai (7th Generation), who was deeply impressed by the ability of the Taijiquan practitioners that he sought after Chen style Taijiquan (small circles) as well as a Taoist monastry Taiji system. He incorporated them into the Taiji Praying Mantis curriculum. Thanks to his effort, all practitioner of this style now enjoys both the external and internal aspects of Kung Fu.