Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu

14/10/2026

I don’t just teach it. I train it.
This is one of those conditioning exercises where there is much more happening than you might notice from the photograph.
I’m supporting my body sideways on one arm while my student holds one of my legs out to the side.
From there, the other leg has to lift upwards towards it.
The inner thigh is working.
The core is working.
The shoulder and supporting arm are working.
And, most importantly, the whole body has to stay connected and under control.
That is one of the things I have always liked about traditional Kung Fu conditioning.
It is not simply about making an individual muscle stronger.
You are teaching different parts of the body to work together.
Strength with mobility.
Power with control.
And balance under pressure.
As a teacher, I also think it is important that my students see me doing the work.
I cannot expect them to challenge themselves while I simply stand at the side giving instructions.
I don’t just teach it.
I train it.
That is part of what I mean when I talk about Body Mastery.
Understanding your body.
Strengthening it.
Challenging it.
And learning how to make it work as one.
There’s something of the Praying Mantis spirit in that too,strength, control and the ability to do far more than appearances might suggest.
Real skill is built step by step.

I don’t just teach it. I train it.Here I’m working on a tradition...

14/10/2026

CHILDREN / PARENTS

Half-term is coming. Not every child feels “sporty” — and that should never stop them growing. In my small classes, each child is taught as an individual and progress is earned step by step. Want that for your child? Message me.

12/10/2026

BUSY ADULTS / RESILIENCE

World Mental Health Day was this weekend. Kung Fu is not therapy, but training gives busy adults space to move, focus and reset. The art also teaches resilience: adapt, stay composed and keep going. Class tonight, 8:15pm.

11/10/2026

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL / PARENTS

Today is International Day of the Girl. Confidence is more than appearance. Kung Fu builds movement, focus, boundaries and the courage to keep going. Small children’s classes in Wood Green. Want that for your daughter?

09/10/2026

WOMEN / MIXED ADULT CLASS

Women: self-defence is not about matching strength with strength. Northern Praying Mantis uses footwork, trapping and sweeps to break balance. In our mixed class, you train safely with men and women. Want to feel more prepared?

07/10/2026

THE STYLE / GENERAL

Northern Praying Mantis is built on adaptability: keep moving, change the angle and don’t give up when something is bigger or stronger. That spirit runs through how I teach. Curious about this rare style? Message me.

06/10/2026

There is something children still have that many adults spend years trying to find again.
The freedom to move.
The curiosity to see what their bodies can do.
And that wonderful willingness to try before somebody has convinced them that something is too difficult.
Here are two of my young students, side by side, lifting their bodies completely clear of the mat.
They almost look as though they're about to take off.
And I love that.
In my last post, I shared an adult student doing this same type of movement. He had spent years working around computers and genuinely never imagined he would be doing something like that. When he managed it, the pride and surprise on his face were unforgettable.
These two children are at an earlier part of the journey.
They're discovering what their bodies can do now.
As their Sifu, part of my responsibility is to help them keep that natural confidence while adding discipline, strength, control and character.
That is Body Mastery.
For me, Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu has never just been about punches and kicks.
It is about how you move.
How you think.
How you respond when something is difficult.
Whether you give up, or have another go.
That spirit matters.
Real skill is built step by step.

05/10/2026

WORLD TEACHERS' DAY

World Teachers' Day reminds me why I teach: not to hand out belts, but to develop the person. Character, confidence and real skill come first, and progress has to be earned. Tonight, 8:15pm, N8. Call or text 07956 510880. Who wants to train that way?

04/10/2026

BUSY ADULTS / PROFESSIONALS

A busy week can leave your body switched off and your head still racing. My small adult Kung Fu class in N8 gives you space to move, reset and sharpen your focus. We train tomorrow at 8:15pm. Ready to make time for yourself?

02/10/2026

WOMEN / MIXED ADULT CLASS

On International Day of Non-Violence, a thought: learning self-defence is not learning aggression. In my mixed class, women train with men who respect them and learn to stay composed under realistic pressure. Want to feel more prepared? Message me.