Eight Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu

The advanced techniques mimic the preying mantis’ ability to draw in its opponent and strike with devastating power. Combined with efficient footwork, joint locks, throwing techniques, and internal energy work, this system represents a complete traditional Chinese martial art.

About the System

“Eight Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu is a complete system of traditional Chinese martial arts. Its beauty when practiced is rivaled only by its effectiveness in combat. With practice, the system builds the mind, body, spirit and character of the practitioner.”

— Grandmaster James Shyun

Lineage

The history of the Preying Mantis Style of Kung‑Fu began during the Ming Dynasty with Wang Lang, founder and patriarch of the system, who developed the art through observation of nature, combat experience, and refinement of technique; many generations later Jiang Hua Long, the 7th‑generation master known as “Ghost Hands,” strengthened the system by studying the most effective movements of many styles and ultimately creating eight short and eight long steps, giving birth to Eight Step Preying Mantis; Jiang Hua Long passed the complete system to his disciple Fong Hua Yi, who became the 2nd‑generation Grandmaster and further refined the art, and Fong Hua Yi later accepted Wei Hsiao Tang as his student, who became the 3rd‑generation Grandmaster and carried the system to Taiwan; in 1949 Wei Hsiao Tang encountered the Shyun family, healed their gravely ill son Shyun Guang Long, and the lineage continued through him as Grandmaster James Shyun.

Read more about the history & lineage on the 8 Step Website .

Curriculum Overview

Sash Program

The Sash Program contains the 10 Body Coordinations and fundamental movements of Eight Step Preying Mantis, with emphasis on upper and lower body techniques, footwork, kicking, physical fitness development, and sets that develop fluidity and power between techniques while establishing the foundations of self‑defense.

Silver Mantis Program

The next level of learning in the 8 Step Preying Mantis System is the Silver Mantis levels. Similar to the Sash Program, these levels also have a physical fitness component, only it is much more stringent than the Sash Program. Each of these levels focus on the 2-person aspect of the material. Adding a simple fighting technique to each fundamental movement, the Silver Mantis levels delve a bit deeper into the theory behind each technique and how it is applied.

Gold Mantis Program

The last program available with an Instructor’s invitation are the Gold Mantis levels. These levels prepare a student for becoming an instructor of 8 Step Preying Mantis Kung Fu and Shyun Style Tai Chi Chuan. Students undergo rigorous traditional martial arts training that include all of the above listed information and more. Each Gold Mantis level is centered around a specific area of martial arts similar to the Sash Program and Silver Mantis Program, but the focus is much more about theory and application.

Instructor

Shifu Jeremy has studied Eight Step Preying Mantis since 2016, beginning in the San Francisco Bay Area and then continuing his training in New Jersey. He attained the rank of 1st Duan Shifu in May 2025 and will teach self‑defense at Princeton University beginning in Fall 2026.

Training

Training includes stretching, physical conditioning, two‑person drills, self‑defense applications, forms, and sets. Instruction focuses on body mechanics, stance, footwork, timing, sensitivity, structural alignment, power generation, and the progressive application of Eight Step Preying Mantis principles through solo and partner practice. The curriculum is tailored toward adults.