Chung’s School of Praying Mantis

- 620 Cambridge St Suite 3, Midland, MI 48642

For Michiganders seeking a truly authentic martial arts and fitness experience, Chung’s School of Praying Mantis in Midland, Michigan, stands as a rare and respected institution. More than just a traditional gym or workout facility, this school is a dedicated center for traditional Chinese Martial Arts. It is a place where deep history, physical discipline, and self-improvement converge, offering a unique opportunity to learn generational forms of Kung Fu and Tai Chi passed down through a direct lineage from Hong Kong.

The school is led by Sifu Henry Chung, a master martial artist who continues the tradition of his father, Ho Yin Chung, who was a Grandmaster of the Seven Star Praying Mantis style and a top disciple of the renowned Great Grandmaster Wong Hon Fun, often referred to as "The Mantis King." This established lineage ensures that students in Michigan are not learning a watered-down or westernized version, but a practical, traditional system complete with its historical context and authentic applications.

Chung's School of Praying Mantis has been serving the Midland community and the broader Michigan region since 1983, moving into its current permanent location in 2002. This long-standing presence speaks volumes about the quality and consistency of instruction provided. It is recognized as both a martial arts school and a specialized gym environment focused on physical and mental conditioning through the practice of time-honored techniques.

The commitment here is to a complete martial arts system that includes more than just physical movement. It aims to foster a positive and effective learning environment, guiding students of all ages to reach their maximum potential, and enhancing the quality of each individual's life. Whether the goal is self-defense, improved health benefits, spiritual harmony, or achieving the ultimate accomplishment of a Black Belt, Sifu Chung and the instructors offer a practical, traditional way of instruction that is increasingly hard to find in the modern fitness landscape.

One of the school's unique focuses is the promotion of traditional Chinese Martial Arts through not just classes but also through community engagement. The school has an international reach, with branch schools in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Indiana, and has hosted numerous national and international tournaments. Students from Chung’s School have competed and won numerous champion awards, bringing home gold and silver medals from international competitions, which underscores the high level of training provided right here in Michigan.

Learning martial arts, especially a system as complete as Seven Star Praying Mantis, is often considered a complete mind-body-spirit endeavor. It is not just about physical strength but also internal balance, coordination, speed, and mental focus. The curriculum is designed to develop all-around physical health, employing a system that is known for its complex, rapid hand motions, mobile footwork, and a full repertoire of techniques including striking, kicking, grappling, joint locks, and traditional weapons training.

Chung's School of Praying Mantis is conveniently located in Midland, a central city in Michigan. The exact address is:

620 Cambridge St Suite 3, Midland, MI 48642, USA

The school’s location in a commercial area makes it accessible for residents across Midland and surrounding communities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. For students with accessibility needs, the facility offers a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot, ensuring that the opportunity to learn traditional martial arts is open to a wider community.

The curriculum is extensive and focuses on traditional and authentic Chinese martial arts forms. The primary services and classes offered include:

• Praying Mantis Kung Fu (specifically the Seven Star Praying Mantis style)
• Tai Chi (Wu Style Tai Chi)
• Eagle Claw Kung Fu
• Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Training
• Basic Exercises and conditioning focused on developing strength, flexibility, and coordination
• Lion Dance training and performance
• Participation in Martial Arts Tournaments
• Online learning options via Zoom Classes for remote or supplementary instruction

What sets Chung's School apart in the Michigan martial arts landscape are its unique features:

• Authentic Lineage: The instruction in Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu is directly inherited from a respected, generational master in Hong Kong, ensuring the purity and effectiveness of the traditional form.
• Expert Instruction: Sifu Henry Chung is highly experienced, having begun his training at the age of four, and has been promoting traditional Chinese Martial Arts and teaching Kung Fu full-time in North America since 1979.
• Comprehensive System: The training is a complete martial art, not just focused on one aspect, encompassing striking, grappling, joint locks, and traditional weapons, making it excellent for all-around physical health and practical self-defense.
• Community and Competition: The school is involved in the broader martial arts community, hosting and participating in national and international tournaments, providing students with competitive experience if desired.
• Accessibility and Amenities: The facility offers onsite services, a clean Restroom, and crucial accessibility features like a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.
• Integrated Health Knowledge: Sifu Chung's background, which includes the study of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine from his father, and practice as a licensed psychotherapist, brings a deeper, holistic understanding of the body and mind to the martial arts practice.

To learn more about class schedules, program options, or trial opportunities, interested members of the Michigan community can contact the school directly:

Address: 620 Cambridge St Suite 3, Midland, MI 48642, USA

Phone: (989) 423-1993

Choosing a martial arts school is a significant commitment, and for residents of Michigan, Chung's School of Praying Mantis offers several compelling reasons for investment. The school is not an ordinary gym; it’s an opportunity for deep personal development through a genuine, traditional practice. The reviews consistently praise Sifu Chung for his positive and effective teaching methods, highlighting that he doesn't just "go through the motions" but instructs in a practical, traditional way, integrating history and tradition into the application of techniques.

This is the ideal choice for anyone in the region looking for authenticity. Customers confirm that Sifu Chung teaches "authentic Kung Fu and Tai Chi." The generational form of Seven Star Praying Mantis, untainted by western mutation, is its core strength. Students can train for self-defense with confidence in the practical application of the art, or focus on the significant health and internal benefits that come with the study of Tai Chi and traditional Kung Fu. By visiting or participating in a free trial, as the school encourages, you can take the first step toward experiencing the many physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of training within this special community in Midland, Michigan.

Chung’s School of Praying Mantis

620 Cambridge St Suite 3, Midland, MI 48642, USA