Philosophy

The TsangWuGe Seven-Star Praying Mantis curriculum is structured across three stages: Glimpsing the Gate, Ascending the Hall, and Entering the Inner Chamber. Physical fitness, self-defense, and self-cultivation are pursued together — through the training of kung fu, students become better versions of themselves, and are better equipped to help others.

Goal

The first stage, Glimpsing the Gate, spans approximately two years, during which students are introduced to traditional martial arts and Seven-Star Praying Mantis. The stage is divided into two phases — Foundation Building and Glimpsing the Gate — each with its own focus and expected outcomes.

Foundation Building Phase: The primary curriculum consists of Zhan Zhuang, Chu Chui, and Fan Che. Through these sets, students come to understand the structural principles of the traditional martial arts body and establish a stable foundation. Training then progresses toward developing limb extension and coordination in motion. Basic physical conditioning — muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness — is also cultivated.

Glimpsing the Gate Phase: Eighteen Locks and Zhuo Gang form the core curriculum for entering Seven-Star Praying Mantis proper. The focus is on learning the hand methods, body methods, footwork, and force expression of Seven-Star Praying Mantis, together with their practical applications and the underlying principles of combat thinking.

【理念】
七星螳螂墊總體課程分為〈窺門〉、〈登堂〉、〈入室〉三個階段。健身、防身、修身並進，經由功夫的鍛鍊，成就更好的自己，並且幫助他人。

【目標】
第一階段〈窺門〉，為期約兩年，由此認識傳統武術與七星螳螂拳。其進程與預期目標分為「築基」與「窺門」兩期 ：
築基期：以站樁勢、插捶、翻車為主要教材，從而認識傳統武術的身體結構，穩固根基。進而訓練肢體的延展與流動中的協調性。對肌耐力、柔軟度、心肺功能等基礎體能的培養也有所要求。
窺門期：十八索與拙剛是進入七星螳螂拳的核心教材。重點學習七星螳螂的手法、身法、步法、勁法，及其應用方式與戰門思維。