By Tom Sveen , Asian American Press

On the surface, 2259 Minnehaha Avenue looks like a quaint little establishment nestled among several others just off McKnight Road in south Maplewood. A look inside, however, reveals a martial arts museum of sorts, a glimpse into the multi-faceted life of Gin Foon Mark, fifth generation master of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

Punching and kicking bags line one wall of the Kwoon (training hall), but mixed in are trophies and awards, photos of master Mark through the years, a fish tank, a large lion costume, anatomical charts for acupuncture, and paintings of dragons, flowers, and fish done by Master Mark himself.

Master Mark's appearance is deceiving. The elder master dresses casually in jeans and cross-training sneakers, enjoys roast beef sandwiches from Culver's, and is quick to tell a joke. His posture is bent, but not stooped, and his graceful step has slowed, though better than what you would expect of someone at age 79.

Master Mark is still very involved in class sessions, according to Andre Barrett, a student of seven years who now teaches classes and manages the website (http://masterginfoonmark.com).

"He still does all the exercises," said Barrett. "He is still remarkably quick and powerful when he wants to be."

Deceptive appearance is also one of the primary tenets of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

"Praying mantis is good for the man that's not the big guy," said Master Mark. He used the example of the insect itself to explain his point. "the praying mantis is small, but he can beat the bigger. He can eat the snake. That's why [the art is] good for the small people".

Born in Toison, China, a small village near Canton, Mark was first exposed to the martial arts at age 5, and learned Kung Fu from his uncle and grandfather. When war broke out with Japan in 1936, Mark's uncle and grandfather joined the army to defend China. At the time, schools were for the "lucky" kids, according to Mark. At age 9, he gained admittance to the Shaolin temple at Chun San.

Mark compared the temple in those days to a hotel today. Wealthy vacationers would visit to see the mountains and breathe the fresh air. Mark worked at the temple, serving the people and maintaining the grounds. In exchange for his service, Mark was introduced to Praying Mantis Kung Fu, as well as Chi Kung, acupuncture, and culinary techniques.

After many years of continued study, Master Mark came to the United States in 1947 and, at the request of Chinese trade associations, began teaching martial arts in New York. While there, he was introduced to Master Lum Wing Fai, the fourth generation master of Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Mark said it was his cooking expertise that allowed him to study under the great teacher.

"He didn't know how [to bake] and that was something that I knew how to do," said Mark with a smile. "He taught me Kung Fu; I taught him."

After Master Fai closed his hands (retired) in 1969, Master Mark became the fifth generation Master of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

In 1979, Mark returned to China to learn more about a special style of Chi Kung, the "six healing sounds." This series of breathing techniques, hidden for years by the oppressive Chinese government, emphasizes the healthful effects of slow, deep breathing from the diaphragm. Mark incorporates Chi Kung into much of his Kung Fu instruction.

Mark currently has Kwoons in New York, Philadelphia, and Maui, as well as his home in Maplewood. In addition to teaching Praying Mantis Kung Fu and the six healing sounds, Mark is also an established painter and calligrapher and practices acupuncture and traditional Chinese lion dancing.

In his life, Mark has instructed Bruce Lee for a short time, has been featured on the National Television show "You Asked For It," was the subject of a video produced by the Minnesota Historical Society, and was inducted into the International Karate and Kickboxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

As the last living master of his lineage of Praying Mantis Kung Fu, Master Mark says that he is "slowly retiring." He is unsure what the future holds for Praying Mantis, but he is hopeful that his students will build the art. He does not yet know who will be the sixth generation master, and says it should be a natural development.

"Who will build the art in the future? Who's sixth generation? It's like the flower. Sometimes you want the flower grow, [and it] never grows," said Mark, "But put the flower in the corner and maybe in the future it will grow really well. Sometimes it's like that. You want flower grow, it never grow; you don't want flower grow, he grow up really good."

Barrett, who has studied under Mark for nearly seven years, is doing his part to ensure the proliferation of Praying Mantis. He and other students are setting up a non-profit organization with the goal of creating an environment that is similar to the temple environment where Master Mark studied. Once established, the center will ensure that Master Mark's legacy will continue for generations to come.

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