Joe started his early praying mantis studies in the early 70's.  He was a student of Taoism under Dr.Wei Hsun Fu in 1972 and it was on Dr Fu's recommendation that he sought out a kung fu school.  Dr Fu felt that he was concentrated too much on just mental development and needed to balance it with physical training.  Joe went door to door in Chinatown Philadelphia until he met a clerk at the Wing On grocery on Race Street, guiding him to Sifu Mark's school at 10th and Arch. Joe spent several years there studying under Tommy Chin and Richard Mercurio, both disciples of Sifu Mark Foon and continues his relationship with Sifu Mark to this day.  A few years into his training he joined the Shotokan Karate school under Teryuki Okasaki and spent two years with him.  He later studied Aikido under Muriyama Sensei but never stopped studying praying mantis. Sifu Mark often stated that if you understood the principles of Jook Lum you could enhance other styles.  Unlike other masters who were displeased if you studied other styles, Sifu Mark encouraged it, saying that you needed to have an understanding of how other systems fight.   In 1973 Joe met Dr. Richard DeMartino at Temple University and studied Zen under him for many years.  Dr. DeMartino was a long time student of the great Zen teacher D.T. Suzuki and Suzuki said that DeMartino was the only Westerner who truly understood Zen.  Dr. DeMartino also studied under Shin ichi Hisamatsu sensei in Japan.  In the early 80's Joe went to NYC Chinatown to study qigong under Mantak Chia at Confucius Plaza.  There he learned the microcosmic orbit, fusion of the five elements and iron shirt qigong.  In the mid 80's Joe met and studied with Dr. Masao Abe (ah-bay) of the Kyoto School of Zen, a contemporary of Dr. DeMartino and also a student of D.T. Suzuki's.  Dr. Abe is world renowned for his books on Zen and was declared a living art treasure by the emperor of Japan in 1986.  Joe spent a couple of years with Dr. Abe and his wife and they lived with him for several months in 1987 before going back to Kyoto.  It was Dr. Abe that gave Joe permission to teach Zen in the US. Joe is still in contact with Dr DeMartino.  He also speaks regularly to Abe sensei's wife, Ikuko, since he passed on September 10, 2006 at 91 years of age.

Bob first heard of Jook Lum Praying Mantis while working in a warehouse in Upland, PA in the late 1970’s. One of the workers there spoke of a unique fighting style being taught in Philadelphia. The style, Jook Lum Tong Long Pai (Southern Style Praying Mantis), intrigued Bob. He searched out the style for many years but it wasn’t until 1985 when he found someone teaching it. Sifu Joe McSorley, student of Gin Foon Mark, was conducting a beginner Praying Mantis/Self Defense class at Delaware County Community College. Bob began studying under Sifu McSorley, and this decision grew to become one of the most significant choices in his life. Studying Jook Lum not only provided a physical expression of self, but also a platform for enhancing spirit, joy and friendship.

Having had previous training in Issunryu Karate as well as receiving private lessons from Tony Lee in Tae Kwon Do, Bob was surprised to see practical applications in these prior disciplines in his very first Jook Lum class. When Sifu McSorley showed Bob the difference between striking and striking Mantis style, Bob knew this long sought-out discipline was something he wanted to develop as his own. The patience partnered with the quality of Sifu McSorley’s instruction soon became both humbling and enlightening and has never left the core of Bob’s expression of Jook Lum Mantis.

While diligently studying Jook Lum Mantis, Bob also became proficient in Old Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (Sifu Tom Hardy, Delaware County, PA) to improve body mechanics and mental presence from 1988 through 1992. Tai Chi became a way of relaxing while allowing Jook Lum Mantis technique to rise to an enhanced level.

During this same time, Bob also studied Tai Kwon Do (Sr. Brown Belt). His understanding of the kicking techniques of this hard-style discipline helped him to trust reflexes when challenged, as well as improve his overall physical conditioning.

Bob has had the privilege of studying on several occasions with Sifu Mark during Mark’s visits to Delaware County. Sharing Mark’s gifts of presence and technique has always left Bob questing for overall deeper personal improvement.

Since 2001, Bob has resided in Berks County, Muhlenberg Township. He still practices Jook Lum Praying Mantis and currently teaches by invitation. Those local to Berks/Lancaster/Lehigh Counties who are interested in studying with Bob should contact him at: fitnessmania@epix.net, or www.fitnessmaniainc.com

John first learned about praying mantis kung fu from a mailing he received at his house in Broomall in 1985. The booklet from the Delaware County Community College on non-credit courses advertised a rare Chinese martial art especially suited for self-defense. He was intrigued by the concept of using an opponent’s energy against them. This was to begin a twenty-five year long journey in this art from the bamboo forest monastery and friendships that would last a lifetime.

John is the most senior and an inner-gate disciple of Sifu Joe McSorley. Sifu McSorley’s martial arts teachings are combined with his knowledge of Zen. After working with Sifu McSorley for a short time, John realized that strength alone does not win battles. An understanding of Taoism and Buddhism is essential in any martial arts practice. One of the most important lessons John learned is that there is a balance in everything.

Sifu McSorley always recommended studying with other teachers and experiencing other martial arts. As a result, John’s path lead him to study Muay Thai, JKD, kickboxing, Wing Chun, and Kali/Silat, taught by Dan Inosanto.

In the early 1990’s, John had his first meeting with Sifu Gin Foon Mark, who was invited by Sifu McSorley for his first seminar with his students. This meeting was one of several throughout the following years. The most important lesson John learned after meeting Sifu Mark was to never be satisfied with your expression of the art.

Over the years, John has shared knowledge with Sifu Mark’s senior students, and since 1987 John has been an assistant instructor under Sifu McSorley. In 2000, John was accepted as a disciple of Sifu McSorley by formal ceremony. John now lives in West Chester and teaches his own Jook Lum class at Kirkwood Fitness and Racquetball Club. He can be contacted at john_ohara@comcast.net.

Phil Weibl has been in the martial arts for over twenty five years and has a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do along with studying Wing Chun for several years.  He is an ex-marine who spent seven years in the service.  For the last twenty years he has devoted his time to Jook Lum and he spent several years studying with Sifu Louie Jack Man along with decades under Sifu Mark Foon's lineage.  He is an ardent and dedicated martial artists who devotes hours a day to the perfection of his technique.

John Clark has been an active praying mantis kung fu practitioner for the last decade.  Prior to his study of praying mantis, he studied western boxing, karate, yang style tai chi chuan, and kickboxing.  John is a physical education teacher by trade and has devoted his life to learning about and teaching the intricacies of exercise physiology and its relationship to motor learning and the martial arts.  John began his mantis study under Joe McSorley Sifu in late 2000.  Mr. McSorley encouraged John to seek out Louie Jack Man Sifu for additional training.  Louie Sifu accepted John as a private student in 2001, and he remains in contact with Louie Sifu to this day supporting Louie Sifu's efforts to promote Jooklum Mantis during different Philadelphia Chinatown exhibitions as well as new year celebrations.  John has also spent considerable time with many of Master Gin Foon Mark's senior students to exchange knowledge including Matthew Janiga, Andre Balin, and Casey Fryer.  John has spent time studying and developing his knowledge of eastern philosophy with regard to Taoism and Buddhism as well; he feels that they cannot be separated from traditional kung fu training. 

John is a sanctioned teacher under the tutelage of Joe McSorley Sifu and Louie Jack Man Sifu.  He teaches classes from his home on Monday evenings.  His teachings consist of vigorous physical and mental training in relationship to real time combat as well as the traditional formulas as taught to him by Gin Foon Mark Sifu and Louie Jack Man Sifu.  These formulas include but are not limited to Som Bo Gin, Sop Bot Dim, Siem Kuen parts 1-4, butterfly knives, one way staff, two way staff, etc.  Each formula is taught exactly as it was taught to John by Gin Foon Mark Sifu and Louie Jack Man Sifu.

In 2009, John was honored by receiving Louie Jack Man's Sun Toi and shrine which reflects the Min Gung aspects of the praying mantis art.  John honors this area each and every class with incense, candles and other traditional teachings that show the proper respect for the ancestors with regard to Jooklum Mantis.  In 2009, John was also accepted by ceremony, along withJohn O'Hara, and Phil Weibl, as a disciple of Joe McSorley Sifu.

Since this time, John has accepted only one personal disciple in Phil Le, but he hopes to bring others closer to him in the future.

Those interested in studying with John should e-mail all inquiries to mantistraining@gmail.com.