Enhance your range of motion and mobility with flexibility training inspired by Kung Fu, Sports Performance, Yoga and Tai Chi, allowing for fluid movement, injury prevention, and improved physical performance.
Cultivate mental clarity, focus, and emotional resilience through Kung Fu Forms, Qigong and Yoga, helping to reduce stress and increase peace of mind.
Achieve total-body conditioning with a system that combines strength, endurance, and agility training for a balanced, healthy body and a strong foundation for lifelong fitness.
Master practical, effective self-defense techniques drawn from Kung Fu, Hawaiian Kempo, Wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu, empowering you with skills to protect yourself confidently and responsibly.
Sifu Jeff Hughes is a seasoned martial artist and educator with a lifetime of dedication to personal growth and helping others achieve their potential. Born and raised in the Bay Area, California, Jeff’s journey has taken him from Seattle, Washington, to Austin, Texas, where he established and successfully ran The Pit Austin.
Jeff holds a 2nd-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a black belt in Hawaiian Kempo, and the esteemed title of Sifu in Kung Fu. He is also an advanced USA Weightlifting coach and an experienced instructor of Tai Chi, Qigong, and meditation.
Currently, Sifu Hughes leads the Iron Mantis Martial Arts Association as an 8th-degree coral belt, blending decades of experience into a comprehensive martial arts system accessible to students worldwide. His passion lies in empowering others through martial arts and holistic practices, fostering physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Training Available in Multiple Formats
At Iron Mantis Martial Arts, we offer flexible training options to fit your schedule, learning style, and goals. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced martial artist, our programs are designed to help you develop discipline, self-defense skills, and a strong mind-body connection.
✅ Online Training – Learn martial arts at your own pace from anywhere with structured lessons, expert guidance, and on-demand access. Perfect for busy professionals and remote learners.
✅ Private 1-on-1 Training – Get personalized coaching tailored to your skill level and goals. Ideal for those who want focused attention and accelerated progress.
✅ Semi-Private Training – Train with a small group for a balance of personal instruction and the motivation of training partners. Great for friends, family, or dedicated training partners.
✅ Seminars – Join intensive workshops led by experienced instructors to refine techniques, deepen your knowledge, and gain insights from advanced martial arts concepts.
✅ Weekend Camps – Immerse yourself in martial arts training with weekend retreats designed to boost your skills, fitness, and mindset. These events combine structured learning with real-world application.
Our monthly online memberships allow you to learn and master the basic curriculum from white to black belt.
An in depth collaboration online and in-person with our mantis family to master the Black Belt and Beyond the Black Belt Curriculum.
A comprehensive curriculum of online resources, materials, education, and support for Sifus, Coaches, and Instructors.
Diamond Temple Internal Martial Arts developed by Sifu Jeff Hughes is a comprehensive system that integrates Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, and Meditation to cultivate physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual harmony. This holistic approach blends ancient wisdom with modern practice, offering a path to inner strength and overall well-being.
Tai Chi: Enhances balance, coordination, and fluid movement while promoting deep relaxation and mindfulness through gentle, flowing motions.
Qi Gong: Builds internal energy (Qi), strengthens the organs, and improves circulation through breath control and meditative movement.
Yoga: Increases flexibility, core strength, and body awareness while uniting breath with movement to calm the nervous system.
Meditation: Cultivates mental clarity, emotional stability, and spiritual insight, reducing stress and fostering inner peace.
By practicing these disciplines together, students develop a deeper connection between body, mind, and spirit, leading to increased vitality, reduced stress, and a profound sense of balance. The Diamond Temple system is more than just exercise—it’s a transformational journey toward self-mastery and well-being.
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“Welcome to Iron Mantis Chronicles—a sanctuary for warriors, thinkers, and seekers. Here, we dive into the art of mastery, the philosophy of movement, and the stories that shape us. Whether you’re a martial artist or just curious about the world, you’ve found your place.
Prepare to explore the mind, body, and spirit.
In this premiere episode of Mantis Chronicles, we explore the often-overlooked world of Daitang Quan, a traditional Chinese ground fighting method embedded in the roots of praying mantis kung fu. Whether you’re a martial artist or just curious about the deeper layers of kung fu, this episode breaks down the historical, technical, and philosophical aspects of ground combat in Chinese martial arts.
We unpack how Daitang quan parallels systems like Brazilian jiu-jitsu, catch wrestling, and sambo, and why it faded from mainstream kung fu instruction. You’ll hear reflections on learning from Sifu Raymond Fogg and peers who emphasized these lost techniques, and how modern influences like Hawaiian Kempo and MMA helped revive and reinterpret them.
This episode highlights the importance of training for real-world scenarios—including how fighters end up on the ground unexpectedly—and why stand-up-only practitioners often find themselves unprepared. From rolling, sweeping, and kicking from the ground to integrating striking and grappling transitions, we dive deep into the “hidden ground game” of kung fu.
Tune in and discover how traditional martial arts still have secrets waiting to be unlocked—if you’re willing to go to the ground.
