How many different versions of 7* mantis are there?

[phantom]

Raymind Ly's version of 7* mantis has a few extra forms in it, Chu Chuen Luen's version makes use of footwork that is similiar to pa kua's, and other version do certain techniques somewhat differnt from other versions. Some people claim that Raul Ortiz's version is not pure mantis, but he sure can fight and teach people how to fight. So just how many different versions of 7* mantis are there? Also, could it be beneficial to study more than one version? Thanks in advance.

[mantisben]

Originally posted by phantom
Raymind Ly's version of 7* mantis has a few extra forms in it, Chu Chuen Luen's version makes use of footwork that is similiar to pa kua's, and other version do certain techniques somewhat differnt from other versions. Some people claim that Raul Ortiz's version is not pure mantis, but he sure can fight and teach people how to fight. So just how many different versions of 7* mantis are there? Also, could it be beneficial to study more than one version? Thanks in advance.

There was an article written by Heath McGrady (a student of Sifu Steve Cottrell) in a September 2003 issue of Inside Kung-Fu. The article mentions 3 different versions/flavors of 7* Praying Mantis from Mainland China. Yantai, Chingdao, and Shanghai are the versions/flavors written about in the article.

Then there is the HK 7*, and that branches off into Chu Chi Min and Won Hon Fang.

There may be more.