The application of close combat methods with an emphasis on hands and short kicking techniques makes the Southern Praying Mantis art somewhat akin to what many would call "street fighting."

The hands are the most readily available for attack and defence of the upper body, and protect the stylist by employing ruthless techniques designed to inflict serious injury.

There are five main branches of Southern Praying Mantis: A common antecedent can be surmised from the same traditional region of origin, the popularity amongst the Hakka community, a reference to praying mantis, similar training forms such as Sarm Bo Jin (Chinese: 三步箭; pinyin: sān bù jiàn, "Three Steps Arrow") and common application principles.

The origins of the Kwong Sai Jook Lum system is controversial with some Chu Gar proponents claiming a relationship also to Lau Shui.

The Iron Ox system can be traced historically to the area of South China where the other branches of Southern Mantis originated and to the same Hakka communities where the art was transmitted.

[4] There are many other Southern styles such as Chuka Shaolin [5] that uses similar technique but are not identified as being part of this group of martial arts according to their respective schools.

From Xingning, the Dong River (東江) flows west out of Meizhou (梅州) through Hoh Yuen, the place of origin for Iron Ox founder Choi Tit-Ngau.

Such inspiration is a recurring motif in the Chinese martial arts and can be found in the legends of Northern Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Tai chi and Wing Chun.

The traditions of the Chu family branch contend that the name "Southern Praying Mantis" was chosen to conceal from Qing forces its political affiliations by pretending that this esoteric style of Ming loyalists was in fact a regional variant of the popular and widespread Northern Mantis style from Shandong.

The emphasis on the techniques of sticky hands, the use of the forearm with the elbows tucked into the chest, claw like fingers and quick explosive actions creates an image that are visually similar to a praying mantis preparing to strike its prey.

[2] The continued popularity of modern Chow Gar is due to the work of Ip Shui (葉瑞), a student of Lau Soei.

Those students, Sigungs Tony Blum Jr, Eddie Chin and Manuel Rodriguez continue the tradition of his school.

Sigung Tony Blum Jr. took over teaching of the System in 1995 in the Chicago area as appointed by Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong.

In Guangdong, his student, Cheung Yiu Chung (張耀宗), would later return with him to Kwong Sai (Jiangxi) Province to complete his training at Jook Lum Gee.

During the winter of 1929, Cheung opened his first martial arts school and a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Pingshan Town, Bao'an County, and continued to promote the Jook Lum system.

Lee Wing Sing (李腎勝) originally trained in Chu Gar before becoming a student of Cheung Yiu Chung.

He opened a martial arts studio and became the head teacher to the Hong Kong Hakka ship and dock workers union.

[13] Wong Yook-Kong was described as a large man and in training he placed great emphasis on strength and physical conditioning before moving onto the more internal aspects of the style.

Sifu Lam Sang did however return to New York City and resided at 22 Mott Street, NY Chinese Free Mason Association Headquarters.

Sifu Lam Sang continued to teach select few from the Free Mason Association Athletic Club prior to his passing in 1991 and is not widely known as to the identities of his last group of disciples.

After Lam Sang's passing, his teaching position at the Hung Ching school in New York was occupied by a number of his successors over the years.

Over the last decade, actively instructing the art there was late sifu James Cama (grand-student of Lam Sang through Robert Lee).

Chen passed the lineage on to Sifu Hsiung Khan Seong (1917-2000) who, in his broad-mindedness, opened the style for the non-Chinese in the year 1975.

In Circular Tong Long (a version of Chow Gar Tong Long under the direction of Henry Sue in Australia), the form structures are as follows: Kwong Sai Jook Lum by Gin Foon Marks Kung Fu Association excerpt of curriculum: conditioning drills: medicine: -Lion dance & instrumentation -brushwork/calligraphy Although Henry Poo Yee and Gin Foon Mark were kung fu brothers under late Grand-Master Lam Sang, the curriculae they taught differ.

Lo Mang of the famed Venom Mob is an expert in Chu Gar Southern Praying Mantis, having studied the martial art for over 13 years before starting an acting career.