Brief History

 

Southern Kung Fu was developed during the reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). During this time period, China was ruled by the Manchurians who invaded from North Eastern Asia. Many of the native population of Chinese at this time were discriminated against and developed anti-Qing sentiments.

 

There were many Buddhist monasteries spread throughout southern China. Some of these monasteries were affiliated with the famous Shaolin Temple in Northern China (Henan) and housed monks that developed high levels of martial arts skill as well as spiritual cultivation. Because these monasteries were said to be a safe haven for anti-Qing rebels, the imperial government saw these monasteries as a threat and destroyed many of them.

 

Many masters and lay monks from these temples spread their knowledge of kung fu throughout the land to the general population.

 

Five Family Five Animal (Ng Ga Kuen Ng Ying Kuen)

 

Based upon the five famous styles that spread throughout southern China as well as the five Shaolin animals incorporated in these systems.

 

Below is a list of the five families with the corresponding founder and what the style is known for:

 

Hung Ga – (Hung Hei Guen) –power, strong stances and forearms

Lau Ga - a.k.a Fut Ga (Lau Soam Ngan) - Open hand and palm techniques

Choy Ga – (Choy Gau Yee) - long arm and short arm techniques, stance training, footwork

Li Ga - (Li Yao San) – Medium range techniques, rapid footwork, vital point striking

Mok Ga (Mok Ching Giu) – powerful and fast kicking techniques, short hand techniques

 

Below is a list of the five animal styles incorporated into (Ng Ga Kuen) – they are also found in Hung Ga Kuen

 

Tiger – powerful striking, clawing, breaking, and gripping techniques. Develops bone density and strength.

Crane- vital point striking, open hand techniques, evasive footwork. Develops soft power and balance.

Leopard – fast striking techniques, develops speed and power.

Snake - vital point striking, fast open hand techniques. Develops speed and internal power

Dragon – long open movements, twisting of the spine. Cultivates Chi

 

Hung Ga

 

Hung Ga is a style that is known for low strong stances, that develop powerful legs as well as dynamic tension exercises that develop the muscles and tendons in the upper body and forearms.

 

It is a complete system of martial arts that develops bone density, strong muscles and tendons, techniques for combat, as well as cultivating health and healing within the body.

 

We teach Tang Fung’s Hung Ga, which has been passed down from master to student in an unbroken line that can be traced to the Southern Fukien Shaolin Monastery.

 

In addition to empty hand forms we also teach a variety of weapons that have their roots in classical Chinese antiquity. These weapons provide all around strength and conditioning, hand and eye coordination, and of course their martial application.