- What does "Lau Gar Kuen" mean?
- How would you describe the style?
- What is your Lineage?
- Who are the Instructors?
- Do you have a grading system?
- What is Chi Kung?
- Do you have Insurance?
- Do you teach weapons?
- Do you teach kickboxing?
- Age & sex
- What do I do next?
What does "Lau Gar Kuen" mean?
"Lau Gar Kuen" in English means:
Lau = The family name
Gar = literally translated as family,
Kuen = Fist. short for Kuen Fa (fist movements).
Hence Lau Gar Kuen translated means "The Lau Family's Fist
methods".
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How would you describe the style?
Chinese Martial Arts can be categorised in the following
way.
External or Internal
External includes training the fighting techniques, Conditioning the body,
Training for strength.
Internal includes training to strengthen the internal organs, eg heart, lungs,
tendons, etc. Improving and controlling internal enregy (Chi).
Training the mind (shen).
Hard or Soft
Hard, used in respect of a blow that is seen to be powerful and results in
bruising or broken bones, plus internal damage.
A forceful block to deal with a forceful attack.
Soft, used in respect of a blow that is delivered in a relaxed manner that
will damage an opponent internally without causing surface damage.
Long or Short
Long, Movements are fully stretched.
Short, Movements are tight, blows move over short distances.
Northern or Southern
Northern refers to the geographic orgin of the style, but has also come to
mean styles that include large frame movements,
very mobile stances, emphasing kicks.
Southern refers to styles originating in southern China, but also means styles
that are thought to emphasize hand movements
from low stable stances.
Lau Gar Kuen can be described as an External Southern Style, tending to be
hard and specialising in short fist techniques.
This is only meaningful when attempting to compare styles, as every true
traditional martial art is a blend of the External/Internal,
Hard/Soft, Long/Short.
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What is your Lineage?
Lau Gar Kuen as taught in "London Lau Gar" was introduced to the UK in 1961
by Master Jeremy Yau.
Having been taught by his Grand Father Yau Luk Sau.
Yau Luk Sau was taught by Masters Yang Hoi Ching, and Wan Goon Wing, during
the later part of the 19th century.
Master Yau's grand father was of "Hakka" origin, and therefore Lau Gar Kung Fu
as taught in the UK could be described as a
Hakka
style,
akin to similar systems such as Bak Mei, Lung Yang, Southern Praying Mantis
etc.
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Who are the Instructors?
All Instructors within "London Lau Gar" have at least 10 years experience, and have trained extensively with Master Jeremy Yau, plus all have been graded to black
sash/instructor grade personally by Master Yau.
Requirements for Black sash include a minimum of 7 years training, plus
regular attendance on Instructor training courses, as well as
holding a current Association approved
First Aid Certificate.
please see Training information for further
details.
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Do you have a grading system?
Yes we do use a grading system within our style.
It should be noted however that a formalised grading syllabus was introduced
for the benefit of western students,
and is not part of the traditional method of teaching. Hence although there
are specific techniques that are required for each grade,
all students train together and are taught techniques as their ability
dictates.
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What is Chi Kung?
Chi Kung ( chi gong ) is a term that describes the various methods used to develop
internal energy.
The words literally mean:
chi = Intrinsic Energy, and Kung = Work, therefore Chi Kung means "Energy work".
There are many different forms and purposes behind the various types of
Chi Kung, but fundamentally all forms are concerned with the
development of Chi (intrinsic energy) within the practictioner, and the
use of conscious thought to control and channel this energy to perform
specific tasks within the body ranging from self protection to spiritual
enlightment.
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Do you have Insurance?
Yes we are fully insured.
London lau Gar is part of the British
Kung Fu Association.
Which is affiliated to the BCCMA.
"British Council for Chinese martial
Arts"
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Do you teach kickboxing?
Semi-contact kickboxing (points fighting) has long been the public face of Lau Gar Kung Fu.
The British Kung Fu Association has formulated a separate syllabus for
kickboxing that concentrates on training students to take part in semi
contact competitions.
The two syllibi are taught seperately, although some instructors do incorporate aspects of one within the other.
Most of the classes in London concentrate on the traditional Kung Fu
system rather than competition techniques, however all the instructors
have extensive experience within the competitive environment, and the
competition mat has long been regarded as a suitable place for students
to gain an understanding of many aspects of actual combat such as
speed, timing and of course giving and receiving blows.
Competition fighting is also an invigorating activity that teaches us to
take control of our emotions & body in an adrenaline charged
environment whilst remaining relatively safe from serious physical
injury.
Any student that has a particular interest in competitive fighting
should discuss this with their instructor as separate training sessions
are available for those interested.
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Do you teach weapons?
Weapons training is an integral part of all traditional Chinese Martial
arts.
However beginners must first have a good understanding of the unarmed aspect
of the art before weapons training can commence.
The traditional weapons taught within the Lau Gar Kuen are the Eyebrow Staff, Rat-tailed Staff,
Broadsword, Butterfly Knives, Tiger Fork and Spear.
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Age & sex.
The minimun age to attend a regular class is at the discretion of the
individual instructor.
Generally children are not encouraged to train alongside adults.
There are separate childrens classes available, where no adults except
attending parents are permitted to train.
Lau Gar Kung Fu is suitable for students of all ages of either sex. Kung
Fu has particular advantages for women over many systems because the
art is not based merely on muscular strength and physical prowess, but
instead teaches a student to utilise other aspects of themselves such
as dexterity, flexibility, balance and intellect.
Training does obviously entail a certain amount of physical strength and
fitness, however all classes are tailored to suit the skill levels of
the students.
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What do I do next?
If you would like to come and practice Kung Fu with us, please contact one of
the Instructors directly.
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