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| Shaolin Roots Lau Gar Kung Fu is a traditional Southern Chinese self-defence system, based on the defensive movements of several animals, as originally taught to the monks of the Shaolin Temple. Many of the systems of kung fu that exist today can be traced back to the "Five Animal" forms practiced there. The Southern systems of kung fu were refined into 5 major styles: Hung, Lau, Choy, Li, and Mok, named after their originators. The suffix "Gar" meaning family. From past to present The master acknowledged as founder of Lau Gar Kuen(spelt Liu Jia Quan in PinYin) was a stick fighter and tiger hunter called Lau Sarm Ngau (or Liu San Yan). The name means "Three-eyed Lau", as he had a scar in the centre of his forehead, which looked from a distance like a third eye. Lau Sarm Ngau learned the fighting arts from a monk on retreat from the Kuei Ling Temple situated on "Bac Pye Saan" in Kong Sai Province. Initially Lau Gar was a "closed" style, only taught to the master's family. Today it is difficult to find a teacher in mainland China that teaches Lau Gar Kuen, however more than 100 years ago, during the late 19th Century a man named Yau Luk Sau had the desire to learn Kung Fu. At the age of thirteen, he left his home, in Kowloon, and travelled to Kong Sai Province, where he trained under Master Tang Hoi Ching. After nine years had passed, he was given the right to teach independent of Master Tang. Yau Luk Sau subsequently met Master Wan Goon Wing, with whom he continued his studies for a further six years, and whom he served as son until the latter's death. On his return to Kowloon Master Yau Luk Sau taught only his family and close friends before opening his club to the public. During this period his grandson, Master Jeremy Yau, commenced his training at the age of six. This training continued 4 hours a night 363 nights of the year for 15 years. Master Yau brought the style from China to Great Britain in 1961.
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