Hung Gar History begins in Fukien (Southern China). Hung Hei Kwun entered the temple in the early 1700s. Hung was a tea merchant and became a layman-follower after abandoning his business due to a dispute with Ching nobles in Kwantung province. The Chief Abbot at that time was Master Gee Sim. Master Gee Sim was so impressed with Hung Hei Kwun's talent and hard work, that the master took him as his personal student.
Abbot Gee Sim made him the best. At this time Martial Arts Schools all across China were under tremendous pressure from Ching government forces. Eventually a government crackdown led to the destruction of the one in Fukien. Thirty members managed to escape and fled to Kwangtung Province. Hung Hei Kwun opened a secret Martial Arts School to fulfill his responsibility and to pass on kung fu teachings
Master Hung then met Fong Wing Chun, his future bride. This lady was famous for her Kung Fu Crane style, This combined style has become a trademark of the system. Master Hung passed down the system Luk Ah Choy, Master Luk Ah Choy passed down the system to Wong Tai and he passed down to Wong Kei Yin known as on of the Ten Tigers of Kwantung and Master Wong passed down to his son Wong Fai Hung
Wong Fei Hung is considered by many to have been the premier martial artist of his era. He was a leader in the famous boxer rebellion, and also fought against Japanese invaders. Wong Fei Hung inherited his father's school and taught there until he passed away in the early 1900's. Master Choy Fong Loong was born on November 20, 1896 in Canton, China. Won Fei Hung put Master Choy through many trials before he accepted him. After many years of training and practicing, day and night, Master Choy (master Leturia's adoptive father and teacher) mastered the Hung Gar system as taught by grandmaster Wong Fei Hung and passed it down to his adopted son Sifu Ricardo Leturia who is strongly dedicated to keep the system original as it was taught to him.
Is the fundamental aim of Kung Fu. It is not an aggressive form. The main idea is to avoid conflict and it is to be used for protection only. Kung fu is a very complete way of self-defense. It contains grappling, punches, blocks, throws, and kicks (the kicks are not higher than the waist). It is well known for its direct and effective combative applications. In our school we do not encourage our students to train for tournaments. Kung Fu is not a sport. Other martial artists have been known to treat it as a sport. It is strictly created for self-defense, health and character training.
Great for weight loss and toning, you can burn up to 800 calories per workout. By health I do not mean merely being free from illness, but also an ability to eat with relish, to sleep soundly, to work energetically, to think clearly, and to be calm yet alert. By fitness I do not mean just the brute strength to do heavy work, but also the ability to run and jump, to withstand heat, cold or wind in the open, to react speedily, endure hard work, and concentrate for an extended period of time without feeling mental fatigue.
Health and Fitness:
Character Training:
Techniques emphasize practicality and effectiveness over health or aesthetics. Most strikes are intentionally fatal and target vulnerable areas of the body such as the throat, groin, eyes and stomach.
Hung Gar is one of the original kung fu styles from the Shaolin Temple. It is original because we are dedicated to keep the tradition of teaching as close as possible to the way the masters taught 500 years ago. This is a very important commitment for master Leturia, because he is a direct descendent of the original system. There are not many masters with authentic credentials in the WORLD. Hung Gar is also known as Tiger Crane Style, because the tiger and the crane symbolize the unique characteristics of this style. The tiger represents fierceness and a powerful character, which perfectly compliments the crane, who represents agility and swift movements. Hung Gar has strong, versatile hand techniques as well as effective kicks that are applicable to close- range and long-range situations. Hung Gar has a variety of traditional weapons and with practice develops strength and coordination. The beginning and intermediate levels of training provide the student with excellent physical condition as well as overall balance.
What is Kung Fu?
What is Hung Gar?
Hung Gar Shaolin Kung Fu History:
The WingChun system was founded by a woman, Ng Moy, around four hundred years ago. She is one of the most intriguing fighters in Kung Fu's long and colorful history. Ng Moy's Mui Fa Chuan or Plum Flower Fist style is one of the best. Ng Mui was considered the top fighter in her time. Ng Mui formed the Mui Fa Chuan (Plum Flower Fist Style), and also the Mui Fa Jong (Plum Flower Fighting Post).
One night when she was walking she saw a crane fighting a snake. Each time the snake attacked it failed to hurt the crane. The crane seemed very calm and focused. Ng Moy noticed that the crane used very skillful methods to fight the snake. It did not use a lot of energy and was very relaxed. After seeing this, she spent a lot of time modifying her fighting system into a fast, simple, practical, and direct style. Ng Moy taught Yim Win Chun all the new skills she had developed. She taught her three hand forms, the 108 wooden dummy techniques (a form of training that it is used in the absent of an opponent), and a weapon form (a pair of short swords, very easy to handle). he resulting art is known today as Wing Chun. It is a brutal and effective combat system, which stresses economical movements and angular attacks. Yim Wing Chun's system was an entirely new, close-quarter method of combat. Twice as fast as any other system, its main features were economy of movement, directness of action, a unique straight punch, and the famous sticky hands practice, known as "Chi Sau. Many masters have learned the system from the exceptional Chan Wah who became known as the top Chinese Boxer in Canton, in his time. Chan Wah was nicknamed, “Jo Chan Wah"(money exchanger). He had many students one of which was Yip Man. He also trained Grand Master Choy Fong Loong, (after his training with Master Wong Fei Hung), who then passed it down to his adopted son, Master Ricardo Leturia.
Wing Chun Shaolin Kung Fu History:
Master Leturia after many years of practice and studying the systems of Hung Gar and Wing Chun kung fu, he has blend carefully both systems under one curriculum, getting the best characteristics and benefits from this two legendary styles, keeping the systems pure at the same time balancing with each other for your on benefit.
Wing Chun is an explosive, fast, and close fighting combat system, great for self-defense, coordination, strength, weight loss, stress release, fitness, better reflexes, improves eye focusing ,self discipline, self- confidence, speed and internal power.
Guard the entire body, economy of movement, touch reflexes, and linear striking action. It avoids fighting force with force, trains to use two arms at the same time, and uses pressure points to make striking techniques more effective.
What is Wing Chun?
Our Kung Fu emphasizes moral development as well as physical training, and stresses values like respect and honesty.
We believe in using the least amount of required force in any fighting situation. It believes that small movements, properly timed and correctly positioned, can and should be used to defeat large movements.
Practicality:
Efficiency :
Most attacks take the straightest possible path to the target (usually a straight line). They also tend to attack the opponent’s centerline, an imaginary vertical line bisecting the opponent’s vitals (throat, heart, stomach, and groin).
Economy of Movement :
Balance, Structure and Stance:
Practitioners believe that the person with better balance and body structure will win. A correct stance is like a piece of bamboo, firm but flexible, rooted but yielding. This structure is used to either deflect external forces or redirect them into the ground.
Relaxation:
Softness (via relaxation) and performing techniques in a relaxed manner, is fundamental.
• Tension reduces punching speed and power. Muscles act in pairs in opposition to each other (e.g. biceps and triceps). If the arm is tensed, maximum punching speed cannot be achieved as the biceps will be opposing the extension of the arm. Unnecessary muscle tension wastes energy and causes fatigue.
• Tense, stiff arms are less fluid and sensitive during trapping and chi sao.
• A tense, stiff limb provides an easy handle for an opponent to push or pull with, whereas a relaxed limb provides an opponent less to work with.
• A relaxed, but focused limb, affords the ability to feel “holes” or weaknesses in the opponents structure. With the correct forwarding these “holes” grant a path into attack the opponent.
Kung Fu is an ancient Chinese Martial Art. Its origins go back 1500 years and is considered the mother of all martial arts. Kung Fu is also considered the most beautiful martial art because of its graceful movements. It is defensive, not aggressive, and is constantly in motion, unlike other linear martial arts. It creates a perfect balance and harmony between mind & body. Kung Fu means hard work and with hard work you can become a stronger, healthier, and more accomplished individual. Discipline, practice, and commitment lead to a result well worth having. There are many paths to healthy growth. Kung Fu may be found in all of them. Our specialty is in the quality of service you will receive from a professional and traditional master who is dedicated to help others learn this fascinating art.
As the Chinese proverb states,A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
