Hung Gar

      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. Ten years later he opened a school in Fa City, naming it Hung Gar boxing in order to conceal its kung fu origins from the Ching Government, (at that time the Ching Government were chasing all the Hung Gar Shaolin Kung Fu practitioners to kill them.), and to mobilize the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Hung-Mo Chu, whose line was ended when Ching government took power.
     Master Hung then met Fong Wing Chun, his future bride. This lady was famous for her Kung Fu Crane style, which she learned from her uncle. According to history, Fong Wing Chun promised that whichever man could defeat her, she would marry. So, by accident Hung Hei Kwun was crossing the village and saw that one of his friends was being fought by Fong Wing Chun. He immediately went to stop the fight. Hung was the man who defeated Fong Wing Chun. She married Hung Hei Kwun and taught him the Crane style of Kung Fu. Hung then combined the Secret Black Tiger Kung Fu, learned exclusively from his master, Cheif abbot Gee Sim, and the Crane Style, creating the most powerful Kung Fu ever. 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.

A native of New Hampshire, Derek Lawrence currently works as an adjunct professor of piano and piano literature at Oklahoma City University. Beginning piano study at age 4, by the age of 18 he was practicing 6-8 hours per day. Derek was originally drawn to Kung Fu to try to further discipline his body and mind and as a way to balance the physical effects of piano practice and performance. Having previously been involved in sports ranging from mountain-bike racing to rock-climbing, the lack of a larger purpose or goal beyond simply getting faster or stronger was frustrating. Kung Fu offered more than just a workout or means of measuring one's strength against another; it offered a way of physically and mentally disciplining one's life. Competition remained within oneself. Kung Fu as it seldom leads to a greater understanding of one's own skill and weakness. In Kung Fu Derek found out through the teachings of his kung fu master, that beating someone else is not the goal; rather knowing oneself; mastering oneself; and thereby transcending the need to prove anything to anyone else. Derek has improved highly in his training, his kung fu master has recently promoted him as a Si Dai , which means younger brother (assistant instructor), he teaches kids class and is doing very well, as helps to teach with the adults kung fu.

A native of Oklahoma, Senior Instructor Curtis Fletcher, art has always come naturally for and as a child he became interested in music. He soon mastered the guitar and began his journey into the world of being a band member. The knowledge gained catapulted his ability as a tattoo artist forward, 10 fold.
His interest spurred by his love of martial arts. This passion he had it since he was very young, but circumstance made it unapproachable for him, until by the destiny of live, he met the one who was going to teach him the arts of kung fu. He began learning martial arts many years ago and developed a special bond with his master Ricky Leturia. Subsequently, he had the opportunity to grow and learn as a martial artist and eventually ended up as a co-owner of Shaolin Studios as well as a senior instructor of Hung Gar Shaolin Kung Fu.
Teaching kids and adults classes. He found it fascinated the fact that the Kung Fu enabled him to apply discipline to his life in general, becoming a distinguished professional and human being.

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.

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.

A native of Oklahoma ,When he was 12 years old, stated his passion for the martial arts, and started training with Okinawan Kenpo-Karate and Okinawan Kobudo. then after many years of training started teaching karate at the age of 17 years old.He found always facsinating the Chinese Martial Arts, until he found master Leturias Martial Arts, and sow a gran oportunity to start learning this martial arts. And he started learning Hung Gar and Tai Chi with master Leturia at the age of 21 (about four years ago). In between his education , found always time to dadicate himself to the martial arts, and have a Bachelor of Arts degree in both English Literature and Philosophy. Right now working at a textbook company.

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. The elite group was all originally Kung Fu practitioners but each wanted to improve on their own personal style. They completely revamped and renamed their original style. Ng Mui formed the Mui Fa Chuan (Plum Flower Fist Style), and also the Mui Fa Jong (Plum Flower Fighting Post). The Mui Fa Chuan form from Ng Mui was too complicated and placed too much emphasis on power techniques and strong horse stances. Knowing that she could not develop enough power to match a larger and more powerful adversary, she wanted to develop a style that would best suit her. She was looking for the most simple and efficient means of defending herself.
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.

A Native of Shawnee Oklahoma, June 23 1975
From a very young age he found martial arts fascinating. There was always a mystical draw to them for him. He spent much of my youth in Karate and Tae Kwon Do schools, searching for what I felt was true Martial Arts, Even dabbling into Aikido and Jujitsu. While he firmly believes that all Martial Arts are amazing and in there own way equal to one another, these former arts just didn't suit him. That all changed, the day when he entered Master Leturia's school. William had always wanted to study Kung-fu and finally found somewhere close enough. Sifu looked at me and said "You need to study Wing-Chun". Even though the school teaches three disciplines, He knew before I did which one was right for me.
He was correct. My first night at school I knew that was where I belonged, William said, Then He knew he had finally found the right path for himself. William says,” Three years later I still love every minute of it." Kung-Fu has instilled a sense of confidence he never knew he had. William mentions what he felt from other people perspectives. People can sense it, my friends, and my family, perfect strangers. He often fined it humorous how an art based on fighting can bring such peace to one's life. Once a dear friend of him asked “What are you passionate about?” At the time he said, I muddled through the answer because I wasn't passionate about anything, not really. I hope one day they ask me again, because my answer would be clear, Kung-Fu.
And now he is improving his skills , training under Master Leturia's the system of Hung Gar. He has become Si Hin or older brother (senior instructor),

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.

Beginner (no sash)
1- Hung Wing Chun Stances Shadow Walking Exercise
2- Wing Chun Punches
3- Hung Punches

Purple Sash
1- WC Eight Basic Punches
2- Hung Punches
3- 1000 Kicks (exercises first part)
4- 3 Basic Self-defense

Purple Sash 1st Degree

1- Hung Eight direction blocks
2- 1000 Kicks (exercise second part)
3- Hung minor form 15 direction punches
4- 3 basic self-defense

White Sash
1- Wing Eight direction blocks
2- 5 elbows and 5 blocks
3- Basic two men set
4- 1000 kicks (exercise third part)
5- Drills WC

White Sash 1st Degree
1- Hung Eight directions six blocks
2- Hung minor form 26 directions Fist
3 Drills

Orange Sash
1- WC Eight directios 8 blocks
2- WC form Siu Lim Tao

Orange 1st Degree Sash
1- HG minor form the Golden Fist
2- 6 basic punches (8directions)
3- Two men set from the Golden Fist

Gold Sash
1- Single hand Chi Sau 10 exercise
2- WC drills
3- HG drills

Gold 1st Degree
1- Monkey King Staff Hao Jie Gwun
2- Monkey King 2 men set

Green Sash
1- Minor Form 36 Blows of Hung
2- HG 8 directons 6 blocks
3- Two men person from the form

Green Sash 1st Degree
1- Hung 5 Sons 8 Trigrams staff set
2- Two men set from the form

Blue Sash
1- WC Eight directions blocks
2- WC form Cham Kui

Red Sash
1- HG form Sap Tao Hung or Kung Ji Fook Fu Kuen
2- HG Eight directions from the form
3- Two men set from the form

Brown Sash
1- HG Broadsword from or Pek Kwan Darn Do
2- Two men set from the from

Black Sash
1- HG form Tiger and Crane
2- Hung and Wing Chun Wooden Dummy Muk Yang Jong

Black Sash 1st degree
1- HG Kwan Dao
2- HG Butterfly Swords (ba chan dao)
3- Double Hand Chi Sau

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.

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

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.

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.