About the Art

Hung Kuen or Hung Gar Kuen “Hung family boxing” is a kung fu system that originates from the southern shaolin temple in Fukien province, dating back to over 300 years ago. Its history begins with the shaolin monk and zen teacher Gee Seen Sim See who taught tiger fist to Hung Hei Goon, who is widely accepted as the founder of the system. The temple was destroyed by the Ching forces (Manchu’s) who saw the monks as a threat to their unpopular rule over the Chinese people.  Some monks and their disciples managed to escape and began to spread Hung Kuen throughout southern china.  Today, Hung Kuen is one of the most popular systems of kung fu throughout the world.
 

Our syllabus will first work through the Lau Gar systems. Lau Gar is a southern kung fu system consisting of two hand sets and a pole form.
 

The first Lau Gar set consists of powerful hand strikes, low kicks and deep stances. One of the main characteristics of this systems is simultaneous hand and foot attacks. The second Lau Gar set focuses more on flowing movements and power generation, building on the foundation of the first Lau Gar set.
 

The final forms in the Lau Gar syllabus are weapon based systems.

The first of these involves the use of a long pole. This system emphasises reach and control. Once students have mastered the pole form they will move on to the butterfly knives. This form uses chopping, slashing and stabbing attacks. The guard is not only used to protect the hand, but also to strike and trap. This system uses a pair of butterfly knives although there are other systems using just a single blade.
 

Other specialised systems and concepts such as grappling, joint locks and quigong will be introduced  as the student progresses.