“A strong man controls others. A man who controls himself is truly powerful.”
Lau Gar is a traditional Southern Chinese Kung Fu based on the defensive movements of the five original animal styles of Shaolin. Lau
Sam Ngan, also known as Three-Eyed Lau, is credited as the founder of Lau Gar. Like many Southern Kung Fu styles, Lau Gar Kuen is
considered an external style that emphasize on short-range fighting techniques.
There are very few forms in Lau Gar, due to the fact that the founder Lau Sam Ngan believes that sparring practice is more effective than
forms training. The complete set of Lau Gar contains fist forms, palm forms and weapon forms. Today Lau Gar forms are incorporated into
the Hung Gar system.
There are many kicks and forceful blows in Lau Gar forms that were included in Hung Gar. Stances are very low and very fierce. Hand
techniques come in the form of punches, phoenix eye fist, and palm strikes while leg techniques includes swinging kicks and thrusting
front kicks.
Today it is very difficult to find someone who teaches Lau Gar as a separate system. There were two famous masters that help to keep
Lau Gar alive today. Gordon Liu, a famous Hong Kong actor, and Lau Kar Leung, a famous director in Hong Kong, help keep the art alive
by making movies about Lau Gar.
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