Manchester University
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WKA

The University of Manchester Kung Fu and Chinese Kickboxing club

Introduction

This website has been designed to show students who are thinking about learning a martial art, but are unsure about what lessons will be like, a chance to see what training is like before they step into the hall.

A common misconception is that students are thrown into a ring on their first lesson and made to fight. This is of course completely untrue. Beginners are kept together and are taught in a friendly atmosphere by trained instructors who have had years of experience.

There is no fighting at our university training sessions. Sparring sessions are held every 3 weeks at the club in Chorlton. These sessions are optional but it is advised that you go to sparring as it will give you a chance to refine the techniques you learn in lessons.  Sparring isn't fighting, there are no winners, no knockouts and nobody will use you as cannon fodder!

Here at Manchester

Manchester University Kung fu is taught by members of North West Chinese Kickboxing association. We learn both western chinese kickboxing and Lau Gar style Kung Fu. In the first year, members learn primarily kickboxing with Chris, Alan, Lee and Dominic. This teaches students about basic stances, coordination, it conditions the students' hands and feet and also massively increases fitness. Throughout the year, Chris also teaches non syllabus material including ground work, arm, wrist and leg locks as well as some kung fu elements.

From the second year, students are taught by Stuart who continues the kickboxing training as well as introducing kung fu, including forms, stances and techniques. Later on in the second year, students are introduced to some of the traditional weapons of Lau Gar including the broad sword and staff.

Origins of Kung Fu

The words Kung fu have be translated as "skilled achievement", "hard work", "skill", amongst others.  There exists many styles of kung fu originating from across China.  The southern Chinese kung fu systems have evolved into 5 main styles being:

Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Choy Gar, Li Gar, and Mok Gar. 

The suffix Gar simply means "family".  The style learned at this club is Lau Gar.The now acknowledged founder of this style was a stick fighter and tiger hunter called Lau Sarm Ngau (Three eyed Lau).  He was so called because of a scar on his forehead that looked like a third eye.Lau Sarm Ngau learned the fighting arts from a monk on retreat from the Kuei Ling Temple located on "Bac Pye Saan" in Kong Sai Province.

 

Initially Lau Gar was a "closed" style, only taught to the master's family. 

Yau Luk Sau

 In the late 19th century, a man called Yau Luk Sau decided to learn Kung Fu and at the age of only 13, left his home in Kowloon and travelled to Kong Sai provence where he trained for 9 years under Master Tang Hoi Ching before being allowed to teach the art independently of his master.  Yau Luk Sau then continued training for another 6 years with Master Wan Goon Wing.  He then returned to Kowloon where he taught only his family members before opening his club to the public.  It was at this time that his grandson Jeremy Yau started learning at the age of 6.  His training continued 4 hours a night, 363 days a year for 15 years.  Master Yau brought Lau Gar to the UK in 1961.

 

In the early 1980's a Young Chris Boughey began his training under Master Yau. Lau Gar is based on the 5 animals.  These are the Tiger, Crane, Leopard, Snake and Dragon.  Each animal represents a different style of attack/defence.  For example the snake style uses sharp focussed strikes to soft tissue and weak points.  The crane however has no attacking motions, instead it counter attacks using redirection and sidestepping to avoid attacks.  The 5 animals areadvanced techniques and are taught to higher sash puplils.

Crane

Dragon

Leopard

Snake

Tiger

 
Designed by Chris Pickford © 2007