Lau Gar (Traditional Chinese: 劉家; pinyin: Liú Jiā; Yale Cantonese: Lau4 Ga1; literally "Lau Family") is one of the five major family styles of Southern Chinese martial arts and is attributed to Lau Sam-Ngan (劉三眼; pinyin: Liú Sānyǎn; Yale Cantonese: Lau4 Saam1 Ngaan5; literally "Three Eyed" Lau), who is said to have been taught by Jee Sin. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), commonly called Pinyin, is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... The Yale romanizations are four systems created during World War II for use by United States military personnel. ... In Southern Chinese folklore, the Five Elders (Chinese: 五祖; Pinyin: ; Yale Cantonese: ng5 jou2) are survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Monastery by the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). ... Hanyu Pinyin (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ), commonly called Pinyin, is the most common variant of Standard Mandarin romanization system in use. ... The Yale romanizations are four systems created during World War II for use by United States military personnel. ... Jee Sin Sim See (Chinese: 至善禪師; pinyin: Zhì Shàn Chán ShÄ«; Yale Cantonese: Ji3 Sin6 Sim3 Si1; literally Jee Sin, Chan teacher) is said to have been one of the legendary Five Elders—in Chinese folklore, the five survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Temple by the Qing...

There are three different branches of Lau Gar:

• The Lau Gar Kuen system headed by Master Jeremy Yau Kam-Wha of Birmingham, England, head of the British Kung Fu Association, who has several disciples and students teaching throughout the United Kingdom where there are currently over 120 clubs. Master Yau brought the style to Britain in 1961, and in 1973 the British Kung Fu Association was set up.

Master Yau's Lau Gar incoporates a grading system based on coloured sashes, similar to Karate with White being the lowest and black the highest (there are six levels of black sash). These are white, blue, orange, green, yellow, purple, brown and then black. However unlike Karate, the white belt is only awarded after the first grading. The style features mid-height strong stances, many open-hand close-range techniques, and several kicks, few of which are above the waist, most aimed at waist height. Birmingham (pron. ... Karate ) ( ) or karate-dō ) is a martial art that developed from a synthesis of indigenous Ryukyuan fighting methods and Chinese kempo [1]. Karate originally meant Te, or hand, i. ...

• The Lau Gar found in Mainland China, the current recognised Master of which is Xiao Yong Ding (Siu Wing Ding in Cantonese) of Guangdong Province.

• The Lau Gar routines found in certain branches of Hung Gar, another of the five major family styles, which do not come from Lau Gar proper (see discussion), but were originally a Mok Gar empty-hand routine (Lau Gar Kuen 劉家拳) introduced into the curriculum by a student of Lam Sai-Wing named Lau and a Chu/Chow Gar Mantis staff routine (Lau Gar Gwan 劉家棍) introduced into the curriculum by a student of the Chu/Chow Gar Mantis master Lau Shui, after whom the routine was named.

... Hung Gar, also known as Hung Kuen or Hung Ga, is a southern Chinese martial art associated with the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung, who was a master of Hung Gar. ... For the Northern Chinese self-defence technique from Shandong, see Northern Praying Mantis (martial art). ... For other uses of the word staff, see staff. ... Gun event at the 10th All China Games The Chinese word Gun (Chinese: ; pinyin: gùn) refers to a long Chinese staff weapon used in Chinese martial arts. ...

External link

• British Kung Fu Association
• Stafford School of Lau Gar
• Watford School of Lau Gar

There are now 20 guardians of Lau Gar Jun in the British Kung Fu association. (The Grade to be known as Guardian of Lau Gar has been awarded to the Senior Instructors of the British Kung Fu Association whom have been training for a minimum of 20 years and attained the grade of 4th Degree Black Sash, and during that time selflessly contributed to the running and success of the British Kung Fu Association. It was first awarded in October 2000.)

Who are the Guardians of Lau Gar?

 John Russell Neville Wray Stewart Hunt Jason Crabtree Pete Hornby Andrew Nation Morag Quirk Keith Thomas Carl Jones Steve Newby Graham Abdulla Mike Lavender Rajko Dokic Alan Neeld Clive Thompson Andy Phillips Steve Burton Stuart Agars Alec Clark Alex Barrowman Bobby O Neill 

(Bobby O Neill is the first Irish Guardian)