At Cardiff Kung Fu Academy the first system we teach is Lau Gar, or Lau family boxing – a Southern Shaolin Kung Fu system that consists of 2 empty hand forms and a pole form.
Lau Gar 1
Lau Gar 1 is the first form you’ll learn at Cardiff Kung Fu Academy and takes approximately 1 year to learn following our syllabus. The form teaches low stances, moving between those stances, animal striking hands and simultaneous foot and hand strikes.
There are also Chin Na (joint locking) and takedown techniques in the form which serves as a great introduction to these elements of Kung Fu.
Lau Gar Pole
Long weapons are one of the four categories of weapons in Kung Fu. The second form you’ll learn at Cardiff Kung Fu Academy is Lau Gar Pole. This is an 8 foot pole form and will take another 12 months to learn.
This pole form contains beautiful fluid movements that teaches the student how to generate a lot of power in the stick. Mastering this form is no easy task but teaches a lot about moving and fighting with a long weapon.
Lau Gar 2
In year 3 at Cardiff Kung Fu Academy you’ll learn the second Lau family empty hand form – Lau Gar 2. This form contains many fluid movements and gives the student an introduction to the principles of internal power.
The student is also introduced to new techniques in this form such as Rope Pulling Punches and Wood Punches. Although similar in duration to it’s predecessor, this form is more technical and requires a higher level of skill from the student.
Butterfly Knives
In year 4 students move onto the Butterfly Knives. Although not strictly from the Lau family set, we have added the Butterfly Knives from our Hung Kuen system into our syllabus. We have done this to enrich the syllabus and allow the student to make it up to Black Sash level by the end of 4 years of training.
The Butterfly Knives form is a great challenge to master as it is the student’s first experience with both bladed weapons and double weapons. The form features both attacking and defensive movements. A high degree of balance and coordination is also required to perform the system effectively.
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If you’d like to try Kung Fu to see if it is right for you, fill in the form opposite or click the link below to book your trial…