Chow
Ka kung fu is not a freestyle nor invented style of martial art. Instead, Chow Ka uses
the techniques, training methods and philosophies that were originally practiced in
the Shaolin Temples.
Historically, the Shaolin Temples have never focused on any one style. The Shaolin Temples were places
that collected, revised, developed, and taught martial arts - much like a university. Over
the centuries, Shaolin has both influenced and been influenced by the development of martial arts
all over China.
Early Shaolin styles such as Loe Hon Keun (Immortal/Enlightened Monk Fist) are said to have
originated in the Temples. Whilst the five animal styles are said to have been imported by
Shaolin monks who travelled throughout China, collecting new techniques from outsiders.
As the Shaolin Temple's reputation grew, many retired generals were attracted to teach and
develop their knowledge of kung fu in the Temples. At the same time, many monks left the
Temple to teach kung fu to outsiders.
As
the amount knowledge in the Shaolin Temples was far too great for a single person to master,
monks would only specialise in a few areas. Outsiders who learnt from monks were not just
limited by what the monk knew or was prepared to teach, but by the practical limitations of
work and family commitments.
Therefore, Shaolin kung fu taught outside the Temples became personalised by the specialisations of
the monk and the limitations of their student. In recognition of this personalisation,
kung fu schools opened by non-monks were usually named after themselves or in
honour of another.
Chow Ka (Jow Ga or Zhou Jia) Kung Fu was named after its founders: Chow Loong, Chow Bil,
Chow Hip, Chow Hoy and Chow Tien. Initially Chow Loong (and later his brothers) combined
what they believed to be the strongest elements of Shaolin kung fu. They included the stances
of Hung Ga (Southern Shaolin kung fu passed on by the Hung family), the handwork of Choy Ga
(Southern Shaolin kung fu passed on by the Choy family) and kicking from Buk Siu Lum (Northern
Shaolin kung fu).
When Chow Loong and his brothers opened their first school it was named after the
Chinese virtue 'Yun Yee', meaning Benevolence and Justice. Later their students honoured
their masters by continuing the school under the name of Chow Ka.
Today,
there are numerous Shaolin kung fu schools, including Hung Gar (Ga or Ka), Fut Gar, Choy Li Fut, Choy Gar,
Hop Gar, etc. As they are all Shaolin, they all have the similar training methods, theories and techniques.
Almost all will teach the basic Shaolin stances, strikes and animal forms. Some schools have developed
to specialise in a particular animal style.
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