Hap Ga has been has been among China’s most-effective fighting style for more than 300 years. “Hap Ga gained a reputation in Canton for being a no-nonsense practical style of Gung Fu.”
The roots of Hap Ga date back to the mid-19th century, when Wong Yan Lam brought his Tibetan crane style of Gung Fu to south China. The style gained a reputation in Canton for being a no-nonsense practical style of Gung Fu, because it adheres to a set of specific methods and principles. Continue reading
PHK philosophy is simple: “Learn how to grapple, so you don’t have to.” You might be not interested in grappling, but grappling might be interested in you. You might end up in the clinch, and yes, you might end up on the ground. If you don’t have any clinching and grappling skills, you will.
As many of our colleagues have correctly pointed out, Chinese martial arts didn’t have any grappling in BJJ sense (position > submission), for obvious reasons of the difference between 1 on 1 sport fighting and reality based self-protection. Continue reading
The Hung Ga system is well known for its “Iron bridge hand training”. Traditionally, there are twelve distinct Hung Ga bridge hand methods, each having a different shape, associated technique and mode of practice. The various bridge hand techniques are exemplified in different classical Hung Ga forms (Tit Sin Kyun, Gung Ji Fuk Fu Kyun, etc.). Amongst Hung Ga practitioners, the Twelve Bridges are a continual source of conversation, intrigue and even confusion. Continue reading
“Practical art for todays environment” – that is one of the mottos of our school. One of the aspects of martial arts training is… well, combat. We at PHK use various modes of combative practice, as well as skill testing. Continue reading
![Practical Hung Ga Kyun for Today's World: Interview with Michael Goodwin Sifu [Video]](https://practicalhungkyun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/michael-goodwin-sifu-hung-ga-kyun-san-francisco.jpg)
Usage of 3 basic kicks, rear Ping Cheui analysis, Saan Sau Bin Fa drills, Tit Sin Kyun‘s combat applications, practical usage of 2-man sets, and more and more – I learned so much just in few hours with my Si Hing Michael Goodwin Sifu of The San Francisco Hung Gar Kung Fu Association.
Watch an excellent interview with Michael Goodwin Sifu, my good friend and in my opinion the best non-Chinese Hung Ga Kyun master out there. Throughout the years I have learnt so much from him and I hope I will learn more of his practical skills in the future.
The internet bombards us with all of the different martial arts, each with their unique branding and message. They are all about ‘lifestyles’ and each art or style seems to have an associated ‘lifestyle’, whether Tai Chi, Muay Thai, BJJ, MMA, Krav Maga, Kali or whatever, they all seem very distinct in their culture, approach and message.
A recent article by Rickson Gracie (read HERE) criticises modern MMA. He says it is basically a thug culture, and you would not send your child to MMA, however, BJJ was different because it taught positive values, respect etc. I believe there is some truth in this, but disagree on a number of levels. Continue reading
I will tell you right away: THIS is the book the Chinese martial arts were waiting for. This is the kind that today’s TCMA needs most. This is the bridge from the past to the future. Enter David A. Ross’s latest book – Lion’s Roar San Da: Combined Old and New Methods.
The book answers the commonly asked question: What is better – modern MMA, or traditional martial arts? Spoiler: The answer is yes.
Everybody who has spent some time researching the legends and history of Chinese martial arts knows that ALL (Chinese) martial arts are Jaap Ga, „[mix of] various families“. Just look at today’s Hung Kyun, which was called „Modern Hung Kyun“ (San Hung Kyun) already in Wong Fei Hung’s time: Continue reading
“A Kung Fu renegade cop who travels back in time to kill his Nemesis, Hitler. The film features nazis, dinosaurs, vikings and cheesy one-liners.”
Seriously?
Seriously.
You have to see this. Continue reading
Practical Hung Kyun proudly presents new discovery – rare photo of Grand Master Lam Sai Wing, performing a technique from the famous “Iron Thread Set” (Tit Sin Kyun).
The photo comes from a cover of an old martial arts pulp stories magazine “King of the Martial Arts Stories”, published in 1952. Credit and special thanks to Mr. Ng Hou for sharing the photo. We will restore the photo with the modern photo editing software and share it with all Hung Ga practitioners and researchers. Continue reading
Today’s Hung Ga Kung Fu, also known as “New Hung Kyun” (San Hung Kyun), was signifacantly influenced by another Southern Chinese system, (Tibetan) Hap Ga and its “Long Bridges, Low/Wide Stances” (Cheung Kiu Daai Ma).
Here is a translation of a rare article from an old vintage Hong Kong magazine, telling the story of Wong Yanlam, his mischievous disciple Wong Honwing and their famous “Wing Flap” technique:
Continue reading