The beginnings of Kung Fu (Hard Work) probably started long before history was recorded. Since martial arts techniques (or Wu Shu to use its correct term) first developed in very ancient times, they gradually became part of Chinese culture. The philosophy of these fighting arts has in turn been influenced by other elements of Chinese culture, most notably Taoism and Buddhism.

Legend has it that Ta Mo, the Buddhist Monk, came to China from India around 520 A.D and began teaching at the Shaolin temple in Henan. His pupils apparently, were weak and sickly. They couldn't concentrate, they fell asleep during meditation, and emaciated themselves by fasting, so Ta Mo (or Bodhidharma as he was known in India) developed a cure. He instituted a programme of regular exercise at the monastery. The 18 exercises he devised, along with other still more ancient Chinese breathing and medical disciplines, became the foundation of the combat art we now call Kung Fu (a general term associated with Chinese boxing).

During the revolutionary period between the Sui Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty, (621 A.D.), King Li Shi-Ming was assisted in a serious battle by Shaolin monks. Later, Li Shi-Ming became the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), and he rewarded the Shaolin Temple with land. He also permitted the Temple to own and train its own soldiers in order to protect the wealthy property of the Shaolin Temple from bandits.

For nearly three hundred years, the Shaolin Temple legally owned its own martial arts training organization. During the Song Dynasty (960-1278 A.D.), one of the most famous Shaolin martial monks, Kwok Yuen travelled around the country in order to learn and to absorb martial skill back into the temple. He is credited with expanding the existing techniques into the method of the Five Fist (Animal) Forms.

Later, when Manchuria took over China and became the Ching Dynasty, in order to prevent the people from rebelling, martial arts training was forbidden for a long period of time (1644-1911 A.D.). The Shaolin accomplishments appeared for the first time to be seriously threatened. The monks had built up close ties with the rulers of the preceding Ming Dynasty, and now the ousted rulers took up residence at the temple plotting revolution. The Ching armies invaded, destroyed the temple, and did their best to kill the line of warrior monks.

According to legend only five of the monks escaped taking with them the secrets of the Shaolin art. They fled to the southern cities and taught their knowledge to the general public. This formed the basis of many of the hundreds of styles of Kung Fu that exist today. Southern Siu Lum (Cantonese for Shaolin) later migrated to Okinawa as Shorin (Shaolin) Karate. The Ching Dynasty fell in 1911 after the revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen. In 1928, during the Chinese Civil War period, there was a battle in the area of the Shaolin Temple and the temple was burned. Only in recent years has it been restored and become an area where Wu Shu is practiced.

Training

This style has been given the name Siu Lum Gar (Cantonese for Shaolin Family). It has allowed the choice of many different techniques, from different Shaolin styles, to ultimately benefit the students. People have different body types, and must be treated as individuals. The Cantonese spelling is in reference to a more southern based system with emphasis on strong, deep stances and powerful hand techniques.

The self-defence movements of Siu Lum Gar Kung Fu resemble those of various animals, using circular soft movements in addition to straight thrusts and powerful strikes. The word Siu Lum means "Young Forest". A young tree has resilience, its limbs can give with a strong wind and rebound with force. This is the essence of the art. Kung Fu does not advocate meeting the opponents force with force. Its basic philosophy emphasises the ideal of giving with the adversary, to bend slightly and spring back stronger than before.

During your Kung Fu training with Siu Lum Gar you will be taught a background of self defence techniques. Two Person sets will develop accuracy and timing. Forms help to achieve correct skill moving in many directions. Free sparring practice develops an ability to improvise against an opponent. Weapons extend the power of the body and add another level of skill.

The style has chosen to incorporate five distinctive animal forms, each emphasising a particular physical and mental aspect of Kung Fu. In order of teaching these are the dragon, tiger, monkey, snake and crane. Empty hand forms are also complemented with weapons training including twin sticks, staff, broadsword, double daggers, spear and kwando.

We train & compete to the following competition rules:-