Choy Gar, also Caijia Quan, is a Chinese martial art deriving its name from the Cantonese-born founder, Choy Gau Lee , and is one of the five main family styles of Kung Fu in Southern China. It was taught to him by a monk named Yi Guan. This style, founded in the 17th century, is a combination of rat and snake styles emphasizing on swift footwork and rapid strikes.
The Style
Choy gar is a self-defense style that practices low stances and swift footwork. The body and arms are meant to resemble the quick attacking movements of the snake. Unlike the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu styles which have wider, more open techniques, Choy Gar's short and swift movements are better suited for the crowded alleys and streets of densely populatedsouthern China. The low stance and power in the techniques will in time develop an inner strength within the practitioner. This is the basic foundation for creating effective movements, abilities and actions of the body.
Training
One begins by building up physique in a good way. Stamina, strength and flexibility workout is combined with stretching and basic techniques. Training is performed in a low stance to increase the leg strength. In the Choy style, strong legs are a necessity for performing the techniques in a correct manner. Lower body strength is the foundation of Choy. The basic techniques are put together into different form combinations. One learns the forms in two versions - to the sides and to the front - and are required to execute it against the Sifu at a certain pace and without any stalls. All the various techniques of Choy Gar can be found in the following forms:
Choy Gar Forms
"The first dance"
4 Combinations
Choy Wi Poo
Chi Poo
Suilan
Sikwa
Swine Dance
Staff Form
Sword Form
Ta Shon
Choy Gar kung fu is based on short and rhythmic techniques which minimizes the area the opponent can attack which in turn becomes an effective self-defense.
Some routines and theories
, , , Do not argue with extended arm - 不可以力争衡 Best to attack the side door - 所以着重偏门攻击
