Lam Ga Hung Kuen School of Athens

ame the abbot of Southern Shaolin temple and trained many people in the art of shaolin gung fu, including non-budhist monks who were known as shaolin layman disciples. It is also said that Gee Seen supported the anti-ching movement and took part in the activities to overthrow the Manchu government. According to the legend it was during this time when a young patriot named Hung Hei Goon took refuge at the Southern Shaolin Temple to hide from the Manchu officials. Legend has it that Hung Hei Goon trained under Gee Seen Sim See and eventually became his top disciple. Hung Hei Goon is widely considered as the founder of Hung Gar. Hung Hei Goon disliked the Ch'ing rule like many other Chinese and spent most of his life fighting to over throw the Ch'ing and restore the Ming. Hung's real surname was Jyu,however due to being one of the most wanted rebels of his time, he later changed his name to Hung to hide his real identity from the Ch'ing government. He chose the name Hung as a tribute to the first Ming Emperor Hung Mo(Hong Wu) who is widely considered as one of the best, if not the best emperor in the history of China. The Ch'ing government well aware of what was happening at the Southern Shaolin temple, felt threatened by shaolin temple and its activities. They planed a full scale attack and send imperial troops to destroy the temple and kill all the monks and rebels. The monks were out numbered largely and did not stand a chance against the army, the Shaolin temple was burned down to the ground. Hung Hei Goon and Gee Sim, Luk Ah Choy as well as some others managed to survive the attack and fled to the southern parts of China. These man swore to spread the art of shaolin and fight to "overthrow the Chi'ng, restore the Ming". At the time Gung fu training was banned by the Manchus. So Hung Hei Goon taught his art secretly at the Big Buddha Temple in Kwungtung, southern China. Once the ban was lifted, he began teaching openly and set up a school in Fa city of Kwungtung province. He named his art Hung Gar Kuen (Hung family Fist), mainly to hide its shaolin connections from the Manchus. Hung Gar gung fu is a complete system of Chinese martial arts known for its powerfull no-nonsense fighting and tremendous health benefits. One of the most illustrious and respected system of Chinese Martial arts, traditional Hung Gar training is quiet demanding and requires a great deal of dedication, patience and above all hard work. In order to learn, understand and become truly proficient in this powerful art, one must poses certain qualities and be prepared to go through extremely rigorous training. However, dont be disheartened. Hung Gar offers tremendous benefits and can be learnt by anyone regardless of ones race, religon, age, sex or physical ability. Hung Gar incorporates both external and internal methods. Although Hung Gar is classified as an hard external style by most, Hung Gar gung fu puts as much emphasis on internal energy training as any known internal style of Chinese martial arts. Hung Gar training contains many different hand, weapon and two man sets. It encompasses the principles, philosophy and techniques of the five animals, five elements, 12 bridges, internal energy training, unique use of sounds and emotions as well as many other important aspects. Each form/set teaches different key principles and skills, trains the student physically, mentally and spiritually. Every move in these cleverly devised sets/forms serves a purpose and has a meaning. More one practices and deeper one looks, more one will unfold and understand.