Hong-Gia La Phu Son

Hong-Gia, originally called Hong-Gia La Phu Son, means “the family of all Taoists’ Kung Fu from the monastery at Laufaushan”.  Laufaushan is a mountain in the “New Territories” of China, about fifteen miles NE of Kowloon and Hong Kong.  Although in Chinese the name is very similar to Hung Gar, the Shaolin style, the characters are different, and so is the style.  Hong-Gia can be traced back to the original Taoist calisthenics and great effort has been gone through to ensure that the original keys, secrets, and techniques were preserved and taught as they were in the monastery.

These original exercises were believed to have developed into Wu Chi, the progenitor of Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Pa Kua.  The current instructors strive to teach the same keys and techniques as the originators, but have broken the style into several areas of focus to help the student absorb the complex keys one part at a time, building upon the rest.  Each of these areas of focus can be used by themselves as a complete self defense system, to enhance other styles, or complete the entire training in Hong-Gia.

The areas of focus are: Wu Chi, to develop, store and move chi (life energy) through Chi Kung, breathing, meditation, and body movement, for health, power, and self defense; Hong-Gia Kung Fu to develop strength and a damage resistant internal and external body (much like Iron Shirt) through Nei Kung (tendon development exercises), body positioning, fighting techniques, breathing, and thought patterns; Nga Mi (beautiful) eyebrow, like Hong-Gia Kung Fu, but designed for women to take advantage of the fact that they have strength in their hips, not their shoulders and to utilize their lower center of gravity, accomplished through forms and modified Nei Kung and Chi Kung; and Three Cranes, used to get students to utilize their full power and efficient body movements in the shortest possible time through Crane fighting techniques and Chi Kung. 

Hong-Gia is a true internal style.  It is neither a hard or soft style, but might be called “firm”.  It is neither passive nor aggressive, but might be better termed “blending with the opponent”. The whole focus of the style is to get as much speed, power, and strength form as little body movement and exertion as possible.  The idea is to let the body do the fighting while the conscious mind gathers information and directs energy.  The advanced students learn healing techniques that can be used on themselves or others; following the ancient precept that a Kung Fu student must be able to fix anything they break, if possible.

All students are lectured on the importance of all life and that this style should be learned for personal strength, health, and bodily efficiency, and not to hurt others.  The current Grand Master, Ly Hong Thai is not only known as one of the greatest martial artists in the world, he is also known for helping and supporting Asian communities in times of crisis and disaster.

The picture below is of the Great Grandmaster Nam Hai Chan Nhan.

The picture below is of 2nd Generation Grandmaster Ly Hong Thai. He was made current Grandmaster by the former Grandmaster, his father 1st Generation Grandmaster Nam Hai Chan Nhan upon his retirement.