Choy Gar (Choi Ka, Cai Ga)
Founded by: Choy Gau Yee
Choy Gar was created by Cai Bai Da (Choy Pa Da), and Founded by Choy Gau Yee of Gau Yu, in Guangdong Province. It is one of
the Five Family Systems, famous in Southern China. The style was spread and further developed by Choy Gau Yee’s students and
by his five sons; Choy Lung, Choy Fu, Choy Pao, Choy Hung, and Choy Biu. The main proponent of the system was Choy Gau
Yee’s best student, Leung Bok Chao, of Zhao Quing. Generations later, Choy Fook (may be Choy Fu) taught the system to Chan
Hueng, who incorporated it into Choy-Li-Fut. Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, 1700-1800, Choy Gar became what it is today.

The Essence of Choy Gar Kung Fu

Choy Gar practices low stances and swift footwork, like that of a Rat. The body and arms are meant to resemble the quick attacking
movements of the snake. Practitioners of Choy Gar respect the traditions and morals of their art. To them, training in Choy Gar, is an
education towards better character and morals in their daily life.

Choy Gar is based on short, rhythmic techniques; which minimizes the area an opponent can attack, which in turn becomes an
effective self defense. The short, fast leg techniques, combined with the low stances, give an opponent a smaller area of attack, and
provide a more secure defense. Choy Gar also has a preference for diagonal kicks. Choy Gar’s 5-Animals emphasis is derived
primarily from the Dragon.

Training in Choy Gar

You begin by building up a good physique. Stamina, strength, and flexibility training are combined with stretching and basic
techniques. In Choy Gar, strong legs are a necessity for performing the techniques correctly and lower body strength is the
foundation of Choy Gar. Therefore, the training is performed in the postures Pen Kai Ma (kneeling horse) or Sam Ko Ma (horse of
the three angles) to increase leg strength. This is the basic foundation for creating effective movements, abilities, and actions of the
body. With continuous practice, using low stances and power in the techniques, Choy Gar practitioners also begin to develop their
inner strength.

The basic techniques (punches, kicks, and blocks) are put together into different form combinations. The first form consists of very
basic techniques, which are studied during the first months of training. Mental training is a vita aspect of Choy Gar, since you are
constantly being put into situations important to physical and mental development. Light sparring is used, to exercise defense &
reaction mechanisms. This takes two forms; 1-on-1 sparring and; standing against a wall, which forces one to come up with strategies,
because of the awkward position, without having the option to back away. With time you are taught all 18 Traditional weapons of
Shaolin (staff and sword forms are taught first). These forms are part of the traditional kung fu training and are meant to heighten the
feeling for the form of art you are practicing.

Choy Gar techniques, forms and philosophy have passed to form part of styles like the Chow Ka, Jow Ka, Choy Lei Fat and Wing
Chung.
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© 2005, Red Mantis’ Southern Five Kung Fu Association


"Portions of the information has been provided with the cooperation of The Choy Gar Kung Fu Club - www.choygar.com".