Lau Gar Kung Fu is a traditional Southern Chinese self-defence system, based on the defensive movements of several animals, as originally taught to the monks of the Shaolin Temples. Many of the systems of Kung Fu which exist today can be traced back to the Five Animals Fist Form practiced there. The Southern systems of Kung Fu were refined into 5 major styles: Hung, Lau, Choy, Li and Mok, named after their originators, the suffix "Gar" meaning style, way or method. The master acknowledged as founder of Lau Gar (sometimes pronounced Liu Jia, depending on the dialect being used) was a stick fighter and tiger hunter called Lau Sarm Ngau (or Liu San Yan). The name means "Three-eyed Lau", for Master Lau had a deep scar in the centre of his forehead, which looked from a distance like a third eye. Master Lau learned the fighting arts at the Kuei Ling Temple, which was also the birthplace of the Hung family style (you may have heard of Hung Gar Kung Fu, in many ways a style similar to Lau Gar). The origins of the style can, therefore, be considered to be closely linked with those of Hung Gar. The forms, or sets, of Lau Gar are based on the five original animal styles of Shaolin Kung Fu, often referred to as the 'five ancestors'. These are: the tiger, crane, dragon, snake and leopard. There is a strong emphasis on tiger forms, for strength and external power, and crane forms, for balance and agility.                                                

Initially Lau Gar was a "closed" style, only taught to the master's family. There are very few sets in the Lau Gar syllabus, since Master Lau put heavy emphasis on there being no substitute for sparring practice, and so the style fell from favour during the period when martial arts training was banned in China as there were so few elements of the syllabus which could be practised as a simple "exercise" routine. Today it is almost impossible to find a teacher in China who teaches only Lau Gar, as the sets of Lau Gar were incorporated long ago into the Hung Gar syllabus. However, towards the end of the last century, a man called Yau Luk Sau had the desire to learn Kung Fu. At the age of thirteen, he left his home, in Kowloon, and travelled to Kai Sai Province, where he trained under Master Tang Hoi Ching. After nine years had passed, he was given the right to teach independent of Master Tang. Yau Luk Sau subsequently met Master Wan Goon Wing, with whom he continued his studies for a further six years. The present holder of the style is Master Yau, who is the grandson of Yau Luk Sau. Master Yau brought the style from China to Britain in 1961. Since then, the style has become extremely popular, and has spread throughout Britain and Ireland.

Commencing his own training in 1975, Sifu Geoff Rennison gained his 1st Degree Black Sash in 1983. He then developed the system into evidence-based learning programmes which allowed it to be recognised and consequently accepted by schools, colleges and universities as part of their curriculum. The benefits for martial arts has proved that it both improved professional standards for instructors and informed the student of the style/discipline being taught by each martial arts school. This proved to be unique in how martial/fighting arts were being taught throughout the UK taking it into the 21st Century.

Identifying the 'barriers to learning' within martial arts the OSA has addressed these issues by adopting a systematic approach to learning. By being very accessible with good communication with many learning tools such as learning DVD's, learning packs, regular courses, a mentorship system, Black Sash School and the Internet to reach out to all who wish to learn martial arts worldwide has allowed the development of a highly professional and effective system for the future.

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Adopting these systems to martial arts allows both the student and instructor to reach their goals. The student develops his/her knowledge and skills and the instructor has the satisfaction of facilitating their full potential and as a result has a student for 'life'.

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