Many Chinese martial arts are named after the family or clans that developed them; in fact “Ga” actually translates as “family”, so Jow Ga Kung Fu translates as the Kung Fu of the Jow Family. Jow Ga is also known as Chow Ga, Chau Ka, Zhou Jia, Chou Ga, depending upon the Chinese dialect being used or the spelling of the translation into English (there are several methods used to translate Chinese characters into English phonetics). As you will learn, Jow Ga was developed by combining components of three different Kung Fu styles – Hung Ga, Choy Ga, and Northern Shaolin. Because of this, Jow Ga is sometimes referred to as Hung Tao Choy Mei – “The Head of Hung and Tail of Choy,” making reference to the strong upper body techniques from Hung Ga and the quick footwork and intricate kicking techniques from Choy Ga.
Hung Ga kung fu (Ga means family) is a southern style that was developed for close to medium range defense. This style emphasizes low stances and is especially known for its low horse stance. Kicks are generally low and hand techniques are powerful and direct using the strong stances to deliver formidable blows, namely a tremendous thrust punch. This style also includes the five animal techniques of the leopard, dragon, tiger, crane and snake. This style primarily uses the tiger and crane, hard and soft animal techniques from its Shaolin origins.
Choi Ga Kung fu is also a southern style emphasizes long reaching hands and wide horse stances. The "hang fist", "throw punch", "upper cut", "hammer back fist", "downward whipping fist" and "jab punch" are some typical and effective techniques of the system. This system is an aggressive system that emphasizes long range techniques and blitz attacks. The power is generated from the hips in a rotating fashion. Elusive footwork is also prominent in this system as are grappling, throwing, high and low kicks. Intercepting and jamming are favorite techniques employed.
Northern Shaolin kung fu originated from the Shaolin temple that resided in Northern China before its destruction. The present system of Northern Shaolin specializes in long range fighting techniques. This system maintains that kicks are more effective than hand movement because the legs are longer than the arms thereby keeping the opponent further away. Low stances are not emphasized as they reduce mobility. This style requires constant mobility to be effective.
Jow Ga utilizes these three systems combined into one. To defend one would use strong low stances and hold ground or may rely upon evasion tactics. To attack the Jow Ga practitioner can rely on Choi Ga long reaching arm techniques combined with Northern Shaolin kicks and mobility. This system is suitable for all body types and can tailored to each individual. The student can master techniques most suited to him/her. This style requires hard work and discipline and is physically demanding. There are over twenty traditional hand forms, including tiger-crane, tiger-leopard, and the famous five animal form. Training includes an internal breathing form called Iron Wire Fist, which is used to strengthen muscles, organs and bones. Additionally, there are over eighteen weapons sets including baton, staff, spear, three sectional staff, wind sword, chain whip and double board sword to name a few. In the Jow Ga system, the last weapon you learn is the double edge sword. It is the most revered and respected because its use demands a total knowledge of fluidity to master.
The founder of Jow Ga is Jow Lung who was born in 1891 in the Sa Fu village in the province of Canton, China, where his family were farmers. Jow Lung began learning Hung Ga Kung Fu early in his life from his uncle, Jow Hung, who was widely recognized as a highly skilled fighter throughout Sun Wui County. Jow Lung’s training was difficult, with months spent learning only stances as in the traditional training methods, but he never uttered a single complaint, quickly becoming his uncle’s best student. Seeing Jow Lung as his martial successor, Jow Hung taught him the unique Ba Gua Kwan staff techniques during the last months of Jow Hung’s life, passing on shortly after completing Jow Lung’s training.
After his uncle’s death, Jow Lung traveled to Siu Hing County and studied Choy Ga Kung Fu under Master Choy Kau. Jow Lung mastered Choy Ga Kung Fu in a matter of a few years thanks to his training in Hung Ga, and blended the strength of Hung Ga with the quick footwork of Choy Ga to create a more balanced art.
Times were tough in Sa Fu village, and Jow Lung was having a very difficult time finding work to support his family, so the 19 year old Jow Lung traveled to Malaysia in the hopes of finding work at the mines in Kuala Lumpur. The mines were run by cruel men who would beat and mistreat the workers and were often described as gangsters. During his stay there, Jow Lung got into a fight with one of his bosses, fatally wounding him. Jow Lung fled after the fight, fearing retribution, and after spending several days in the wilderness came upon a small monastery named “Gi Leu.” The Abbot, Chian Yi, offered sanctuary to Jow Lung, but only if he lived in the monastery as a monk would. Recognizing Jow Lung’s talent for Kung Fu, Abbot Chian Yi began teaching him Jow Biu Jow Biu Lee Ngou Lee Ngou Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and medicine. After a few years of such life, Jow Lung finally returned to his home village of Sa-Fu, and combined his Northern Shaolin training with what he had learned from Hung Ga and Choy Ga. There he shared his newly created fighting style with his brothers, Jow Hip, Jow Biu, Jow Hoy, and Jow Tien.
In 1919, Jow Lung became ill, but due to his excellent health he dismissed it and did not seek medical treatment. His duties training the army kept him so busy he hardly got any rest, and his condition worsened, developing into pneumonia. At the young age of 29, Jow Lung died of his illness. After Jow Lung’s death, the Jow family met and elected Jow Biu to lead the Jow Ga style. Jow Biu resigned his position with the military and focused on promoting Jow Ga. After only a year, at least 14 Jow Ga schools were created, and by 1930, the number soared to over eighty schools.
In 1975 - an 18 year old Hing Fai Chan, known by his American name of Sam Chan, emigrated with his family from Hong Kong, China. A disciple of Lee Ngou, Master Chan brought his Jow Ga and love of the martial arts with him. He would often practice outside while attending Ferris State University, attracting quite bit of attention and curious questions. He quickly found himself sharing his knowledge with a handful of eager students.
In 1991 Master Chan made the leap from teaching Kung Fu part time to teaching full time, opening a Kung Fu school and teaching Jow Ga, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, and traditional Jow family Chinese Lion Dance. In 2001 Sifu Chan expanded his Kung Fu school to a new location on South Division, Grand Rapids, Michigan. At our current location, Chan’s Kung Fu School boasts over 10,000 square feet of training facilities.
Hung Ga kung fu (Ga means family) is a southern style that was developed for close to medium range defense. This style emphasizes low stances and is especially known for its low horse stance. Kicks are generally low and hand techniques are powerful and direct using the strong stances to deliver formidable blows, namely a tremendous thrust punch. This style also includes the five animal techniques of the leopard, dragon, tiger, crane and snake. This style primarily uses the tiger and crane, hard and soft animal techniques from its Shaolin origins.
Choi Ga Kung fu is also a southern style emphasizes long reaching hands and wide horse stances. The "hang fist", "throw punch", "upper cut", "hammer back fist", "downward whipping fist" and "jab punch" are some typical and effective techniques of the system. This system is an aggressive system that emphasizes long range techniques and blitz attacks. The power is generated from the hips in a rotating fashion. Elusive footwork is also prominent in this system as are grappling, throwing, high and low kicks. Intercepting and jamming are favorite techniques employed.
Northern Shaolin kung fu originated from the Shaolin temple that resided in Northern China before its destruction. The present system of Northern Shaolin specializes in long range fighting techniques. This system maintains that kicks are more effective than hand movement because the legs are longer than the arms thereby keeping the opponent further away. Low stances are not emphasized as they reduce mobility. This style requires constant mobility to be effective.
Jow Ga utilizes these three systems combined into one. To defend one would use strong low stances and hold ground or may rely upon evasion tactics. To attack the Jow Ga practitioner can rely on Choi Ga long reaching arm techniques combined with Northern Shaolin kicks and mobility. This system is suitable for all body types and can tailored to each individual. The student can master techniques most suited to him/her. This style requires hard work and discipline and is physically demanding. There are over twenty traditional hand forms, including tiger-crane, tiger-leopard, and the famous five animal form. Training includes an internal breathing form called Iron Wire Fist, which is used to strengthen muscles, organs and bones. Additionally, there are over eighteen weapons sets including baton, staff, spear, three sectional staff, wind sword, chain whip and double board sword to name a few. In the Jow Ga system, the last weapon you learn is the double edge sword. It is the most revered and respected because its use demands a total knowledge of fluidity to master.
The founder of Jow Ga is Jow Lung who was born in 1891 in the Sa Fu village in the province of Canton, China, where his family were farmers. Jow Lung began learning Hung Ga Kung Fu early in his life from his uncle, Jow Hung, who was widely recognized as a highly skilled fighter throughout Sun Wui County. Jow Lung’s training was difficult, with months spent learning only stances as in the traditional training methods, but he never uttered a single complaint, quickly becoming his uncle’s best student. Seeing Jow Lung as his martial successor, Jow Hung taught him the unique Ba Gua Kwan staff techniques during the last months of Jow Hung’s life, passing on shortly after completing Jow Lung’s training.
After his uncle’s death, Jow Lung traveled to Siu Hing County and studied Choy Ga Kung Fu under Master Choy Kau. Jow Lung mastered Choy Ga Kung Fu in a matter of a few years thanks to his training in Hung Ga, and blended the strength of Hung Ga with the quick footwork of Choy Ga to create a more balanced art.
Times were tough in Sa Fu village, and Jow Lung was having a very difficult time finding work to support his family, so the 19 year old Jow Lung traveled to Malaysia in the hopes of finding work at the mines in Kuala Lumpur. The mines were run by cruel men who would beat and mistreat the workers and were often described as gangsters. During his stay there, Jow Lung got into a fight with one of his bosses, fatally wounding him. Jow Lung fled after the fight, fearing retribution, and after spending several days in the wilderness came upon a small monastery named “Gi Leu.” The Abbot, Chian Yi, offered sanctuary to Jow Lung, but only if he lived in the monastery as a monk would. Recognizing Jow Lung’s talent for Kung Fu, Abbot Chian Yi began teaching him Jow Biu Jow Biu Lee Ngou Lee Ngou Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and medicine. After a few years of such life, Jow Lung finally returned to his home village of Sa-Fu, and combined his Northern Shaolin training with what he had learned from Hung Ga and Choy Ga. There he shared his newly created fighting style with his brothers, Jow Hip, Jow Biu, Jow Hoy, and Jow Tien.
In 1919, Jow Lung became ill, but due to his excellent health he dismissed it and did not seek medical treatment. His duties training the army kept him so busy he hardly got any rest, and his condition worsened, developing into pneumonia. At the young age of 29, Jow Lung died of his illness. After Jow Lung’s death, the Jow family met and elected Jow Biu to lead the Jow Ga style. Jow Biu resigned his position with the military and focused on promoting Jow Ga. After only a year, at least 14 Jow Ga schools were created, and by 1930, the number soared to over eighty schools.
In 1975 - an 18 year old Hing Fai Chan, known by his American name of Sam Chan, emigrated with his family from Hong Kong, China. A disciple of Lee Ngou, Master Chan brought his Jow Ga and love of the martial arts with him. He would often practice outside while attending Ferris State University, attracting quite bit of attention and curious questions. He quickly found himself sharing his knowledge with a handful of eager students.
In 1991 Master Chan made the leap from teaching Kung Fu part time to teaching full time, opening a Kung Fu school and teaching Jow Ga, Wing Chun, Tai Chi, and traditional Jow family Chinese Lion Dance. In 2001 Sifu Chan expanded his Kung Fu school to a new location on South Division, Grand Rapids, Michigan. At our current location, Chan’s Kung Fu School boasts over 10,000 square feet of training facilities.