Info on Hung Gar please!

[username19853]

Hey guys, if anyone knows it, I used to train in the Okinawan style of Matsubayashi Ryu Karate. I've been looking for a place near me but there are none. There's a Hung Gar place near me that also teaches Muay Thai. I'm not interested in Muay Thai because I prefer traditional martial arts, just thought I'd throw that in there.

I doubt it, but does anyone know if Hung Gar is similar at all to Matsubayashi Ryu? I know Okinawan martial arts basically came from China and Kung Fu, so in wondering if there might be some roots from Hung Gar that may have helped develop Matsubayashi.

Also, if anyone could just give me some info on Hung Gar, their opinion on the martial art, how well they think it could be applied to self defense in a street fight, etc. I would really appreciate.

Thank you in advance.

[Alan Armstrong]

Hung Gar Kung Fu is an honest style that practices self control. With low strong stances there is less movements but the blows are very powerful very much like traditional Karate. They use all of the traditional Southern Chinese weapons. Hung Gar uses internal and external force. They use the 5 animals also: Snake, Dragon, Tiger, Crane and Leopard. Also the five elements: metal, earth, wood, water and fire. I can explain more about this concept later if interested. Hung Gar uses the term "Hard as Iron soft as thread, this is the way there techniques are used with Yin Yang principles. It would not be surprising that a Hung Gar MA school would incorporate Muay Tai. It would only enhance and compliment Hung Gar. Many Kung Fu people have fell victim to Muay Tai fighters; keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

[Luther unleashed]

I would have to say it's not going to be anything like any style of karate I have ever seen, whatsoever! Hung gar is a very traditional style of Kung fu, the movements are anything but linear. They are very circular and movements are very very often excessive. There is a large emphasis on stance training which is primarily for strengthening the legs, and it works lol.

As for self defense I think anything can be applied in self defense because every bodies different. For me, it's really the only martial artI have studied that I really don't use much in my teachings as I blend several other arts, mostly because I enjoy direct attacking methods and Hung Gar is very circular and indirect in most attacking methods. It's excellent for a traditional style of Kung fu, and has many benefits but in my opinion the self defense is very limited, again just my personal opinion.

[RakibRana]

I get useful information from this thread. Thank you.