During the Ming Dynasty, over 300 years ago, a Lama priest named Dai-Dot began developing the Hop Gar system.  During this time, he observed the battle of a great White Crane and an Ape.

***The Lion Roar system was created by Dai-Dot that included eight steps, eight fists, kicks, and grips. The Lion Roar style continued for 3 generations of Masters until it was titled, Lama Kung Fu.

A temple was built so the Royal Guard could practice the Lama kung fu. Until the middle of the Ching Dynasty, Lama kung fu was the Imperial Kung Fu of China.

In a small village (Ching Hoi) on the border of Tibet and China, there was a Lama monk named Ng-Muy. Ng-Muy had four excellent students, each focused on mastering different aspects of the Lama system. Kup-Duk, Gai-Bai, Ling-One, and Fan-Tiu were their names.

• The White Crane emphasized keeping the hands long and side-step striking.
• The Law Horn emphasized foot traps, single step strikes, and stance.
• Ta Mo emphasized the "cutting hand", used to shock the opponent.
• Wei-T'o emphasized the 'whip-like' hands.
• At the time, Law Horn and White Crane were not separate systems they were part of Lama Kung fu. 

Hing-Duk was the last student of Ng-Muy, and he learned the entire system. The Ching Hoi village is where Wong Yan Lum went to learn the Lama system from Hing-Duk.

Wong Yan Lum used his skills to act as a Body Guard and Protective Escort. On Wong Yan Lum's return to Southern China, he erected his famous fighting stage in Canton, and took on all challengers with his now named Hop Gar Style kung fu. Later, Wang Yan Lum would occupy the number one seat in the Canton Ten Tigers exclusive kung fu group.

Wang Yan Lum had only one representative for a long while, Wong-Hen-Wing.  Master Ng Yim Ming learned the Hop Gar system from Wang Yan Lum. Master Ng came to the U.S. during 1950 to visit family, and stayed. Master David Chin learned Hop Gar from Master Ng, while in San Francisco, and was later appointed by Master Ng to carry on the Hop Gar Style.

Grandmaster Ng Yim Ming (Harry Ng)with his disciple (Chin Dai Wei) David Chin in San Francisco.

Categories Posted in Chinese Martial Arts , Style: Hop Gar
- Genre Label Martial
** You can Listen to The Latest Podcasts on the Self Updating Stitcher Player