Choy Gar
Choy Gar/ Caijia Quan (Rat Kung Fu), was created by Choy Gau Yee.
Having origins in the Southern Shaolin Temple it would be later combined with a variety of Snake Fist to include lower stances and swifter footwork. Choy Gau Yee added more kicks to his style, thereby differentiating some of its longer-range techniques from those of its Snake Kung Fu origins.
Choy Gar kungfu is based on short and rhythmic techniques which minimizes the area the opponent can attack which in turn becomes an effective self defense (this is very individual and relies upon each and every student's way of building up lower body strength).
The Style
Choy gar is a self-defense style that practices low stances and swift footwork like that of the rat. The body and arms are meant to resemble the quick attacking movements of the snake. Unlike the northern shaolin styles which have wider, more open techniques, Choy Gar's short and swift movements are better suited for the crowded alleys and streets of densely populated southern China. The low stance and power in the techniques will in time develop an inner strength within the practitioner. This is the basic foundation for creating effective movements, abilities and actions of the body. Only through this one can truly understand the wide range of Kung Fu techniques and its distinctive character.
Training
One begins by building up physique in a good way. Stamina, strength and flexibility workout is combined with stretching and basic techniques. Training is performed in a low stance (Chapma) to increase the leg strength. In the Choy style, strong legs are a necessity for performing the techniques in a correct manner. Lower body strength is the foundation of Choy.The basic techniques (punches, kicks and blocks) are put together into different form combinations. One learns the forms in two versions, to the sides and to the front and are required to execute it against the Sifu at a certain pace and without any stalls.
By Deeshaloo - Personligt arkiv, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3591617
Some routines and theories.
Cross pattern fist
Big Drum Heaven
Small Drum Heaven
Heaven Horizon
Willow tree Broken Plum
Four elephant Fist
Fist elbow
Six Including Fist,100
Birds Turn Over Nest
Single End Stick
Double End Stick, Choy Ga 3 Arrow Big Arrowhead and so on
Fast & Clever
Agile and Changeable
Disappears the body to borrow strength
Because potential advantage leading
Dodging skillfully
Man Can Only win with Skill
Do not argue with extended arm
Best to attack the side door
Horse Stepping Triangle by Triangle Step Primarily
Bridge Horse of Hung Ga
Fast Hitting of Choy Ga
Formula Tactics
===RELATED STYLES===
Choy Gau Gung taught the founder of Jow Ga, Jow Lung.
Choy Fook taught the founder of Cai Li Fo, Chan Heung
A hybrid system known as Choy Mok (combinaton of Choy ga & Mok Ga) exists. - (Far Mei Sau Hand Form).