Choy Lay Fut

History

Born in 1806 in the southern Chinese Guangdong Province, Chan Heung (甄享) began learning kung fu at the age of 7 from his uncle Chan Yuen-Wo (陳遠護) — specifically the now-lost family style known as Fut Ga (佛家).

Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu Grandmaster Chan Heung

Founder of Choy Lay Fut Chan Heung

Fut Ga was known for its powerful long-range striking, low stances to develop explosive kicking technique, and Buddhist-influenced ethics and mindfulness.

After a few years of learning what he could from his uncle, Chan Heung was directed to Lay Yau-San (李友山), a friend of Chan Heung’s uncle.

From Lay Yau-San, Chan Heung learned the now-lost family Lay Ga (李家) style. While long-range striking was a key characteristic of Fut Ga, Lay Ga emphasized quick and deceptive close-range attacking.

Having mastered both Fut Ga and Lay Ga, Chan Heung was hungry for more knowledge. His uncle then directed him to seek out the monk Choy Fook (蔡福) living at the legendary Taoist Law Fou Mountain (羅浮山) to learn Choy Ga (蔡家).

Similar to Fut Ga, Choy Ga employed long-range striking, but placed significant emphasis on breathing techniques and deeper integration of Buddhist practice and principles.

After learning what he could from Choy Fook, Chan Heung returned home, combining everything he had learned from his uncle Chan Yuen-Ho, Lay Yau-San, and Choy Fook to create a new synthesized style he named Choy Lay Fut — to honor the three family lineages he dedicated his life to studying.

Characteristics

“Unleash a smashing fist as the majestic tiger instantly lifts his head at an intruder.”

sifu mike traditional martial arts salute

Salute to the Elders

Embedded within the Choy Lay Fut system is the iconic three salutes, honoring the style’s founding influences.

chinese martial arts teacher demonstrating kicking technique

Northern-Southern Boxing Synthesis

Choy Lay Fut’s varied influences create a unique fusion of long and short range striking.

chinese martial arts teacher demonstrating kung fu form

Breathing for Power

Choy Lay Fut employs deep inhalation and strong exhalation with its techniques.

Choy Lay Fut Weapons

“Maneuver the staff with the power of the dragon’s slashing tail.“

chinese martial arts student training with kung fu weapon

Tigerfork

Three-Section Staff

Our Lineage

Our Choy Lay Fut primarily descends from Sifu Li Xianda, who passed his knowledge of southern kung fu on to Michael Thomas.

Sifu Michael Thomas would go on to refine his Choy Lay Fut throughout the years, studying under a variety of practitioners from a diverse array of Choy Lay Fut lineages.