East London Lau Gar Kung Fu
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East London
Lau Gar Kuen
Your teacher: Colin MacKenzie
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32 years practicing Lau Gar Kuen Kung Fu
4th Degree Black Sash
Advanced DBS
1st Aid Certificate
BKFA Level 1 Coach
BKFA Level 2 coach
BKFA Certified Kickboxing referee
Certified Taijiquan instructor
DipAcu; Diploma in Acupressure
Reiki Usui Shiki Ryoho Master
Starting my martial journey in 1980, I commenced studying Shotokan Karate under Sensei Francisco Espinoza (Spanish national Kumite champion). Little realising that Sensei's own teacher was the greatest living Karate Master, Hirokazu Kanazawa 10th Dan. I was fortunate to meet and take my first ever grading under Kanazawa Sensei in 1981.
After 5 years I paused training for a few years whilst studying.
In 1989 I discovered Lau Gar Kuen Kung Fu & kickboxing under Sifu Neville Wray, who is a 3 times international kickboxing champion (BKFA, IASKA, WAKO) and had studied with his Master since 1973.
For the next 10 years I trained 3 evening classes and 2 weekend classes every week. Along the way, I met and started training with Sifu Wray's own teacher; Master J Yau, the head of the Lau Gar style. Also training regularly with Sifu Stan Brown in west London, and privately with Sifu Francis Cooper.
After about 11 years I went before Master Yau and tested for black sash.
20 years later, I now hold a 4th Degree black sash awarded by Master J Yau in 2013
Living in London means I've also had the chance to dip into other styles, including Jujutsu, gaining a Shodan (1st Dan black belt), Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Bak Mei, Taijiquan, Bagua zhang, and most significantly XingYi Quan, which has become my number 2 art after Lau.
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In 1995 I started a small class in Harrow at Sifu Wray's request. In 2000 due to work commitments, I relocated from Harrow to East London. Starting a class first in Plaistow, and eventually moved to the current location in Beckton in 2004.
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For detailed information about the Lau style, see www.laugar-kungfu.com
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***NOTE***
2nd January 2023
Classes are unfortunately not currently running, due to me having a motorcycle accident a few months back.
I will be restarting once I am fully recovered.
Please see here for updates.
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