[Twist]

What is Yaw-Yan?

It sounds Chinese, the movements slightly resemble that of Thai-Boxing and Korea's Tae-kwon-do but the origin is strictly Filipino. The acknowledged originator of Yaw-Yan is born Filipino and native of Quezon province. He was undefeated All-Asian and Far-East Kickboxing champion. The Yaw-Yan was designed for Filipino fighter; (height doesn't matter) it is specially invented for small Filipinos to fight against big and heavy opponents. The originator creates these martial arts in consonant with Filipinos culture; the organization, food, uniform attitude and others. The word Yaw-Yan was derived from the two last syllables of "Sayaw ng Kamatayan" meaning "Dance of Death".

Yaw-Yan KICKS

Yaw-Yan has 40 fundamental kicks, divided into 3 categories - front, side, and back. There are 3 types of Yaw-Yan kicks - Snap, Thrust, and Snap-Thrust. As of early to mid-1980's advanced disciples were required to be able to execute 55 kicks, which include advanced complex kicks. Here are the 55 kicks of Yaw-Yan categorically taught as follows:

I. Front Kicks (the groups of leg muscles utilized here are that of Front muscles of the kicking leg)
1) Snap
2) Thrust
3) Snap thrust
4) Heel Snap
5) Downward Thrust
6) Outside Scooping
7) Inside Scooping
8) Forward Scooping

The 12 Yaw-Yan Bolo Punches:

1) Downward - executed like hitting downward with a butt end of a bolo, like hammering with the closed fist.

2) Outside - executed like swinging a bolo from inside of the body to outside, point of contact can be anywhere from forearm ridge to base of closed fist (butt-end side). This variance of an outside elbow strike, the Outside Bolo Punch can be beautifully executed as a turning Outside bolo punch, a favorite technique of Yaw-Yan fighters, the added momentum and movement of the hips gives extra knockout power to it's unexpected turning move.

3) Inside - executed like swinging a bolo from the outside with a slashing motion towards the inside part, point of contact can be anywhere from forearm ridge to base of closed fist (the butt-end side).

The Yaw-Yan Symbol

The Meaning of the symbol as explained to us by Master Nap during one of those advanced disciples' gathering at the old Yaw-Yan temple in Quiapo.

Master Nap emphasizes to lead our life based on each of the significance of the Yaw-Yan seal.

All lines on the seal show the non-resistance principle of Yaw-Yan, what we commonly refer to as “go with the flow”. The non-opposing lines fluidly flow continuously either with others or independently on its’ own.

The first outermost black circle is thicker than the second black circle or any of the other lines. This circle signifies the infinite power that encompasses all being, no beginning and no end. This outer circle signifies our shield, we aptly affirmed this on our creed – “God is my shield…”

Yaw-Yan Theory

Contrary to most popular belief, Yaw-Yan is not purely a full-contact no-holds barred sport martial arts. It is a complete martial training with body-mind coordination and test of enduring indomitable spirit. More than just physical training, it also involves the mental disciplines of focus, concentration, alertness, flexibility, stamina, speed and continuity. Students train for real confrontation and actual fights ~ on or off the ring. Advanced Disciples have to go through a rigorous ritual of practice and discipline consisting of actual full-contact sparring, bag hitting, mind fighting and flexibility exercises. The Elbows (siko), knees (tuhod), and shin (lulod) are utilized in much the same way as in Muay Thai. Yaw-Yan practitioners have to learn 40 basic kicks, advanced disciples have to be able to execute and apply complexes advanced kicks requiring great dexterity, flexibility, and mastery. Most of these advanced kicks are trick kicks which always caught unsuspecting opponents by surprise.

Yaw-Yan Originator

His name is Napoleon A. Fernandez, 80 years old this coming August 17, 2005. Master Nap still strong, alert with unbelievable stamina and he trains daily for himself. He devoted his life in Martial Arts until he finally decided to be married to Yaw-Yan Martial arts. When he was young, he studied a lot of Martial Arts; he made his name popular from different prestigious Martial Arts founded by other nation. During his time of being Champion in Martial Art Arena, he came to his senses to get out from the group and wanted to promote his own country by developing Martial Arts fitted for Filipinos. His dreams come to reality when Yaw-Yan was born in 1972 after his devoted innovation and practices. Yaw-Yan was created by dreams and visions of Master Nap Fernandez & he consider his students like his children.