Yao Quan
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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Yao Quan is a Chinese martial art that used to be called Mao Yao Quan, or Barbarian Yao Fist. This art was created by the Yao people of Guanxi Province to defend themselves against the Chinese invaders. This style focuses on the use of strong legs and powerful grips that emulate the movements of the hands and feet climbing a mountain. Yao Quan includes Lion and Tiger dancing in its training curriculum in order to teach students the sophisticated footwork that is learned from these dances.
History
Yao Quan was developed in Guanxi Province, northern China in the time of the Tang Dynasty (618-907). A famous practitioner of this style was a woman named Yuan Tan Liang. In the mid-19th century, the modern version of this art was developed when top masters gathered at a conference to reform the techniques to make it more effective. Weapons forms include staff, broadsword, battle-ax, and guandao (general's lance).
