Yaw-Yan — The Filipino Dance of Death
Yaw-Yan is the Filipino 'Dance of Death' — developed in 1972 by Napoleon Fernandez, with 40 fundamental kicks and bolo knife-like arm techniques, it dominated the Philippine kickboxing scene.
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Yaw-Yan (from Filipino: Sayaw ng Kamatayan — “Dance of Death”) is the Philippine martial art of kickboxing — developed in 1972 by Napoleon A. Fernandez and since its introduction the dominant kickboxing martial art of the Philippines. The name “Dance of Death” is programmatic: Yaw-Yan combines the flowing elegance of a dance with the lethal efficiency of a martial art. The system is characterized by its distinctive downward-cutting kicks — a hip rotation that guides kicks from above downward, like the blade of a bolo knife. This technique fundamentally distinguishes Yaw-Yan from Muay Thai (which emphasizes more clinching) and Taekwondo (which favors higher kicks). 40 fundamental kicks form the technical foundation — advanced students master complex step-kick combinations requiring extraordinary flexibility and mastery. Yaw-Yan has repeatedly proven in competition against Muay Thai, Karate, and Taekwondo fighters that Philippine martial arts can compete at the highest international level.
History and Founders
Napoleon A. Fernandez is one of Southeast Asia’s most remarkable martial arts synthesizers. He studied intensively multiple martial arts:
- Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee’s system)
- Karate (multiple styles)
- Escrima/Arnis (Philippine weapon art)
- Aikido (Japanese joint lock art)
- Judo (Japanese throwing wrestling)
From this synthesis he developed a system explicitly optimized for the physique of Filipinos — smaller, lighter fighters who compensate for size disadvantages through technique, speed, and unconventional angles.
1972: Fernandez publicly introduces Yaw-Yan. The system quickly dominates the Philippine kickboxing scene.
The domination: In professional bouts, Yaw-Yan repeatedly defeated fighters from Karate, Taekwondo, and Muay Thai — causing national sensation in the 1970s and 1980s.
Technical Foundations
The most characteristic aspect of Yaw-Yan: The hip torsion and the descending nature of all kicks.
| Feature | Yaw-Yan | Muay Thai |
|---|---|---|
| Kick direction | Downward-cutting | Horizontal |
| Hip movement | Full rotation, descending | Rotation |
| Distance | Long range | Clinch focus |
| Arm techniques | Bolo knife-like | Standard boxing |
40 fundamental kicks: Yaw-Yan has the richest kicking repertoire of any Philippine martial art — from simple front kicks to advanced multiple-rotation kicks.
Biakid — the most characteristic kick: Similar to a spinning hook kick, but with stronger hip descending — hits the side or back of the opponent’s head.
Arm techniques (strikes): Fernandez modeled arm techniques after bolo knife movements — circular, cutting strikes with the forearm, not straight boxer punches.
Connections to Other Martial Arts
- Muay Thai — similar system; Yaw-Yan emphasizes more distance and downward kicks, less clinch and knees
- Escrima — the weapon art roots are visible: arm movements mirror blade guidance
- Sikaran — Philippine sibling kicks-system; Sikaran is pure kick sport, Yaw-Yan a more complete combat sport
Today
Yaw-Yan is actively taught in the Philippines and is a fixed component of the Philippine combat sports ecosystem. Internationally it is less known than Muay Thai or Taekwondo but is gaining through global FMA interest.
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