Shaolin Shi Yanhao (Masters Xu) came from a strong background in martial arts, and his grandfather started his training from a very young age. At the age of seven he started training in traditional martial arts in earnest as well as tai chi and boxing.Turn into 34th Generation Shaolin Monks & 6th generation of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. He is a representative inheritor of national intangible cultural protection projects; National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor; National level six stage martial arts.

By age twelve he was studying full time in the Shaolin temple. Here he gained proficiency in traditional Shaolin kung fu fighting skills, sanda, Shaolin boxing and fighting skills, Qi Gong ,qinna, traditional forms such as Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing, Shaolin Luohan, Tong Bei Quan, to name a few.

His weapon forms include: drunken sword, Shaolin Pudao, Shaolin Spear, Shaolin gun, whip, broadsword, three section, double spear, straight sword and many, many more!

It is clear that there is no one favoured weapon for a Shaolin. Master Xu has his favourites: drunken sword, pu dao (a large metal staff with a large clever like blade at the top), double spears and the whip. He states that he prefers these weapons as they are his specialities, and especially enjoys the whip forms he has learnt.

Because of the international fame of the Shaolin temple it receives a multitude of requests from film companies who wish to film in the area and use the students and masters as extras or casts members. Master Xu has participated in some films, most notably 鸿门宴 (the English title is listed as ‘White Vengence), and you can see pictures from his time filming in his gallery page.

He has participated in martial arts competitions and large scale performances obtaining excellent results in the General Assembly Shaolin Boxing Tournament in Dengfeng (the home of the Shaolin temple) as well as traditional routine competitions, the Sanshou Exchange Games, a performance at the highly acclaimed Shanghai Expo and many performances at the Shaolin Temple stage ground. He spent some time in Zhengzhou to participate on traditional routine form and undertook Buddhist theory at the Shaolin temple during his time there.

Because of the accomplishments throughout his training and his undoubtable skill, Master u has received commendation from the temple’s abbot and the head masters – a great and hard won honour for any maestro.

In 2010 he began to teach martial arts, namely to foreign students and has quickly built up a large range of experience. His training uses a no-nonsense approach, keeping students on their toes with many different teaching methods to help increase their abilities in all areas of kung fu. A great teacher with a friendly personality and an open outlook. When he takes on new students, he quickly gains them as friends.