The Nam Quyên technique was developed in the 16th century, at the same time as the Nga Mi Phai. This practice had spread all along the south shore of the Truong Giang River, in the provinces of Phuc Kiên, Quang Dông, Quang Tây, Giang Tây, Chiêt Giang, Hô Nam, Hô Bac, Tu Xuyên, Giang Tô. The Nam Quyên is very structured and rich in its techniques and exercises. There are many different styles of Nam Quyên.
The Nam Quyên Quang Dông (province of Kwan Tung), was made very famous by the castes of Hông Gia, Luu Gia, Sai Gia, Ly Gia, Mac Gia, also called “ Ngu Dai Luu Phai” (five famous castes). The Nam Quyên Quang Tây, is also called Châu Gia Quyên, Dô Long Quyên, Hông Môn Phuc Hô Quyên…The Nam Quyên Phuc Kiên (Nam Quyên Thiêu Lâm or Shao Lin Nan P’ai) with the legendary Ngu Hinh Quyên includes: Long (dragon), Xà (snake), Hô (tiger), Bao (panther), Hac (crane) as well as the Ngu Tô, the La Han, the Mai
Hoa Trang, Su Quyên (Thach Su), Dia Thuât Quyên (Dia Sat..), Kê Phap, Hâu Quyên, Ngu Mai Quyên is also a region full of legends about the revolutions of the ShaoLin Temples.
We can also quote the Nam Quyên Hô Nam, with the Vu Gia Quyên, Hông Gia, Tiêt Gia, Nhac Gia. These four formations are best known in this region, but also the Nam Quyên Hô Bac. The five most famous methods of ” Hô Bac” are Không Môn, Nhac Môn, Hông Môn, Ngu Môn, Tôn Môn. However, in the region of Tu Xuyên (Sechuan), the Nam Quyên Tu Xuyên is remarkable for its eight styles: Tang, Nhac, Triêu, Dô, Hông, Hoa, Tu, Hôi. One most also note the Nam Quyên Giang Tây with the famous 36 Lô Tông Giang Quyên…, the Nam Quyên Chiêt Giang with the Hac Hô Quyên, the Kim Cuong Quyên…, and also the Nam Quyên Giang Tô whose technical variations reflect the differences in the cities of Tô Châu, Vô Tich, Thuong Hai, Thuong Châu…