Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na: Instructor's Manual for All Martial Styles (Ymaa Book Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

150 fast and effective joint locks and cavity strikes. Includes fundamental training.

About the Author

Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D., is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center; 4th edition (May 25, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940871041
• ISBN-13: 978-0940871045
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #921,612 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding addition to your martial repertoire , January 28, 2005

By	L. A. Kane (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na, 2nd Edition: Instructors Manual for All Martial Styles (Paperback)

As the title of this fantastic tome describes, this material really is applicable to all styles. I primarily study Goju Ryu, an Okinawan form of karate that, while somewhat influenced by Chinese kung fu historically, is much closer to Japanese martial arts then it is to any of the Chinese styles. Regardless, while the terminology is a little different, the principles and techniques herein are directly applicable to my art as well kung fu, aikido, jujitsu, and many others.

Chin Na is the art of controlling an opponent, a practical and important skill. It is relevant to striking arts as well as grappling arts. Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming covers joint locking, vein/artery sealing, muscle dividing, and bone displacing in a comprehensive and easy to understand manner. His vast experience really shines throughout this outstanding work. He also offers an excellent series of exercises for strengthening the joints to protect them from damage as you integrate these techniques into your training regimen.

Applications include finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, neck, waist, and leg manipulations, along with muscle grabbing and cavity press (pressure point) techniques. He also discusses how to use Chin Na in a real fight, including defense against knives, kicks, and punches. One of the most unique and important aspects of this book is the section on injury treatment which covers joint, ligament, cartilage, muscle, and tendon injuries, artery, capillary, as well as organ ruptures, sealed breath veins/artery in the neck, and even "stagnant" chi (ki). This section isn't particularly long but it is very insightful. There is also an appendix on Chinese herbs.

Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming is a prolific author as well as one of the world's foremost kung fu experts. Highly skilled in Shaolin White Crane (Bai He), Shaolin Long Fist (Changquan), and Taijiquan and other forms, he has spent more than thirty years teaching his art to others. He has published 35 books and 75 videos on the martial arts. Dr. Yang is currently president of Yang's Oriental Arts Association headquartered in Boston, MA.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Chin-Na Reference, January 7, 2005

By	B. Organ (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provides a good reference for Chin-Na, the art of seizing and holding. Most of the techniques that appear in this book appear to come from Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming's White Crane background.

Chin-Na can be deceptively difficult to understand and implement, since what makes a technique successful is the solid body mechanics behind it, and that only comes after years of practice. Additionally, I believe that books are not a good primary learning method for martial arts, so to get the most from this book, plan on attending a seminar or finding a good local school.

Having said that, Dr. Yang's material is the best reference I've seen on the subject.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good intro work, September 9, 2000

By	magellan (Santa Clara, CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This is a good introductory work with a useful organization scheme since it is done by areas of the body.

The methods are simplified, but then it would probably be impossible to do a book on truly complex Chin Na techniques. For that you would probably need a video.

Nevetheless, I am a big believer in using the simplest, most effective techniques. The way to use a book like this, is to learn the most applicable, versatile techniques, perhaps no more than a couple of dozen or so (unless Chin Na is a specialty of yours). Remember, in the 1400s even a great Jiu-Jitsu master might only know a few moves--but he could apply them to an amazing variety of situations with great speed and effectiveness.

Although Chin Na is one of my specialties, I think the same thing applies to the other grappling arts, Chin Na and Aikido.