Monday, April 13, 2009
Chin Na In Depth Course 1-4 with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming - A Review
"Chin Na In Depth Course 1-4" with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is part of YMAA's Seminar Series and is described as "Everything You Need To Effectively Master The Seizing Art Of Kung Fu, For All Martial Styles." The DVD series compliments Dr. Yang's book, "Comprehensive Application of Shaolin Chin Na."
It is obvious Dr. Yang is an extremely accomplished martial artist with a wealth of information to share and teach, and in this DVD he instructs as subtitles go across the bottom of the screen. While Dr. Yang does have an accent, his English is definitely understandable but the subtitles are a nice feature and an example of how YMAA provides excellent products. The picture is clear, the audio is clear, and the lighting and camera views allow the viewer to see each technique clearly. Views include full body and close up. The DVD also has a very easy menu system to find the technique you wish to review.
Chin Na is the art of seizing and controlling, and this DVD teaches 33 different techniques. The Chinese name of the technique is shown in Chinese Characters and with audio Chinese language before each technique, but the rest of the instruction is in English. While I was familiar with some many of the locks, the Chinese names were new to me. Names such as "White Crane nods Its Head," Butterfly Bores Through the Flowers," and The Child Worships the Buddha" were foreign to me and my Korean and Japanese style training, but they were interesting.
Course one includes 8 techniques and all of these techniques involve locking the fingers in various ways. Some of these ways are similar, just with different angles, but there is good variety in the techniques illustrating a number of ways to lock the fingers from various grabs and reaching for you. I like how Dr. Yang provides little tips and suggestions on how to make the techniques more effective as he teaches. Course one of the DVD is just over 30 minutes long.
Course two includes 8 techniques that effect the wrist, shoulder, and elbow. These include s-type locks, goose neck type locks in different directions, outer wrist lock, a chicken wing type lock, a very interesting goose neck type lock behind the person's back, and a final lock that locks the elbow. Out of all the locks, this last one was the lock I liked the least because a basic arm bar could work more quickly without the bending over, but I enjoyed learning the variation. One great thing about learning various ways to exploit the joints is that it enables you to perform locks in a greater amount of situations. Course two of the DVD is just under 24 minutes long.
Course three contains 9 techniques that effect fingers, wrist, a technique I really like that wraps around the neck, and the shoulder with chicken wing type locks. This chapter contained one of my favorite escorting locks with the hand behind the back with fingers pointed straight up. I often teach people how to go from a goose neck in front to this lock. I also liked how Dr. Yang taught it. The final technique of this course is actually a variety of thumb and pinky locks against wrist grabs. Course three of the DVD is just over 25 minutes long.
Course four contains 8 techniques that focus on wrist, fingers, shoulder, and elbows including some s-lock variations. Again, the instruction was clear with good camera angles to assist the viewer with learning. Course four of the DVD is just over 16 minutes long.
The DVD extras include information about YMAA; the YMAA catalog; many video previews; audio set up in English or French, subtitles in English, Dutch French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish; and credits.
Overall, this is an excellent instructional DVD on the art of Chin Na. The only thing I didn't like that much was the music selection. It is Chinese and becomes a bit abrasive if left on. This is only if you leave the menu screen on for too long and with the opening credits. Other than that, everything about this DVD is very good and makes me anxious to see more of Dr. Yang's Chin Na DVDs. If you are interested in improving your locking skills, regardless of the art you study, Chin Na In Depth with Dr. Yang will be an excellent addition to your training library.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
It is obvious Dr. Yang is an extremely accomplished martial artist with a wealth of information to share and teach, and in this DVD he instructs as subtitles go across the bottom of the screen. While Dr. Yang does have an accent, his English is definitely understandable but the subtitles are a nice feature and an example of how YMAA provides excellent products. The picture is clear, the audio is clear, and the lighting and camera views allow the viewer to see each technique clearly. Views include full body and close up. The DVD also has a very easy menu system to find the technique you wish to review.
Chin Na is the art of seizing and controlling, and this DVD teaches 33 different techniques. The Chinese name of the technique is shown in Chinese Characters and with audio Chinese language before each technique, but the rest of the instruction is in English. While I was familiar with some many of the locks, the Chinese names were new to me. Names such as "White Crane nods Its Head," Butterfly Bores Through the Flowers," and The Child Worships the Buddha" were foreign to me and my Korean and Japanese style training, but they were interesting.
Course one includes 8 techniques and all of these techniques involve locking the fingers in various ways. Some of these ways are similar, just with different angles, but there is good variety in the techniques illustrating a number of ways to lock the fingers from various grabs and reaching for you. I like how Dr. Yang provides little tips and suggestions on how to make the techniques more effective as he teaches. Course one of the DVD is just over 30 minutes long.
Course two includes 8 techniques that effect the wrist, shoulder, and elbow. These include s-type locks, goose neck type locks in different directions, outer wrist lock, a chicken wing type lock, a very interesting goose neck type lock behind the person's back, and a final lock that locks the elbow. Out of all the locks, this last one was the lock I liked the least because a basic arm bar could work more quickly without the bending over, but I enjoyed learning the variation. One great thing about learning various ways to exploit the joints is that it enables you to perform locks in a greater amount of situations. Course two of the DVD is just under 24 minutes long.
Course three contains 9 techniques that effect fingers, wrist, a technique I really like that wraps around the neck, and the shoulder with chicken wing type locks. This chapter contained one of my favorite escorting locks with the hand behind the back with fingers pointed straight up. I often teach people how to go from a goose neck in front to this lock. I also liked how Dr. Yang taught it. The final technique of this course is actually a variety of thumb and pinky locks against wrist grabs. Course three of the DVD is just over 25 minutes long.
Course four contains 8 techniques that focus on wrist, fingers, shoulder, and elbows including some s-lock variations. Again, the instruction was clear with good camera angles to assist the viewer with learning. Course four of the DVD is just over 16 minutes long.
The DVD extras include information about YMAA; the YMAA catalog; many video previews; audio set up in English or French, subtitles in English, Dutch French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish; and credits.
Overall, this is an excellent instructional DVD on the art of Chin Na. The only thing I didn't like that much was the music selection. It is Chinese and becomes a bit abrasive if left on. This is only if you leave the menu screen on for too long and with the opening credits. Other than that, everything about this DVD is very good and makes me anxious to see more of Dr. Yang's Chin Na DVDs. If you are interested in improving your locking skills, regardless of the art you study, Chin Na In Depth with Dr. Yang will be an excellent addition to your training library.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
