( 5 reviews )
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( 3 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 18 2007
This book, by Zhao Da Yuan, is one of the definite volumes on the subject of qin na. It explains in a very clear and detailed way what qin na is, how it works, why it works and basically, well, all the basics of qin na. It is very well structured and the material is presented in a clear and logical way with good drawings/pictures to assist in the learning of principles and/or techniques. It covers all one needs to know about qin na, and is therefore also a good reference book for instructors or advanced students. It is valuable to any student of martial arts, regardless of style, and not only students of Chinese martial arts. In fact, I think that all martial arts practitioners should have a copy of this book on the shelf. Together with Yang Jwing Mings tome of a book "Comprehensive Applications of Shaolin Chin Na" and Tim Cartmells equally fantastic book "Effortless Combat Throws", this volume is the best written material on the art of locking and throwing. Highest possible recommendation
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( 1 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: May 9 2006
I found this to be a very thorough, detailed text on the subject of joint twisting and locking. Not only are the techniques well illustrated but the underlying principles are presented as well. Very well written, easy to understand. If you're interested in Chin-Na, you've got to have this one on your shelf.
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( 3 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Apr 26 2006
This is an outstanding book on a difficult subject to write a book on. Chin na is a form of grappling, which in my opinion is more difficult to present in text and pictures than a book on a punching and kicking art. But this book does an excellent job of of presenting chin na in that format. There are so many aspects of the book that I liked, but I'll just mention a few here. I liked the way the book was organized and structured, which was very logical, which helps you learn better. Chin na is a difficult art to organize sometimes, since there are so many and varied techniques, but fortunately it does break down more or less logically by areas of the body. The author breaks it down further by which way the joint is being moved and manipulated, which is helpful too. The chapter on applied anatomy is the only one I've seen in a chin na book so far, and although most readers will find this a little dry, it's just something a more advanced student should know, and will help you take your technique to the next level, because if you don't understand how the joints work, you're just going through the moves and don't really understand the technique. So buckle down and wade through it. It's good for you. :-) Plus if you understand the joint capabilities and restrictions you can create your own locks--a point too often overlooked. The author gives the original Chinese names of the moves, such as "Pine Tree Bends Down," and "The White Robe Cuts the Ground." Unfortunately these picturesque names aren't as helpful as the modern names, such as upper elbow wrap, or reverse wrist twist, which make more sense, but that's just the way it is. Many names have been lost over the years, and I've never seen the names of many of the techniques myself that I've been doing for years, so I liked this especially since it filled an important gap in my own knowledge. The drawings showing practical applications in the street are great too, and reminded me of those old self-defense books of the 30s and 40s with the funny line drawings, such as "Police Jujitsu," which is a classic, or the books of Westbrook and Ratti on aikido, or Don Hepler's "Self Defense Simplied in Pictures, now long out of print, not to mention the infamous Ketsugo book (whatever Ketsugo is) that I used to see advertised for a few bucks in the back of comic books in the 60s. The author shows that chin na kicks and punches too and uses them for entries and distractions, if not actual attacks. Many people just think chin na grapples, which isn't true. Just rushing in to lock someone probably won't work if they're moderately skilled, and you have to "soften" them up first. In Shaolin chin na, you always strike before grappling because the opponent will resist and won't let you lock him otherwise. Also, chin na uses feints to acquire the grip and go into the lock. I teach this and it's sort of a lost part of the system these days, from what I've seen. The section on 50 basic hand techniques is essential, and the author illustrates more techniques and their practical applications in the later sections. That brings the total number closer to one hundred, which is a lot of material for a book. In the Shaolin monasteries, there were special sections for the different specialties and studies, and chin na had its own which was practiced only by highest level kung fu monks after they had learned the punching and kicking styles. So it truly is a special and in a sense elite art. If you're a martial artist interested in chin na, you probably also know of Dr. Yang Jwing Ming's books on chin na, and his book makes a fine addition to that part of your library. Overall, an outstanding volume and worth every penny.
