CHIN NA - Joint Locking

The art of grappling is universal. There are, after all, only so many ways to bend a limb. Here are a number of books, some good, some great that will aid you in your exploration of this art. We are well aware that there are other texts out there on the market but many are not of top quality. This can definitely work against you in the art of Chin Na.

This is it, one of the first books ever written in English on the art of Chin Na. We spent many hours twisted and turned by Willy Lin's Chin Na technqiue many years ago and we can attest that it is not only authentic but almost bafflingly simple. Other practitioners from different styles have come to us to confirm the impression. Willy is the first person to use the phrase "Tian Shan Pai" in the west. He is one of the top disciples in this style which emphasizes Chin Na. Whatever controversies there may be about TSP's origins (none in our mind) the tire hits the road when it comes to joint locking techniques. This is not only a very clear introduction to the subject but, surprisingly, one of Ohara's best designed books for the subject  and, when it was released in 1984, a ground breaking text.

#KC010 Chin Na: Taking Control of Energy
Jason Tsou & Arthur Schonfeld

We've been thinking about this one for weeks. There are a lot of good Chin Na presentations out there but, once again, Jason Tsou has come along with the "teacher's" view of the subject. Never one to dumb things down he shoots right to the core of the subject with a very different and yet far more traditional view. Take it from us, many of the other presentations are much more "step-by-step friendly" but this is the way your teacher thinks about the subject.When he's correcing your hand position he's thinking, "How am I going to get this fellow to snatch the moment (angle, concept, whatever). These are much trickier to grasp than wrists. Tsou's approach is also very interesting because he is explicit on classical concepts: The two DVDs cover the Five Methods of Chin Na including Dim Mak, the Whirpool Concept, the Neurological System, the Ground as an Ally, Mind Power, Flow and Change along with examples and training methods. The entire TWO DVD presentation is from a seminar with Tsou and a student demonstrating as he talks. There are a few sound problems here and there but none of any significance. The book has over fifty pages of text and is a great bonus because it essentially outlines the details from the two DVDs. Many people will be using this to teach their students which, in the spirit of a collective peer group such as in science, is exactly what should happen. But Tsou was here first with this complete exposition. For the right people, definitely worth the money.

KC009 Chin Na Fa
Liu Jin sheng & Zhao Zhang - trans. Tim Cartmell

KC011 Chin Na in Ground Fighting
Al Arsenault and Joe Faulise

KP015 Practical Chin Na
Zhao Da Yuan - trans. Tim Cartmell

Chin Na (the art of Seizing and Locking) is a component of every Kung Fu style. The basic principle is to seize with one or both hands a certain joint among the opponent's limbs to have not only control of that join but of his entire body. The skills shown in this book - written in Chinese and translated into very understandable English - survey just those skills. An inexpensive but, to our mind, actually quite serviceable text. Not only does it logically divide everything into small and large twining movements but gives an over-view of the necessary skills involved in Chin Na. Over all one of the best books on Chin Na in English. Show me the DVD set

KI001 Illustrated Shaolin Grappling
Shaolin Chin Na Shu
Yang Wun

This simple, illustrated book shows over 100 self-defense techniques all of the joint locking and throwing variety. Nice line illustrations and sequential breakdowns explain step-by-step instructions for the applications of these movements. Though humble we actually think this is better than many more self-impressed examples we see. For the beginning student of martial arts and Chinese language this has the advantage of being en face (both languages printed facing one another). A good basic text.

KE002 Effortless Combat Throws
Tim Cartmell

The author has spent over 25 years studying martial arts, ten of those in China. This text explains basics throws and locks in a clear and easily understood manner. The emphasis is on effective throwing without the use of brute force. Cartmell discusses the correct angles and execution of throws with particular and important emphasis on each step correctly applied. He also gives a good section on General Principles which can not only be applied to other grappling but indeed all martial arts. This book is supplemented by a good VIDEO which exactly duplicates the throws discussed. Each throw is demonstrated by the author and show a number of times. Show me the DVD

KS026 Simplified Capture Skills
by Wang Xin-de

K#006 18 Arhat Methods of Shaolin
by Cai Long Yun tr. Huang Long

These 18 methods consist of 6 sets executed with the fist, one set with the elbow, two sets with the palm, four sets with the leg and five sets by catching hold of the opponent. To make successive practice easier, the 18 methods are grouped into a routine of 24 movements. This traditional routine can be practiced either by one or two persons. The application of the 18 methods, its applied tactics, and the attack/defense methods by two persons, are explained in detail. Some of the movements have particularly charming names such as : The Single Rafter, Canon Mounted on the Beam, The Monk Strikes the Bell, The Deft Sewing Needle, The Twisted Phoenix's Elbow and The Mandarin Duck Feet. Clearly illustrated with line drawings showing the usage in the front and a nice little two-person set in the back.