In simple terms Chin Na is a complete Chinese martial arts system of wrist and arm locks that range from basic self defense methods to even grappling methods on the ground, but in the main it is a very direct, and even a bit of a brutal, means of defense against being grabbed and punched that can also involve inflicting great pain and even breaking fingers and joints in an effort to survive an attack. But of course only when needed.
Everywhere you look you will find the fighting and self defense techniques of the combat art of Chin Na, (or Shaolin Chin Na if you prefer), not just within the Chinese martial arts but many other combat systems from around the world. Popular with door security personnel to a degree, and of course police officers who need simple but effective restraining methods, Chin Na offers not just techniques for a combat situation but also when limited force is only required. Japanese Aikido and Chinese Chin Na are more than noted for being the same when it comes to the use of arm restraining locks, wrist locks and takedown methods in very much the same way. The first thing to note about Chin Na however is that unlike Aikido which is a set system of combat methods, that tends to be set apart from other fighting styles at least to a degree, Chin Na is often adapted to suit various other martial art styles by instructors who find Chin Na techniques useful for what they do. Found within all Chinese combat arts as standard, or at the very least it should be, Chin Na can also be found in all sorts of fighting systems that include controlling methods in addition to striking and kicking. And very much so in classes that focus on street self defense. Just like sparring with a fellow student within traditional combat arts like Taekwondo and Karate, for example, kickboxing as it is now more popularly called by the way, Chin Na is very much the same when it comes to being an integral part of any martial art style or system. In the same way that kickboxing is now thought of and promoted as a martial art within its own right so this is the case when it comes to learning what I would call real Chin Na. Or it should be. In fact it is. Chin Na is a martial art system within its own right and just like Aikido the techniques used to control and takedown, if needed, an opponent is an art form all by itself but it also complements the various striking arts when it comes to using such methods when a punch or kick alone is not enough, or when punching someone in the face is not required. Many instructors within many, if not all, of the striking arts will select and only use a few Chin Na methods to enhance what they teach but to do the combat art of Chin Na any true justice then the study of this area of the martial arts really does need to be studied in full and treated as a combat art within its own right to gain true insight and value from it. Sadly however many who teach the striking arts think that they know enough about the seizing art of Chin Na and only use selected methods of locking and controlling from it but fail to truly understand the applications and follow on actions that are required for it to fully work. Even more sad is that they think they know enough to add versions of their own that not only do not work but they will in turn pass on those ineffective methods to others. You could easily compare that situation to some who think they are a qualified sword master, the Katana sword springs to mind, after getting a black belt in one of the striking arts. The only true way to learn Chin Na is to first and foremost think of it as a complete martial art system within its own right and to learn the complete system over a good period of time. Taking bits of it to add to your martial art training, and in the case of a martial arts instructor more so, is no good at all without first understanding all the various methods and applications to the full. Sadly, and I really mean very sadly, many in the martial arts add incomplete methods to what they do and it all becomes not only pointless but also very ineffectual in many cases. Some martial art styles will use very elaborate and somewhat complicated moves while applying a basic armlock, for example, but that is never the case with Chin Na. No sweeping around the room while someone is in an arm or wrist lock before taking them down to the floor in grand style. No, none of that carry on. Just simple, fast and very direct responses to being attacked or grabbed. And often within less than 2 seconds. Are there punches and kicks used in Chin Na? The simple answer to that common question is no. Rarely are striking methods needed or used. In most cases a single wrist release method will result in a dislocated wrist or arm all in one go and often through a single action that only lasts a couple of seconds. Ergo the need to use striking methods are not needed most of the time. Take for example the basic self defense method of having your arms in the down position and your assailant grabs both of your wrists in that position. You could do all sorts of things to get out of that situation that can range from wrist release methods to moving forward at the same time and taking them off balance before applying an arm lock and taking them to the ground. But while in that position why not just bang their thumbs together in a fast and powerful way? Very hard to fight and throw punches with two broken thumbs I would imagine? Chin Na is in every sense of the word a combat system for the street and the methods used clearly show that to be the case if you study this remarkable system in full. No need to use elaborate moves with kicks and punches thrown into the mix with a bellowing karate scream, just a simple case of responding to an opponent's attack with direct techniques on the spot. Of course when it comes to dealing with a punch coming at you then that of course will involve using more mainstream combat methods. Hence it will always be a complementary part of the striking arts. In just the same way learning any martial art style involves all the various categories such as kickboxing/sparring, set form practice and mainstream self defense techniques as a whole thing - so this is the case with the category known as Chin Na. It would be very silly to think that the use of arm locks and takedown methods alone would be enough in all situations so the merging of the striking arts with Chin Na techniques will always be required in some situations. So that being the case, being able to throw kicks and punches as a distraction, if nothing else, will often be needed before applying Chin Na techniques into the mix. As with all combat systems things will go wrong or fail to work under some situations, that being the case having a backup plan, meaning to follow through with other methods will always be needed. Being able to flow from one controlling method into another if the first, second or third attempt fails is where the study and practice of Chin Na is very much needed over a long period of time rather than just having only a couple of seizing methods available to work with. And for sure there are lots of Chin Na methods available even at basic levels. Even the basic wrist release can be done in a number of ways. In conclusion, therefore , always think of the seizing art of Chin Na as being a martial art system within its own right and not just one of those lesser training categories that you will find in mainstream combat arts. In fact, just like the category of kickboxing that is found within various martial art styles, this is also the case when you combine Chin Na with the striking arts. Each of these areas of combat training complement each other to form a complete and effective martial art style or system. Sadly these days those various areas of combat training have been split apart from each other to form a limited version of those old traditional martial arts that we see these days. For a related article click >HERE< Comments are closed.
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