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