Tai Chi Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Tai Chi Chuan

by Jwing-Ming Yang Ph.D.

Overview

Chin Na is the art of seizing and controlling, it is a major element of all Chinese martial arts including Tai Chi Chuan.

Today, most people practice Tai Chi Chuan to maintain health or cure sickness. For the last fifty years the martial aspects of Tai Chi Chuan have been ignored, and the art is now incomplete. Most practitioners no longer understand the martial applications of Tai Chi Chuan, or even that it is a martial art. For example, the concept and training methods of Tai Chi Jin (or Tai Chi martial power), and how to apply internal Qi in the martial arts have become an unfamiliar subject in Tai Chi societies today. As a result, actual martial applications of Jin and Qi, such as Chin Na or Cavity Strikes, are currently not popularly known or studied.

To preserve Tai Chi's martial aspect, this book presents numerous Tai Chi Chin Na (Qin Na), the art of controlling an opponent through joint locks and cavity strikes.

Tai Chi Chin Na is one of the four main martial training categories of Tai Chi Chuan (the other three categories are striking, kicking, and wrestling/downing the opponent). Of all these four, Chin Na is the most effective, practical, powerful, and easiest to learn. Once you have mastered Tai Chi Chin Na, you will be able to apply the theory and techniques to any other martial style you practice. If you are a Tai Chi beginner, Tai Chi Chin Na could offer you a key to enter the door of martial Tai Chi.

This book provides a solid and practical approach to learning Tai Chi Chin Na accurately and quickly. You will learn specific techniques that flow from each movement, the proper hand forms to use when striking or pressing cavities, and the locations for targeting cavities on the body. Includes 858 photographs with motion arrows!

• General concepts of Chin Na
• Basic Chin Na theory and training
• 51 Chin Na techniques for peng, lu, ji, and an
• 41 Chin Na techniques for cai, lei, zhou, and kao
• 103 Chin Na applications for the 37 primary Tai Chi postures
• 17 Chin Na techniques for Tai Chi Pushing Hands

No matter your age or martial prowess, Tai Chi Chin Na is a necessary and enjoyable way to explore the depths of Tai Chi—a formidable martial art.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594393075
Publisher:	YMAA Publication Center
Publication date:	10/01/2014
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	869,088
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming started his Gongfu training at the age of 15 under the Shaolin White Crane Master Cheng, Gin Gsao. Dr. Yang became an expert in the White Crane style of Chinese martial arts. With the same master he also studied Qin Na, Tui Na and Dian Xue massages, and herbal treatment.

At the age of 16, Dr. Yang began the study of Taijiquan under Master Kao, Tao. Dr. Yang's tai chi can be traced back to the Yang family through Master Kao's teacher Yue, Huanzhi, an indoor disciple of Yang, Chengfu.

After learning from Master Kao, Dr. Yang continued his study and research of Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has mastered the Taiji barehand sequence, pushing hands, the two-man fighting sequence, Taiji sword, Taiji saber, and Taiji Qigong.

Dr. Yang has been involved in Chinese Gongfu since 1961. During this time, he has spent 13 years learning Shaolin White Crane, Shaolin Long Fist, and Taijiquan. Dr. Yang has more than thirty years of instructional experience.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Grandmaster Li, Mao-Ching

Foreword by Grandmaster Jou, Tsung-Hwa

Foreword by Master Liang, Shou-Yu

Preface by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Chapter 1. General Concepts

1-1. Introduction

1-2. Qin Na Categories and Theory

1-3. Different Levels of Qin Na Techniques

1-4. Qin Na and Health

1-5. Differences between Shaolin Qin Na and Taiji Qin Na

1-6. About This Book

Chapter 2. Basic Taiji Theory

2-1. Introduction 27

2-2. The Three Different Fighting Ranges and Circles

2-3. The Thirteen Postures

2-4. Yi, Qi, and Action

Chapter 3. Qin Na in Peng, Lu, Ji, and An

3-1. Introduction

3-2. Qin Na in Peng

3-3. Qin Na in Lu

3-4. Qin Na in Ji

3-5. Qin Na in An

Chapter 4. Qin Na in Cai, Lie, Zhou, and Kao

4-1. Introduction

4-2. Qin Na in Cai

4-3. Qin Na in Lie

4-4. Qin Na in Zhou

4-5. Qin Na in Kao

Chapter 5: Qin Na Applications in Taijiquan Postures

5-1. Introduction

5-2. Hand Forms for Cavity Press

5-3. Qin Na and Cavity Press in Taiji Postures

Chapter 6. Qin Na in Taiji Pushing Hands

6-1. Introduction

6-2. Qin Na in Taiji Pushing Hands

Chapter 7. Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Appendix A: Names of Qin Na Techniques

Appendix B: Translation of Thirty-Seven Postures

Appendix C: Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms

Index

About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Kung Fu artist of the year.

Black belt Magazine

Man of the year

Inside Kung Fu Magazine

In this revised edition of Tai Chi Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Tai Chi Chuan, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming discusses the martial arts origin of tai chi. His informative explanation and instruction of the fighting application known as chin na reveals its serious intent. Yang’s deep knowledge of tai chi and this advanced martial application comes through clearly in his thoughtful writing style. Following explanation of each tai chi technique, he theorizes about how it applies to chin na as a combat tactic. For example, he explains why the subtle spiral motions integral to the tai chi form adapt similarly in chin na: “When you use circular motions, you are able to set up a qin na [chin na] lock before your opponent feels it. A good qin na technique is soft, smooth, and round.” Tai Chi Chin Na: The Seizing Art of Tai Chi Chuan represents a valuable contribution to the ongoing development of tai chi as both a health-giving exercise and a martial art. The table of contents lists by subheadings the topics covered within each chapter, a structure that allows readers to select information according to interest and ability. The precisely written text covers advanced tai chi concepts that both inspire and instruct. Words for tai chi postures, techniques, and applications appear in English, followed by transliterations into Chinese pinyin and characters. Footnote references are given at the end of each chapter in either English or Chinese. Tai chi students at all levels will enjoy this book, which also serves as a reliable reference for those interested in learning about a martial application.

Foreword Reviews - Margaret Cullison

Author of the year" —11th World Congress on Qigong and the American Qigong Association

American Political Science Review