Chin Na
By Mark Wasson

Recently I had the pleasure of sitting in one of Sifu Lam's Chin Na seminars. As with any instructor of Chinese martial arts I have a basic knowledge of chin na techniques. This includes how to deal with most types of grabs and punches for the niques, or at least they should. This is because every Chinese Kung Fu system has at least some, if not many, chin na techniques placed somewhere within the forms for their particular style. As is the case more often than not, however, the chin na techniques are cleverly hidden within the forms; a regular practice typical of Chinese Kung Fu in general, which is a shame, because these techniques typically contain the most advance aspect of any given style.

For those readers not familiar with the tern chin na, chin na today generally refers to the art of joint locks. Chin na is not limited to just points locks, however. Chin na also includes the skill of attacking; seizing is a more accurate term, specific pressure points on the body that will disable an opponent very rapidly, and quite painfully. Seizing is generally done using a claw-hand attack; the eagle claw hand and the tiger claw of Hung Gar are good examples of this type of attacking hand. The skill of chin na seizing has been somewhat lost today because of the long hours and intense training required to develop the tremendous strength in the fingers, hands and forearms of the practitioner to actually perform seizing. In seizing one not only attacks the pressure points of his opponent, but also seizes the tendons and muscles, generally n the wrist, arm, or shoulder of his enemy. Sifu Lam related how in the old days a master trained in chin na would simply, upon first initial contact, instantly break the bones, or tear the muscles and tendons, in his opponent's wrist or arm, ending the fight before it even got started.

Without exaggeration, and having never been a student's of Sifu Lam's, I can truthfully attest that Sifu Lam is a master in the old sense, with tremendous skill and depth. This fact was made quite evident during his chin na seminar. Trained in iron palm has grip was and is like a steel trap. It is not his physical strength that is so impressive, however, but his depth of knowledge of chin na principles, and kung fu in general, that makes chin na such and effective style that really separates him from other instructors.

What made Sifu Lam's chin na seminar so interesting was that he explained clearly the deeper principle involved in chin na application; the why's and how-to's of the art. Contrary to most opinions, chin na is a soft art, relying more on skill and timing than on muscular strength, through in seizing hand strength is critical. Much like Tai Chi Chuan, in fact, chin na techniques should flow from whatever is going on at the moment. "One cannot try to make something happened," Sifu Lam explained. "That would be forcing things. The opportunity for application must be left to its own momentum to present itself." If this sounds like tai chi principle, that's because it is, at its highest level tai chi and chin na are integral to one another. For those not aware of it, no other martial art utilizes chin na technique more than tai chi. The practice of push hands, in fact, can and is used as a tool to help develop sensitivity in the chin na practitioner so he can sense his opponent's direction and energy. With a high degree of skill the tai chi/ chin na practitioner can and will lead his opponent into a disaster of his own making.

Skill in chin na does not come overnight, however. If all it took was knowing the techniques, then any could master the art. There are, after all, books that show chin na techniques. What is really need for student to fully understand chin na is to understand the principles behind how and why chin na works. Also, hours of practice with a partner on a daily basis to develop hand-on skill. "If a student only understand the principles," Sifu Lam said "but has not put in the time to develop the skill, then he has gained nothing. The same is true," he added, "if the student practices long hours without proper guidance. In that case, he will think he has come far, yet he will not even have begun the journey."

The importance of understanding chin na principles was foremost during Sifu Lam's seminar. It was taken for granted that the student attending the seminar had some background in Chinese kung fu and that they were familiar with basic joints locking techniques. In many ways the seminar was directed at those of a more senior level, or even instructor level; Sifu Lam is considered an instructor's instructor, but those with little experience found what was being offered very interesting too, if not a little challenging. The main idea that Sifu Lam tried to get across to those attending was that one movement, or attack, always leads to another movement, or counter, and that there is no end to the movement as long as one can flow with the energy of the opponent.

"Chin Na is endless in its changes and is never the same twice," Sifu Lam explained. "One must understand the internal principle of being heavy and light. It is the same as knowing with to be empty and full. Only by understanding these principles, and having trained and developed the skill, can one master chin na."
Sifu Lam went on to explain how chin na principle is always circular in application. "Often more than one axis is utilized in a chin na technique. One has to know the precise angle that affords the greatest leverage. Some techniques are used strictly to cause pain, while others are for locking up the opponent. Many times chin na techniques require multiple angles of attack. This requires a deep knowledge. But just as important is the time it takes to develop the skill to perform such advanced techniques. In a real fight things happen very quickly. The chin na practitioner must, in the first instant of attack, sense his opponent's intent and then blend with it. Because in fighting great forces are involved, the chin na practitioner can instantly sense the direction of his opponent's energy, and because of his training hi will instinctively know the right instant and angle of attack to disable his foe."