How long does it take to learn Chin Na?

Chin Na does not take years to learn. Chin Na or Chinese Grappling is not a style unto itself, rather it can be incorporated into any martial arts system. Chin Na Kung Fu seeks to lock and break the opponent's joints using principles of leverage. Almost all of the techniques can be learned with just a few tries.

These practical martial arts techniques manipulate the joints in the human body in order to control or disable an opponent.

How You can Instantly Subdue And Incapacitate Your Adversary Using The Joint Manipulation Secrets Found In The Ancient Martial Art Of Chinese Chin Na Kung Fu!

As I look back, when I first started learning martial arts, I was 19 years old.  I have to admit, I was a little turned off when my instructor started to teach me a Chin Na technique.

Back then, I didn't think learning Chin Na was important. As I look back, I was young of course, and I wanted to know how to hit.

Also, I wanted to punch and kick. Therefore, not wanting to work on wrist locks.

However, that is of course until my instructor called me up to demonstrate the technique. Immediately after calling my name, I headed to the front of the class. He said, "Kevin, grab me, however you want." Without thinking, I decided to grab his shirt. 

With a firm grip, I reached out and grabbed his shirt. I began pulling and I started to punch him. However, before I even realized it, he had performed an outside wrist lock on me and I was on the floor staring up at the ceiling. At that moment, I couldn't believe I was on the floor.  Astonishingly, it caught me by surprise. 

Chin Na Kung Fu or Qin Na joint locking techniques like the one you see in the video are useful for all martial artists. Similarily, these are grappling techniques similar to Japanese Jujitsu Techniques. What's really great about this type of training is that you do not need to be physically conditioned to apply them, it only requires coordination. As a result, when you get good at Chin Na, no one will be able to  grab a hold of you without being countered.

A great read on the subject can be found in Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming's book Shaolin Chin Na

First, the movements of chin na require skill but not brute strength

One must remember, skill can always be developed through practice. However, strength is something that is helpful but not required.

Also, these Grappling techniques are used to subdue the enemy with skillful movements and ingenious exertion of power.

Basically, the idea of Chin Na Kung Fu is to capture and seize the enemy's limbs giving the practitioner total control over of the opponents body.

As a matter of fact, Chin Na uses the principles of leverage and body alignment to overcome a physically stronger opponent. Therefore, Chin Na techniques also involve the study and use of pressure points to enhance the efficiency of the leverage techniques applied by the practitioner.

Second, chin na allows for the option of controlling and disabling opponents without causing serious harm

Generally speaking, Chin Na is a compassionate martial art. Because of its origin in Buddhism, it allows the possibility of defeating an attacker without seriously harming him or her.

Third, chin na kung fu provides real-life, usable, legal self-defense

Honestly, almost all of the self defense situation I have ever been in has had a portion where the opponent at some time in the fight has grabbed a hold of me.

As I think about the past, if I only possessed Chin Na skill back then I could have defended myself a lot more efficiently.