This will continue my ongoing chin na class updates. This week we started with the usual warm-ups and added two new exercises. One was jumping up and down into horse stance (100 total) and the other was some sort of funky 2′ long wooden pole with a 5 lb weight hanging from it. With the pole you role it side to side while grabbing one end of the pole and keeping the weight dangling. Once again the emphasis here is to build wrist and forearm strength.
Then it was right back into the chin na. We reviewed only one technique from last week then learned two new techniques. One was an elbow wrap (elbow chin na) and the other was “crane nodding its head” (finger chin na). The finger lock looked similar to technique two of this video. The main differences is that we were grabbing at chest level and were taught the option of taking them to the ground while you plant a supporting foot next to their hand which is on the ground. Once you do that you can sink your weight and basically break stuff. The other main difference is that the video shows a single finger grab whereas I learned to shoot for all four.
The hardest part for me is getting the grab correct, making the crane “nod its head”, while stepping back and keeping my front leg straight (leg noted in video). I keep wanting to drop into a taekwondo walking stance or front stance! When I see these techniques I ask myself: Would this stuff work? Then when it’s applied to you by an instructor who’s been cranking for at least 10 years the answer becomes: Yes, under the right circumstances! Namely, if he got hold of an open hand correctly the attacker is likely screwed for sure.
Anyhow, the finger chin na I remember and can practice if I catch my poor wife in a good mood. The elbow wrap I’m not so sure. Both have a lot going on that the video does not catch. There’s a lot of little subtle things that all have to happen at once before you can make this stuff work but once I get past the learning curve I think it will be a nice addition to what I know.
As for rank…well, I learned that they have three levels: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced. It takes about one year of cranking before you can test for the beginner rank and move on. Past these are the instructor ranks which are even further away.
I’m definitely in the chin na program for the next few months. So far I like it so now it’s a matter of seeing if this feeling continues and if I like the school. So far I do. If it does I’ll be in it for at least a year if not longer.
Other news: I stayed and watched their praying mantis kung fu. I have to say I was impressed. Overall the workout was pretty intense. They started with what I’d call floor drills: Moving back and forth in various techniques that appear in their forms. Then the spent the last part of class on their forms which was really interesting to watch. You can do a video search in Google for “praying mantis” if you want to see mantis forms. Some of them are at full speed and very hard to tell what’s going on. Since they where working beginners last night I was able to see the forms broken down at a slower speed. This was good because I could often figure out the combat application this way. Anyhow, here’s a slower video to give ya’ll a little taste.
I saw a lot of the mantis hook and also saw a lot of that forward punch with the feet canted to the side in a quasi horse stance. Kicks were few and far between and what I did see were mostly heels kicks or push kicks at waist level.
They ended their class with all sorts of push-ups and a few crunches. They did just about every type of push-up out there: Knuckle (on a concrete and tiled floor!), finger-tip and one-arm. The new push-up (new to me) that they did was on bent wrists! It looked ugly and painful and I just may try it this weekend!
Overall I learned that in their kung fu they rotate what it is they are learning. One week could be forms, fundamentals, or working the shields, mits, etc., for power. They also have two-man sets and will spar every three months. I do want to see them spar to get a sense of just how that is done. At this point I don’t know if they actually wear gear or just use light contact…
Their mantis rank is similar to the chin na ranking structure. In addition, it takes about 10 years to make it to instructor. The only thing comparable from my world would be a 4th dan in taekwondo. I also learned that there is something like 11 forms just for the beginner rank alone! Then weapons and more forms at the mid-level.
I am very tempted to try their kung fu once my taekwondo ends. However, I’m not sure what the next three years will bring. In fact, I hate to start something as hard as this only to move from this area (maybe) in three years and possibly end up somewhere that mantis is not offered. The chin na has a lot of techniques that would fit across many martial arts. With the mantis I’m not so sure even of how it would fit with a different style of kung but I am certain it’s pretty far removed from karate or taekwondo.
As for comparing it to taekwondo…well, at this point I’ve not seen enough to probably make a good comparison. I can say that they worked as hard as we do, only in a different way. As for who’s art is better you all should know that I don’t like to play that game. However, ask me if their art looks effective and I’ll say yes without a doubt! It was also beautiful to watch so there is also a cultural/tradition nod here as well.
~BCP
