Chin Na In Depth - Courses 1 - 4

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Both the quality of the instruction by Dr. Yang and the quality of the production of this DVD are unsurpassed. There are so many joint locks on this DVD, I will be training them for years! (Especially if my partner keeps quitting on me)

The DVD has four entire VHS programs on it, an interactive catalog with video previews of a couple dozen other health and martial arts videos, sections about Yang's Martial Arts Association seminars and background, and a bio of Dr. Yang. The DVD layout is top-notch, with selections for every Chin Na technique.

The English subtitles are actually really helpful too, although you can always understand Dr. Yang's English instruction. He has a humble, funny and thorough teaching style which makes this video easy to watch over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent series
Review: Dr Yang is an excellent instructor, and this DVD series is the one of the best I have seen for teaching or self study of grappling methods. It is not a complete system of fighting, but it isn't meant to be. It is a very detailed introduction that is intended for those who have some experience in martial arts.

In my opinion, the price is too high. It is true that the cost is small compared to the cost of one-on-one training with a skilled instructor, but if like me you are buying this as well as training, it gets expensive quickly.

Even at this price they are well worth it.

Rating:
Summary: The best Chin Na instruction available!
Review: I have been fortunate enough to learn the techniques from Dr. Yang himself in his seminars. He is a great teacher, a highly developed master, and a rare individual. If you've read any of his books you know how well organized, researched, and thorough his writing is. Well his videos are the same. These DVDs are as good as you can get. Nothing compares to one on one instruction, but these techniques are very clearly demonstated with close ups and alternate angles. A person can get a very good understanding by watching these and practicing along with a partner.
Some user complained about watching students "fumble" around with the techniques while Dr. Yang corrects them (mostly on the higher level DVDs). There is a good reason for this. These students are well practiced and still make mistakes. They are likely to be the same mistakes you will make. This method helps you recognize them as mistakes so you can refine your technique. Well worth the money! I recomend his seminars first and buy the DVD to review and practice between seminars.

Go to YMAA.COM to find seminars etc...

Rating:
Summary: Chin Na In Depth-Courses 1-4 DVD
Review: The service in receiving this DVD was excellent! Prompt and in excellent condition. The DVD is very clear and with very clear instruction. You are shown the actual move, slow motion, and clear instruction throughout each move.

Rating:
Summary: A valuable Chin-Na reference
Review: This is the best Chin Na video series I've ever seen. Chin Na is the art of seizing and holding, and forms one of the four foundations of the Chinese Martial Arts (kicking (da), punching (ti), grappling (shuai) & seizing (na)). Most of the techniques come from Dr. Yang's background in the Southern White Crane system, a style famous for its Chin Na.

This is mainly a reference material, as Books and DVDs do not make good primary instructional material for martial arts, so plan on attending a seminar or finding a good local school to get the most from this DVD.

I also believe that although the techniques work well regardless of your background art, they are most effective when used in the White Crane system. So I additionally recommend "Shaolin White Crane Hard and Soft Qigong DVD" and "Shaolin White Crane Gong Fu Basic Training" by YMAA.

Rating:
Summary: A few gripes
Review: While I would like to give this DVD 5 stars, a few things hold me back, as far as martial arts DVDs goes, this is a good one. As said previously it cannot make up for one on one instruction. This DVD seems like it would be great for students who train shaolin white crane with Dr Yang, Jwing-Ming.

For anyone who is currently training in a different style of kung fu and is interested in diversity, this DVD will probably not offer you much information that you haven't already acquired.

For anyone not training but interested in learning some martial arts techniques, this DVD will probably not offer you much either because it focuses on precise control that is virtually impossible to grasp without the previously mentioned one on one training and repeated practice.

For the price, I think your money would be better spent either signing up for some martial arts training, or if you already are training, buy materials offered by your school if you can.