Sifu Alton Miller: Issue 78

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 78, featuring Sifu Alton Miller, is available in print and digital editions.

"Always excellently done, always thought-provoking, always interesting content, very well balanced, and always presented with grace and respect for all. I wish that all our Wing Chun brothers and sisters were as mindful in their day-to-day interactions with each other."

LARRY BUTLER

United States

The simple and profound truth about Wing Chun Illustrated is that it delivers! In a world where bias is omnipresent, hagiography widespread, and superficiality the norm, Wing Chun Illustrated truly does provide a forum for many perspectives and approaches, always with depth and content—meaning that it’s impossible to pick up an issue without gaining new, worthwhile insight into our beloved art. Truly, if one is serious about understanding Wing Chun, regardless of spelling tradition, Wing Chun Illustrated is de rigueur. Consequently, never settle for “just” present and future issues, but do get the full package, including all the back issues!

CHRISTIAN A. STEWART-FERRER

Denmark

This is an impressive magazine and I am set back with each issue by its quality of appearance and content. Clearly, this has the potential to overshadow many other national martial arts publications. Stay the course and always protect the line. Excellent job. As always, thanks and continued success.

MOSES McCLENDON

United States

I have purchased Wing Chun Illustrated in printed format and I have to say that it is simply the highest quality magazine I have ever owned! Beyond the quality paper and printing techniques utilised, the articles themselves are thorough and true to the Wing Chun system. I really appreciate owning a piece of history and I look forward to future issues!

JAMES BUMPAS

United States

I have looked forward to this magazine for months and was not at all disappointed. The articles are well written, nonbiased, and most importantly very informative. This is the first magazine that I have ever read from cover to cover. I’m encouraging all of my Wing Chun brothers and students to subscribe. I’m very much looking forward to the next issue!

WIZE SHABAZZ

United States

I have been practising Wing Chun for the best part of 30 years. In my time, I have read a huge amount of material on the art; however, I can honestly say that your magazine is by a long, long way the finest collection of articles I have come across. The fact that all views (and you and I both know there are so many) on the art of Wing Chun are made readily available in one place, without prejudice, is really inspirational and will hopefully serve as a guiding light and a template for dialogue within the art itself.

CHRIS HARVEY

United Kingdom

Sifu Alton Miller Cover Feature

ALTON MILLER
Reflections on 50 Years in Wing Chun
By David Horning
Sifu Alton Miller, a disciple of the Yuen Kay San/Sum Nung Wing Chun lineage, began his martial arts journey in 1966 with Isshin-Ryu, followed by Tien Shan Pai in 1972 and Wing Chun in 1974 under Sifu Lee Chun Ming. Over the past five decades, he has trained extensively in Mainland China and Hong Kong with his Sigung, Kwok Wan Ping, and Sijo Sum Nung, who was Yuen Kay San’s sole disciple. Since 1974, he has taught thousands, including all levels of law enforcement officers, military personnel and college students, and continues to train and teach at his Canton Wing Chun school in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Columns

THE MAGIC OF CHI SAU
Form vs Function
A Martial Arts Dilemma
By Keith R. Kernspecht
Although perfect forms are highly regarded, their effectiveness in actual combat remains doubtful. True mastery involves not only flawless execution but also the ability to understand and adapt techniques to real-world self-defence situations.

TALKING HANDS
Daan Chi Sau
More Than Just One Side of the Story
By Glenn Landers
Although it is the foundation of most of our hand techniques, Daan Chi Sau can sometimes be demoted to “Beginner’s Level” Sticking Hands, but it’s a drill we can never outgrow.

THE MARTIAL MIND
Unlocking Excellence
Why Your Wing Chun May Be Lacking
By Kyle and Ted Ritter
Do you feel your Wing Chun skills are lacking? You’re not alone. The Wing Chun Twins explore eight reasons why your Wing Chun might not be up to par, and how you can turn it around.

THE INNER CIRCLE
Fung Sik Wing Chun Kuen
Emerging from the Shadows
By Zhang Tianyu and Jim Roselando Jr
Sifu Man Kap San shares insights into the lesser-known Fung Sik Wing Chun Kuen, a style rich in tradition and distinct from other Wing Chun styles.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Trapping in the Modern Era
By Jason Korol
Trapping in a fight requires us to move beyond traditional training modes. The key is learning to apply it to modern styles.

Features

ROBIN TSANG
From Perfection to Passion
By Zhang Tianyu
Ever wondered how Kung Fu transformed in Hong Kong? Sifu Henry Chan Sze Lok shares his personal journey through the art’s cinematic highs, modern-day challenges, and its profound impact on culture and community.

THE BLINDSIDE
What Are the Holes in Your Game?
By Zhang Tianyu
To trust yourself and relate effectively to your opponent, you must know yourself, be humble enough to study the holes in your game and become aware of your limiting belief structures.

BEYOND CHOREOGRAPHY
Deepening Practice with the Wooden Dummy
By Mauro Gibin
Ever wondered about the deeper significance of the Wooden Dummy in Wing Chun? Sifu Gibin delves into its transformative potential beyond basic techniques, fostering a nuanced understanding and practice.

THE EIGHT WING CHUN FINGER STRIKES
Part 1: The Strikes
By Nancy McDonald
Interested in mastering finger strikes? In the first article of this two-part series, Nancy details eight finger strikes created by her teacher, Sifu Augustine Fong.

DIGITAL LEGACY
Observing Wing Chun in the Social Milieu
By Allan Horton
Sifu Horton explores how social media influences training modalities through the creation of visual content on open platforms.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
The Kick Does Not Miss
By Dr Robert Chu
Contrary to popular belief, Wing Chun is not merely a hand system that uses kicks sparingly. Kicking is an integral part of the art, and practitioners should strive to master it.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
That Time I Recklessly Applied Biu Tze on a Senior: Part One
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter discusses the time he needed a Biu Tze technique to defend an overzealous senior, and the backlash he received from this supposed breach of protocol.

WALKING THE WALK
In Defence of Tradition
By Michael Speights
As Wing Chun practitioners seek out ways to make the art more competitive with the popular fighting styles of today, Sifu Speights explains why evolving Wing Chun shouldn’t come at the expense of tradition.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Legendary Masters of the Martial Arts: Unravelling Fact from Fiction by Augustus John Roe, and When Buddhists Attack: The Curious Relationship Between Zen and the Martial Arts by Jeffrey K. Mann.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the following educational DVD: Wayne Belonoha: Workshop 17: Technique Blending.