Issue No. 49 Table of Contents

Issue 49 of Wing Chun Illustrated featuring Sifu William Kwok

"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

Cover Feature

WILLIAM KWOK
Taking the Path of Yin and Yang
By Kleber Battaglia
Sifu William Kwok is the Headmaster of Gotham Martial Arts in New York City, and he has been promoting Practical Wing Chun since 2008. Kwok is Grandmaster Wan Kam Leung’s first closed-door disciple to teach Practical Wing Chun in North America. In 2015, the United States President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition recognised Sifu Kwok with the Community Leadership Award. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership at Northeastern University. This course has a research focus on the potential effects of martial arts on the greater community. He has been given the nickname of Kung Fu Gentleman by his students. Sifu Kwok continuously strives to understand how balancing and integrating Yin and Yang can create harmony in our lives.

Columns

SECOND NATURE
I Can’t Teach You Wing Chun!
You Must Learn It
By Wayne Belonoha
A teacher cannot force a student to learn as there is more involved than just memorisation of techniques or theories. True learning comes from experience.

MOON POINTING FINGER
Chi Sau
Putting Things into Perspective
By David Peterson
The true purpose of Chi Sau appears to have been forgotten, with its relevance lost or ignored. It’s time to put things into perspective and to appreciate just what Chi Sau is all about.

UNDERSTANDING WING CHUN
Hitting the Wall
By Colin Ward
Is it as bad taking a break from class training as you think or can there be an upside to time off?

THE INNER CIRCLE
Practitioners of Gulao Wing Chun
Mr Lam Baak Cheung
By Fung Geng Daat
Lam Baak Cheung was the sworn brother of Wong Was Saam and his most senior student in Pin Sun Wing Chun. In this issue, we clear up the mystery of Lam Baak Cheung.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
What Defeated Bruce Lee?
By Jason Korol
Bruce Lee’s greatest “defeat” came not from an enemy but his improper training. Learn how to avoid that mistake.

Features

JONATHAN PARSONS
Fighting to Keep You Focused
By Jason Korol
What’s the biggest mistake we can make in our training? Not being ready for the sudden fury of real combat. Sifu Parsons shows us how to make sure we’re ready.

USING WING CHUN ON THE STREET
From Personal Experience
By Jef Sutherland
Living in some of the UK’s toughest neighbourhoods has given Jef Sutherland a unique perspective on self-defence. Here he shares some of his experiences on using Wing Chun in real life.

LEUNG SHEUNG’S FIVE CORE ELEMENTS
By Harinder Singh
Learn the secrets of Master Leung Sheung’s “Five Core Elements”, which are a set of five postural reminders that aid in developing proper body mechanics, focus the mind, and cultivate Internal energy.

FATSAAN WING CHUN ASSOCIATION
Preserving Traditional Wing Chun
By Zhang Tianyu
We sat down to have a conversation with the chairman of the Fatsaan Wing Chun Association, Master Gwok Wai Jaam, to discuss its background, mission and future initiatives.

THE TRUTH ABOUT MMA AND WING CHUN
Intolerance in the Martial Arts Arena
By Joseph Musse II
We live in a world full of division and animosity. It’s sad but unfortunately true, and still, there are more division and separations in the martial arts world. Wing Chun, is now the new target for the bullies on the block.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Jong Master Class (Part 3)
By Dr Robert Chu
In essence, the Jong is a means of mastering Wing Chun’s structure and application. However, your understanding of the Jong will also highlight the flaws of your understanding.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
The Curious Case of the Missing Slant Kick: Part 2
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter explores the justifications for the Chum Kiu form’s single left Slant Kick and what it says about confirmation bias.

MY MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY
Evolution, not Revolution
By David Lampert
Traditional and progression are both equally important words in the world of martial arts. Dave discusses the need for both to coexist balanced in a harmonic partnership where both parts are not neglected.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Hard Target: Becoming Your Own Bodyguard by Tony Massengill and The Protector Ethic: Morality, Virtue, And Ethics in the Martial Way by James V. Morganelli.

SCREEN FIGHTING
David Peterson reviews the following movies: Avengement, The Brave Archer, and Triple Threat.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Dwight Hennings reviews the following educational DVDs: Sifu Taner & Graziano: Lat Sao For Student Degree 4 and Randy Williams: Wing Chun Gung Fu Basics – Part 1 Structure and Footwork.