Issue No. 51 Table of Contents

Issue 51 of Wing Chun Illustrated featuring Sifu Thommy Luke Boehlig

"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

THOMMY LUKE BOEHLIG
What You Focus On, Expands
By Jesper Lundqvist
Sifu Thommy Luke Boehlig is a bona fide, modern-day Wing Chun Master. He established his organisation Wing Tsjun International in 2005. His organisation is now represented in 15 countries around the globe. Sifu Thommy is a true visionary and is continuously discovering new ways not only to refine his art but also to apply the art of Wing Chun beyond the scope of self-defence. He is an extremely busy person, so we were very fortunate that he could find the time to do this interview to share insights with our readers.

Columns

SECOND NATURE
The Hands Support the Feet;
The Feet Support the Hands
By Wayne Belonoha
The hand techniques and stepping form a partnership. Without skills in one of these areas, the other will not be able to do its job and the chances of losing a fight increases.

MOON POINTING FINGER
All Good Things…
Some Parting Thoughts
By David Peterson
All good things must come to an end, and in Sifu Peterson’s final column he offers a few parting thoughts on Wing Chun.

UNDERSTANDING WING CHUN
Depression and Wing Chun
By Colin Ward
At this time of year, as many people look forward to Christmas, not everyone feels the same way. Depression can be a terrible battle, so how can Wing Chun help handle it?

THE INNER CIRCLE
Pin Sun Wing Chun
Arrow & Dart Fists
By Jim Roselando Jr
Sifu Roselando explores the “Three Arrow Fist” and “Darting Fist” of Pin Sun Wing Chun—two closed-fist sets that develop powerful striking skills.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Grappling & Jeet Kune Do
Wrestling with Reality
By Jason Korol
Many students are confused about what type of grappling they need, if any, in their JKD. Fortunately, Lee already provided the framework for us.

Features

KUM WAI
And the Soul of Wing Chun
By Michael Speights
If you are not continually employing Kum Wai, you are fighting by chance. Against a stronger and faster opponent, you will either get lucky or lose.

THE INTERCEPTING FIST
Mastering Awareness, Time, and Space
By Harinder Singh
Interception is the highest level of combat strategy. Sifu Singh shares the “Five Dimensions of Combat”, and teaches you how to master “Awareness”, “Timing” and “Distance” to effectively intercept your opponent.

WING CHUN FIGHTING STRATEGIES: PART 2
There’s Much More to Footwork
By Donald Mak
The footwork in Chum Kiu and Bui Jee is only foundational. Much of it, which dates to ancient texts, is not taught systematically in today’s Wing Chun, but several techniques are key to exploiting its close-range fighting capabilities.

CHUNG YAU KUEN
Cultivating Tendons, Bones and Qi
By Zhang Tianyu
Fung Siu Ching Wing Chun is a rare art, even in China. One of the senior representatives of this style in Foshan is Master Chung Yau Kuen who, in this exclusive interview, shares some insights into the system.

BIG MISTAKES IN WING CHUN TRAINING
By Tony Massengill
Sifu Massengill discusses some major mistakes he has seen in Wing Chun training if your end goal is self-defence skill in the real-world and not just Chi Sau dominance of your classmate in the Kwoon.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
The Effectiveness of Wing Chun Kuen
By Dr Robert Chu
Wing Chun has many so-called “Messiahs” quoting they are “Original”, “Authentic”, “Internal”, etc., but have not addressed more pressing issues—power, entry, covering up, correct range, unfamiliarity with fighting.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
The Grandmaster Problem
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter discusses why the title “Grandmaster” is no longer necessary from a traditional perspective.

MY MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY
The Circle of Learning
By David Lampert
Learning Wing Chun is like everything else in life; it has a cycle, and these phases, which drive emotion and frustrations, are just part and parcel of it.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Bridging the Gap: Taking Your Martial Art from the Studio into Combat by Bill Dowding and Win or Learn: MMA, Conor McGregor & Me: A Trainer’s Journey by John Kavanagh.

SCREEN FIGHTING
David Peterson reviews the following movies: Revenger, Abduction, and Invincible Dragon.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Dwight Hennings reviews the following educational DVDs: Sam Chan: Chi Sau Level 2 and Wayne Belonoha: Workshop 15: Bong Geuk – Ving Tsun Kick Defense.