Sifu Gert-Jan Ketelaar: Issue 76

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 76, featuring Sifu Gert-Jan Ketelaar, 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 Gert-Jan Ketelaar Cover Feature

GERT-JAN KETELAAR
A No-Nonsense Approach
By Glenn Landers
Sifu Gert-Jan Ketelaar developed an early fascination with Asian combat systems, and explored various martial arts before discovering Wing Chun through Rob Vogel Sr. in 1980. Vogel Sr. became his first Wing Chun teacher, and a 12-year collaboration evolved. In 1992, Gert-Jan met Sifu Wong Shun Leung for the first time – an encounter that resulted in a true “lights on” moment for the young Dutchman. In 1994, Sifu Wong introduced him to Philipp Bayer. Together, they entered into a close collaboration that lasted over ten years. In 2005, Gert-Jan established his own organisation, the United Ving Tsun Kung Fu Society.

Columns

THE MAGIC OF CHI SAU
Contact-Reflex
Six Essential Automatisms
By Keith R. Kernspecht
Sifu Kernspecht explores the six essential automatisms derived from contact-reflex training, delving into Chi Sau’s many roles, and the art of whole-body “muscle sense” for combat excellence.

TALKING HANDS
Lat Sau Jik Chung
WSLVT’s Hair Trigger
By Glenn Landers
Lat Sau Jik Chung is the primary component of the physiological engineering of the Wong Shun Leung approach. Sifu Landers reveals the “secrets” of making our arms pre-programmed weapons.

THE MARTIAL MIND
Decoding the Difference
Good vs Bad Wing Chun
By Kyle and Ted Ritter
The Wing Chun Twins decode the difference between good and bad Wing Chun, aiming to empower you to navigate Wing Chun with a clearer understanding.

THE INNER CIRCLE
Johnson Chan
Student & Friend of Sifu Wong Shun Leung
By Jim Roselando Jr
Forty-six years ago, before moving to the US, Johnson Chan was a hairstylist in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. He did the hair for Sifu Wong Shun Leung’s entire family, fostering a friendship that went beyond the typical teacher-student relationship.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Hidden Power
The Shovel Hook
By Jason Korol
The one-inch punch is great for demos. But the reality of usable short-range power is found in Jeet Kune Do’s shovel hook to the body.

Features

THE ART OF EFFICIENT STRIKING
The Mechanics of the Wing Chun Punch
By Derek G. Chan
Sifu Chan dissects the mechanics of the Wing Chun punch, dispels myths about its execution, deconstructs its structural components, and shares insights to enhance its effectiveness.

UNLOCKING THE POWER WITHIN
The Way of Energy Trapping
By Nancy McDonald
Wing Chun is known for its hand and leg trapping techniques, but have you ever heard of “Energy Trapping”? Energy Trapping serves the dual purpose of de-escalating potential street fights and strategically positioning oneself for an advantageous situation.

WTPLUS
Part 2: Didactics and Methodology
By Markus Senft
Sifu Senft presents the WTplus model, detailing its modular teaching strategy and digital integration, for a hybrid WingTsun training experience that blends traditional practices with modern technological advancements in martial arts education.

BAT CHE KUEN
Part 1: Perception of Force
By Choi Yan Shing
In Practical Wing Chun, Bat Che Kuen stands as an independent and comprehensive training method, holding a pivotal role within the entire system. However, it has rarely been practised or publicly explained before.

NEUROLOGICAL LEARNING
Foundations for Comprehensive Mindfulness
By Samuel Lutz
Exploring the Ip Man system’s didactics, Sifu Lutz dissects it through the perspectives of neuronal learning and movement development lenses, unveiling alignment with neuroscience’s optimal path for achieving comprehensive mindfulness and divided attention.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Teaching Wing Chun in One Day
By Dr Robert Chu
Previous generations of Wing Chun simplified and refined the art. During the COVID pandemic, Sifu Chu worried there was a bleak future for Wing Chun unless we simplified things. Delve into his conclusions.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
“Yip” or “Ip” and Other Cantonese Conundrums
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter discusses the totally uncontroversial elephant in the Wing Chun room.

WALKING THE WALK
Not Too Deadly for the Ring
How to Practise Dangerous Techniques in Sparring
By Michael Speights
The limits of combat sports training present a unique problem for the unrestrained practising of Wing Chun. Sifu Speights offers tips for training disabling techniques at full speed.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: The Martial Arts Teacher: A Practical Guide to a Noble Way by Jonathan Bluestein, and Tao of Wing Chun Do: Volume 1, Part 2 by James W. DeMile.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the following educational DVD: Jon Rister: Joint Locks 1.