Sifu Keith R Kernspecht: Issue 82

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 82, featuring Sifu Keith R Kernspecht, is now available worldwide on Amazon and in digital formats.

"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 Keith R Kernspecht Cover Feature

KEITH R KERNSPECHT
Legends Never Die: A Legacy of Dedication to WingTsun
By Oliver König
On 25 November 2024, the Wing Chun community lost one of its most visionary thinkers, Grandmaster Keith R Kernspecht. As the founder of the European WingTsun Organisation, Kernspecht revolutionised martial arts education by blending tradition with modern scientific and academic approaches. His pioneering work in biomechanics, teaching methodologies and global networking expanded WingTsun’s influence across disciplines while preserving its essence. Beyond martial arts, Kernspecht was a philosopher, author and educator whose legacy continues to inspire. This tribute delves into his remarkable journey and the lasting impact of a martial artist who profoundly shaped WingTsun’s growth in Europe and beyond.

Columns

MARTIAL MASTERY
The Evolution of EWTO WingTsun
Transformation Since the 1980s – Part 1
By Oliver König
The EWTO’s WingTsun has seen remarkable changes since the 1980s. Evolving from traditional Hong Kong methods, it now embodies modern influences and adaptability. Explore this evolution as we showcase the system’s modern approach.

TALKING HANDS
Hitting a Brick Wall
The Return(s) of the Wall Bag
By Glenn Landers
A fixture in most Wing Chun gyms, the wall bag is a staple of most practitioner’s training “diet”. Unremarkable by design, the key to its benefits lies in its simplicity as well as in the wall itself.

THE MARTIAL MIND
The Wing Chun Vertical Punch
An Ideal Tool for Self-Defence
By Kyle and Ted Ritter
The Wing Chun Vertical Punch offers advantages over the Horizontal Punch, making it an ideal tool for effective self-defence in real-world situations.

THE INNER CIRCLE
Zhao Wo Hong
Sixth-Generation Gulao Representative
By Jim Roselando Jr
Sifu Zhao Wo Hong, a sixth-generation Gulao Wing Chun representative, shares his training journey, teaching goals and efforts to preserve and promote Gulao Wing Chun.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
The Doctor Is In
Sparring as a Prescription
By Jason Korol
Bruce Lee valued sparring for its importance. Much like the Beimo matches in Hong Kong, it offered him a chance to challenge himself and grow.

Features

SUNNY SO
Where Tradition and Innovation Unite
By Zhang Tianyu
Sifu Sunny So blends traditional martial arts with modernity, challenging the stereotype of conservative Kung Fu masters. His progressive approach to Weng Chun Kuen highlights both innovation and respect for heritage.

MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF WING CHUN
A Path to Emotional Resilience and Mental Well-being
By Rhi Gibson
Can trauma-informed principles improve Wing Chun practice? Sifu Gibson explores the integration of mental health strategies into Wing Chun by combining martial arts expertise with therapeutic methods.

CUTTING THE OPPONENT’S ROOT
Mastering Solid Ground and the Thirteen Principles
By Nancy McDonald
Sifu McDonald explains how uprooting in Wing Chun cuts the opponent’s root by targeting their centre-of-gravity. Mastery of timing, structure and the “Thirteen Principles” helps practitioners unbalance opponents and control their power.

TEACHING WING CHUN MORE EFFECTIVELY
Harnessing the Ecological Approach in Coaching
By James Marsh
What if we approached Wing Chun training through a scientific lens? Sifu Marsh explores how applying the “Ecological Approach” with task-based games can enhance skill development, offering more dynamic, real-world solutions for offence and defence.

PROGRESSIONS AND REGRESSIONS
The Yin-Yang of Wing Chun Mastery
By Clay Pratka
Sifu Pratka explores the dynamic journey of martial arts mastery, emphasising the importance of both progressions and regressions in cultivating a balanced philosophy to enhance both your Wing Chun and your life.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Mastering the Art of Entry
By Dr Robert Chu
In Wing Chun, “Entry” forms the system’s foundation, emphasising destabilising and controlling the opponent from the outset. Sifu Chu explores five practice scenarios and solo drills to enhance entry techniques.

THE SMARTER FIGHTER
The Path of Continuous Discovery
By Martin Brogaard
What defines progression in Wing Chun? Sifu Brogaard explores the abstraction levels, from basic techniques to advanced concepts of energy, timing and intention, highlighting the continuous journey of discovery and mastery for practitioners.

IN CLOSE QUARTERS
Cultivating Balance and Power
By John Lobb
Explore how stance creates a foundation for balance, power and mobility in Wing Chun, uncovering the principles that connect martial skill to broader personal growth and inner strength.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews The Bruce Lee Code: How The Dragon Mastered Business, Confidence & Success by Thomas Lee, and In Modern Wing Chun Kung Fu: Fight Like a Woman & Master Your Life by Eric Oram.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the educational DVD Attribute Building for Devastating Kicks by Vik Hothi.