Sifu Michael Mehle: Issue 67

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 67 featuring Sifu Michael Mehle is available as print-on-demand.

"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 Michael Mehle Cover Feature

MICHAEL MEHLE
A Reliable System in a Chaotic World
By Kleber Battaglia
Sifu Michael Mehle began his martial arts journey in Germany at age seven. From 1991 to 2004, he practised Wing Tsun at Langenzell Castle near Heidelberg with his then teacher, Sifu Heinrich Pfaff. Michael left the EWTO in 2004 but remained with his former teacher for some time before taking several trips to Hong Kong, where he got to know different masters. It was a YouTube video of Sifu Gary Lam that changed everything. Impressed by the content, the explanations, and Sifu Lam’s friendly yet decisive manner, Michael attended his first seminar with Lam in London. Soon after, he visited his Sifu in Los Angeles and has passionately been teaching Gary Lam Wing Chun since 2011.

Columns

SECOND NATURE
The Punch That Hits Also Traps
By Wayne Belonoha
To consistently win a fight requires controlling and trapping the hands of the opponent. Learn how to use the punch as a key element to successful trapping.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE
Biu Gee’s Power
By Kim Squiers
Sifu Squiers examines the more traditional elements of Biu Gee, and looks at how it epitomises the concept of “Closing the Circle”.

TRAINED INSTINCT
Chi Sau
A Gateway or Barrier to Application?
By Neil Parris
Sifu Parris discusses how Chi Sau can become either a barrier or a gateway to the application of Wing Chun, exploring when the training process can lead to unproductive paths, and how to recognise your trajectory.

THE INNER CIRCLE
The USA Gulao Family
A Historic Weekend
By Jim Roselando Jr
When you think about Boston, what comes to mind is Faneuil Hall, sports and lobster rolls, but one of Boston’s greatest treasures is the Pin Sun Wing Chun community. In this issue, Sifu Roselando reviews their recent historic weekend.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Balance
The Heart and Soul of JKD
By Jason Korol
Very few of us can hit with full power and still move freely in a fight. Learn why this is and how to fix it.

Features

ANNE PANG
Australia’s First Lady of Wing Chun
By Donna Yap
Sifu Anne Pang is arguably Australia’s First Lady of Wing Chun. In this interview, she explains how she created her own style of women’s self- defence by incorporating the techniques of Wing Chun and Southern Dragon Kung Fu (Lung Ying).

THE RIDDLE OF STEEL
Dissecting the WSLVT Knives Form
By Glenn Landers
More than a tradition, more than a weapon, the Baat Jaam Do is the highest attainment of the system, with relatively few exponents understanding why “Blood and Steel” still remains relevant to Wing Chun.

CANTON WING CHUN
Everything Complements Everything
By Alton Miller
Sifu Miller shares some essential refinements that emerged during the pandemic teaching experiences with the students at his Canton Wing Chun school.

GU WAI WAH
The Transmission of Leung Jan’s Wing Chun in the Gu Family: Part 2
By Zhang Tian Yu
Sifu Gu Wai Wah, the senior master of the Gu family’s Gulao Wing Chun, shares details about its training methods, applications and more technical aspects of the art.

BIU JI
Secret Form or a Mirage?
By Furio Piccinini
Is Wing Chun’s third empty-hand form really a secret one? Should one try to learn it as soon as possible, or is it better to wait until Chum Kiu completion?

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Breaking Centre
The Core of Wing Chun
By Dr Robert Chu
Sifu Chu examines the concept of Breaking Centre —the core of Wing Chun—which should be the goal of every practitioner when applying the art.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
Don’t Act Like a Half-Bucket (Even if You Are One): Part 2
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter continues his observations on online discourse, but this time with some strategies for dealing with the half-buckets we will encounter.

MY MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY
What’s the Fascia with You?
By David Lampert
Developing power and solid structure while remaining relaxed and fluid is the jewel we all seek to cultivate. Yet, the answer to the puzzle is closer than you ever imagined—the fascia. But what is the fascia?

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Secret Origin of Wing Chun: 67 2200 Years of Training, History, Philosophy, and Development of Ancient Chinese MMA by Tom Wong and The 15 Chi Sau Fundamentals: Wing Chun Tutorial Series 1 by Alex Richter.

SCREEN FIGHTING
David Peterson reviews the following movies: Skinny Tiger and Fatty Dragon, The Battle at Lake Chang Jin, and The Flag of Iron.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the following educational DVDs: Ian Protheroe: The Wing Chun Fighting System and Chuck O’neill: Wing Chun: Biu Ji Form.