Sifu Michael Rainer: Issue 66

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 66 featuring Sifu Michael Rainer

"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 Rainer Cover Feature

MICHAEL RAINER
Looking Outside the Box
By Kleber Battaglia
When he was eight, Sifu Rainer saw the movie One-Armed Swordsman Against Nine Killers, and it deeply inspired him to learn Kung Fu. He began his martial arts journey training for a short time in Taijiquan, afterwards gravitating towards Karate and Kickboxing, until a few years later when he was introduced to Wing Chun. After years of being disappointed by the teachings of many of the Wing Chun Sifus he encountered, he eventually met his master, Sifu Sergio Pascal Iadarola, to later become the Austrian and German representative for his Internal Wisdom and Knowledge Association (IWKA).

Columns

SECOND NATURE
Don’t Confuse Your Body
Use the Idioms As a Guide
By Wayne Belonoha
Martial arts that are a mixed-up mash of incompatible techniques leave gaps in the strategy. By using the idioms, you can ensure a cohesive web of protection.

CLOSING THE CIRCLE
Chum Kiu
Seeking Unity
By Kim Squiers
Chum Kiu isn’t just about seeking the bridge. Learn the advantages of seeking unity with your opponent and how to use the “closing the circle” concept in combat.

TRAINED INSTINCT
Sparring
The Storm Before the Calm
By Neil Parris
Is sparring in line with traditional Wing Chun or a divergence from its original concept? Sifu Parris explores this question by considering who, if anyone, benefits from sparring, and whether it leads to growth or stagnation.

THE INNER CIRCLE
Gulao Wing Chun in Guangzhou
By Jim Roselando Jr
The migration of the Gulao Wing Chun masters is an important historical story. In this issue, we introduce the elders of the Guangzhou Gulao Wing Chun community.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Real JKD at the Movies!
By Jason Korol
Bruce Lee wasn’t an idiot. He knew a fight with an attribute monster required a plan. Fortunately, he gave us examples in his movies.

Features

NICOLE DANIELS
Preparing Yourself for Life
By Donna Yap
Nicole Daniels, aka “The Nubian Ninja”, is a certified instructor and senior student in the City Wing Tsun Athletic Association under Sifu Richter. Read her inspiring story, from collegiate basketball star to Wing Chun Sifu.

THE DETAILS ARE IN THE POST
Muk Yan Jong: No Wooden Performance
By Glenn Landers
For generations, the Muk Yan Jong has served as the visual symbol of our system, and its percussive “clunk” has punctuated our practice. But is the Wooden Dummy an advanced scientific apparatus or a redundant relic?

STICK TO IT
The Power of Chi Sau Training
By Jack Leung
Many do not understand the concept of “Sticky Hands”, nor how this training can benefit in real-life combat. Sifu Leung explains the benefit of using Chi Sau through a few simple and easy-to-understand metaphors.

GU WAI WAH
The Transmission of Leung Jan’s Wing Chun in the Gu Family: Part 1
By Zhang Tian Yu
Sifu Gu Wai Wah, the senior master of the Gu family’s Gulao Wing Chun, shares details about its history and the essential training methods and skills emphasised by this style.

THE “WEAPONS CHAMBERS” PROGRAMMES
A Support Tool for Teaching, Training and Learning Wing Tsun
By Ralph Hänel
Do you consider yourself a fighter or a martial artist? Modern or traditional? Sifu Hänel analyses the different training methods of many of his teachers, and programmes of unique learning and training blueprints developed over several decades.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
Hawkins Cheung’s JKD Tools
By Dr Robert Chu
Sifu Cheung summed up Jeet Kune Do very simply, as Bruce Lee did. He insisted that what differentiated him from many other Wing Chun instructors was his ability to fight at long range, as well as use his body structure.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
Don’t Act Like a Half-Bucket (Even if You Are One): Part 1
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter discusses his observations of online discourse after his social media audience quadrupled within a few months.

MY MARTIAL ARTS JOURNEY
Internet Killed the Kung Fu Star
By David Lampert
The Internet is a powerful tool to promote martial arts to the next generation. But in the hands of those with zero experience, high-quality marketing and an aim to be an “influencer”, it can become a damaging affair.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: The Wooden Dummy: Wing Chun Companion Book 5 by Alex Richter and The Fighting Arts: Their Evolution from Secret Societies to Modern Times by Michael Rosenbaum.

SCREEN FIGHTING
David Peterson reviews the following movies: The Odd Couple, Dreadnaught, and Knockabout.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the following educational DVDs: Benny Meng: Ip Man Wing Chun Series 10 – Trapping Hands and Randy Williams: Wooden Dummy Vol 6 – Advanced Exercises.