Sifu Natalie von Rothenburg: Issue 75

Wing Chun Illustrated Issue 75, featuring Sifu Natalie von Rothenburg, 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 Natalie von Rothenburg Cover Feature

NATALIE VON ROTHENBURG
The Female Powerhouse of the EWTO
By Alex Richter
Sifu Natalie von Rothenburg is the adopted daughter of Grandmaster Keith R. Kernspecht. From her early experiences in Capoeira and Karate to her eventual mastery of Wing Chun, Sifu Natalie offers insights into her family’s distinct training methods and commitment to constant improvement. She and her father travel the world to conduct in-depth research, exploring rare martial arts styles and integrating their findings into their Wing Chun practice. She also shares her thoughts on the role of Wing Chun in MMA and her studies in various martial arts beyond Wing Chun, establishing herself as a true maven who carves her own path in the martial arts world.

Columns

THE MAGIC OF CHI SAU
Sticking Hands
Ideal for Self-Defence
By Keith R. Kernspecht
Sifu Kernspecht underscores the critical need for tactile awareness in self-defence, highlighting the limitations of visual cues and the role of touch-based reflexes for rapid responses.

TALKING HANDS
Bong Sau
The Bad Seed?
By Glenn Landers
Bong Sau looks good, feels good and is the distinguishing “Photo Pose” of the Wing Chun system. However, our undying affection for this movement can be our undoing in live combat.

TRAINED INSTINCT
Closing the Circle
How Energy and Efficiency Become One
By Neil Parris
Without energy and efficiency, what is Wing Chun? And what has a drain pipe got to do with structure? Find out what’s required to combine energy and efficiency into a single functional unit.

THE INNER CIRCLE
Researching the Red Boat Arts
Joyce Zhang’s Quest for Knowledge
By Jim Roselando Jr
Joyce Zhang is a prominent figure in Kung Fu research. Her dedication and questioning strategy during interviews have shed light on the rich diversity of Wing Chun and its cultural significance.

THE STRAIGHT LEAD
Bombs Away
The Jeet Kune Do Hook
By Jason Korol
Having a knockout punch is the ultimate simplification of self-defence. Discover how JKD’s distinctive hook punch can empower you with knockout capability.

Features

DESIREE KHALATBARI-LEE
In the Footsteps of Legends
By Donna Yap
Desiree Khalatbari-Lee, Sifu Gary Lam’s first female Sifu, shares her inspiring journey, discusses challenges, and highlights the significance of Wing Chun in today’s world.

THE PATH TO TRUE MASTERY
Navigating Confirmation Bias
By Eric Lilleør
Is your pursuit of martial mastery tainted by confirmation bias? This cognitive bias significantly obstructs our martial arts journey, impeding personal growth and the objective assessment of skills.

LAI SIK WING CHUN
The Art of Master Lai Chiu Wah
By Zhang Tianyu
In Guangzhou, there are several famous Wing Chun masters. One of the most prominent is Sifu Lai Chiu Wah. His energy, spirit and physicality put even men 40 years his junior to shame.

WTPLUS
Part 1: Evolution & Background
By Markus Senft
Sifu Markus Senft discusses EWTO’s innovative WTplus programme, examining its historical roots, the evolution of its teaching methods, and its adaptation to modern digital and hybrid learning environments.

BEYOND TECHNIQUES
The Secrets of Mental Conditioning
By Seán E. McCaffrey
Ever wondered how the mind-body connection influences your mastery of Wing Chun? Delve into the significance of focused intent and the transformative power of mental conditioning.

Departments

STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION
The Art of “Transitional Hands”
By Dr Robert Chu
The use of these “transitional moves” is what makes any Chinese martial arts system effective, be it a Northern or Southern, Internal or External system. Other moves in any art are the finishing methods, ways of posing to draw attacks, or trademarks or signatures of that system.

THE KUNG FU GENIUS
Ip Man Would Fail His Own Student’s “Purity” Tests
By Alex Richter
Sifu Richter takes on the holy cow of purity in lineage, and why this doesn’t necessarily translate to a well-rounded practitioner.

WING CHUN’S REBIRTH
Mental Prep in Combat Training
By Joseph Musse II
Sifu Musse delves into the paramount role of mental preparedness in combat. From psychological insights to ethical dimensions, discover why a well-trained mind is the linchpin to effective combat training.

Reviews

IN PRINT
Lafayette Harris reviews the following books: Little Evil: One Ultimate Fighter’s Rise to the Top by Jens Pulver and Erich Krauss, and Tao of Wing Chun Do: Volume 1, Part 1 by James W. DeMile.

SCREEN EDUCATIONAL
Alex Danos reviews the following educational DVD: Wayne Belonoha: Workshop 13 – Fight Strategy/Maai San Jong.