Wing Chun In-Depth

Aristotle once said, “the most difficult thing in the world is to discover and know yourself.” One way to do this is to interact with a real friend who will play the role of a mirror and help you “see” yourself and assist you in achieving self-realization, self-confidence, and self-control. Reading Plato’s dialogues, we often cannot recognize who is the true author (Aristotle the mas- ter, or Plato the student). This matters less that the content itself. Something similar is happening in this book. What really matters is that Wing Chun is preserved and transferred to future generations. Like Plato, these authors invite you to question and analyze yourself by accepting current circum- stances and remaining focused to find your own truth and to deal with the complexity and chal- lenges of your own life. This book will help you discover your inner self, allowing your skills and abilities to be revealed and your imagination explored. Wing Chun In-Depth begins with the origins and history of the Wing Chun system. It explores the contributions of Ip Man and Bruce Lee through the social and political environments of their times. The authors focus not only on sophisticated martial skills but on principles, mental values, attitudes, and philosophies that these masters taught for success in life. It continues with an exami- nation of Wing Chun skills including the economy of motion, effort, and natural reactions with forward energy. The work is also precisely illustrated with hundreds of enhanced photographs. The authors complete this book by offering the readers various strategies on how Wing Chun’s universal principles can work as a stabilizing force in life. Wing Chun is a way of thinking. It helps overcome anger, stress, bias, and mental blocks. It replaces them with calmness, charm, and intelli- gence so that we can confront the most difficult opponent: ourselves. In Wing Chun, every obstacle is an opportunity to find a natural way. This book will inspire the remarkable journey of Wing Chun and bring out the very best in all who take it. —Vasileios Manousakis Colonel GR (A)   If you are looking for a book on Wing Chun that covers both the practical aspects of applying the techniques in combat as well as the philosophical side of the martial art, then this is the book for you. I have read many books on Wing Chun, and this is by far one of the most comprehensive and well-written books I have come across. Loukas Kastrounis has been teaching martial arts for over thirty years to many martial artists of different styles, law enforcement officers, security firms, and the military at home and overseas. He is a highly creative instructor with a unique approach to training that helps students achieve their goals quickly and effectively. Wing Chun In-Depth: Skills for Combat, Strategies for Life is a must-read for anyone passionate about Wing Chun and martial arts. This is one of those books you will be able to reference time and time again. I highly recommend this book for everyone! —Lafayette Harris, Wing Chun martial arts instructor   A solidly researched, beautifully narrated deep dive into the philosophical, historical, and tech- nical aspects of Wing Chun. Fascinating history combined with great narration and revealing insights that make Wing Chun relevant for all of life’s challenges. Highly recommended if you love history, martial arts, and strategy. —Erwan Le Corre, author of The Practice of Natural Movement   I was fascinated to understand how Wing Chun practitioners can gain mechanical advantages through natural movement and gain freedom through imitation and repetition. It’s as though the practitioner is a work of art [becoming] a masterpiece. Reading the history of Wing Chun practitio- ners drew me in deeply, a veritable who’s-who of Wing Chun. —Eric Brown, former US Navy SEAL, Naval Special Warfare Center Instructor of the Year (1993)