Simply ... Wing Chun Kung Fu Press Reviews

This book is a technical, illustrative and diagrammatical analysis of the core theories and principles of Wing Chun. It aims to exemplify and define the musculoskeletal structure that every Wing Chun student and instructor utilises in the practice and deployment of their Wing Chun. Rather than containing glamorous photographs of the author, the book contains computer generated illustrations by the author based upon the hand drawn illustrations that he uses in his daily teaching and those included in a published article within the 'Grandmaster Yip Man Centenary Birth Book' (1993).

Simply … WING CHUN KUNG FU

'Definitive' is an overworked term, but when Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe, regular COMBAT contributor and acknowledged authority on Wing Chun, promises the 'definitive, scientific and technical analysis of the Wing Chun system', he delivers the goods.

Simply the encyclopaedia of Wing Chun, more like. Well presented, the book systematically explains in precise detail the entire Wing Chun toolbox of principles, forms, stances and techniques. Information overload! Fortunately, one of the books' many value added extras is the checklist neatly summarising each section, excellent for solo-training at home between training sessions. And just check out the Fundamental Principles section! After analysing the Centreline Theory to within an inch of its life, Sifu Rawcliffe invites his own students, highly qualified in their own fields, to contribute essays on mental processes, elbow joint biomechanics and Chi energy. Rocket science maybe, but this level of underpinning knowledge surely reinforces the basic principles upon which the style is founded.

Simply Wing Chun Kung Fu is martial art in its purest form, stripping away all personalisation, politics and self-promotion - a radical change from the norm. Bored with the me, me, me school of martial arts literature? Concentrating on the art, rather than the artist, Sifu Rawcliffe dispenses with the usual personal anecdotes, so the reader is not subjected to constant I-strain. Even more radical, the entire book is illustrated by the author's own diagrams, not his own photographs, putting the reader into the picture, not himself. This total lack of personal promotion alone lifts the book way above the ordinary.

Intended originally as a reference for his own students, Sifu Rawcliffe has written a book to benefit all Wing Chun practitioners, regardless of the spelling of Wing Chun, Wing Tsun, Ving Tsun et al on their tee-shirts. Readers are encouraged to personalise and explore applications for themselves, again distancing the writer from any political bias. Such a refreshing change.

Without actual knowledge of the system the diagrams appear abstract, like learning to dance by following footsteps painted on the floor. Not recommended for anyone looking for a Wing Chun 'teach yourself' quick course. For anyone actively practising Wing Chun, this is it. The definitive work on Wing Chun and simply a must for your bookshelf. Simply Wing Chun Kung Fu … published by Crowood in paperback, price £14.99. ISBN 1-86126-596-4

Combat Magasine

Reviews from Amazon.co.uk

Very informative and accurate. 31 Mar 2006 Reviewer: EagleClaw I only just started on this book yesterday, but I am already thoroughly impressed. Master Ip Chun is after all the son of Master Yip Man who also taught Bruce Lee this style of Kung Fu. Aside from the very interesting history and some very technical drawings and explanations on the first three forms of Wing Chun, there is also a glossary in the back that gives the Chinese names of 114 movements found in the first two forms. You will even find the Wing Chun Code Of Conduct in these pages. All and all, a very well put together book. If you are looking for uncorrupted information on Wing Chun in a pure form, I don't think it can get much better than the books written by Master Ip Chun himself. This one included.

Impressive 4 December, 2003 Reviewer: ctcheung from Hong Kong I am deeply impressed by the format and content of this book. It manages to cover all the key aspects of Ving Tsun Kuen in great depth and detail without promoting one 'family' style or approach. As a Dit Dar doctor (bone healer), I am also very impressed by the depth of knowledge and understanding shown by the author and by the articles he included by 3 of his students. It is rare to find a westerner who can appreciate and understand the complexity of Qi energy, let alone it's use within Gung Fu. The publication of this book gives great reassurance that the teachings of Man Gung are at last being fully appreciated and passed on correctly abroad. Rawcliffe Sifu is a credit to his teacher, himself and to his Wing Chun brothers. His obvious years of studies, research and dedication plus his openness and willingness to share his acquired knowledge, without the need for self promotion is indeed a rare commodity. I am honoured to be able to review this book.

simply wing chun kung fu, 10 November, 2003 Reviewer: wingtsun from Germany This book is excellent and well worth reading. It is full of meaning full diagrams and illustrations rather than the ususal self promoting photos of similar books. The diagrams set out in detail the clinical muscular and skeletal positions and structures of each technique. The text explains why and how each technique and structure works, the skeletal alignment and muscular structure required and a simple check list to ensure the positions can be checked correctly. In short this book delves in great detail into how and why Wing Chun works on an anatomical basis. Fantastic!

Simply Wing Chun, Simply Brilliant 9 November, 2003 Reviewer: Owen Richards from South Wales As a student at the Siu Num Tao level of Wing Chun I am by no means a veteran of the system, however, to me this book seems very in depth and answers lots of questions. I was intrigued by the explanations (from doctors and surgeons) of positions, chi and how the brain works during wing chun practise and development. The diagrams are clear and simple, they do the job well. The book provides a checklist for each position in each form and explains it in detail, this will be great for learners of that form as it means they can refer to it when not in class. Wing Chun cant be learnt from a book alone. There are quotes and maxims, some from Sifu Rawcliffe himself, placed at relevant points throughout which really help make the points stick in the mind. If you have many other wing chun books, this is probably the book you've been waiting for. It deserves five starts because it is a definitive source of knowledge from a very skilled and interesting sifu

Ving Tsun Kuen 13 November, 2003 Leo Wong from Hong Kong (SAR) I have been studying Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) in Hong Kong for over 30 years and this is the first book in English that has managed to explain the essence of Ving Tsun. My Si-Fu, even my Si-Kung, Ip Man, would have been proud that Ving Tsun is being taught and explained so well around the world. This book embodies the teachings of my Si-Fu and his Ving Tsun To Dai (Kung Fu Brothers), probably due to Rawcliffe Sifu's studies in Hong Kong and incompasses the simple complexity that is Ving Tsun Kuen. Understanding the structure to Ving Tsun is key to understanding how Ving Tsun works so effectively and efficiently and a book like this was long over due. Including the Ving Tsun Kuen Kuit elevates the book even further by embracing the philosophy of all that is Ving Tsun. Leo T K Wong. Hong Kong 2003.

Breath of fresh air!! 14 November, 2003 A reader from England The book contains no pictures to 'sell' Sifu Rawcliffe but is full of diagrams to help explain the text, which is in-depth and his knowledge is obviously overflowing and extremly deep. The book gives check lists for each position and why things work. It is a book for the novice as well as the seasoned practitioner, it's a good read and will help further your understanding of Wing Chun. The book itself seems to promote Wing Chun without promoting Sifu Rawcliffe which is a breath of fresh air.A great book which will not teach you Wing Chun as no book can take the place of a real Sifu but it will help your knowledge grow, I recommend this book to anyone interested in the MA and all Wing Chun practitioners, top notch.

Click here to purchase at 20% discount