Issue 8 - October 2005
Editorial
Dear Friends and students,
First of all, my apologies for this issue reaching you later than expected. With many of our Instructors and Assistant Instructors studying with Sifu in Malaysia (I’m hoping they’ll have a few stories to share for next months newsletter!) I’ve been left on my own to figure out how to circulate it! Fortunately Sifu Jordan Francis has kindly stepped in to fill the role left by Hubert and I’d like to say both Thank you and Welcome to him.
With London classes being a great success, I’d like to say hello to all new Shaolin Wahnam students and remember - regular correct practice is the key to success!
My Story - Sifu Joan Browne
This issue I am very grateful to Sifu Joan Browne founder of Shaolin Wahnam Ireland for sharing her story with us. A truly remarkable account and an inspiration to many readers I’m certain. Sifu Joan is also teaching Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung in London (Details Here), so if you wish to learn from one of Sifu’s most senior Chi Kung Instructors, be certain to take advantage of this opportunity.
My name is Joan Browne and I am a disciple of Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit of Malaysia. In January 2000, I went to Malaysia to study Shaolin Chi Kung under Grandmaster Wong because of a back and neck injury that had been ongoing for six years. The pain resembled having two toothaches on a constant basis. It affected my upper back, neck and I also suffered from many headaches and migraines. My mind was not clear, from a combination of medication and pain. I had begun the slippery slope of despair as nobody could do anything to help. Coming from a nursing background I found this situation very frustrating and demeaning. I had tried all conventional and most alternative methods of treatment without any success, in the end I was advised to try and live with the constant pain as best I could and was also told that in time I would probably end up in a wheelchair. At the time that I went to Malaysia, I was on home traction, physiotherapy and at least eight painkillers a day. I was also attending an osteopath twice weekly. I couldn't even lift a 2-litre milk carton.
After reading 'Chi Kung for Health and Vitality' written by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, I got in contact with him and found myself, within six weeks, in Malaysia. I was especially struck by how approachable, generous, kind and happy, this gentle Master was when first introduced. What he taught me there, I came home and practised. The great thing that I found initially was that, I was able to get more pain relief by practising this gentle art, than I was getting from the other treatments. This in itself was a miracle to me. The best was yet to come. By September of that year, I was totally pain free and I also felt a more content and happy person.
I was really amazed that this could happen and vowed that I would invite Grandmaster Wong to Ireland as soon as was convenient for him to hold a weekend course on Shaolin Chi Kung. I thought that, even if only one person on the course overcame the illness that he presented with, it was worth a try.
Three weeks after coming home in January, I felt a very strong urge to go to the local Bingo, of all places!! I begged my sister to go with me and borrowed the money from my brother. We had a good laugh as we hadn’t been there for at least a few years and weren’t able to keep up with the marking. Finally the jackpot sheet came up and I was keeping a close eye on my sister’s sheet, she was getting very close. Suddenly I looked down at my own and found that I was waiting only for number 71! Next thing I heard was …………71 and yes I had won the jackpot, which hadn’t been won in months. It was the exact amount of the loan that I had taken out to go to Malaysia! Good chi flow or what?
Sifu---what his students call Master Wong---- arrived in February 2001 to Tralee, in Co Kerry and forty students attended the weekend course. I remember being very emotional when I say the whole hall of people in 'a chi flow' and knew that they would have this great skill for life. Sifu has kindly returned many times to Ireland since then and conducted what I call ‘WOW’ courses each time.
In September 2001, I was very honoured to be given permission to teach Shaolin Chi Kung in Ireland and now have classes in Kerry, Cork, Dublin and London. Many of those who have attended both Sifu's courses and my own have overcome their chronic illnesses e.g. Depression, Arthritis, Trapped nerves, Back problems, Psoriasis, Asthma etc and everyone has felt the total feeling of relaxation and peace.
As a former Psychiatric Nurse, I am especially delighted that Shaolin Chi Kung has so much to offer people who suffer from depression and other emotional problems. In Chi Kung philosophy every person is made up of three components, namely jin (physical form), qi (chi)(energy) and shen (spirit). A person becomes depressed when his spirit is weak. Chi Kung addresses the root cause of the disorder, not only by uplifting his spirit but also correcting his energetic and physical defects which eventually result due to his spirit being pressed down. The energy level of a depressed person is low, and negative emotions are locked in his lung system. Chi Kung overcomes these problems in a most simple, direct and effective manner.
I feel that my life’s work now is to promote and preserve this wonderful Shaolin Art—Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung. It is a simple, direct, effective and proven method for curing disease and preventing illness, for bringing deep happiness and joy into our daily living and for giving meaning to life amidst a world of confusion.
Mile Bhuiochas Sifu and to all past Shaolin Masters,
Joan Browne
Founder of Shaolin Wahnam Ireland.
Warrior Project 2005
A quick message from Sifu Andrew Barnett of Shaolin Wahnam Switzerland:
Dear all,
The fourth Warrior Project Training for 2005 with Sifu Kai Uwe Jettkandt will be held during the weekend of 5th and 6th November 2005 in Switzerland. The venue is now confirmed as Winterthur (15 minutes from Zurich by train or car).
For those coming from further away and wishing to arrange flights early to get cheaper fares, the nearest airport to fly into is Zurich (airport code ZRH) .... and don't worry too much about transfers from and to the airport
The cost for the training will be 120 Euros per person and prior booking is required.
As already noted elsewhere in the forum, the Warrior Project is open to those who are practicing either Shaolin Kung Fu or Wahnam Taijiquan and who have reached at least Level 2 in their respective curriculums within Shaolin Wahnam.
For further details please contact my Assistant Instructor, Roland Mastel (Luo Lang on the forum) or me by email or PM.
Andrew
__________________
Andrew Barnett
Shaolin Wahnam Switzerland
www.shaolin-wahnam.ch
What is the Warrior Project?
For further information, visit the Warrior Project page
More on the Warrior Project - discusses eligibility for the project
www.wongkiewkit.com/forum - select the search option and type in warrior project for many threads with pictures and videos from previous Warrior projects in Europe.
More Dates For Your Diary
October 5th – Opportunity for new students to attend London Shaolin Kung Fu classes. Full details can be found at Shaolin Wahnam London Page If you are interested and have any further questions or wish to register, please contact me marcus.santer@shaolinwahnam.co.uk
October 16th - Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung course starting in Edinburgh. For full details and registration, visit Here or email darryl.collett@shaolinwahnam.co.uk>
November 5th & 6th - Warrior Project in Switzerland (see article above).
Breaking News – Sifu Darryl and myself liked Canterbury, the venue of Summer Camp 2005, so much that we have decided to hold the 2006 UK Summer Camp there as well. Full details will be available soon at The Summer Camp page and in next month’s newsletter. Remember, this years events were fully booked weeks in advance so book early to avoid disappointment.>
Until next month I wish you success in your practice.
Kind regards,
 | Marcus Santer Shaolin Wahnam Institute - UK Helping you to fulfil your physical and emotional potential |
The Shaolin Wahnam Institute