With deepest gratitude to my Sifu - Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit.
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit with Sifu Joan Browne
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the new look Smile from the Heart website, where you can find information on Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung, Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan and Shaolin Kungfu courses with the Irish certified instructors and with Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit.
Smiling from the Heart is one of the fundamental aspects of our training and teaching, in fact, it is essential to our everyday life!!
With the blessing of my Sifu and the help of Shaolin Wahnam students both in Ireland and worldwide, I am setting up a dedicated space in Kerry for The Institute. This will be a wonderful place for students to come and learn the Shaolin Arts in the peace and tranquility of The Kingdom of Kerry. I will update you on the details over the coming months. If you also wish to help in any way, please email the Institute office sifujoan@gmail.com Thank you!
I extend a big warm welcome and failte to you and hope that you enjoy the information and photos which have been included. Please feel free to email me with any query that you may have regarding courses with myself or the other Authorised instructors within Shaolin Wahnam Irealnd, or indeed, any of the arts included. Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's websites is www.shaolin.org this is a wonderful site, packed full of information and wisdom as well as video clips from Intensive and Regional courses.
Once again I wish to acknowledge the tremendous ability and generosity of Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit. In 2000 he gave me back my life......not just gave me back my life ---but changed my life for the better in every possible way. When you learn how to Smile from the Heart, the world is a nicer place and life flows more smoothly. I suffered from chronic back pain,and was told by western professionals that they could not do anything about my problem. I was advised to live with the chronic pain as best as I could and that I would probably end up in a wheel chair in due course, never to work again. I was not able to continue working as a Nurse anymore.
You can find my story on Joan's Journey or check out 'Would you travel 14,000 miles for a cure for chronic back pain' in the ARTICLES section of the old website but please be sure to come back to the new version for updated course information.
Thank you Sifu and to all the past Shaolin Masters, we deeply appreciate your hope, inspiration, teaching and rare legacy.
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit is a genuine Shaolin Grandmaster teaching Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung, Shaolin Kungfu and Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan. He is fourth generation successor, with direct lineage to the Shaolin temple through the Venerable Jiang Nan.
Please also note the following philosophy of our school:· Not teach what has been learned to other family members, friends or others, you are still a student. Please understand that from our Institute's philosophy, it is both immoral and unethical to teach if you are not fully qualified to do so. (This is also mentioned in the Code of Conduct on the Courses page). A full Instructor training programme has been taken by all Instructors of Shaolin Wahnam worldwide with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit, only then are we authorised to teach. This is also for the safety of the student.
Smile from the Heart and Enjoy!
RECENT UPDATES: JUNE 2010
Courses and Classes:
All courses and classes on Shaolin Chi Kung and Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan with Sifu Joan will take place in the coming year in
1) The Shaolin Centre, Gortluachera, Kilgarvan, Co Kerry
2) Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway city
3) Marine Hotel, Sutton, Dublin.
Please see the Seminars page for more details and dates.
IRELAND TESTIMONIALS
Shaolin Chi Kung is taught in Ireland by Sifu Joan Browne and Sifu Mark Hartnett, both inner chamber disciples of Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit. Here is what some students who have attended the courses have to say. Please note that all students/clients are willing to be contacted for verification and in an effort to help spread good health, compassion and hope for humanity.
Dear Sifu Joan,
Thank you again for an excellent weekend of Chi Kung. I had some very peaceful experiences over the two days and felt a genuine deepening of my practice. Your smile from the heart advice, when stray thought arise, proved to be quite effective yesterday and this morning. Thoughts will probably arise in my mind for a long time to come but I know now not to worry about them, but smile to them. Best wishes Kevin Barry
‘.I did your weekend course earlier in the year and boy have i seen a major difference since then ......... for the better of course. I haven’t a pain or an ache and am smiling from the heart . God Bless you. Joanne, Killarney.
‘Dear Sifu, -I am seeing situations, issues or opportunities clearly at their heart and being able to respond appropriately ,My practice let's me stay in the centre of situations without anxiety or stress over whelming me. I have found I am able to be still and even find humour in the most challenging business circumstance.’ Mark, Dublin
Hi Joan Sam here - hope you are well. Just wanted to say thank you so much for introducing Chi flow to us! When thinking about it, it has been so powerful without me knowing I have more energy, I'm calmer and my life is honestly flowing superbly! We both enjoy doing it so so much!. Sam, UK
‘The results said I had a small hiatus hernia. Two months after my last class with Sifu and the symptoms seem to have vanished. I can eat whatever I choose without ill-effect.’ Peter, Galway
For 11 years for reasons I cannot fully recall I have not spoken to my husband’s brother and partner. I have been resolute and stubborn that I would never make a move to have anything to do with them and those who know me fully appreciated that I could easily go to my grave without resolving anything. There were a lot of hurtful things said on both sides and it just didn’t seem possible to forgive and forget.
I first went to Sifu Joan on the recommendation of a friend for back problems and other issues, never mentioning anything about the situation with family members. I always assumed that my physical aches and pains were just that, physical, but I now know that a lot of symptoms were to do with the hurt and anger I carried around with me for 11 years.
After practising with Sifu Joan for almost a year and using Chi State of mind as much as I could it just came to me one morning after practice that it was time to make my peace with husbands’ brother. This was completely out of the blue and I was shocked at the very thought but the idea just grew and grew. The decision was made for me by me and when I told my husband there was no turning back. I mentioned it to Sifu Joan and she did recommend sending them blessings before speaking to them.
Last weekend at a family gathering the situation arose where they were both in my company and I did it, I apologised for my behaviour and asked them to join me in letting go of the hurt, anger and hate. I didn’t assume that they would just agree and was fully prepared to take whatever they wanted to throw at me but that was not the case. They were both so responsive and delighted and there were even tears, happy ones, to be finally rid of it all. For me it just fell like tightness around my heart has broken, my lower back is strangely comfortable and I have slept more deeply than I have in years for more than 2 nights in a row. I just know that things will only improve from here. I truly know that if I was not practising Chi Kung I would still be carrying that garbage around with me and I am deeply grateful to my friend who recommend Chi Kung to me, Sifu Joan for teaching it and Master Wong for teaching her. Smile from the heart. Emma, Killarney, June 2009
Master Joan Browne is an International teacher and inner chamber disciple of Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit. She is a former psychiatric nurse and has helped many hundreds of people attain a better quality of life for themselves and their families in Ireland, UK and Japan.
Please note: All participants will be well able to practice after the one day course. It would be unethical of a teacher to teach a one day course without the skill of transmission to his/her students.
PLEASE NOTE: All courses run by The Shaolin Wahnam Institute of Ireland are Satisfaction Guaranteed. If at the end of any course you feel that the Aims and Objections have not been met, please mention it and your fee will be returned in full. This pertains only to the end of each course and not a week, month or year later. You really have nothing to lose and all to gain. Sifu Joan Browne Founder/Director Shaolin Wahnam Institute of Ireland Ltd.
Some students who attended the Generating Energy Flow course with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit in The Europe Hotel, Killarney February 2009. The beauty of Shaolin Chi Kung is that it is suitable for anybody over 8 years of age.
Grandmaster Wong will generously visit us again for the Valentine's in February 2011
NEW ADVANCED INTENSIVE SHAOLIN CHI KUNG- SMALL AND BIG UNIVERSE- PENANG MALAYSIA 2010
This course is by invitation only which means only students who have taken an Intensive course in Malaysia may attend. However, if you really wish to do the course please apply to The Secretary addressing your email to The Secretary. Add your country, when and who you have trained with and courses you have taken. Your submission will then be passed onto Sifu Wong who will decide on your application.
This is one of the most sought after courses taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit in Malaysia and despite his very busy schedule he kindly offering it to participants from October 3rd to 7th 2010 in Penang Malaysia. This course is open only to those who are already students of Shaolin Wahnam International.
Sifu Joan 'My experience of the small Universe was an awareness of a vast amount of chi moving up and down the du and ren meridians. It was extremely powerful, yet the experience was so peaceful and gentle. Sifu's instructions were very very simple and once we followed exactly what he said the experiences were exquisite!' 'The Big Universe, the feeling of chi flowing through the meridians was also very powerful and majestic. The expansion, the power, the cleansing, the peace and exquisitness of it all was profoundly beautiful.'
Sifu Joan's comments on this course in April 2007 taken from the Virtual Kwoon. Please click on the link at the end to see more comments from participants.
Shaolin Greetings to Everybody from SP (Sungai Petani, Sifu's home town)
As I write this post, I am not sure where I am going to find the correct words to describe the past three days of the Small and Big Universe courses with Sifu. We have just experienced the deepest and most precious gift from a Sifu/Sigung who clearly loves us so much. He has transmitted, so generously to us, what has, once again been a life changing experience for everybody who attended the course. Amazingly and excitedly everybody attained the small Universe on the FIRST DAY! I am sure that this has to be an historical record. By day three every person who attended, had also attained the big Universe. My experience of the small Universe was an awareness of a vast amount of chi moving up and down the du and ren meridians. It was extremely powerful, yet the experience was so peaceful and gentle. Sifu's instructions were very very simple and once we followed exactly what he said the experiences were exquisite! During the last session, I was a pulse pulsating ever so gently with the universe, no breathing involved. Hard to describe, but I am sure that my other brothers and sisters have had the same experience and will post as soon as they arrive home. Before this session, as Sifu introduced the Big Universe, the feeling of chi flowing through the meridians was also very powerful and majestic. The expansion, the power, the cleansing, the peace and exquisitness of it all was profoundly beautiful. Sifu, thank you for again for this wonderful gift. Our words will probably never do justice to what we have attained through your wonderful transmission, but our appreciation is deeply felt and sincerely from our hearts. Mile Bhuiochas. Smile from the Heart, Joan
To read other comments from participants, please click on this link to the Official Shaolin Wahnam Virtual Kwoon.
There is now no official tour departing Ireland. If you wish to meet up with some of the Irish students who are going, please email sifujoan@gmail.com
Welcome Dinner in April 2007 for Small and Big Universe Course:
Shaolin Wahnam Family enjoying the Welcome Dinner in Sungai Petani in April 2007. Seated in centre is Sifu Joan.
Professor Qian Xue Sen, a famous Chinese scientist believed that the greatest medical breakthrough of this century would be made through Chi Kung, the understanding and practice of man's vital energy.
What is a Shaolin disciple?
A Shaolin disciple, is trained to be courteous and considerate, brave and righteous, assess problems and situations with calmness and clarity, and attend to duties with zest and loyalty. While the philosophy of many martial arts mainly focuses on how to be stoic and hurt the opponent, Shaolin philosophy teaches gentleness and a love for life. The twin pillars of Shaolin philosophy are compassion and wisdom
Shaolin Wahnam Institute of Ireland grows!!
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit with Irish Instructors of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute.In front: Grandmaster Wong with Sifu Joan (Chief Instructor Ireland) At back: Sifu Padraig Shanahan Shaolin Kungfu Limerick, Maria Sullivan Assistant Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan Kerry, Sifu Mark Hartnett Shaolin Kungfu and Shaolin Chi Kung, Cork, Gregg Hartnett Assistant Shaolin Kungfu Cork. missing from picture is Christine Doody Assistant Shaolin Kungfu Cork
Congratulations to Gregg Hartnett who was promoted to Assistant Shaolin Kungfu Instructor by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit this February 2009
Congratulations to Sifu Mark Hartnett, who has been promoted to Shaolin Chi Kung instructor with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit's blessing, wihin the Shaolin Wahnam Ireland institute.
SHAOLIN WAHNAM IRELAND on RTE and LTV2
Click here if you wish to see a demonstration by some of the Irish students who were filmed for LTV2 Macroom/Millstreet local television recently ALSO The Interview and chi transmission on OPENHOUSE RTE 1
For all course information, please see the New Seminars section. This is updated with courses on Shaolin Chi Kung with Sifu Joan and Sifu Mark Hartnett, Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan with Sifu Joan and Maria Sullivan, as well as Shaolin Kungfu with Sifu Padraig Shanahan and Sifu Mark Hartnett.
Enjoy your visit and if you wish to apply for acceptance on any course you will find an application form in the New Seminars section.
Some students who attended the Generating Energy Flow course with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit in The Europe Hotel, Killarney February 2009. The beauty of Shaolin Chi Kung is that it is suitable for anybody over 8 years of age.
Sifu Joan 'My experience of the small Universe was an awareness of a vast amount of chi moving up and down the du and ren meridians. It was extremely powerful, yet the experience was so peaceful and gentle. Sifu's instructions were very very simple and once we followed exactly what he said the experiences were exquisite!'
Shaolin Wahnam Family enjoying the Welcome Dinner in Sungai Petani in April 2007. Seated in centre is Sifu Joan.
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit with Irish Instructors of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute.In front: Grandmaster Wong with Sifu Joan (Chief Instructor Ireland) At back: Sifu Padraig Shanahan Shaolin Kungfu Limerick, Maria Sullivan Assistant Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan Kerry, Sifu Mark Hartnett Shaolin Kungfu and Shaolin Chi Kung, Cork, Gregg Hartnett Assistant Shaolin Kungfu Cork. missing from picture is Christine Doody Assistant Shaolin Kungfu Cork 
