2009 Valentines 'Smile from the Heart' Week February 6th - 15th Inclusive Killarney, Co Kerry and Macroom, Co Cork. 10 days  4 courses 1 world renowned Shaolin Grandmaster! Pure Chi, Joy and Happiness! Welcome back to Ireland Sifu!   Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit -Shaolin Kungfu (above) I am very pleased to announce the generous return of Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit to Ireland in February 2009.   Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit is fourth generation successor through the lineage of Venerable Jiang Nan of the Shaolin Temple. He has dedicated his life to teaching and spreading the genuine Shaolin arts to deserving students. He teaches Shaolin Chi Kung, Shaolin Kungfu and Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan. His website is www.wongkk.com he has helped thousands overcome various chronic illnesses, given back hope to those who had none and helped people lead a new and more peaceful life. As his retirement is emminent, we are very honoured that he includes a small country such as Ireland on his itinerary. Within the next two years, students who wish to pursue more studies with Grandmaster Wong will need to travel to Malaysia. If you wish to experience the direct transmission from a Shaolin Grandmaster, then read on and book your courses at the very end of the page. You may also email me Sifujoan@gmail.com or ring me- Office- 00 353 ( 0 0 66 7147545 - Mobile-00 353 (0) 87 12 12 249 It gives me great pleasure to announce that Shaolin Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit will conduct Shaolin Chi Kung beginners and advanced courses in Ireland in February 2009.  This is an exceptional opportunity for students to experience direct transmission of advanced Chi Kung from a Shaolin Grandmaster. For those who are beginners and have no idea what to choose- Generating Energy Flow (Course 1) is the course to do. You may continue to do the others if you wish, but this course is the foundation for all of your Chi Kung training.   Course Details (please see revised dates if you have visited before September 6th 2008) Shaolin Kungfu- 16 hours 1. Friday 6th February - 2pm-5pm and 7pm -9pm SHAOLIN KUNGFU (Crystallisation of Past Masters- Foundation for Beginners)    Saturday 7th  February -2pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm SHAOLIN KUNGFU (Second day)     Sunday 8th  February -9am -12pm and 2pm -5pm SHAOLIN KUNGFU (Third day) Sunday 8th  February- 7.30pm- GRADUATION DINNER (€40.00)   Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan - 16 hours 2. Monday 9th February 2pm -5pm and 7pm -9pm WAHNAM TAI CHI CHUAN ( Crystallisation of past Masters- Foundation for Beginners)     Tuesday 10th  February 9am -12pm and 2pm -5pm WAHNAM TAI CHI CHUAN ( Second day)      Wednesday 11th  February 9am -12pm and 2pm-5pm WAHNAM TAI CHI CHUAN (Third day). Wednesday 11th  February - 7.30pm GRADUATION DINNER (€40.00)   Shaolin Internal Force- 6 hours 3. Thursday 12th February - 9am -12pm and 2pm -5pm SHAOLIN INTERNAL FORCE (Secrets of Traditional Shaolin Internal Force Training )   Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung- 16 hours 1 (a)  Friday 13h February - 2pm -5pm & 7pm -10pm - GENERATING ENERGY FLOW (This is the foundation course for all others) 1 (b) Saturday 14th February - 2pm - 5pm and 7pm -9pm- DAN TIAN BREATHING. (Advanced Chi Kung) 1 (c) Sunday 15th February - 9am -12pm and 2pm -5pm SINEW METAMORPHOSIS. (Advanced Chi Kung) (This course may vary from 5-6 hours) Sunday 15th February - 7.30pm  GRADUATION DINNER (€40.00)     Lunch or Afternoon meal will be included for everybody who has booked by deposit or full payment before 1st February 2009.  As the hotel is strict on numbers, please book early to be included.     Graduation dinners are optional, but a wonderful way to congratulate yourself on completing the course. It is often where students learn many more secrets from their Sifu.       A complete list of tours will be available shortly. These are also optional but are encouraged for their bonding, fun and heart opening experiences!           NB Please note that participants who have not taken a course with either Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit or an Authorised Shaolin Wahnam Instructor must do Generating Energy Flow  before the other courses. This is the foundation course where you learn the basics to further your training in the Shaolin Arts.           Sifu at the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney, Co Kerry. Valentines Smile from the Heart week 2008     Course Fees All courses are best taken in their 16 hour sessions.   Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung (All three)  16 hours- €650.00 As single courses: Generating Energy Flow- €280.00 Dan Tian Breathing- €280.00 Sinew Metamorphosis - €280.00   Shaolin Internal Force - 6 hours- €280.00   Shaolin Kungfu 16 hours - €650.00   Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan - €650.00   Combinations:   Generating Energy Flow + Dan Tian Breathing - €465.00 (please use blank paypal option)   Generating Energy Flow + Sinew Metamorphosis - €465.00 (please use blank paypal option)   Shaolin Chi Kung 16 hours + Internal Force - €880.00   Shaolin Chi Kung 16 hours + Internal Force + Shaolin Kungfu or Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan -€1480.00   Any one Shaolin Chi Kung + Internal Force - €560.00   Shaolin Kungfu + Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan - €1200.00   For any other combinations please contact Sifu Joan at sifujoan@gmail.com     How to pay?   You may pay by paypal, cheque or cash. Please make sure that your payment has gone through before the beginning of your chosen courses.   Paypal options are at bottom of page.   Cheques made payable to Shaolin Wahnam Institute of Ireland and addressed to Sifu Joan Browne, Mullin, Cordal, Castleisland, Co. Kerry, Ireland (no numbers or postcodes!)   Bank transfer to the following account: Name of Account: Joan Browne T/A Shaolin Wahnam Ireland Account Number: 00943382 Name of Bank:  AIB, (Allied Irish Bank) Address of Bank: 68 Main Street, Castleisland, Co Kerry. SWIFT CODE: AIB KIE 2D Please make sure that you have read the TEN SHAOLIN LAWS  and agree to abide by them and also what is Required of a student Cancellation of any course must be done one week before the course commencement to ensure that your deposit is returnable. All courses with the Institute are Satisfaction Guarantteed. If, by the end of full course, you feel that the Aims an Objectives have not been met, you may ask to speak with the Grandmaster and ask for your full refund. Please note that this is only available at the end of a full course and immediately afterwards not days, weeks or months.                   The Courses:     Course 1 (a)       Generating Energy Flow:  Beginners and Advanced   6 hours    Aims ·        To have a basic understanding of the meaning and scope of Chi Kung. To acquire, within a comparatively short time, the best available Chi Kung skills and techniques which you can competently practice on your own after the course for health, vitality, mental freshness and inner peace. Objectives: ·        To be able to relax and focus. To enter into a Chi Kung or meditative state of mind. To tap energy from the cosmos.  To generate an internal energy flow  Expected Results: ·        Feel relaxed and Fresh.Experience some energy or chi effects- warmth over the body, tingling sensations at the fingers or other parts of the body, and ants crawling under the skin. Be able to tap energy from the cosmos. Be able to generate an internal energy flow Course Content: ·        Standing Meditation.    Regulating energy flow.  Lifting the Sky, Pushing Mountains, Carrying the Moon and Self Manifested Chi Flow.     Course 1(b)  Dan Tian Breathing: 5 hours  A very spiritual course in Advanced Chi Kung practice. When breathing with the cosmos, many feel an expansion and merging that is difficult to put in words! Please note: This is different to Abdominal Breathing.   Students enjoying the tremendous internal force and peace of  Sinew Metamorphosis Killarney 06.   Course 1 (c)    Sinew Metamorphosis    5-6 hours    Learn how by just flicking your fingers three times, you can generate energy at a tremendous force to cleanse or build energy.  This is also an advanced method of Chi Kung using the mind. This I call the ‘wow’ course.! Sinew Metamorphosis is taught for developing the Scholar Warrior. Abilities like quick thinking, mental freshness, peace of mind, courage, ability to think under pressure, good memory and spiritual cultivation. Please note that beginners must have taken Generating Energy Flow before continuing with the other courses. Current Shaolin Wahnam students can pick and choose as they wish. All courses are money back guaranteed but your request must be received by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit immediately after any of the courses. Money back guarantees are not tolerated after time elapsing.          Course 2     Shaolin Internal Force (6 hours)    Shaolin Internal Force is a wonderfully profound course on the depth and spiritual nature of correct stance training. Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit takes students slowly through the Tai Chi Chuan Three circle stance as well as Horse Riding and Golden Bridge from Shaolin Kungfu. Students experience a deep sense of peace and relaxation following the 3 golden rules of stance training- relax, relax  relax! While the course is mainly aimed at those who practice any martial art, it is open to anybody who wishes to have excellent health, vitality, mental focus and clarity, quick thinking and decision making ability, as well as being able to deal with stressful situations either at home or at work. This is an exceptional opportunity for students to experience direct transmission of advanced Chi Kung from a Shaolin Grandmaster.  For many martial artists internal force is more of a myth or something only seen in the movies. Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit will disperse your doubts and you will experience internal force during the class. Grandmaster Wong teaches genuine Shaolin methods of training which you will be able to continue on your own. This course is suitable for those who wish to build internal force in Tai Chi Chuan, Shaolin Kungfu etc or for those who wish to enjoy excellent health, vitality, a zest for life, mental clarity, quick decision making and spiritual cultivation.     Course 3   Shaolin Kungfu- 16 hours Foundation for Beginners Special weekends will be conducted in preparation for this course with Sifu Mark Hartnett (please apply for details) This course starts at the beginning of all your Shaolin Kungfu training- Stances, moving in stances correctly and the 4 abridged combat sequences to defend against strikes, kicks, fells and grips. Why Masters and students of other martial styles train with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit and his authorised Instructors. WONG KIEW KIT'S HOME PAGE SELECTION OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS OCTOBER 2008 (PART 1) Grandmaster Wong demonstrating the Lion Dance during a Special Shaolin-Taijiquan Course Question 1 I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu course, and how thankful I am to have been able to attend. As I said at the graduation dinner I have been doing martial arts for many years, but in all those years this last week was the first time I had felt my arms charged with internal force with nearly every movement. I had felt that feeling before, but it was only occasionally and almost as if by accident. Matt, USA Answer 1 Congratulations for the good results you have had. You did very well at the Intensive Shaolin Kungfu Course in Penang in April 2008. The course acted as a key that opened the developments you already had from your previous training but were not manifested yet. For example, the internal force you felt during the course was not developed at the course itself, but from your many years of previous training. This internal force, however, was locked in your tendons and muscles. At the course, I helped you to enter Zen, where you could be totally relaxed and attained a one-pointed mind. In this state of Zen, or chi kung state of mind, you let your internal force flow and manifest. As another example, when you perform your own kungfu sets you learned before, you will find that now your performance is faster, smoother and more forceful. You will also have better insight into the patterns of the kungfu sets. You may also understand the combat functions of some of the patterns which previously you thought were only decorative. With this new skills you learned at the course, you not only can manifest the developments you already had, but also speed up as well as expand whatever you learn in your kingfu training. For example, if you wish to learn a new kungfu set, you can do so in shorter time yet with better results. This is speeding up the ability you already had. Previously, you would feel tired after performing some kungfu movements, but now you would feel more fresh and energized. This is expanding your benefits which you did not have before. Question 2 Until this course, I only had slight awareness of my dan tian, but during the course I was aware of it often and even was able to feel chi moving down the front of my body and settling in my dan tien! How amazing it was! Answer 2 This is another example of the course enhancing the result you already had. The dan tian is present in everybody, but most people are unaware of it. Kungfu practitioners are aware of it intellectually because it is often mentioned in kungfu context, but they seldom experience it because most of the time they are tensed physically and mentally. But once awhile when their practice unconsciously brings them into a state of Zen, in which case they may experience their dan tian. But at the course you learned how to enter Zen at will. Hence, you were aware of your dan tian and other chi sensations. Entering Zen is a very important aspect of Shaolin training. It enables you to derive fantastic benefits like internal force, mental clarity and spiritual joys. Most Shaolin practitioners, however, miss this important aspect of Shaolin training. To them, Shaolin Kungfu is just hard and external. Question 3 While practicing One-Finger Shooting Zen today, I noticed that when I placed my awareness on my breathing, especially during the Shh and Haa sounds, it felt as if my breath was pushing and pulling my hand away from and toward my body. My hand felt very charged with internal force, and it seemed as though my breath and internal force (and not my arm muscles) are causing my hands to move. It felt very nice. Answer 3 Congratulations. This shows you had good results. Your chi, regulated by your breathing, was directing your hand movements, and you mind being focused on your breath, was directing your chi. You attained what is described in kungfu classics as “mind directs chi, and chi directs forms”. This is high level attainment, usually achieved only by masters. It is incredible that many of our students achieved it. Those outside Shaolin Wahnam find it hard to believe that we can achieve such feats, and call us liars. That is their problem, not ours. With further development of this skill, you can have many wonderful benefits. You can, for example, move at the speed of thought. If an opponent attacks you, you may just think that you would dodge and kick his side-ribs, and the action will be implemented so fast that even you yourself may be surprised. You would, however, still have to practice the technique before you can use it. In other words, during your training you imagine an opponent attacking you. You move to one side and counter with a side-kick to his ribs. At first you practice this movement slowly and smoothly, paying attention to picture-perfect form and flowing force. Next, you increase you speed – without sacrificing your form and force. Then you just think about this counter and you will move spontaneously and quickly. When a real opponent attacks you, you just think of this counter and it will unfold itself effectively. This skill can be beneficially used in our daily life – in both our work and play. If you wish to run up a flight of stairs, for example, just think and your mind will direct your chi, which will direct your feet to run up the stairs. You can reach many storeys above without feeling tired. In fact, participants at some Shaolin Kungfu courses at Swiss Inn in Sungai Petani did that. We started our practice in the morning beside the swimming pool. But when it got hotter, we ran up the stairs to a bigger hall to continue our practice. We ran up many flights of stairs but we were not tired. When you play football or any games, you can be an exceptional player if you use this skill. You still need to practice the necessary techniques first. But when the situation arises, you just use your mind to direct your chi to direct your physical movements. Your opponents will be amazed.     Course 4. Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan- 16 hours A comprehensive course on the essence of genuine Tai Chi Chuan. Special weekends will be conducted in preparation for this course with Sifu Joan Browne (please apply for details). Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit makes Tai Chi Chuan come alive, enabling students to experience the essence of this wonderful art which has almost become lost and debased. Students will learn chi flow, correct stance training, Grasping Sparrows tail, Yin/Yang harmony, Pushing and Striking hands as well as the four abridged combat sequences against any attacks- strikes, kicks, fells and grips.       Other Details:     The hotels are as follows: Riverside Park Hotel, Macroom (30 minutes from Killarney) for Shaolin Kungfu   All other courses will be held in The Europe Hotel, Killarney ( see image below)     If you wish to find your own accommodation please see www.goireland.com  under Killarney Hotels and Bed and Breakfast.   There are B/B's, hotels and hostels near to the Europe Hotel. This is situated on the Fossa Road, Killarney.       Airports   Shannon airport is about 3 hours car drive away from Killarney. Kerry airport is 20 minutes drive. (Direct from Stanstead and Manchester, other connections only from Dublin airport). Cork airport is 30 minutes from Macroom  and 1 hr from Killarney.       Please book and pay here:   Deposit of €100.00 per person will hold your place on the course and accommodation. Please make sure that you add the following by separate email: Your Full Name: Address: Contact details: Phone-MOB- Email: Age Occupation: Former experience in either Shaolin Wahnam or other school If Shaolin Wahnam- your Sifu's name and when you started please: Any known illness/medication: Have read and agree to abide by The Ten Shaolin Laws: I look forward to meeting you and know that you will enjoy your stay with Shaolin Wahnam Ireland! Sifu Joan- sifujoan@gmail.com       Payment with Paypal.   Deposit of €100.00 for ANY course:   Shaolin Cosmos Chi Kung 16 hours- €650.00   3 Day Shaolin Kungfu- 16 hours - €650.00   3 day Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan - 16 hours- €650.00   Any one course- Shaolin Chi Kung (Generating Energy Flow or Dan Tian Breathing or Sinew Metamorphosis or Internal Force- €280.00    Shaolin Kungfu and Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan double- €1200.00     Shaolin Chi Kung (16 hours) and Internal Force -€880.00     Shaolin Chi Kung 16 hours + Internal Force + Shaolin Kungfu or Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan -€1480.00     Any combination not mentioned. The amount is blank to filled up by the student themselves.           Extra information for those coming in from abroad.     Flights: www.ryanair.com  fly into both Dublin and Kerry airports.    Kerry Airport uses www.ryanair.com from Dublin and Stanstead, London and www.aerarann.com from Manchester, UK . It is situated 10 miles from Killarney, but if a lot of students are coming in together on the day before the course, I will arrange to have everybody collected. Trains and bus services   www.irishrail.ie   Trains to Killarney from Dublin are about €65.00 return. I look forward to meeting many of you again and also many beginners who wish to take and enjoy the Shaolin path. Smile from the Heart, Sifu Joan sifujoan@gmail.com 00 353 (0) 66 7147545  office  00353 87 1212249 mobile.   Comments from students who took part in the Valentines February 07 Smile from the Heart courses in Kerry and Dublin: The following are unedited comments from students who took part in various courses during the Smile from the Heart Valentines week February 2007.   By Text:   Hi Joan,   If you are still with Sigung, please would you pass on this message 2 him 4 me.- Thank you so much for coming into my life with your profound teachings and sense of humour. Thank you for helping me find my way back to God. I am eternally grateful to you and Joan. I am so inspired 2 be part of this wonderful community celebrating the joy of life. Blessings, Maria.       By Email.   Dear Joan, I just wanted to drop you a quick line to say thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful course last weekend. I suspect it was fairly self evident just how much we all enjoyed ourselves but I thought I would just mention that it really was the nicest regional course I've been on so far. A beautiful location and venue and so well organized. Sifu was on cracking form as always but I also really enjoyed the sessions led by Chun Nga. He's such a nice guy - he seems incredibly humble for such a young man. It was lovely to meet you again and I really enjoyed having the opportunity to meet some of your students - really lovely folk although that is of course no surprise. As I said before they are all very lucky to have you as their Sifu. We all very much look forward to being back in Ireland again next year! Best wishes, Ben     Dear Sifu   If there is a a place available for the Monday night 7-8 slot, I am interested in attending.   I enjoyed the day in Killarney, thanks for organising it !   Regards Jerry       Dear Joan, I just wanted to say a huge Thank you, on behalf of the Carruthers family, for organising such a wonderful Course.  We were all extremely impressed with the way it was organised and grateful to you for giving us an opportunity of studying further with Sifu Wong.  It's hard to find the words to thank him enough for all that he has given us.  We do hope that we shall be able to attend one of your own courses in the not too distant future.  In the meantime we are all five of us smiling from the heart...  With our grateful thanks and very best wishes, Hazel         Dear Joan our own precious sifu,         Still under the influence of todays exhilarating experience I want to thank you for all the work you have put into Sifu s visit .I also want to thank Sifu and his son for their guidance today.I was delighted to see that sifu s son was there to assist his father and will hopefully keep the tradition (read art of Shaolin Chi Kung) alive.          I am really sorry that I am not able to be there for more........but it is not possible this time, there will soon be a next time.          Herewith a few pictures taken today and thanks again Joan,          See you soon,          Kind regards,   Helene     Dearest Joan, I hope this mail finds you in good health and that your father is continuing his remarkable recovery. It has been two weeks since I came back from Ireland and although I wrote on the forum I wish to write you in person. First of all me and Amir want to thank you for organizing again the Valentine's week. We came back happy and recharged with good chi. The only thing we regret is missing out the Gala dinner in Killarney (must come next year!) although some 'authentic' Irishman in the middle of nowhere in Conemara county said "Killarney is very commercial." The courses I took with Sifu were superb, I came back and started practicing stances and feel enormous power building inside. It's amazing how powerful Chi Kung is, it never stops to surprise me. I gave Odem, my daughter, the T shirt and the Shaolin pen you gave her and she was very proud. She is getting on fine, we practice every morning and her back seems to become straighter, she also has become much more confident and happier. Did you start your group with the kids you were planning? That could be so wonderful for them. Amir's father is doing fine too, we are now planning his 65th birthday party in a month time. I would like also to hear how your Shaolin-center coming on. Yours truly, Racheli Wittert-Ashur   Dear Joan, I really enjoyed my day on Saturday and would like to say a big Thank You for making it all possible. I'm looking forward to seeing you on Feb 19th in Cork.  Is the Review Course starting at 7.00 p.m.? Kind regards, Maura    Dear Joan Thank you again so much for this wonderful opportunity of learning from Sigung directly. There aren't really words for all I have received during these days :) but as promised a little bit of it might transcend in the course progress review bellow ;)  As discussed could you please add me to the your mailing list for any upcoming trip to Malaysia ... :) the intensive course & Shaolin Monastery/Wudang Mountain would be a dream :) sigh ... guess I better get that business of the ground and make sure the cash flow follows the chi flow ;)  Wishing you and Sigung, as well as all of the participants in Kerry a wonderful and blessed course. Andrea -----------------   The following are various comments from some students who kindly filled up a Progress Review form for me during the courses. Progress Review Valentine's 2007 The Questions are in blue Italics.  Q. What do you feel you have gained by taking the course with Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit?  A heart-to-heart transmission of a unique internal art. - A deeper understanding of Chi Kung, Force Training, as well as many elements linked to it... zen, budhism, TCM - The tremendous joy of getting the chance to learn from Sigung directly. It was an unexpectently great experience. A powerful insight into what it means to be a truly happy human being. A great course for healing and better overall well being. More understanding of method. Joy, confidence, higher spirituality. Energy Flow Spiritual purging-much needed. Consolidation of previous skills, how to generate flow at a higher level.   Do you feel capable of doing these exercises yourself? yes by everybody! Do you feel capable of going into a Chi Kung state of mind?   yes by everybody Do you understand Smile from the Heart? What is your interpretation? open the heart, let it expand, let it fill with joy, peace .... Yes, Smiling even if things might not be as you have expected. Yes, to be truly happy on the inside in spite of what is happening on the outside. Yes, it is to look on positive aspects of everything and to ensure the Ch Kung is carried in a positive frame of mind. Yes, the more I practice it! Yes, being fully relaxed. Yes, to me it means a moment of breathing in the beauty and joy of being alive. Not sure! Possibly be happy, think positive but it must be true and from the heart not just in your mind. Have you less/more pain? if so where... Blockages were cleared at the emotional, mental and spiritual level ... thus releasing a pain which is not easy to measure :) at the physical level - pain at the liver was reduced, during the course pain at the kidney's was lessened but :) it might need a bit more chi kung practise to get rid of them altogether.  Some more pain and some more relief in my knees. My stomach feels better and I know this is helping. Probably liver area,aches in arms and legs. Have you more energy or do you feel more tired? Much more energy ... feeling more like a power plant at the moment :) and it feels quite wonderful... More energy. I feel tired today (2nd day) but overall it has been invigorating. Tired but relaxed. More energy   Tired now, but expect to have more energy with practice. Has the weekend given you a new perspective on life, health and happiness? If so please explain ? Not a new perspective but a more profound one .... I can't find the words atm to explain ... maybe one key "insight" regained was that the solution is not necessarily where the problem lies :) These last few months I had tried to overcome a spiritual blockage by focusing on the problem/cause :) and Sigung has given me the amazing gift of celebrating the blessing. Yes, a little. Yes, with Sigung as a model- I am resolved to be happy like him and Sifu Joan. Yes, I am particularly happy with the vetical/horizontal idea and the intuition v intellectualisation as well as the 'don't worry' attitude. Life is a miracle Yes, I have felt spiritually depressed for a while, I believe I am clearing out a lot of blockages. Yes, Felt positive before attending the course but the courses alerted me to the fact that I was feeling less positive than in the past and slowly slipping to negative thoughts. Has it helped your mental focus (concentration, memory) yes by everybody Has it helped you Spiritually? yes Yes, some of the information I received from Sifu was deeply moving. Yes, more in connection with God. Yes, since starting with Sifu Joan I have been more spiritual. This course with Sigung has enhanced that process.   Have you read any of SIfu's books, if so which one: Almost everybody had read one of Sifu's books. - the complete book of zen - books on chi kung - complete book of Chinese medicine Do you feel a greater sense of Peace? yes was the most common answer. Yes in a way. Yes and I know I won't let anyone or anything take it away. Which is your favorite pattern?  pushing mountains Carrying the Moon Carrying the Moon Lifting the Sky Lifting the sky Carrying the Moon and Sinew Metamorphosis Carrying the Moon Lifting the Sky What motivates you? The perspective of growing towards "completeness" and becoming a blessing to all beings. The committment and the will to live the remainder of my life with a healthy body, mind and spirit and happiness like Sifu's. It used to be my sport, but I feel a certain change towards family and supporting them (more towars work). To release negative blockages from the past. Being peaceful. Better health Desire for balance, peace, healing and growth. Becoming a better person, achieving greater spiritual growth. Would you encourage your friends to take this course? If yes why?  Yes, I wish them to find the inner joy, peace and energy the course can give. Yes, it is a most simple and efficient way to develop body, mind and spirit. Yes, in this modern society, the yin/yang balance is too lopsided and chi kung is a tremendous rebalancing exercise. Always yes, because people need to take personal responsibility for their own health. Yes, to make them feel happier and healthier. Yes, I feel they would benefit from physical as well as spiritual health. Where did you hear of this course .... Sifu Joan's website Andrea (a Swiss student) Internet My Mother! Sifu Joan Shaolin Wahnam website Health show at RDS Dublin From Racheli (Israel) student My boyfriend- Shaolin Wahnam Student Shaolin Waham discussion Forum Where do you look for courses?  nternet Friends and Internet Word of mouth or internet Friends and paper, radio adverts/interviews. Website Discussion Forum   SOME MORE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES FROM VALENTINE'S WEEK OF SHAOLIN CHI KUNG WITH SIFU. .  Another chi Kung success story!  written by Hubert Razack 5 months ago my sister attended a regional Chi Kung course with Sifu in Ireland. For more than 6 years before that she has been depressed, and has suffered from a serious eating disorder. She tried the usual psychotherapy, psychiatry, medecines, etc... with no success. She has always been living by my parents, and despite all their support, was feeling very insecure, not really nowing what to do with her life. I still remember when she asked Sifu, while we were having dinner, "does Chi Kung help to find one's way into life?" Sifu replied (I'm paraphrasing) "Yes, it will give you clarity of mind and mental focus, so that you will have a clear idea of where you need to go, and a better direction" And then he carried on enjoying his food After the first day of the course, I noticed something different with her. She was... sparkling! She told me that during one of the sessions, she felt a strong sensation to her stomach, and experienced some sort of primal scream. It was the first time in 6 years that she had any sensation of her stomach! Since then she has been practicing regularly, on her own. Yesterday I received an email from her. She had some medical tests done to see how things were going. Again, for the first time in more than 6 years, she has gained some weight and all her results were perfectly fine! She has also decided on what she wanted to do, and has successfully passed some exams to start studying next year (it's been 4 years that she didn't dear to) The most wonderful thing is that she says that she is now peaceful, that she has found her way in life, and, well, she's happy! By her own words, this week end in Ireland has been a turning point in her life. So, on her behalf, thank you Joan, and thank you Sifu     Dear Joan: Thank you and Sifu so much for the week in Ireland. I had such a wonderful time and have been on a high since coming home. There were so many deep experiences on this trip- not even just during training sessions and I am very grateful to you and to Sifu for the opportunity to have had those. Looking forward to seeing you soon, love Nicky. London UK   Joan: A thousand thanks for organising such a wonderful time for me and everyone else over there. If one (unfortunate) measure of the success of these things is that one is in many ways sad to return to the ‘real world’ then it was very successful. May you organise many more and may you continue to do good for the world by helping to spread the schools teachings. Thanks again, Love from Mike B. UK   Joan; Thank you for organising the week for us and for your generous giving in teaching Chi Kung. Jimmy and Mary.