It is always heartwarming to welcome a new group of students to a Shaolin Chi Kung class. People who suffer from a chronic illness or chronic pain and decide that they want to learn how to heal themselves and take back some control over their health and wellbeing.
This group of new students is a mixture of participants who suffer from chronic illness and chronic pain. From Meniere’s disease to Crohn’s disease from back pain to arthritis to stress.
Our first session was on relaxation and it was quite clear, even from just breathing properly for a few minutes, how relaxed everybody felt afterwards.
My first lecture is always on what genuine Chi Kung is and it is fair to say most new students are surprised to hear that it is an Art of Energy and Mind training. Many believe that it is a set of Chi Kung exercises performed gracefully. This is the norm unfortunately. Chi Kung is so much more than a graceful performance of physical movement. It is a very profound art leading not just to good health but also to mental clarity, vitality, internal force and spiritual joy.
Chi Kung offers hope to those who suffer from chronic pain and chronic illness, not just to ‘help’ with the symptoms but to overcome the illness completely.
In my very first class, almost 16 years ago, participants overcame back pain, ulcerative colitis, anger issues, a paralyzed arm, asthma and anxiety issues. There has been a lot more over the years and I am happy to say that I have many long term students, who know the benefits of practice after being healed to maintain health and prevent illness. In my senior class last week, not one person has been affected by any of the colds and flu’s going around this winter.
My new students have a lot to look forward to!
Sifu Joan
Shaolin Chi Kung with Sifu Joan 