A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY
Dominic demonstrating a pattern called "Reverse Riding of Donkey"
Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon Readers,
I would like to share with you my Testimonial on how the wonderful Shaolin Arts have changed my life. Writing this testimonial has been one of the best things I have ever done as it has helped me cleanse even deeper and it has given me an even greater sense of freedom.
I could have never dreamt of something as beautiful as practicing the wonderful arts of Tai Chi Chuan and Shaolin Comos Chi Kung and how it was going to completely change my life for the better. Before I had the good fortune of meeting my Sifu my life was not very good.
I suffered from extreme anxiety and panic attacks to the point that even driving to and entering my local shop was full of fear and worry for me. My heart would race, I blushed uncontrollably and sweat would pour from my body when I encountered any person or tried to engage in conservation.
I also had a very bad body image of myself from when I very young. I absolutely hated everything about myself and the way I looked. Throughout my life I never really had any direction or knew how to fit in or engage with people. I found it very hard to have and keep friends because of my anxiety and fear of going anywhere in public.
Actually now that I think of it I had never been very close to anyone. I have always created a barrier between myself and anyone who has ever tried to be close to me.
My life wasn't all that bad as I have the good fortune to live in beautiful Ireland and I was very well looked after by my family having everything I needed and ever wanted and I am very grateful for this. I was very lucky since the time I left school to always have plenty of work and I have never been short of money.
I was also very fortunate to have started my own business in 2006 and was very successful for the time it lasted. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worst in mid-2008 when my health started to deteriorate. I felt so much pressure and stress build up inside of me that I just wanted to explode. I was full of anger for everyone around me and seemed to blame everyone for what was happening.
I suppose it reached its peak when I visited my G.P. and talked to him and asked for help. Now this was the hardest thing I have ever done, walking in to my G.P's clinic sweating with anxiety, heart beating out of my chest with nerves and worrying uncontrollably about the outcome but I knew it had to be done.
My G.P discovered I had high blood pressure and a possible heart murmur coupled with several nervous twitches all over my body and the worst body image you could have. I was sent to the hospital to undergo tests to see what was going on with my body.
Luckily the tests were not as bad as I had built up in my head but was told I had to do something to control my anxiety and blood pressure or in ten years I would be in serious trouble. So there the search began to take back control of my health and my life.
I spent weeks searching the internet looking for Yoga classes and different Martial Art classes to see where I would fit in. Then one day I found one particular site called smilefromtheheart.ie where I read about Shaolin Comos Chi Kung and Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan.
As soon as I read about the benefits I knew I had found what I was searching for. A few days later I contacted my now Sifu, Sifu Joan Browne, director of the Shaolin Wahnam Institute of Ireland and signed up for a beginner’s class. From that day on every part of my life improved for the better.
Now almost five year years later I can’t believe how much my life has changed. I feel amazingly happy and grateful to be alive. I feel so healthy and relaxed all the time and see life as a great gift that I have been lucky enough to receive.
My anxiety is completely gone, my blood pressure is normal and no more nervous twitches. My constant blushing is gone and I do not suffer from panic attacks anymore. I feel confident and now enjoy meeting and talking to people on a daily basis. I feel very safe in life and know I am on the right path. My stress levels are non-existent and I have the guidance of my Sifu and the philosophy of Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan and Shaolin Comos Chi Kung to create path and enjoy the flow of life.
I have a wonderful girlfriend who has helped me to grow as a person and a lovely little dog to enjoy our time with. My new business is very successful and I look forward with excitement to the possibilities it will bring.
My practice of Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung is a daily joy and dream come true. It is amazing to feel how I develop as a person and to see and feel how every aspect of my life improves with the practice of these wonderful arts.
My deepest gratitude to my Sifu for giving me the gift of Wahnam Tai Chuan and Chi Kung and constantly guided me through my training and life.
My deepest gratitude to My Sigung for passing on these incredible arts for prosperity, health and happiness.
My deepest gratitude to all the past Masters for passing on this wonderful legacy.
My deepest gratitude to my girlfriend Siobhan for bringing so much happiness and love to my life, and of course for our little dog Phoebe.
My deepest gratitude to my family for looking after me so well.
Shaolin Salute,
Dominic.
1st October 2013.
Dominic Roche sparring with Wong Chun Yian
The above is taken from the thread, My Testimonial in the Shaolin Wahnam Discussion Forum
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