Ron Goninan

I have just heard from China that White Crane Great Master Ruan Dong is in the hospital in China. His family said that in the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival Master Ruan was quite busy, and he got sad and got sick. A doctor looked at him and discovered that he has stomach cancer. Now his family say that Master still stays in hospital, fortunately he has woken up and can walk small distances, but the doctor cannot do the cancer operation for him because of his age. Please join me in offering your prayers for Great Master Ruan Dong.

Hello all, My name is Ron Goninan and I'm from Oz (Australia). I am a longtime practitioner of martial arts (over some 35 years) and in particular White Crane Gongfu/Wushu. I operate the White Crane Research Institute (http://www.whitecranefist.co.nr) and am also a master degree in Reiki and explore energy arts and Shiatsu. I also teach Tai Chi (Taiji). Chi-Kung/Qigong plays an important role in our White Crane with the loosening up exercises through to the actual energy cultivation and understanding work and of course the Taolu/Quantao or forms of the art. I hold Internal Martial Arts Instructor Qualifications with the World Taiji Boxing Association and am a life member of the Australian Therapeutic Movement Association As stated I've been involved within the martial arts in various forms and levels for the past 35 years. I and the WCRI are members of the Martial Arts Industry Association (Membership No. 414), the peak association for martial arts in Australia as recognised by the Australian Government. I'm recognised as a Shifu / Instructor of White Crane Gongfu/Wushu by the China Martial Arts Association of China Government University Beijing and China Government Central Party Academy and China Government University in Beijing. The China Martial Arts Association consists of Grandmaster Mu Xian Jie, President Zhan Shan, Grandmaster He Fu Sheng, Grandmaster Liu Wan Fu, Grandmaster Wang Feng Zhu, Grandmaster Professor Dr. Gu Ping. I'm also a member of the International Qigong Alliance offering the healing arts of Qigong, Reiki, Shiatsu and Energy Healing. I am here to make new friends and to learn.

Self Healing with the Martial Arts About 10 year ago I contracted Glandular Fever which then resulted in me being diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), a serious and debilitating illness that can last for years, and sometimes for life. Symptoms of CFS/ME include overwhelming exhaustion, both physical and cognitive, memory and concentration impairment, an intense 'flu like feeling, muscle pain, sleep disturbance, headaches, disturbance of balance and other symptoms. There is no effective treatment for CFS/ME. The main symptoms of CFS/ME are persistent profound weakness, extreme tiredness after any form of exertion, disrupted sleep, pain and neurological and cognitive (thought related) problems. Other symptoms include: * Orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up) * Orthostatic tachycardia (increased heart rate when you stand up) * Palpitations * Shortness of breath with exertion * Muscle twitching * Sensitivity to light, touch and sound * Nausea * Gastrointestinal and urinary problems * Sore throat and tender lymph nodes * Marked weight change - extreme loss or gain * Not coping with temperature changes. As you can see this would and still does to some effect, have an impact on my training and capacity. Exercise is often a problem for people with CFS because physical activity may worsen their symptoms. Some people with CFS, especially in the weeks or months following onset, are unable to perform the most basic activities, such as showering or walking from one room to another. In such cases of extreme exhaustion and pain, the person may be confined to their bed. As time passes, they may feel a little better and attempt regular exercise. However, aerobic activity can cause a relapse of symptoms. It gets worse, as a result of the CFS/ME I went on to develop Bi-Polar Depression. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives . It is mainly caused by a lack of serentonin in the brain. Bipolar disorder is a lifetime illness. This had a devestating effect on not only my training but my life, causing great grief for my family, and it could have destroyed my marriage had I not been urged to seek out help. It almost destroyed me. I have seen the darkness of humanity and myself. As a result of the Bi-Polar condition and the CFS/ME I have had to re-structure my whole life (which includes my training and teaching). I have cut back on my teaching schedule and only now teach a small select group of people who I really like. With Medication daily, correct eating and training in Chi-Kung and the forms of my style etc I now have a normal (Whatever that may be!) life. I balance the effects of this disease by good diet, good training (smart training) and Chi-Kung practices which are a part of my style. I also use Chinese traditional herbs including Monk Wine (500 year old recipe). There is no Western "cure" for ME. I am now much more happier than ever. I realise that many out there have it much worse than me.

Self Healing with the Martial Arts About 10 year ago I contracted Glandular Fever which then resulted in me being diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), a serious and debilitating illness that can last for years, and sometimes for life. Symptoms of CFS/ME include overwhelming exhaustion, both physical and cognitive, memory and concentration impairment, an intense 'flu like feeling, muscle pain, sleep disturbance, headaches, disturbance of balance and other symptoms. There is no effective treatment for CFS/ME. The main symptoms of CFS/ME are persistent profound weakness, extreme tiredness after any form of exertion, disrupted sleep, pain and neurological and cognitive (thought related) problems. Other symptoms include: * Orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up) * Orthostatic tachycardia (increased heart rate when you stand up) * Palpitations * Shortness of breath with exertion * Muscle twitching * Sensitivity to light, touch and sound * Nausea * Gastrointestinal and urinary problems * Sore throat and tender lymph nodes * Marked weight change - extreme loss or gain * Not coping with temperature changes. As you can see this would and still does to some effect, have an impact on my training and capacity. Exercise is often a problem for people with CFS because physical activity may worsen their symptoms. Some people with CFS, especially in the weeks or months following onset, are unable to perform the most basic activities, such as showering or walking from one room to another. In such cases of extreme exhaustion and pain, the person may be confined to their bed. As time passes, they may feel a little better and attempt regular exercise. However, aerobic activity can cause a relapse of symptoms. It gets worse, as a result of the CFS/ME I went on to develop Bi-Polar Depression. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives . It is mainly caused by a lack of serentonin in the brain. Bipolar disorder is a lifetime illness. This had a devestating effect on not only my training but my life, causing great grief for my family, and it could have destroyed my marriage had I not been urged to seek out help. It almost destroyed me. I have seen the darkness of humanity and myself. As a result of the Bi-Polar condition and the CFS/ME I have had to re-structure my whole life (which includes my training and teaching). I have cut back on my teaching schedule and only now teach a small select group of people who I really like. With Medication daily, correct eating and training in Chi-Kung and the forms of my style etc I now have a normal (Whatever that may be!) life. I balance the effects of this disease by good diet, good training (smart training) and Chi-Kung practices which are a part of my style. I also use Chinese traditional herbs including Monk Wine (500 year old recipe). There is no Western "cure" for ME. I am now much more happier than ever. I realise that many out there have it much worse than me.

KoHsuan, Hi. I'm in NSW in Wellington (the Central West of NSW). Trash Filter, Thanks for the welcome. Yes I've been studying energy for a little while as Chi/Qi is a major component of the art we teach. My advice is for you to work on S=standing Chi-Kung/Qigong first. Develop your understanding and feeling for Chi/Qi in this way before moving on to other aspects. Darin, Thank you for the welcome.

White Tiger, At the White Crane Research Institute we look at the Minghequan (Calling Crane) and Shaolin Crane systems as our study. More can be found out here: http://www.whitecrnaefist.co.nr

White Tiger is correct about Tai Chi and your question. Are you seeking an art form like Tai Chi (Taiji) to do? If so it should be fairly easy to find a Taiji school near yourself. Taiji is known as the art of "Moving Meditation". It is a form that as White Tiger wrote, all about balances on a physical, mental and spiritual level. Once seeks a balance between the hard and soft, the slow and fast, a mind full of chatter to one of quiet concentration. It is a balance between Yin and Yang (Much like my own art of White Crane).