Wing Chun for Mental Health: A True Story of Strength, Healing, and Transformation
At The Dragon Institute, we often talk about how Wing Chun transforms lives — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Few stories capture that truth better than Leif’s.
Leif has faced challenges most people never will. His courage to share his journey — and how Wing Chun became his strongest ally against mental illness — is nothing short of inspiring.
This is his story.
Wing Chun and Mental Health: Leif’s Story of Strength and Healing
Finding Stability in the Chaos
“My name is Leif. I’m a student at The Dragon Institute under Sifu Adam Williss. I’ve been training Wing Chun for years, and it has completely changed my life — especially when it comes to mental health.”
Leif has lived with multiple diagnosed mental illnesses for most of his adult life. He’s worked with psychiatrists and therapists for nearly two decades — and continues to. But something was missing.
“Psychiatrists’ medication and guidance have been crucial for my stability. Therapy has helped too. But Wing Chun has been the single strongest tool in my quiver to fight mental illness.”
The Courage to Be Honest
“It took me over a decade of knowing my Sifu to finally open up and tell him about my illnesses. It’s difficult — very difficult. But this is where Wing Chun comes into play.”
In Wing Chun, honesty is one of the first lessons. Not just honesty with others — but with yourself.
Leif explains how that principle became life-changing.
“Wing Chun teaches us that when we’re truly honest with ourselves, the root of our stress or mental distress appears. Through that honesty, we begin to face and understand what’s really happening inside.”
Wing Chun as Moving Meditation
“Wing Chun is more than physical combat. It’s an internal art — training us to conquer our thoughts and emotions. It’s moving meditation.”
When his mind races or he feels overwhelmed, Leif doesn’t fight against it — he adapts.
“If I’m in a manic state, I might not be able to stand still for five seconds, let alone ten minutes doing a form. So instead, I redirect that energy. I move to the wooden dummy, working with the metronome, using that movement to release what’s inside. I call it ‘wooden dummy prescribed by Wing Chun.’”
Flowing Through Life
“Wing Chun teaches us to be like water — to flow around obstacles instead of fighting force with force. That’s what I’ve learned to do with my mind. When things get chaotic, I remind myself what a calm, focused Wing Chun student would do — I flow.”
This philosophy — calm within chaos — has helped Leif find peace and control where there was once frustration and fear.
A Better Solution
“Many people with mental illness turn to drugs, alcohol, or destructive behavior because they don’t know there’s another way. Wing Chun is that way. It’s the right solution — a positive, healthy lifestyle that helps you face yourself and find balance again.”
Through Wing Chun, Leif discovered a powerful truth — the battle isn’t against the world.
It’s within.
“Wing Chun has become my strongest ally through years of hardship. It helps me be honest, stay centered, and find peace when my mind feels anything but peaceful.”
If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, depression, or emotional imbalance, Wing Chun offers a way to strengthen the mind, calm the spirit, and reclaim control.
Train with us at The Dragon Institute.
Discover how Wing Chun can help you find peace, purpose, and power — from the inside out.
See how you can learn Wing Chun online.