My name is Monika Bäckström and I started to practice Zhineng Qigong in the spring, 2004. Six months earlier my daughter had attended a course and I saw her improvements. She had severe health problems and she had tried many different methods before without getting much help. Now I found her having more energy and being happier. I didn’t have any special health problems myself but I thought that if the training could be that helpful for her it must be good for everybody. I was curios and I wanted to support her.
When attending a course I discovered that it was very good training for the mind. I had mainly heard about the physical results. The mental training was new to me. The training made me calm and made me concentrate better. I’ve always liked to be active. I’ve worked a lot and also had an active spare time. It wasn’t maybe the physical training that I needed the most but to be able to do things slowly with more relaxation.
Calm and good sleep
In my work as a school principal I daily meet a lot of people. I have many meetings which can sometime be strenuous. Now I feel a safety in knowing that the Qigong training strengthens me. After practicing I know that I sleep well no matter what I’ll do the next day. The calm I get from training also makes me listen well and “be there” for everybody. The training has also resulted in that I never feel tired during the daytime and my need for sleep has decreased with two hours.
Better posture
The body regulation has also been a good tool at work. I stand up working and I have got rid of my stiff and sore neck. In lectures I sometimes stand in the back of the hall to practice body regulation at the same time as I’m listening. Before I got help from a chiropractor. She obviously noticed when I started to practice and immediately noted that I got a better posture. My voice has become stronger and my problems with hoarseness are gone. During springtime I used to need allergy medicine but I don’t need them anymore.
Worn out knees
My active spare time has consisted of horse riding, handball, and mainly soccer. I’ve both played it myself and also coached teams. The training has worn out my knees and hips. Running is hard as my knees protest already after a couple of hundred meters. Still I’ve chosen to participate in an exercise races every spring and then I have to alternate between running and walking. To be able to participate in the race I’ve had to practice a long time in advance. Last year I only practiced Qigong. Surprisingly I could run all the 5 km without stops I’ve done the race 10 times before but never been able to run the whole way. I did feel the knees but thanks to Qigong I have a different attitude. I’m more confident in myself and I kept calm. Then there was no problem. You are able to do more than you think. It’s great to have found a method which doesn’t wear me out but instead builds me up.
Group training
Since my first course I’ve attended every weekend course close to Kalmar and together with my daughter I’ve also attended projects in Stockholm. It’s exiting to practice together with that many people. I can obviously feel that the training is much stronger practicing in a group and I participate in the weekly group training arranged in Nybro and Kalmar. The daily training is now a need. I long for the time to practice and this summer I’ll also attend the summer course.
Monika Bäckström