Ann’s posture improved and she found a sense of peace

“You’re always in pain”

I joined my first Summer Course in 2004 when I was 18 years old. I had practised yoga before that because for a couple of years I had had pain in my shoulders and neck. During my high school years I got headaches more and more often and my friends sighed and said: “you’re always in pain”. While doing yoga I discovered that the body and the mind affect each other and that physical training also can include another dimension, a dimension of the soul. That realization changed my self image and made me more motivated to work on my body.

Ann's posture improved and she found a sense of peace

Much improved posture and no more iron deficiency

A friend of mine recommended Zhineng Qigong and I joined the course with a lot of curiosity. It wasn’t love at first sight, a lot of anxiety surfaced when I practised and I had a hard time relaxing. I realized I had a lot to work on – being calm and taking it easy. When I got back home after the course, one of my friends had a hard time recognizing me from afar. My way of walking had changed after nine days – I was calmer, softer, and more flexible. She also thought I had gotten taller. My posture had changed a lot during that brief time and I also felt a bit calmer. Since then Zhineng Qigong has been a way for me to handle physical problems as well as emotional. I have a hard time with my training discipline, I am one of those who practises “periodically”, so I know what happens when you practise and when you don’t. If I don’t I slowly but surely regain my old posture, my old aches and pain and loose energy. I have struggled a lot of years with my blood’s capacity to bind iron, but strangely enough I don’t have any problems with fatigue when I practise Qigong.

A sense of calm and meaningfulness

I focused more than usual on the mind during my last Summer Course 2010. I worked more actively to keep a calm mind and in that way I reached new experiences. I really enjoyed practising. The social part of the course is also very important. I am somewhat shy and sometimes have a hard time making contact with other people. Qigong has made me more open and brave, and I appreciate different kinds of people, more than I usually do. I’m simply not as critical when I’m in balance. When others talk about their progress during the courses it’s very touching to me and I feel happy for them. To care for other people creates a sense of togetherness and gives you a wonderful feeling that life has a meaning. Zhineng Qigong doesn’t raise hermits, but encourages care and consideration, something that corresponds well with my own life philosophy.

I get peace and keep myself in good health trough Qigong. I am very grateful for that.

Ann Hurme