For the 12th consecutive year we held an Autumn course in Finland, a four-day training course for participants who had already attended a basic course. The course is like a small Summer Course; you live and eat there. This year we were back in the folk high school in Pargas. The locality, the lovely old house with the beautiful surroundings is appreciated by our participants. All the beautiful deciduous trees in their gorgeous autumn colours, being just on the coast of the sea, all contributes to a feeling of calmness and harmony.
This year we had to announce that the course was fully booked, we had got about 40 participants which is the maximum number. Both the joy and the spirit of community were great among both new and old Qigong friends, you could see a lot of smiles and frequently hear laughter. It was a very calm practise in a strong qi-field. After the course there was an anonymous evaluation. You could give your opinion in numbers from 1 = very bad to 7 = very good. The average for the practise during the course was 6,79. For physical effects the average was 6,1 and for mental effects 6,38.
Below are excerpts from the participants’ comments after the course:
Gratefulness
”My first thought is gratefulness. I have had assistance with tea and food which simplifies things a lot. Apart from that I have received encouragement. The injury to my back makes the nerve tissue stiff resulting in muscular stiffness. I am fighting against an adverse wind. Longer courses make me advance. This morning I got into contact with my feet, I can manage a little more and straighten up better. My shoulders get more supple. It has been a nice course with good practice and a good mood.”
Joy
”I woke up enjoying life. It is a good feeling, nice. Gratefulness for everybody. I can lift my hand higher now than before the course. I am more relaxed in the prospect of the future.”
A Harmonious Course
”Calm and harmonious course with a nice feeling. What I wish for is acceptance, trust and love in everyday life.”
Nice Atmosphere
”This is my 7th course in Finland and the third Autumn course. It is special to be in Finland. It is such a nice atmosphere. I will bring lovely memories back with me. The evening with singing is good. I get more energy from being here. Now I am all set for winter.”
Much Warmer
”Nice to be here. I was frozen when I arrived, it is hard for me to adjust my body temperature. Now I am much warmer. It is something extra to practise in these surroundings. Good course.”
Less Emotional, Happy
”Nice course with a strong feeling. I have enjoyed the practise and the nape of my neck has relaxed. It was stiff because I have been writing a lot. I had a reaction when my tears started to flow but they stopped when La Qi finished. Earlier I have been very emotional but Qigong has helped me to overcome that. It is nice to be less emotional. I am calmer and that is good. I am grateful to Qigong and what it gives. My mother died unexpectedly, Qigong gives strength and wisdom, it gives the possibility to practise which also helps the family. My son came along to the Summer Course, that was nice. I felt happy.”
Housecleaning
”This is my first Autumn course although I have been practising Qigong for ten years. It feels like a weekend course because the time has flown. I would love to get ”detention”. Now I feel strong as if I can go home and do a thorough housecleaning.”
Calm and Nice Atmosphere
”My first Autumn course. The practise has been good and the atmosphere calm and nice.”
Depression
”Thank you all members of the Qigong family. We laugh and cry together. I usually suffer from a deep depression during both autumn and spring. The autumn course is vital for getting out of the depression. Generally I just lie down lacking the strength to practise. Nowadays I feel good even before the beginning of the course.”
The Calm Appeared
”I have felt low due to circumstances beyond my control. Now I had the chance to look after only myself during four days. Thanks to good corrections everything gradually started working. The calm appeared and it felt good to practise.”
The Strong Qi-field
”I am happy to be here. Now it feels so good to practise in the strong qi-field.”
I Have More Energy
”This is my first Autumn course. It has been very, very good. I had a strong feeling of the qi-field during La Qi yesterday. I feel that I will be able to stand the Finnish winter much better now. I have more energy. Thank you everybody!”
Feel Better
”I always feel better after the Autumn course.”
The Mental Level
”I have had lots of help from the Qigong in many ways, from the qi-field, the people, the way of thinking that we learn. Especially on the mental level.”
A Great Difference
”I practise above all to be able to stay calm. Qigong makes a vast difference.”
Long Courses
”If you have the possibility to attend long courses you almost feel as if being here is the normal way of life. Easy and comfortable, lots of friends. Like coming home. Particularly the Autumn course, for me it is the most tranquil course. I have been feeling excellent being here.”
Given me Much
”After the summer I felt totally exhausted, tired and depressed. But one morning I thought, this is enough, and started doing arm training. During the arm training everything just disappeared. I have felt well ever since. It has been lovely being here. I am grateful for the Qigong. It has given me much.”
Like Being at Home Again
”You have given so much praise. I can only concur. To have returned here is like being at home again. I have never ever had such a strong sense of the qi-field as here and now.”
Then the Pain Disappeared
”This is my third Autumn course. I have been tired and have had problems with my shoulders and my back. I felt it during the first day. Then the pain disappeared. I have never before felt the qi-field this strongly as during this course.
Stress
”I want to continue on the subject of gratitude. I have had a stressful autumn. But when you know that an Autumn course is coming up it is easier to cope. You can feel the stress in your body. Here I have felt that the clenched muscles slowly unwinding. It is nice with the silence during practise. When my thoughts ran away I opened my eyes a little bit to remind me that now I am here. Qigong is a great help in everyday life. The practise gives calmness and strength. It is nice to be here again.”
Calmer
”I have only practised Qigong for a year and a half. This is my first Autumn course. Generally speaking the Qigong has helped me a lot. I feel calmer, more relaxed, less stressed out. Thank You! I hope that the calmness and the harmony will stay with me for a very long time.”
Influenced my Personality
”Qigong has during a long time influenced my personality in a positive way.”
The Atmosphere was Calm and Harmonious
”In this course I have had a very palpable feeling of the qifield. Many of us were stressed out, exhausted worn down when we arrived at the course, but the atmosphere has been so calm and harmonious that you cannot avoid being influenced.”
Teacher:
Lars Hagner
