Spring had arrived in Suffolk and the course was held at a new place, Rickinghall Village Hall. New participants from the area and together with many repeaters, the beginners learned quickly. The atmosphere during the course was warm and positive. Some comments from participants:
Aches and pains disappeared
“I have been practising ever since the first weekend course here in Suffolk. After I went to my first summer course, all my aches and pains disappeared. They come back briefly now but go again when I practice. I get so much from practising and my CD:s are like my friends. – they connect me to the qifield.”
I love the flow of it
“I have been practising on and off for quite a while now. It is a discipline and it is good to have a group. I cannot say that it has got rid of all my aches and pains but then – how much do I practice? I love the fact that it is all one movement, I love the flow of it, it feels good.”
Qigong is like a friend
“I have been practising now for about 4 years. I knew within 30 minutes of the first course that it was what I had been looking for. I do not practice as much as I could, but it is there – like a friend. I am very grateful to the teacher for coming so regularly.”
“It’s been great. This is my first course. I want to make it a daily practice and see what happens. I am open to receive whatever I am meant to get.”
Qigong is my medicine
“Qigong is my medicine. I have practised every day for the last 3 years (I have missed only about 20 days in that time when I have been travelling). It gives me stability and is part of my routine. I like the community of it. I am looking forward to attending Summer course.”
My son noticed the difference
“I have been practising Qigong for about 12 years now. I have ME and suffer with anxiety. Fairly early on my son, then about 12 years old, said to me ‘don’t stop doing that’. He had noticed a difference in me! I enjoy it – I feel I am honouring the universe and myself when I practice.”
A powerful practice
“I have done 2 courses a long while ago, perhaps 5 years ago. I found it a very powerful practice from the start but it is also gentle. It is interesting in the way it shows different things about yourself. I notice changes. It is like having a tool bag.”
I slept well
“This was my first course and I have really enjoyed it – the group and the teaching. Yesterday was very tiring but I slept well. I got the La Qi this morning, I could feel something. That last Hold Qi Up was brilliant!! There was a tingle in my body. I will practice until the summer and see what it brings.”
Lots of benefits
“Thanks for a nice course (first one). I have been struck by how difficult it is, but I have felt lots of benefits. Thanks for a lovely experience.”
It helps me emotionally
“I have been practising since the first course here – 12 years. I have done it every day and I do not know what it would be like not to do it! I could say so much. I come to every weekend – each time I learn something which helps me. It helps me emotionally. The night before this course I was awake in the night with terrible grief (my husband died last year). I do not know what I would have done without Qigong during my husband’s illness. I am struck by the clever way these weekend trainings accommodate both beginners and people who have practised many times before.”
“This was my first course and I have really enjoyed it. Thank you for your teaching and for the correcting when we worked 2 and 2. I think that mentally it is brilliant. I will try and keep doing it. It was such a friendly group.”
It has been interesting
“I like to try new things. I am struck by how much you have to concentrate. It has been interesting. Thank you.”
I want to practice every day
“My first course. I want to practice this every day! I am not naturally disciplined – I’m busy, busy but if you only have 20 minutes to spare – do this!! I found it challenging and it affected me emotionally.”
“I came with an open mind. It is different from any other exercise that I do, and I am looking forward to practising.
Dupuytren´s contracture getting better
“This is my second course. I have been practising for 6 months now. I suffer with tension and anxiety and this calms me. When I came to the 1st course I was talking about my bent fingers (Dupuytren’s Contracture) and someone said that qigong would help. It has! My fingers seem to be getting straighter every day!”
I love these weekends
“I love these weekends. I pick up something new every time. I am on and off with my practice, but it shows up if I don’t stick to it. I am going to summer course this year. Thank you.”
I am more grounded now
“I am out on a limb, living so far away, so these weekends are valuable. It has been so great to practice- I have picked up so many new things again. I have been practising for 2 1/2 years. I am not disciplined but this has enthused me. The more I do, the more grounded and centered I feel. I need to hold myself steady. The more I do it the more understanding of qi grows in my body.
Teacher:
Fatima Ringvall