I have been practicing Qigong daily for almost three years and I would like to tell you about my experience. A friend who was suffering from cancer encouraged me to join the first Zhineng Qigong basic course in Norwich in March 2006.
An amazing change in my nervous system
Within a month of daily practice I experienced an amazing change in my nervous system which had always been very weak. I noticed how much calmer I had become while teaching 4 and 5 years old children. Because I had become calmer it rubbed off up on them. I used to do half an hour siesta everyday after lunch to be able to work. Now I can sometimes skip the siesta altogether. I have cut out all intake of caffeine apart from green tea and I have just as much energy as before and my sleep is deeper.
Qigong is changing my mental state
I had practiced meditation on and off for 26 years before I started to do the Qigong training. I find that practising Qigong is like doing a powerful meditation because as soon as my thoughts take me away from my concentration, I make a mistake in the movement. So it forces me to be a lot more focused. I think I have become a better person to live with as I don’t react to every day upsets so strongly. I seem to manage to take a moment before reacting and decide if it is worth it first. Most of the time it isn’t.
I am calmer and more peaceful all together
In fact it is only since I have been practicing Qigong that I have understood the meaning of “being at peace”. I seem to be able to witness myself getting in to a negative emotion like anger for instance and it helps me to control it and stop it. I am less critical and judgemental about myself and others, because it helps me to transform negative thoughts into positive thoughts constantly in my life. If I don’t catch a negative thought on time at least I notice that it is an unnecessary negative thought and hopefully next time I can catch it on time. Qigong is improving aspects of me that I didn’t like. This transformation is really thrilling and exciting.
Qigong have helped me with my migraine
Although they still occur from time to time, instead of monthly or fortnightly, they are not so intense and I can still function instead of having to go to bed. I found that doing “Hold Qi up” mentally really helps to cope with the pain and to get rid of the resentment I used to feel about having to suffer in such a way. When my migraines were at their worst for three years running I couldn’t plan any pleasurable activities such as entertaining at home, going out for dinners, to parties, concerts etc. as a migraine would undoubtedly strike. In the past three years, 5 or 6 times I have managed to heal myself by doing “la Qi” and “Hold Qi up” to conquer the pain in order to be able to go out as planned. Things that I wouldn’t have managed to do in the past. All I could do was to go to bed and suffer. I am so grateful to have found a tool that allows me to take my health in my own hands.
Nowadays I very rarely have to take painkillers
I have had a chronic weak liver and gallbladder since I was a child. Despite all the different alternative medicine I have tried for over 10 years and despite following a strict diet, without animal and diary fat, I was experiencing daily pain in my neck and shoulders. And I had to take painkillers every day which in turn gave more work to my liver, I was in a vicious circle. I have gone through two aggravation periods with low energy and the same pain again followed by long remission periods in between. At the moment I very rarely have to take a painkiller for my neck and shoulders and I have been able to reintroduce a small amount of diary fat in my diet.
Qigong is gradually opening my heart
I appreciate the inner beauty of many more people. I feel more and more blessed by an ever increasing number of friends. On the other end I enjoy being by myself more and more. Qigong has been a marvellous gift so far! It is a daily support, a refuge from the activities of my mind, a friend. I am hooked for life!
Véronique Gordon