How Qigong has changed my life
Living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is challenging and before I came across Qigong my quality of life was deteriorating. My fatigue was so debilitating I had to give up my job, most of my exercise, restrict my social engagements and I was finding day to day life exhausting. On top of all this I had reacted to my medication, so was unable to resume treatment for my condition until my white blood cells returned to a normal level.
My Covid silver lining was being introduced to Qigong. I started doing a regular daily practice of these simple but powerful movements. The greatest challenge for me was and still is my fatigue; most forms of exercise depleted me but the gentleness of these practices had an energising effect. I felt more confident and positive, and I was able to say ‘yes’ to more things.
My mental, physical and emotional health was gradually improving but I then contracted Covid and due to my inherent immunity issues, I struggled to recover from it. My MS mainly affects my vision, creates limb weakness and I live with fatigue. Covid had allowed these symptoms to become more prominent again and I was struggling with day-to-day life.
Fortunately, I came across a Qigong Masterclass for ‘Better Eye Health’ given by John Munro, founder and Head Instructor of Long White Qigong. It was a gentle practice incorporating breathing, healing sounds, acupressure and exercises for the liver, gallbladder and eyes. I was surprised by the improvement in my symptoms after just 24 hours.
I repeated the same class daily for the next two weeks and gradually my health returned. In addition, my white blood cell count slowly improved, I felt invigorated and I had greater resilience recovering from day-to-day events.
Qigong has taught me to listen to my body; how it feels and how it moves. When I feel fatigued, I have learnt that tapping and gentle movements are as important as rest, as with these movements I am helping my body move energy, blood and lymph. As a result, I am calmer, my digestion is vastly improved and my overall immunity is so much stronger. Qigong has changed my relationship with my MS and I now feel more in control of my own health.
Whilst looking for more Master Classes I noticed John’s ‘Small Universe Instructor Course’. For me, the teacher training was physically demanding, but I gained so much valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding of this Traditional Chinese Practice from John. The course encouraged me to exercise 2-3 times a day, sometimes beyond what I thought was possible and yet the rewards came in thick and fast. No new lesions in my brain for two years and more energy to invest in the people and things that really matter to me. I am also back in the work place, which I genuinely never thought would be possible.
Mentally, physically and emotionally Qigong has changed my life and reversed the downward trend of my disease. It has taught me that the body innately wants to heal itself, and by practicing these simple movements regularly, I regain the power to create positive changes to my own health and wellbeing.
I am now actively teaching and helping others learn this healing practice so they too can influence their own health. I love Qigong because the movements are simple and easy to learn, you can do it anytime, anywhere and in any clothing. It is fundamentally accessible to everyone whatever their abilities and health situation because there will always be a simple exercise that can help to improve their wellbeing.
I would recommend giving Qigong a try. It has changed my life … and it could change yours!