After our group completed a 100-day gong (March – July 2020) our QFL teachers shared what this unique experience yielded for them. I was delighted to read about their realizations. They each experienced significant healing from the 100-day gong. I believe their words will inspire you as you continue on your own qigong path.
In the beginning of this worldwide unraveling time, uncertainty about everything felt rising, everyone seemed anxious and scared. The apparent safe structure that made our lives was suddenly removed. Our not doing was allowing us to see the world from a slowed down position. Our slowing down felt healing for some, while tragic for others. I felt unearthed.
Qigong held me together and gave me the energy needed to sustain my health and navigate these changes. My dear teacher Martha started a 30-day Breathing Exercise Gong online. This brought hesitation to some, not knowing if they could join the qi field without being together in person. To everyone’s surprise, we could all feel the qi and share in the community even though we were physically far from each other. This was proof that qi is everywhere unifying everything, and that we can access it by focusing the mind and relaxing the body. Our practice is always amplified by the joined group intention.
The gong class time for us in Hawaii was too early, so I volunteered to lead a group here on the Big Island. Our thirty days went by so easily that as the California group embarked on a 100-day Gong, we followed along. Some days were blissful, the qi field was strong and expansive. Some days were hard.
During the gong, I noticed an old thought pattern where I believed discipline was bad because it limits freedom. This old way of thinking tempted me to make excuses to not to practice. Once I started leading the class, my energy would change to vibrant and calm; exactly what I needed! I had the opportunity to make my practice really strong by leading a group for 100 days. I gained confidence in leading the group. It makes me happy to be able to introduce new students to these ancient healing practices and communities with a strong belief based on experience.
I noticed some Qi reactions like low back and shoulder joint pain, which made me notice my “improve-able” posture and the areas where I needed to relax more deeply. As I relaxed, gently adjusting my alignment, my pain lessened. If I really paid attention to move super slowly and mindfully, I could sense how to align my posture to let qi flow better. It was a challenge of patience and an act of deep care for my own self. I kept remembering a quote about treating yourself with the unconditional love of a mother, rather than with the fierceness of a warrior; I think there is big wisdom there.
Now I am much more aware of the diligence, commitment, compassion, and deep understanding that is asked of being a teacher. I deeply appreciate Martha’s patience and wisdom, her deep knowledge of the theory and techniques of our practices, and the incredible resources available on her website. Her constant encouragement and support helped us believe we can support our own health and spiritual life, and that of others too, by simply practicing qigong and expanding our own consciousness into living a life more coherent with the Tao, and more in harmony with Nature. I bow to all the teachers and masters that have brought this practice into our lives. I want to continue sharing this practical way to help oneself, others, and the Earth, while strengthening the heart connections we so urgently need in our world today. This 100-day gong showed me I can.
(For more on discipline see article: “Discipline, A Uniquely Personal Journey“)
I first want to thank Martha and Leonard for opening up their hearts and their time for 100+ days to host the Breathing Exercise (BE) Gong 2020.I know that everyone who participated realized many benefits. I would not have believed that it was possible to feel so much on the internet. But it’s not the internet. IT”S THE QI FIELD! When energy is activated, healing occurs.
I feel like each time I do the BE I am participating in a ritual that is personal and also universal. It’s personal because I am going deeper into my own capacity to unwind and find my true center. It’s Universal because each time I practice the BE I am doing it for the good of all living things, for our planet and the universal greater good.
Breathing together is a ritual, and I won’t stop practicing it or sharing it for the rest of my days.
During this tumultuous time, I had the opportunity to join Martha’s online 100-day Breathing Exercise gong. My experience was amazing. I would say miraculous! Physically, the energy of this qi field helped me to tap in and heal pain from the vertebrae in my neck, neuropathy or arthritis in my fingers and possibly a stress fracture in my ankle. I also felt like I was tapping into the wisdom of how to care for my body on a deep level including breathing, relaxing, adjusting my low back and making dietary changes, which still are being refined. I felt the blending and harmonizing which nature is constantly doing on all levels. In this yin/yang, ebb and flow, qi is always penetrating and harmonizing to find balance.
As the gong continued, I was getting wisdom insights. One was to not attach to thoughts or feelings, just to allow everything to flow, moving away from our heads and into our hearts. We can gently accept our emotion but see it as data, not a directive. For example, when I notice I’m sad or my ‘not good enough’ script then I ask myself, who do I want to be right now or how is this story serving me and what is it that I value? Qigong reminds me that there are unlimited possibilities and a miracle can always be one of them, for which I am grateful.
I want to thank you Martha for helping me to look at life through the lens of the qi field. My practice has been deepened greatly. I am able to see and understand myself more which helps me to see more of others as well.
I am filled with so much gratitude for the dedication of all our qigong brothers and sisters (including myself) who participated in the 100-day breathing gong. I felt benefits on so many levels. Having a daily routine and enjoying a deep heart-to-heart connection with old and new friends was very powerful for me. I found it easier each day to immerse myself in the qi field.
I enjoyed my Saturdays leading the group as well and appreciated all the positive feedback. At first, I felt nervous as Martha’s shoes are tough to fill, but over time I became more relaxed. I loved how haiku became a way for many to express their creativity, resolving fear in kidneys.
I started with some discomfort in my body (shoulder and back) but with more relaxation over time the pain subsided. Overall, I felt more peaceful and balanced. I became more aware of my tendency to default to my old thought patterns (reference system) and how to transform them.
I so appreciate Martha’s dedication to keeping us going and having Leonard be with us each day as well. May we all continue to practice for the “best benefit of all”.
Photo by Leonard Wittwer (2012) of Martha hiking in the Swiss Alps.
