What is a 100-Day Gong?

I'm hooked on Chi-lel Qigong!! Doing a bit of research I've discovered that this particular Qigong method is practiced by more than 10 million people world-wide. The benefits seen are improved health, greater creativity and increased mind/body awareness. Its original name, Zhineng Qigong, was founded by Dr. Pang Ming, a highly respected Grand Master trained in both western and eastern medicine. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of different styles of qigong. However, Zhineng Qigong was named the most effective health-enhancing qigong by the Chinese Sports Bureau. Taught specifically at the Huaxia Zhineng Qigong Centre over a period of ten years, this centre became known as the "Medicine-less Hospital". Many of those at the centre were deemed incurable, yet recovered from diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Zhineng Qigong was brought to the USA by Master Luke Chan under the trade mark name of Chi-Lel. Luke and his brother Frank have ensured the popularity of Chi-Lel in the United States.

My 100 - day Gong:
'Gong' means 'work', 'Qi Gong' means 'Energy work'. To do a 'gong' means to do a sustained period of work or practice. In the context of qigong, this means to do a daily practice for a considerable time without missing a day. So, for example, I've decided to do a 20 minute practice of the 'Lift Chi Up Pour Chi Down' form ( see my last post ), and I will have to do it every day for 100 days. If I miss a day - I have to start all over again! I understand it's quite a challenge but a great way of building up willpower and discipline and to ensure that my qigong efforts will begin to bear fruit. To formalise doing a 'gong' and get people to practice regularly, Master Luke Chan devised this cute little '100 day gong sheet'. Anyone can print this out from the Chi-lel website here. You mark off each day with a smiley face as you do the practice. However, if you want to do a gong and record it on a website, you can join the Gong Community and even record and share your progress with others.

So far, into day 5, I am really happy to say that I've made it this far!!! The first day I was PUMPED, the second day... still pumped.... the third day, I was ....I think the word is ..... SORE!! I couldn't believe how much my arms hurt. But I'm not used to holding my arms up for that long. It is even more of a challenge for me than lifting the small weights that I lift. On my third night of practice, after speaking with my boyfriend who is currently teaching English in China, I settled into bed after a hot bath with epsom salts and felt my heart chakra releasing energy throughout the entire night. Since then I have not been so sore. Something else I noticed, ... I'm normally not one of those "jump out of bed, embrace the day with energy and vitality" kind of people. It takes me awhile to "ease" my body into the day! But today I woke up with the awareness of some energy!

It will be fun to see what else occurs for me. I have no doubt that it will bring benefits to my transition into menopause as well as other things I have no awareness of yet.