On my way with Qigong... for the past 3 decades now.

"Originating in the mountains of ancient China, Qigong means 'Cultivating Vital Energy'. Postures are associated with slow, gentle and deep movements that liberate, strengthen and connect the body and the mind."

It all started with a little book that literally fell off the bookstore shelf just as I was passing by...'by accident'... and in which Qi Self-Massage and some B reathing exercises were presented in a very simple way for the beginner.

What I read there felt true and made a lot of sense to me, so I started experimenting and practising, not knowing yet that the Qigong practice included so many different styles, forms of movements and postures. Let alone that it also was a healing « technique ».

At the time I recently discovered Hatha-Yoga, which actually introduced me to all things involving « energy ». Alternative perspectives on Life to the western science and culture became a major focus of interest for me, so over the years I trained, studied and worked in the field of Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, Yoga and Qigong.

So, what is Qigong, And more precisely what is it to me?

Cultivating the Vital Energy, Qi in Chinese, is a literal translation for the Chinese ideogram. Cultivating implies work and mastery, which means as one could expect, lots of practice and repetition, and dedication over the years before mastering anything, exactly as it would for any other art, craft-work, or medicine.

Dealing with Qi is dealing with Life Intelligence itself. Without me knowing it yet, it meant I was on an endless journey, one that did offer me countless discoveries, inner realisations and possibilities all the way and still does so on a daily basis, .

1. It nourishes and supports my thirst for learning, understanding, and knowingness. Beyond that, it also allows me to gradually fulfil my deep yearning for peace and balance, and to become who I really am and re-discover who that is.

I remember that grey, dull, dark winter afternoon in Paris as I was studying Science at Paris 7 University. Walking across the Seine, i was feeling deeply lonely and desperate. I suddenly stopped on the bridge, hearing all the traffic sounds, the confusion... I just couldn't make any sense out of it at that exact moment. The whole thing felt profoundly absurd to me. « Surely, there ought to be more than just that to Life »? No instant answer of course to the deep silent cry that I only got to hear.

Nobody was there to make me feel a bit comforted and I was not (still not) of the religious kind, so guess what? It passed and I went on with my journey. Working for the institution or the system didn't appeal to me at all, but visiting the world and meeting people of different cultures did !

So after completing the science course, I went through many adventures while travelling abroad, until a few years down the road, when answers to my question started to come my way. I suppose, exactly when I was ready to receive them. Since then, Qigong has been present and fulfilling first on a strictly personal level, in terms of recovering a better physical condition and some kind of an emotional calm. Then, to enrich my vision of Life. Which gave birth to my decision to engage into this path as a student and later on as a professional.

Qigong was so deeply precious while i was working as a Shiatsu therapist. It allowed me to regenerate my Qi day after day. And to grow into my understanding, feeling and intuition, in order to be « at my best » with and for the people coming over for help or support.

2. During all these years, Qigong turned out to be essential, especially in times of major life changes or transition. For example :

right from the beginning 30 years ago, when priority n°1 was about « moving towards a more healthy way of living »
much later, going through the menopause years

and more recently, while settling in Portugal and adjusting to the global and worldwide social, environmental and financial transition

My practice has all along helped me adjusting, self-recreating and growing into my understanding and embracing of Life, of others, of the world and of myself.

Early 2018, i received a Reconnection Session here in Algarve. It's all about «reconnecting ourselves to the Quantum Life field and to the Quantum nature of our true Being ». Practising Qigong is here again a major factor into this new chapter of the journey. In the late 2018, I started to study Reconnective Healing, which in turn is renewing my Qigong practice. I thus dared to name the most recent Qigong development I am experiencing : Reconnective Qigong !

After all those years of studying tradition through other teacher's styles, I thought it was OK for me dare! Welcome to all of you who feel inspired and willing to explore with me.

Let me name here for you various teachers and styles of Qigong that inspire my daily practice:

Master Lam Kam Chuen: 8 Pieces of Brocades Qi Gong & Zhan Zhuang Qigong
Master Zhang Guang De: 5 seasons Dao Yin Yang Sheng Gong & General Health Dao Yin Bao Jian Gong
Master Liu Ya Fei: Women Qi Gong & Yi Nian DaoYin Fa Gong for neck and cervicals
Master Ke Wen: 20 essential movements, Qi Gong Bases and Philosophy
some exercises from Nei Yang Gong Chu Ji Dong Gong as a way to warm-up

3. I also studied the following styles during 1 or 2 years but didn't stick to them:

Zhineng Qi Gong
5 Animals Qi Gong
Hui Chun Gong – longevity Qi Gong
I Jin Jing – Qi Gong for muscles and sinews health

The 2 books that started it all were :

Qi self-massage, Taoist Way of Rejuvenation – Mantak Chia
Hatha Yoga for women – unfortunately I forgot the author’s name.

What about Meditation ?

Weather sitting, standing still or walking… it is part of my daily life, according to my feelings, needs and condition. Great teachers introduced me to different Meditation styles all along

while studying Hatha-Yoga, Zen-Shiatsu, Acupuncture and Qi Gong
or during Bouddhist retreats with Thich Nhat Hanh's french community, at Plum Village.

I now mainly stick to some few Qi Gong or Taoïsts Meditation that allow me to renew and deepen the inner exploration without ever getting into any kind of sleepy routine. Mainly, I like to follow my own rhythm. According to my experience, Practice is the master .

The whole Universe, the whole human knowledge and wisdom are embedded inside each human. It’s finally up to us to go for it and let ourselves be taught. That's how I live it.

Sonia Bruce - Guided Meditation & Qi Gong

Freedom Traveler

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