Chronic Fatigue

[Anonymous]

Hey,
I’m just wondering if anyone here has experience with qigong for treating Chronic Fatigue. My mother has been struggling with it for some time now and it has been quite debilitating for her. Is there any particular style that may be particularly well suited for something like this? Any advice regarding this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jared

[Anonymous]

Hi Jared,

At Brookline Tai Chi, we’ve seen a lot of students get their energy back with Dragon and Tiger Qigong. There’s something about the light, playful way you can do these moves, as opposed to the deep, serious nature of a standing practice, for example, that seems to work well.

There’s info on this site about how Dragon and Tiger works with the etheric field to stimulate meridian flows and depending on where she is, she may be able to connect with an instructor. Also, this is definitely a set she could learn on her own when the Dragon and Tiger course is opened again (but I don’t know the details on that).

Let me know if that makes sense!

Thanks,
Dan

[Anonymous]

Hey Dan,

Thanks so much for your help. Dragon and Tiger qigong seems like a great system for her to learn. I don’t think Bruce has certified any instructors in Ontario, so I’ll have to do some digging, but I’m sure I can find someone who teaches here. If not I’ll keep an eye out for the online course or purchase the books and CDs.

Thanks again,
Jared

[Anonymous]

As body work needs some start for evoking breath and energy it can be easier to start with a better breathing with the body perhaps immediately driving chronique fatigue away.

Longvity breathing or taoist breathing, the latter immediately downloadable in the store as mp3, and energy gates qigong are such possibilities but need longer as breathing is not so easy as it seems.

Axel

[Anonymous]

Great advice Axel thanks. Breathing techniques might be the best way to start.

Jared

[Anonymous]

Good luck, Jared. Let’s us know how it goes.
D

[Anonymous]

Hi Jared
I am a disciple of Master Eddie Wu, who invited me to train as a disciple in 1999 after two years in basic training. The only reason he asked me to consider this was to teach me qigong, which at that time was only taught to disciples, and it was his firm belief that I would be healed from a 17-year struggle with chronic fatigue, coupled with extreme fibromyalgic pain. In short – he was right. I am fully functioning and virtually free of pain. Although my immune system is still compromised, I am able to fulfill my professional and personal goals and live a full and happy life.

In the beginning there were many many days when I couldn’t move for pain, and depression set in – but I found if I “forced” myself to do even the warm ups for Wu style tai chi, that took 5-10 minutes a day – I was able to cope with part of the day, which was better than not.

I wish your mother all the best,

Heidi

[Anonymous]

Thank you Heidi, I needed to hear that. I am determined to lick this chronic fatigue and this seems to be the way to do – pain or no. I want to be functional again. It is my entire focus. Difficult maybe, but your word tells me it is possible.

[Anonymous]

I have chronic fatigue with an underlying autoimmune problem and have been doing Dragon and Tiger daily for a year, and standing meditation daily for a year and a half. I have been taking private lessons with a certified teacher for about nine months. I am very frustrated with my lack of progress and am wondering if someone could give me some advice.

My first experience with I-Chuan was highly energizing but very destabilizing. I took an evening t’ai chi class for a month that involved standing with arms up (holding a tree trunk) for twenty minutes. I would come home both energized and exhausted and unable to sleep. I got sick twice during the month I went to that class and concluded that I needed a gentler approach.

My current practice is to do sitting meditation (20 minutes of breath awareness followed by a few minutes of loving-kindness meditation) and then a 15-minute warm-up to open up joints. Then I stand with arms at my side for about 20 minutes (less if I am very weak). Then I shift weight in San Ti for about 8 minutes. Then I do one full set of Dragon and Tiger. At times during the day I also do abdominal self-massage and breathing at 70% of capacity.

I do feel chi with my hands, sometimes quite strongly. My training focus in D & T has mostly been with Move One, moving the arms from the armpit and getting the “pulley” sensation along with the weight shift.

I notice very little effect from doing my routine and my health if anything is worse than it was a year ago. Although I have been standing for a year-and-a-half my legs still shake when I stand. I believe that qigong should help me eventually and am determined to keep doing it, but with all the work I have put into it, shouldn’t I be getting more out of it by now?

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