At the age of thirty I decided I needed to do some exercise to improve my health. My health was at an all time low. I suffered from severe backache, knee pain, lack of energy and digestive problems. I was drawn to a local martial art school that taught taekwondo. I had never done any exercise or sport even as a child. I was so unfit and it was really tough to keep up with this training but I persevered and was determined to overcome the pain. After a few years I achieved my black belt. That was just the beginning of a journey in to self-discovery. My head instructor asked me to teach at his clubs, so I continued my training and taught part time for a few years.
I felt a need to go deeper into the martial arts. I spent more time on my flexibility, as I knew it was important, there was still so much to be achieved. I discovered qigong, which took me even deeper into my martial art training. Although my health had improved, qigong took it to another level. I started making other changes in my life- diet and lifestyle in general. As I continued with my stretching, martial arts and qigong I became increasingly aware of the growth I felt within. Now that I am sixty I feel so much better than when I was thirty and I continue to improve and rejuvenate within as the years go by.
I know that these wholistic exercises have played a major part in my self-improvement. Constant effort is the key. It is only a struggle when we hold on to all those wrong habits we have developed. They are only habits and we can easily change them and nurture ourselves with all the good and positive things in life. These exercises help to create a state of harmony in mind, body and spirit, to feel that special connection with the whole universe and discover the unlimited human potential we have within ourselves. We can use this energy to create a wonderful world filled with love, peace and harmony.