This evening, my wife asked me if I was still interested in practicing Qigong. A new XX Qigong group led by her friend will start in two weeks. This would be a good opportunity to calm myself down and maybe start a new life, as claimed in almost any Qigong advertisement.

I always have some fancies about mysterious Chinese Qigong although I never attended any Qigong group. I arrogantly believe that most Qigong masters don’t have a thorough understanding of Qigong as I do. Qigong is a way of meditation and to recollect oneself in both physical and spiritual ways. Mythical components of Qigong should be taken out.

Anyway, I decided to let the opportunity slip away again, but for another reason. I have, in fact, already been practicing a modern Qigong—running.

Yes, running is my Qigong.

Why?

Let me tell you my running story.

Before my daily running, I was quite weak, both physically and mentally. Chronic fatigue had been overwhelming me for several months. Unfinished work piled up. I was procrastinating and inattentive to anything. I thought I was sort of depressed.

However, the decision to exercise (and to lose weight) is not an impulsive act. My wife had been condemning me for not exercising and being sluggish all the time. Several weeks after the semester began, she dragged me to the gym and bought the membership for me. I started running that day, and kept running every day for more than 20 days by now.

During the first week, I ran at an embarrassing speed which most runners would consider as jogging. I was only able to finish less than 2 miles in half an hour and I felt exhausted after exercise.

Things got better every day. I ran a 5K during the first weekend and felt really good.

The second week went smoothly, I ran at a comfortable speed of 12min/mile, not very fast but definitely a running speed. I finished a 10k during the weekend (actually I finished more than 6 miles) and was proud of myself. The third week was even better. My running speed reached 11min/mile and I ran 3 miles every day. This week, at the 10min/mile level, my breath was deep and relax; my heartbeat was safe at 70% of the maximum heart rate; my legs were not sore either. I didn’t feel tired anymore.

Although running and practicing Qigong look quite different, the essence are the same. During the Qigong exercise, you have to clean up your mind and focus on your own self. You pay attention to your body, your breath, and your imaginary route of Qi. While on the treadmill, I can not listen to music or read books like many other runners do. I just stare at the meters and clock, counting every foot, every calorie, and every second I have finished. My brain quickly becomes a hot pot with no particular thought, just senses from my legs and feet. After running, my mind gets clearer and more focused. I feel energized and fresh, the same feeling you are supposed to have after practicing Qigong.

I start finding joys in running. My physical body has been improved significantly. I have lost 14 pounds and I am a runner now. I have also amazed myself and my family with my steadfast will and discipline. Depression has gone away. My work is done more efficiently and orderly. Life is getting better.

With my special Qigong, why should I need another Qigong?