| For privacy,the author's name is referred to G in | | | | seemingly simple movements or meditations the |
| the article. | | | | Chinese believe that you can maintain and recover |
| Five years ago, G's father had pancreatic cancer | | | | your health. So Chi Kung is really the Chinese way |
| and G happened to be watching a special on | | | | of staying healthy, and everyday early in the |
| health called "The Healing Heart". At the end of | | | | morning they meet by the millions in parks across |
| the show was a segment that just floored him. It | | | | China to practice this basic, but powerful, self |
| was on the Beijing Cancer Recovery Club - and | | | | health technique. |
| these people, instead of being passive in their fight | | | | After years of hearing about Guo Lin Chi Kung, G |
| with cancer, were out everyday walking, moving, | | | | was fortunate enough to meet a woman from |
| and breathing in a very special way which we | | | | China who had healed her brain tumor, she |
| used to hear as chi kung. G also searched the | | | | believed, by practicing Guo Lin Chi Kung. Mrs Chen |
| internet and found some of the info by searching | | | | agreed to become his teacher, and for several |
| kung fu cancer. | | | | months she taught him, with the help of his friend |
| There were people all over Beijing getting | | | | and interpreter Mrs. Hong, how to practice Guo |
| together every morning to practice these | | | | Lin Chi Kung. She certainly was inspiring - they |
| seemingly simple forms of exercise to fight their | | | | gave her a couple of years to live after they |
| cancer. These groups were run solely by cancer | | | | removed a tumor the size of a "duck egg" from |
| survivors who had used this form of exercise. In | | | | her head. When G met her she was still thriving, |
| Beijing alone, there were almost 3,000 people in | | | | and very feisty, over eight years after her |
| these cancer recovery clubs, and besides the | | | | operation. She still practiced Guo Lin Chi Kung |
| exercise they also scheduled group trips, met for | | | | every day - and had every day for all those |
| yearly anniversaries of members survival, and | | | | years. She loved to practice near pine trees - |
| generally supported each other in their fight. | | | | they believe they are very healthy. G never have |
| G was stunned that there was such a well | | | | been able to match her grace in the walking |
| organized group that used both exercise and | | | | movements, but G did eventually pick it up under |
| support to battle their cancer - and it seemed to | | | | her watchful eye. |
| work - at least from hearing the interviews with | | | | The actual movements are easy to learn - the |
| the members in "The Heart of Healing". This was | | | | foundation of the style is a rythmic walking that |
| really exciting to me - and so began a journey to | | | | also emphasizes a particular way of breathing that |
| learn about this special type of exercise that they | | | | really gets a lot of oxygen into your system. |
| believed can cure their cancer. | | | | Literally you can learn a basic walking style in just |
| The basis of the groups daily exercise is a form | | | | a few minutes, although it takes a few hours to |
| of Chi Kung called Guo Lin Chi Kung. You may not | | | | really get comfortable. |
| have heard of Chi Kung, but you probably have | | | | Disclaimer: This sort of energy exercise can be |
| heard of its increasingly well known cousin T'ai Chi. | | | | used as an addition to any cancer recovery |
| Chi Kung is similar to T'ai Chi in that it is a general | | | | program. But it in no way should be used to |
| term for movements or meditations invented by | | | | replace any cancer therapy prescribed by your |
| the Chinese that help to strengthen and regulate | | | | physician. Do remember, think the bright side of |
| the internal energy, or "chi", that the Chinese | | | | life, don't give it up. |
| believe is the basis of health. By performing these | | | | |