Allergies, Sinusitis, and Asthma
I was born and raised in Sacramento, and I have lived here my entire life. When I was growing up, it was common to see the Sierra Nevada on the horizon, but as the air became more polluted seeing the mountains became a rarity. And like many, I have felt the effects of Sacramento’s long growing season and splendid climate for all sorts of plants that would not normally coexist.
Back in my teens (1970s) I had my first hay fever attack: sneezing, itchy watering eyes, and runny nose. The attacks weren’t too bad, and they got me out of yard work on occasion.
In the 1980s I went from taking over-the-counter medications (Actifed and Sudafed) for hay fever to prescription medications (Entex LA and Nasarel) for allergies.
Over time more and more things triggered my allergy symptoms, to the point where in my 30s (1990s) I developed chronic sinusitis and also suffered from asthma regularly for the first time. I began taking prescription medications Beconase and Qvar daily during the allergy seasons, and Albuteral and Serevent during attacks. I never left home without my allergy pills and asthma inhaler.
By the 2000s, I was taking all of these prescription medications year-round. In addition, I got sinus infections at least once a year, and some years three or four times, even though I had begun rinsing my sinuses (using a neti pot) daily. I also had ear infections along with asthma, colds, flu, and a case of pneumonia. You could say my respiratory health was going downhill!
I still sometimes have episodes of exercise-induced asthma, but not nearly as often and at a higher effort level than before I began studying qi gong. After 9 months of YeYoung Qi Gong, asthma triggers like diesel exhaust no longer affected me. I stopped needing the allergy medicines, and since beginning qi gong I have not had the flu, a sinus infection, an ear infection, or even a cold.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones run in my family. My father, one brother, and my daughter (at age 20) have all required medical treatment and procedures for kidney stones. I had my first experience in 2006, then again in 2007. Both times I was lucky, and the pain was not so bad that I had to get immediate treatment. In 2008 an MRI confirmed there were stones remaining in my kidneys.
Within 3 months of beginning YeYoung Qi Gong practice I successfully passed kidney stones. Not all at once and not so fast that I required medical treatment, but they were slowly passing out of my body on their own.
Diabetes
Diabetes also runs in my family. My father has his diabetes under control with diet and exercise, and he has to monitor his blood sugar regularly. I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes in 2005, was sent to the Kaiser Permanente pre-diabetes class, and began getting tested for blood sugar every 6 months. Although I increased the number of yoga sessions I attended each week, the extra sessions didn’t appear to make much difference. I added walking 26 flights of stairs at break several times a week, but again no noticeable change. This regimen was in addition to riding my bicycle to and from work (150 miles a week).
Since starting qi gong my blood sugar numbers for pre-diabetes have come down and stabilized, but I am still just outside of the healthy range.
Kidneys . . . we all have a weakness, and one of mine is my kidneys. In Chinese medicine lungs and kidneys are linked; diabetes and kidney stones are a product of weak kidneys. Grand Master YeYoung has worked with me to heal the body on the inside.
Your weakness can be helped by practicing qi gong just like I have. Like me, you can also reduce or eliminate the need for medication by getting your qi to flow evenly through the body. When qi flows it heals; the effects start within a short time, and the results are real.
Updated January 18, 2010
