Running a Marathon at 90: The Power of Tai Ji Men Qigong
How Tai Ji Men Qigong Helped My Mom Overcome Challenges and Embrace Life with Joy
By Yuefang
In 2022, my mom turned 90. That September, she participated in an 11-kilometer marathon. Although she exclaimed, “I’m so tired! So tired!” when she got home, she was excited to share some amusing stories from the race. She said that along the route, people kept asking her how old she was, and each time, a wave of astonishment followed! Out of the 1,580 participants in the marathon, my mom finished 1,344th. She was thrilled and proud that she didn’t come in last!
My mom began practicing qigong at Tai Ji Men in 1996. She used to have a quick temper, and my dad would often remind us, “Shh, mom is angry. Be on your best behavior.” My mom always thought we didn’t understand things and were easily fooled, so our decisions didn’t count unless she approved them. After joining Tai Ji Men, under the guidance of Shifu, she practiced qigong every morning and evening. Her doctor had once told her she would need painkillers for the rest of her life to manage her back pain, but regular qigong practice brought significant improvements to her health. Not only did she stop taking painkillers, but her temper also softened, and she became much kinder and more approachable. She even started discussing matters with younger family members and asking for their opinions.
For a long time, my mom rarely went out because she was caring for my dad after his stroke. When he passed away, she felt lost and became somewhat negative and withdrawn. However, through attending Tai Ji Men’s weekly practice sessions and talking with fellow members, she gradually became more cheerful and open.
My mom also developed a keen interest in learning new things. In the past, she often said she was too old and had only finished primary school, so watching TV was enough for her. But after hearing Shifu say, “Live and learn,” she embraced the smartphone era and worked hard to learn how to use social media. Things like posting, deleting, sharing, and retracting posts became second nature to her. When she first started writing her thoughts, she asked me to help, saying no one would want to read the writings of an elderly lady with just a primary school education. But with some encouragement, she began dictating her thoughts to me, and I wrote them down. Later, she even learned to use voice-to-text software, leaving me only to correct a few typos. Her friends of the same age were quite envious!
In recent years, as the world faced increasing uncertainty, Tai Ji Men organized various events to unite people in kindness and positivity. My mom not only actively participated but also eagerly invited friends and respected figures from all walks of life to join. On October 16, 2022, Tai Ji Men hosted the “International Ceremony of Love and Peace: Conscience Illuminating the World,” aiming to help people navigate these difficult and perilous times. With boundless enthusiasm, my mom reached out to her network, inviting them to attend, hoping to unite everyone’s kindness and positive energy.
My mom passed away two years ago, but in her later years, her life became much more vibrant through her practice of qigong at Tai Ji Men. I’m incredibly proud of her!
