(Minghui.org) I started practicing Falun Gong in March 1999. Before that, I had many illnesses, such as heart problems, gastrointestinal problems, diabetes and kidney problems. I had visited many hospitals and specialists, but my illnesses kept getting worse.
My workplace finally allocated money so that I could see a doctor. The doctor recommended Falun Gong to me, saying, “Falun Gong is very effective. Many people have seen instant results.”
Within a week of practicing Falun Gong, I could breathe better. My illness symptoms were gone a month later. I've now practiced Falun Gong for fifteen years, and I've remained healthy and haven't taken any medication.
However, a couple of years ago I began experiencing back pain, and I could barely walk. I couldn’t keep my back straight, and walked with my back hunched over. When I sat, I had to use a cushion to support my back. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Looking inward, I couldn't find my problem.
Examining my cultivation, I know that my faith was strong. I've never stopped studying the Fa, doing the exercises, and sending forth righteous thoughts.
Each day, I distribute informational materials about Falun Gong in the morning on my way to the park. I come back home and prepare lunch after morning grocery shopping. In the afternoon, I study the Fa and go out to distribute materials or stay home to make more materials. I've encountered and overcome tests and tribulations, but I still couldn't figure out why I couldn't keep my back straight.
Finally, I couldn't walk very far, which restricted me from telling more people about Falun Gong. I was very upset.
About a month ago, I ran into another practitioner who told me that she also used to have back pain, couldn't walk far, and had to sit with cushion behind her back. When she watched Master's exercise instruction video she noticed Master keep his back straight while doing the sitting meditation. She realized she wasn't doing the exercise correctly.
She then began doing the exercise movements and postures according to Master’s standard. Her back pain stopped and she didn’t need a cushion any more. She told me to keep my back straight when doing the sitting meditation.
I took her advice and my back stopped hurting. My general posture has improved as well.
The other day, I ran into an elderly practitioner in a park who I hadn't seen for a long time. I noticed she was walking slowly and lethargically. We began chatting and she told me that she was suffering back and chest pain which bothered her even when she got in and out of bed.
I saw that her back was bent and that her condition was worse than mine. I told her to keep her back straight while doing the sitting meditation and she would recover once she corrected her posture. She was sincerely grateful for the advice.
I'm now sharing my experience to remind everyone to make sure our movements are accurate while doing the exercises.