Suzanne Duckett transforms her fitness journey with qigong
- Suzanne Duckett transitioned from high-intensity exercise to exploring qigong classes in her fifties.
- She noted that most participants in her classes were significantly older and engaged in the practice with ease.
- Her experience led to a reevaluation of the meaning of fitness and exercise for individuals as they grow older.
In the journey of personal fitness, Suzanne Duckett, a health and wellbeing journalist, found herself attending qigong classes quite incidentally. Before reaching her fifties, she actively engaged in high-intensity workouts, including running, hot yoga, and CrossFit, adopting a rigorous no-pain, no-gain philosophy. However, as she approached and crossed the 50-year mark, the toll of such an intense fitness routine became apparent. Attending qigong classes, she observed that most participants were much older and wore casual clothing, unlike the typical high-end workout attire she was accustomed to in her previous classes. At her first qigong class, Duckett felt apprehensive about the slow pace and unusual movements that contrasted sharply with her previous approach to exercise. The sight of older individuals moving deliberately and smiling gave her a moment of reflection. This shift from high-energy workouts to the serene practice of qigong marked a pivotal moment in her understanding of fitness and health. It made her reconsider what exercise means as one ages and how it can be adapted to individual needs. Through her experiences in these classes, Duckett began to appreciate the more mindful aspects of qigong. The focus on breathing and slow, controlled movements not only served as a physical practice but also became a mental and spiritual exercise. This transformation highlights the potential of qigong, especially for those navigating midlife challenges.