Daoist qigong is a spiritual discipline that cultivates body and mind simultaneously. 

Originally called daoyin, which means ‘guiding the flow of internal energy (qi), it has been practised for over two thousand years in China. Laozi, the founder of Daoism, was said to have been the first to practice techniques of conserving, gathering, cultivating, nourishing, and transforming energies that are the source of a healthy body and a clear mind.
The techniques of Daoist qigong were systematized during the Han dynasty (3rd century BCE to 3rd century CE) by the father of Chinese medicine Hua Tu. From then on daoyin, or qigong, has been incorporated into Daoist spiritual practices up to the present day.

The techniques of Daoist qigong can be divided into three categories – outer, inner, and secret.

Outer qigong focuses on physical strengthening, inner qigong with nourishing the internal organs and gathering and conserving energy, and secret qigong with dissolving the duality of mind and body to merge with the primordial energy of the Dao.

No spiritual discipline is complete without integrating its formal practices into everyday life. In this respect, Daoist qigong advocates a lifestyle of simplicity and moderation, encourages the cultivation of generosity, compassion, and wisdom, and fosters the development of honour and respect for ourselves and the world.

Program Level 3

  • Talk: The Gourd and the Cauldron – The Interactive Influences Between Chinese Medicine and Daoism
  • Hua Tu’s Animal Forms
  • Begin Immortal’s Guide to Self-Massage and Breath Regulation
  • Begin Red Phoenix Calisthenics
  • Continue with Yiquan Zhangzhuan


Practical

Program starts Sunday May 28, 6pm and ends Tuesday May 30, 6pm. Attendance during the whole session is important to apply for the next level.

This program is taught in English. Translation into French or other languages are available at no extra costs. Please give us notice of your request as early as possible, so that we can provide translation service.

Teacher


Samten Kobelt
grew up near Zurich, Switzerland where he again resides since 2013. In 1984 he met the Shambhala teachings at Naropa University and started practicing. He met Trungpa Rinpoche in Germany in 1985 and became his student. He was Resident Director of Shambhala Training in Bern and coordinated the first two Warrior Assemblies in Europe. Samten spent 10 years at the major Shambhala land centers in North America where he became a student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. He served for six years as Director of Marpa House and three years as a shastri at the Boulder Shambhala Center.

Samten has been interested in the mind-body connection and its application in society since he started meditating. He is practicing and teaching Contemplative Dance Practice, developed by Barbara Dilley; Lujong (Tibetan Yoga) transmitted by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche; Bugaku (Japanese Court Dance) from Togi Sensei through Arawana Hayashi; and Qigong in the lineage of Eva Wong.

Repeater special price

If you participate to this program (level 3) for the second time, a reduction of €45 will be applied to the standard price below. To benefit from this repeater special tarif, please make sure you announce this option when registering. Any discount based on income would be calculated on the reduced repeater price.