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 honor and respect for ourselves and the world. During those two levels, students will be introduced to traditional Outer and Inner Qigong from two systems - The Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) and the Yiquan School. 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. Xiantianwujimen was founded in the Song dynasty (circa 10th to 12th centuries) by Daoist sage Chen Xiyi, who is recognized as "the father of qigong". Eva Wong is the 19th generation carrier (quanren) of this lineage. The Yiquan School was founded by Wang Xiangzhai in the early 20th century. Yiquan is best known for its standing qigong postures called Zhangzhuan. In Level I, we will practice techniques of inner and outer qigong, including tendon changing, marrow washing, self-massage and calisthenics, which strengthen the muscular-skeletal system, nourish the internal organs, circulate internal energy and still the mind. We will learn Chen Xiyi’s sleeping and walking qiqong and Wang Xiangzhai’s standing qigong. In Level II, we will delve more deeply, studying the Twelve Devas Tendon-Changing and Nine Self-Massage systems in their entirety. The Tendon-Changing postures are powerful techniques that cultivate flexibility, strength and softness in the joints, muscles and tendons. The self-massage exercises focus on nourishing the internal organs and facilitating the circulation of qi in the meridians.

PLEASE NOTE: To prepare for levels 3 to 5 given by Eva Wong in September, levels 1 and 2 are going to also be offered in Marseille 3-4 April and Toulouse 17-18 April.