Hun Yuan Gong 混元功 is one of the most important Qigong methods in the Hun Yuan system, recommended as foundational for beginners through advanced practitioners. Hun Yuan Gong promotes health, prolongs life, deepens stillness, improves mental clarity, and increases internal strength.  Movements ar...

Chansi Gong develops silk reeling energy, a kind of spiral movement connecting through the entire body, unique to the Chen-style Taiji system. This set also includes joint opening exercises. When the dantian is full of qi and the joints are open, the spiraling movements of silk-reeling convey qi ...

Fang Song Gong, literally “releasing into suppleness” gong builds on a foundation of Hunyuan Gong to increase “sōng” 鬆, the body’s soft, supple, connected throughness. Fang Song Gong was originally a secret method, and is regarded as the most advanced of the three primary gong sets in the Hunyuan...

Stick and Ruler Gong is actually two sets of qigong exercises practiced with different devices. The stick is used to train the twisting movements employed in qinna (joint-locking) using internal skill – another hallmark of Chen-style Taiji. The ruler is used to intensify qi harvesting and circula...

Beginning Tai Chi (the Simplified 24 Form) trains the fundamental energies of tai chi as well as postural principles, while introducing key movement patterns used in future forms. While this tai chi form is "simplified" (ie. includes fewer circles, spirals, and more difficult-to-coordinate moveme...

Building on the foundations learned in the beginning Tai Chi form (the Taiji Simplified 24 Form), the Hunyuan Taiji Regular 24 Form involves more circular movements and spirals (chansi or silk-reeling) energy. Tai Chi builds upon the foundation of Qigong practice, bringing the skills of Qigong in...

The hallmarks of Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan) are variation in speed, alternating soft and explosive movements, and a kind of spiraling movement known as Chansi jin (silk reeling energy). Emphasizing lower stances and a more energetic performance, Chen Style has forms suited for both beg...

The eight gates (Peng, Lü, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao) and the five steps are the basic components of Taiji Quan. Every movement should be an expression and transformation of these energies. Without them Taiji Quan is merely empty form. In this class we will explore these fundamental energies, h...

Bagua Zhang 八卦掌 is an internal system of martial arts similar to Taiji quan. The hallmarks of Bagua are its circular stepping and its marvelous development and utilization of special awareness both within and outside of the body.  This gives the practitioner the ability to move and change directi...

Jian 劍 (Double-Edged Sword) Prerequisite: Hunyuan Taiji 48 Form or instructor permission.

Push hands is an important component of the taiji quan system. The practice of push hands helps to rectify the empty hand forms, increase internal strength, develop awareness of self, and cultivate ability to listen to, interpret, and transform the force of an opponent. It is through push hands t...

Xin Yi Quan (心意拳) is one of the three major internal martial arts of China. Mind-Intent Boxing is a concise and efficient system that develops internal and external coordination. It is also an excellent method for consolidating qi and nourishing life. In this series, we will explore the foundatio...

FREE Introductory Talk on the Traditional Chinese Art of Nourishing LifeYang Sheng Zhi Dao, 養生之道 This free talk will introduce the Chinese Art of Nourishing Life and give an overview of the Yang Sheng program that will begin in late March at the Taoist Studies Institute. Yang Sheng Nourishing Lif...

Laying the Foundation for Nourishing Life This first unit of the Yang Sheng Nourishing Life (養生之道) program will lay the foundation of language and underlying maps that will be utilized throughout all aspects of the Nourishing Life program. One of the most important aspects of Daoist cultivation i...

The Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi, 五禽戲) is a classical qi gong system attributed to Hua Tuo, a renowned Chinese physician of the 2nd century C.E. Inspired by the movements of the Crane, Bear, Deer, Tiger, and Monkey, these elegant yet simple qi gong exercises have profound healing effects, helpi...

The Deepening Practice Retreat is an opportunity to immerse oneself in dedicated Taoist practice (including qi gong, tai chi, and meditation), which results in accelerated progress. Stay for 3, 5, 7, or the full 10 days as fits your schedule. Throughout the retreat, there will be an emphasis on i...

Join us for a day (or just an hour) of meaningful work, good company, and shared purpose at the Xuan Xiu Gong Taoist Sanctuary. Projects include:• Trail maintenance (clearing fallen branches, trimming salmonberry, spreading woodchips) • Chipping downed branches • Planting trees and prepping the v...

Yang Sheng Fundamentals WorkshopContinue developing the language and maps of yang sheng (nourishing life). This workshop introduces core principles of Chinese nutrition, with an emphasis on direct, experiential learning through food and herbal substances and their effects. Participants will begin...