In the Spring  of 2002 - I was living in Beijing, and searching for a Qigong Master in China.  I contacted many Qigong schools, centers and people I met, searching for a traditional program. Through pure luck, I gained an introduction to Master Wang Tao who taught traditional Taoist Inner Alchemy as found in the Northern Taoist Complete Perfection School.

In order to learn with Master Wang Tao, I had to travel across China to the far North East in an area called Anshan, in Liaoning Province - my destination was 'Thousand Peak Mountain'. This was a very long journey, and little did I know, but this encounter would be an event which would change the entire course and direction of my life.

The program which Master Wang asked me to follow was very detailed, highly organised, exact and strenuous - day in and day out - rising at 5 am to perform the prescribed 8 Longevity Qigong Exercises as our warm up, and then...

The Dragon is an image we find in many forms of Taoist Yoga, Qigong, Nei Gong, Tao Yin and the Martial Arts. The Dragon in Taoist Culture is a Mystical Pure Yang Animal - one that is Heavenly, Spiritual and Auspicious. The Coiling Dragon form seen here is one section taken from our Golden Lotus form training in the TaoYoga Arts System.

The Dragons motion is typically expressed in Taoist Yoga & Qigong Practice as having the qualities of : Coiling / Spiraling -- Open / Close -- Up / Down -- In / Out... these patterns of movement are both internal and external - expressions of the Yin Yang theory, not as a concept, but as a tangible somatic experience.

Our Coiling Dragon Form shown here  in the above video can be seen to effect the Yin Energy Meridians in the legs, arms and also works to open the ascending Governing Vessel in the spine, and also the descending Conception Vessel in the front of the torso. The Opening of the Energy Meridian and creating a smooth,...

Opening the Energy Gates

In Qigong, Neigong and Taoist Yoga Practice 'Opening' is a big theme. We open Meridians, Energy Gates, and Energy Centers. The Energy Gates we may view as having an 'Inner' and 'Outer' aspect. We have the '5 Outer Gates' and the '9 Inner Gates'. The '9 Inner Gates' sometimes termed the '9 Caldrons' are the places where meridians connect in the body, and move from one area to another - for example for energy to pass from the arm into the torso, the meridians must pass through the Energy Gate located in the Shoulder Joint. The 'Inner Energy Gates' are usually located in the major joint spaces - or more specifically in the 'Empty Space' between the bones of a joint, and also found in the spinal cord. The Energy Gates often become blocked, and this can cause stagnant energy, stiffness, pain, emotional imbalance and limits the movement of Energy through the Meridian system....

- Learn more about Qigong and Taoist Inner Alchemy in our upcoming Online Program...

Immortal Arts - Stages in Development

The Immortal Arts Method - a modern day approach to Taoist Neigong and the Art of Inner Alchemy - bringing one to greater health, healing, harmony and leading one to the Discovery of True Self.

During the Practice of Taoist Inner Alchemy - we use three aspects of Self -

Our Body, Mind and Breath.

The Mind is something that becomes clear, sharp and more focused the longer we continue the practice - this means that our ability in Focus or the ability to Concentrate our Intention and keeping to the Center of our Dantian improves.

If we look at the process of learning the Art of Taoist Inner Alchemy - we may see that there are forms, postures, shapes and combinations of movements that we practice.

The movements and shapes follow a unique pattern - they are circular -

Circular movement and physical shapes aid in the development and smooth flow of Healing Energy. To create these shapes and movement patterns in our practice - we must use the...

 Immortal Arts - Gateway to the Tao

The 5 Gates of Change are five unique Stages of Self Transformation.

Within the practice of the Immortal Arts Method, the student shall pass through Three Unique Stages of Transformation.

1. Transformation of Body

2. Transformation of Energy

3. Transformation of Spirit

   As the student moves through the  ‘3 Stages of Transformation’, they shall pass through the  ‘5 Gates of Change’  - five unique stages of Self Transformation.
   

4. Gate of Awakening ~ Awakening to a new view of life, living, and a new view of our connection with nature. Awakening the vital healing energy flow that lies within. Awakening and opening the energy channels and energy centers.

5. Gate of Nurture ~ The ability of self nurturing through practice grows. Through this practice, self healing begins to take place. Inner Balance begins to grow.

6. Gate of Transform ~ Body transforms, energy transforms, consciousness transforms. The negative...