QI GONG - TAIJI - NUTRITION
yang sheng - to nourish life
| CROATIA | 6.10 – 12.10 2025 |
We invite you to the Croatia Autumn Retreat "Yang Sheng - Nourishing Life" - a learning and recovery workshop aimed at everyone - beginners and advanced Qi Gong practitioners, as well as those interested in Eastern healing arts.
Autumn is the best time to strengthen the immune system, stock up for the winter and take care of your inner and outer beauty. We will extend the summer and sunny time of the year before transitioning into the darker and colder energy of the coming winter. For these reasons, the retreat will take place at Crvena Luka Resort right on the Adriatic sea: a landscape of stunning colors - the crystal blue and emerald green of the sea, the radiant yellow of the sun-kissed sandy beach, the deep green of the Mediterranean pines and the pure white of the Dalmatian stone. The air is ionized, full of minerals, fresh and clean. At this time of year, the place is also suitable for finding peace, regenerating and strengthening the body and mind.
“Yang Sheng” is a practical science. It researches the basics of human health, strengthens the physique, prevents diseases, prolongs life and teaches people to cultivate their health.
In addition to the daily morning exercise/meditation, we will devote ourselves to learning the "Cloud Hands - Five Directions Practice" of Qi Gong and Taijiquan and get to know practical healing tools for looking after our health and well-being.
There will also be plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful landscape, swim in the Adriatic Sea or simply relax and unwind.
Our film from the Yang Sheng Croatia retreat in 2023:
Student‘s voices
Workshop
“CLOUDHANDS - FIVE DIRECTIONS FORM”
Within the teaching method of Path of Dao, Cloud Hands are the continuation of Qi Gong into the advanced practice of Taijiquan.
Cloud Hands forms are the first forms learned in Taijiquan and build the foundation for every other Taiji form.
Based on the Qi Gong principles of circulating Qi, blood and fluids through the body, we will learn one of the basic movements of Taijiquan: "Hands Moving like Clouds". This practice harmonizes the interaction of the right and left hemispheres of the brain, gently treats the back, opens the hips and has a calming effect on the nervous system.
We will look deeper into the meaning of the motions of the first Cloudhand, explore its different qualities of Qi (Yin and Yang / rising and sinking / expanding and retracting / opening and closing), work with them and become aware of their effect on our health and wellbeing.
We start with parallel standing, then apply other postures and finally add steps gradually.
Introducing the steps to our Cloudhands routine brings more power from the lower periphery (legs) to the upper periphery (arms). This will boost the effects and make the exercise more holistic and complete.
From here on, we will implement the Cloudhands into a small form called “5 Directions Form”. It’s a simple but beautiful pattern of moving through the 5 cardinal directions according to the 5 elements (water, fire, metal, tree, earth) and the 5 steps (advance, retreat, look to the right, gaze to the left, central equilibrium) of Taijiquan.
Whenever possible we will work outside, connecting with the environment and the harmonious Qi of nature, being exposed to fresh air and natural light in our practice.
Schedule
We start our week on Sunday evening with dinner and an evening introduction practice. The following days will be structured as follows:
| 6:30 – 8:00 | Morning practice |
| 8:30 | Breakfast |
| 10:30 – 12:30 | Practice/Lecture |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| FREE TIME | |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Evening Practice |
With 4,5 hours of daily practice we have the opportunity for intense learning and practicing. During free time in the afternoon, enjoying the beautiful sea as well as the surroundings will of course be possible during this week.
We will have breakfast and dinner buffet service. During dinner time drinks are not included.
We will end the week on Saturday after a morning closing practice and a common breakfast.
There are no prerequisites for participation. People who already have learned Cloudhands will definitely deepen their practice. Newcomers will learn the contents from scratch and can of course profit from more advanced students.
Practice and lectures will be conducted in English. Polish or German translation can be provided if needed. Please let us know.
Location
Crvena Luka Resort ****
Mediterranean oasis in a bay with a sandy beach
The Crvena Luka resort stands out above all for the mesmerizing colors and sensations it evokes in guests. Despite the resort's intriguing name meaning "Red Harbor", the colors that truly define the experience of staying here are the crystal blue and emerald green of the sea, the stunning yellow of the sun-bathed sandy beach, the deep green of the Mediterranean pines and the pure white of the Dalmatian stone, all complemented and enhanced by the resort's modern design and impeccable service. The natural beauty of nature blends perfectly with the stylish atmosphere near the royal town of Biograd na Moru, with the Nature Park of Lake Vransko inland and the magnificent panoramic views of the unique Kornati archipelago, which offers one of the most beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic coast.
Crvena Luka resort also offers plenty of sports and recreational facilities for the whole family. There are tennis courts with a clay surface, a fitness center, a multi-purpose sports field for soccer and basketball, various outdoor exercise facilities, bicycles for rent and a water sports center. In the immediate vicinity of the resort you can easily find additional activities, such as a horseback trip to Lake Vransko or an exciting adrenaline adventure in the Adventure Park, where you can test your paintball skills, have fun on the zip-line or go on an off-road quad safari.
During the camp we will practice inside the resort in the 100m2 conference room and outside in the peaceful and secluded green areas.
Full resort description: https://www.crvena-luka.hr/en
Photo gallery: https://www.instagram.com/crvena.luka/
Price
(Classes, accomodation with 2 meals and VAT included)*
Hotel rooms (check out)
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Double room: €1030Accommodation: €580 / Practice: €450
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Single room €1210Accommodation: €760 / Practice: €450
Apartments (check out)
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For 2 people €1180Accommodation: €730 / Practice: €450
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For 3 people €1090Accommodation: €640 / Practice: €450
* Retreat price does not include insurance, flights and bus from the airport. Participants are asked to self-insure from accidents.
The number of places is limited.
To register, please fill out the form and transfer an advance payment of 30% of the total amount. First priority is determined by the order of payments.
Bus from the airport
A shuttle bus will be organized from the nearby Zadar airport. The price will depend on the number of participants.
Companions
If you would like to come with your loved one, family, children as an accompanying person, you are very welcome as the venue is ideal for family holidays. It is also possible to rent bigger apartments. For exact prices for people not participating in classes, please contact us!
Feel invited to join!
If you have any questions: info@path-of-dao-qigong.ch
