• Focus: Water Qigong + Inner Alchemy with Compassion Meditation

• What you’ll experience: A gentle yet profound introduction to Water Qigong, and a deep dive into Inner Alchemy with Compassion Meditation, helping you balance energy and release emotional blockages.

• Who it's for: Open to all, beginners or those with some experience in bodywork, meditation, or self-reflection. This option offers a well-rounded introduction to Taoist practices, suitable for newcomers or anyone seeking a reset, more energy and connection.

• Focus: Water Qigong + Inner Alchemy with Compassion Meditation + the First Day of Kan & Li

• What you’ll experience: Build on the foundation of Water Qigong and Inner Alchemy, while also exploring the transformative practice of Kan & Li—harnessing fire and water within the body to refine your energy and awaken your inner light.

• Who it's for: Recommended for those with some prior experience in body movement, meditation, or inner Qigong. Days 1–3 provide an accessible introduction for all, and Day 4 will introduce you to Kan & Li practices, which require some more experience and readiness for deeper practices.

For those committed to deep transformation

• Focus: Full immersion into Inner Alchemy, Kan & Li, and spiritual awakening

• What you’ll experience: This extended retreat offers the full depth of the practices—Water Qigong, Inner Alchemy, and Kan & Li—leading you to a profound inner evolution. You will experience personalized guidance and dedicated practice time to deepen your connection to the Taoist teachings.

• Who it's for: This option is for those committed to a deep, transformative journey, with prior experience in inner Qigong, silent meditation, or Taoist practices. You’ll be ready for the advanced techniques of Kan & Li after the foundational preparation in the first four days.

What makes Water Qigong truly special is its power to free you from old physical patterns and entrenched structures—not only in your body but also in your personality. This liberation fosters greater flexibility, sensitivity, and openness to new experiences in everyday life.

It gently transforms your rigid habits into flowing vitality, enabling you to navigate life with ease and grace.

The taoist meditations in this retreat go hand in hand with the practice of Water Qigong. They recharge you with fresh vitality, open your heart, strengthen your immune system and  guide you to experience a profound connection with yourself.

Moreover Water Qigong serves as an ideal preparation for the practices of Inner Alchemy that follow in the days ahead, opening the doors to even deeper levels of transformation and self-discovery.

(All movements will also be repeated during the following days with Fusion and Kan & Li)

In the Inner Alchemy of Tao, the practice of "Kan & Li" becomes the basis for the development of higher forms of consciousness. It is the inner marriage of soul and spirit, the union of heaven and earth, and it touches our innermost longings for wholeness and harmony.

Mind power moves into a dance, and Qi transformed into a sparkling vapour flows along special meridians - a centrepiece of Taoist meditation that enables profound processes of inner transformation.

Carsten is a modern mystic and spiritual teacher who helps people find deeper meaning in today’s fast-paced, consumer-driven world. Rooted in the mystical path of the Tao, his teachings cultivate a profound connection to the heart and inner core—unlocking pathways to health, happiness, vitality, and spiritual growth.

For over 40 years, Carsten has explored both ancient and modern approaches to understanding the body and mind. As a trained sinologist specializing in Taoism, he has gained deep insight into Chinese culture and philosophy. His journey has been shaped by traditional Taoist teachings, Qigong, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Kung Fu, and Eastern mysticism.

When he was 14, Carsten began his deep exploration of martial arts and Zen meditation. During his studies at university, he founded his own school for Internal Kung Fu and Qigong and spent four years living in Taiwan, training with Shaolin masters. and meditating in monasteries. He received extensive teachings from renowned Qigong and Taoist masters such as Li Jun-Feng and Mantak Chia, whom he assisted for over 20 years. To deepen his practice and knowledge, he meditated intensively at Thai monasteries and studied anatomy, Chinese medicine, therapeutic work, modern psychology, and coaching.

In his seminars, Carsten creates an inspiring and supportive space where each participant can grow at their own pace. His teaching fosters transformation on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Through his guidance, you will gain a new perspective on yourself, your challenges, and the world—while experiencing a deep connection to the forces of Heaven and Earth.

Together with his partner, Dewi De Waele (dewi-tao.com), Carsten presents Tao & Qigong – The Art of Living— a unique approach they created, that offers meaningful answers to some of life’s most pressing questions.

Dewi is co-teacher during the summer week – for Qigong movements, questions, allround support, optional coachings and much more …

Dewi is of Belgian-Indonesian descent and has been teaching Taiji and Qigong for over 20 years. Moreover, she offers trauma-Informed Taoist Coaching & Embodiment (with an optional focus on past life integration)

Since 2015, she has been a co-teacher and coach in the Tao & Qigong – The Art of Living teacher trainings, Inner Alchemy - Kan & Li retreats, and courses in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

With her warm and gentle approach, Dewi teaches from a calm, feminine Yin state, creating an atmosphere where participants can quietly tune into themselves while feeling inspired. This allows them to move closer to their inner core.

In her classes, Dewi integrates the wisdom she’s gained from her travels and silent retreats in Asia with her deep knowledge of Taiji, movement, Classical and Balinese dance, and therapeutic practices. She fosters a compassionate presence that supports each participant on a personal level. Her trauma-informed coaching (available optionally during the retreat) focuses on self-reflection, untangling blockages, discovering your next step or practice, and reconnecting with your deeper truth.