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Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
past workshop

Primordial Qigong: Vibrant Health, Harmony with the Tao

November 9–13, 2026

Kenneth Cohen

Primordial Qigong is meditation in motion and includes the two most famous forms of Taoist Meditation: the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Energy Circulation, in which the solar (yang) and lunar (yin) energies flow in harmony, an essential key to vitality and longevity. You will also be given the tools on how to recharge the three dan tians, the body’s primary energy “batteries,” to increase your storehouse of resilient qi (life force) as a buffer against stress and other challenges to well-being. During discussion time, we’ll discover how science explains the benefits of qigong and how the practice is redefining our understanding of health. Primordial Qigong is the legacy of Ken’s teacher Madame Gao Fu, in direct lineage from the founder of the “medical qigong” movement in modern China. The course is perfect for beginners and all levels.

In this weeklong workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Learn all 12 movements of Hunyuan (Primordial) Qigong for strong, resilient energy.
  • Practice the two most famous forms of Taoist Meditation: the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Orbits (or Energy Circulation techniques) to awaken and harmonize the primary acupuncture meridians.
  • Recharge the internal “batteries,” the dan tians, and learn about their connection with slow, deep breathing.
  • Improve posture, alignment, movement efficiency, and breathing.
  • Discover how science measures the healing benefits of qigong and how the practice is redefining human health and human potential.

Recommended Reading: The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing, by Kenneth Cohen

Kenneth Cohen

Ken Cohen, M.A., is a world-renowned qigong and tai chi grandmaster. A former collaborator with Alan Watts, he is the author of The Way of Qigong and winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Energy Medicine.

Full Bio