Affordably priced and perfectly suited for a busy life, it is a great opportunity to enhance your learning and deepen your Qigong practice with a large powerful chi field. The main highlights will focus on movement, sound healing and effective visualization for joy and wellness.
This Practice Retreat offers:
a way to expand your favorite weekend and weekly classes into an intensive practice retreat with Master Mingtong Gu
acceleration of your healing of mind and body through a strong chi field similar to our energetic Chi Center events and to the Qigong Center in China.
Residential Retreats: Retreat Living at
Angela Center in Santa Rosa
(Commuter Options available)
Residential Retreats provide the most concentrated full day/evening learning and skills experience, because the teachings and practice flow throughout the whole day and evening. The scenic retreat campus at Angela Center offers verdant grounds and easy logistics as the beautifully converted chapel used for our practice and the dining room and lodging are all under one roof.
This retreat has been designed to actualize an experience of intensive Chi healing. A first-of–its-kind in North America, the Healing Intensive Retreat offers the same successful healing program which was established for people experiencing major health challenges at the world’s largest Qigong hospital in China. Over 200,000 people with all types of illnesses were treated there. The Qigong hospital reported a 95% effective improvement. An average of 33% of the participants were cured of chronic and “incurable” diseases.
Transformation! This is an opportunity of a lifetime. The Wisdom Healing Intensive Retreat is an opportunity to work on your body, heart, mind and energy to realize your deepest intention of radiant health, true happiness, joy and profound peace, and to embody the awakening consciousness.
Who Attends?
All ages and abiliies are welcome-- including:
New or continuing participants wishing to learn how to thrive in life and/or are facing acute or chronic illness, stress, aging, injury challenges.
Qigong Teachers getting certification
wellness professionals wishing to offer more comprehensive health benefit in their practice.
Caretakers and family members of previous Retreat students who wish to support their joy and build vitality.
Beneficial for people with all types and levels of health challenges (a caregiver is required to accompany students with serious medical conditions).
Who would benefit from Healing Retreats?
You would benefit if you are
working with serious physical or emotional diseases
feel stressed, depleted, full of anxiety or depressed and wish to strengthen your endocrine and immune systems
a caregiver of your family or others who are diseased
seeking powerful toos for self healing or expanding professional capacities
inspired to work for the awakening of human potentialcommitted to make sustainable positive changes in life
Wisdom Healing Qigong is beneficial for people with all types and levels of health challenges, or those with great interest to realize their innate capacities for healing and transformation.
Howdo the ‘miracles’ happen?
In the science of Qigong, healing from chronic conditions is not a ‘miracle’ in the way the word is often used. Healing can occur in a spontaneous manner, with a quick shift of the mind or as the result of much dedicated practice. We deliberately activate our miracles with proven practices and our engaged consciousness.
At the medicine-less Qigong hospital in China, three keys were found essential for activating the true potentials of Qigong: consistent practice, accessing the collective and accumulative chi field and the true power of teachers and healers. While your practice can nourish your life energy in a sustainable way, a strong chi field can amplify the benefits exponentially. True teachers and healers can assist you to deepen your connection within and realize your true potential.
In the science of Qigong, healing from chronic conditions is not a ‘miracle’ in the way the word is often used. Healing can occur in a spontaneous manner, with a quick shift of the mind or as the result of much dedicated practice. We deliberately activate our miracles with proven practices and our engaged consciousness.
At the medicine-less Qigong hospital in China, three keys were found essential for activating the true potentials of Qigong: consistent practice, accessing the collective and accumulative chi field and the true power of teachers and healers. While your practice can nourish your life energy in a sustainable way, a strong chi field can amplify the benefits exponentially. True teachers and healers can assist you to deepen your connection within and realize your true potential.
At the medicine-less Qigong hospital everyone was dedicated to healing, a powerful healing community formed, and each person’s progress was everyone’s progress. Massive group healings and practices were daily events. Everyone participated, even if on a stretcher or in a wheelchair. Everyone participated, even if on a stretcher or in a wheelchair. Everyone was blessed by the strong intention for healing and the deep desire to live and become vital and strong. Those that had already healed, or gained more strength, helped others or became teachers.
The most effective practices were shared and practiced for hours at a time. Caregivers assisted with the severely disabled in this residential experience. When you arrived you went through a battery of medical evaluations to know your condition. Then you engaged deeply with the practices and teachings for 24 days. Another set of tests was conducted and that is where the amazing percentages of healing are documented.
With this deep dedication many became powerful healers and the rates of healing grew greater and greater as the healing chi field grew stronger and stronger. The cumulative benefits of this experience is available now to us as we continue the lineage of healing through Master Gu, Dr. Pang and our own dedication.
In the 1980s, and 1900’s as Dr. Pang was developing the largest medicine-less hospital known as “Huaxia Zhineng Qigong Training and Recovery Center” enormous scientific research, some 3000 research papers were published. In two decades, the Center treated more than 200,000 patients. This sample was taken during a three month period in 1998 of the 2088 people at the Center. From this group the following impressive results were documented: Cured: 731 (35.01% ); Very effective: 488 (23.37%); Effective: 863 (41.28%); No effect: 6 (0.29%);The total effective rate of 97% .
Recent research reveals that Qigong training (more detailed review at www.qigonginstitute.org)
Initiates the ‘relaxation response, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure.
Alters the neurochemistry profile moderating pain, depression and addictive cravings, as well as optimizing immune capability.
Enhances the efficiency of the immune system through increased rate and flow of the lymphatic fluid.
Improves resistance to disease and infection and increases the efficiency of cell metabolism and tissue regeneration.
Coordinates right/left brain hemisphere dominance promoting deep sleep, reduced anxiety and mental clarity.
Induces alpha and theta brain waves which reduce heart rate and blood pressure, facilitating relaxation, mental focus and even paranormal skills.
Whydoes Qigong work to heal all disease (either by itself and also as a compliment to conventional medicine)?
Qigong works with the totality of the living universe to tap into the formless energy resources beyond the 4% of the form energy (physical) and brings the newly discovered energy back to the physical world to enhance and transform the physical. In doing so, healing and awakening of the consciousness can be accelerated and realized fully.
• The living universe is made of energy: 96% is formless and invisible while 4% is physical – matter, dark matter and energy.
• Nothing is lost in the universe: e=mc2.
• Everything is changing every moment: thermodynamics.
• There are two directions of causes, horizontal and vertical, behind every effect. One is the science of the physical (Newtonian physics) and the other is consciousness as energy (quantum physics).
Qigong’s cosmology is aligned with ancient Taoist and Buddhist philosophy that is validated and rediscovered by today’s new science including quantum physics, neuroscience, biphotonic research, biochemistry and eptigenetic research.
In contrast to the question of healing,
‘can my body heal itself?’ (as if the body is a machine itself) from a Western medical perspective,
the Qigong perspective is
‘can my mind and body heal together?’
“The greatest discovery of modern science is the link between the energy coursing through the cells of our body and the energy that gave birth to the stars and galaxies and life itself. Qi Gong is the embodiment of this discovery. Through the practice of Qigong, one comes to feel the energy that pervades us and carries us forward in our lives; and one begins to abide in this primoridal healing energy that has brought forth our cosmos over the last 13.7 billion years.”Brian Swimme, mathematical cosmologist and author of "The Universe Story"
Master Mingtong Gu
Master Gu will bring his joyous teachings and extensive master skills to train your ability to expand wisdom and energy. Born and raised in China, Master Gu received extensive Qigong training under Grandmaster Pang at the largest Qigong medicine-less hospital in China. He has mastered the unique ability to lead the collective energy field to accelerate personal and global healing. Named The Qigong Master of the Year by the World Congress for Qigong and TCM, Mingtong Gu leads retreats and workshops internationally. Master Gu is the author of key books and the Pure Qi Online series that translate the ancient teachings of Wisdom Healing Qigong for contemporary times.
He founded the Chi Center, now based at the EarthRise at IONS in Petaluma, CA to bring Qigong wisdom to benefit others, based on his success working with all ages and many physical and emotional challenges.
Grandmaster Ming Pang
Wisdom Healing (Zhineng) Qigong was developed by Dr. Ming Pang, a Qigong Grandmaster trained in both western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. He synthesized his profound medical knowledge of the old and new healing sciences with the ancient Qigong practice. The result is an integrative system of self-healing and cultivation that is suited for the modern pragmatic world.
Dr. Pang (Heming Pang) is a renowned Chinese Qigong Grandmaster. He founded the largest Qigong medicine-less hospital in China, which has treated more than 200,000 patients and a documented 95% success rate . The Chinese government named Zhineng Qigong as the one of the most effective medical Qigong due to its extensive research and effective application of Qigong as a mind-body science.
Sharing from authors, meditation teachers, and medical professionals
“Mingtong is full of vitality, wisdom, and skill. He is a real healer, and the practices he teaches can change your life.” Jack Kornfield, Ph.D., Best Selling Author, Spiritual Teacher, Cofounder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center
“Master Mingtong Gu creates an energy field that is truly healing. I personally know three friends who, after years of seemingly insurmountable health problems, have regained their vitality and been transformed through their work with him. He’s the real deal!” James Baraz, Author, founding teacher of Awaken Joy and Spirit Rock Meditation Center
“I came away from a twelve day retreat with Mingtong filled with a wonderful sense of aliveness, wakefulness and openheartedness. Mingtong is a compassionate healer, a wise teacher and a real force for transformation in today’s world.” Tara Brach, Ph.D. author, clinical psychologist, cofounder of the Washington Buddhist Peace Fellowship.
"Master Mingtong Gu has brought a level of transmission of mind-body practice that is unparalleled in my experience. Since making these teachings available to patients in my medical practice, they become healthier and happier." Brian Bouch, M.D., founder of Hill Park Medical Center, associate clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine
What you do in a retreat?
You will learn a natural healing process that was developed by Dr. Pang Ming, a medical doctor of Chinese Medicine, and a Qigong Grandmaster and the founder of the medicine-less Qigong hospital in China. You can cultivate and take in this profound medicine of heart and mind for the total healing of your body.
• You learn the theory and practices of one of the most effective energy healing science, from basic to the advanced.
• You drink in the potent Chi medicine day and night, just as the people at the medicine?less Qigong Hospital in China – through movement, meditation, sound, visualization and REST.
• Master Gu will personally lead you to cultivate the Six Golden Keys of chi medicine as the most effective “ingredients” prescribed by the medicine-less Qigong Hospital.
You will learn a natural healing process that was developed by Dr. Pang Ming, a medical doctor of Chinese Medicine, and a Qigong Grandmaster and the founder of the medicine-less Qigong hospital in China. You can cultivate and take in this profound medicine of heart and mind for the total healing of your body.
• You learn the theory and practices of one of the most effective energy healing science, from basic to the advanced.
• You drink in the potent Chi medicine day and night, just as the people at the medicine-less Qigong Hospital in China – through movement, meditation, sound, visualization and REST.
• Master Gu will personally lead you to cultivate the Six Golden Keys of chi medicine as the most effective “ingredients” prescribed by the medicine-less Qigong Hospital.
• You will learn to organize a chi field of healing with collective power to accelerate your healing. You will learn group healing and the ultimate method to transmit chi for healing of self and others (called Fachi and Lachi).
• Mingtong and Linling will lead group healings and spirals, with optional individual sessions available at some retreats.
• You will learn the basic and advanced practices of Wisdom Healing Qigong, practice often together and continue at home.
• You “purify” your chi by moving through challenges and releasing the mental and emotional resistance with these profound practices. Learn to clear and balance the emotions for a deeper healing.
• You learn to “receive” chi mentally. Develop a quiet and creative mind to realize healing most effectively. You access your inner wisdom and consciousness, awakening to your deep nature and purpose, strengthening your inner resources.
• Learn to activate the infinite potential in your food, supplements and conventional medicines. Digest the chi medicine of great food, sincere companions, music, song, dance, and lots of laughter and hugs. And experience the joy of eating in silence for many of our meals together.
• Discover how to cultivate pure and expanded consciousness. Frequent periods of extended silence will allow for integration and your personal journey deeply inward.
• Be joined by qualified teachers and experienced leaders (Chi team leaders) to supporting you personally and facilitating small support groups. The chi community bonds are a precious jewels you will take with your for the rest of your life.
By participating in a Healing Intensive Retreat, you will:
Learn to clear and balance the emotions so that a deeper healing can occur
Develop a quiet and creative mind to realize healing most effectively
Learn the ultimate methods to transmit Chi for healing of self and others (called FaChi )
Organize a chi field of healing with collective power to accelerate your healing
Learn profound theories and practices for energy healing to better understand and realize your healing capacity
Discover how to enter pure and expanded consciousness
Cultivate inner and outer support systems, including individual practice and community connections for sustainable healing
Follow-up personal and community support systems are available after the retreat. Upon returning home from the retreat, you will be able to continue the daily practice of movement, sound, visualization and meditation for continued healing and profound transformation: A recording of the entire retreat (teaching, practice and group healing sessions) is made available. You have the option to order and use it after the retreat. There are abundant on-going classes offered by Mingtong, Linling and other qualified teachers. For students who have previously learned these methods, Healing Intensive Retreats are an opportunity to greatly advance both your practice and your ability to absorb Chi at deeper levels for healing and transformation.
Have the miracles happened to regular folk like me?
Debra Chamberlin-Talyor: " In the mid 1980’s I started getting various constant infections then crushing fatigue. As years passed I developed multiple chemical and environmental sensitivities and insomnia. My life was shrinking because I had to rest much of each day. By year 2000, my inability to earn much money, my inability to see friends and family all became constant stress for me. Then in 2008 I got worse. I developed inflammation in all of my joints and back. I was in pain. I felt bad for how hard this was on my dear husband. Life was looking bleak and scary.
Then I found Qigong and Mingtong. By the end of the first weekend workshop, 95% of the inflammation and pain was gone. A few months later I was fortunate to be able to attend an intensive Qigong healing retreat. I am not exaggerating that when I say that since then I feel I’ve got my life back. The difference is that it’s a more joy filled and awake life than ever. My days and evenings are filled with fulfilling work and fun with friends and family. "
Vivienne Verdon-Roe: “I had been struggling with chronic fatigue and Lyme’s disease for about twenty years. My health seemed to be going downhill, and frankly, I though my life was pretty much over. I started doing Wisdom Healing Qigong and began transforming on all levels of my being - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I have tons more energy, no pain, no fatigue. Emotionally I am so much happier. It takes a bit of training, but being able to create a healthier, more abundant, loving, peaceful life seems totally worth the effort!” (Vivienne is now a Certified WHQ Teacher.)
Gina Thompson: “Before I did Qigong with Master Mingtong Gu, my body was swollen from my face to my knees with lymphedema, complications from multiple cancer surgeries. My energy was as low as my spirit, I felt as stuck as my lymph glands. One month after I began Qigong I went to my Osteopath. He was astounded at the change in my body. The lymphedema was almost gone, my energy was high, my body toned, and he noted how calm and happy I was. ‘Your body is fluid’ he exclaimed! ‘If all my patients did what you did I would be out of business.’”(Retired Executive Director.)
Each year we expand our offerings because of your requests. Wehope you find just what you need in our current program, and ifyou don’t please ask. Together we are making this happen!
Three styles of Retreats to support you • 5 day opportunities to discover and deepen theQigong practice, either commuting or residential. • 10-15-30 day Healing Intensives to immerse yourself inthe healing energy field 24/7 deeply absorbing the Qigongway of being, of healing, of empowerment, vitality, joy and transformation. • Professional Development for Qigong Teachers and Healers tocontinue their personal growth while learning the art of sharing Wisdom Healing Qigong.
Accommodation (food and lodging)
Single and shared rooms are available at the various wellestablished retreat centers that meet our requirements to give you a comfortable, clean place to rest, renew, grow and integrate a new way of being.
Incredibly healthy, mostly organic food will be provided, with loveand caring, accommodating most dietary requests including vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free.Our most frequently used locations are the Angela Center in SantaRosa (www.angelacenter.org) and The Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma (www.ions.org.)
Fees, Registration and Payment You can now reserve your spot for an upcoming retreat throughour website. Prices vary with length of stay and location.Commuter and scholarship options help make our retreatsaccessible to almost anyone with a strong desire to participate. Fees cover tuition, group healings and day use fee. Food and lodging isextra. Repeater discounts are available.
The Institute of Noetic Sciences is dedicated to advancing the science of consciousness and human experience to serve individual and collective transformation. Just 30 minutes north of the Golden Gate Bridge, the EarthRise Retreat Center of IONS is on 200 acres of beautiful rolling hills. It offers such gifts as pristine live oak woodlands, meandering hiking trails, and endless panoramic vistas of the California landscape, plus exceptional organic local foods.
This New Retreat (Oct, 24-28) for daytime commuters only is NEW and in response to requests! Affordably priced and perfectly fit for a busy life, you can return home or to your hotel each evening to keep your work, family and home life running smoothly. It is a great opportunity to learn and deepen your Qigong practice with a large chi field. Daytime: 10am-5pm. Non-residential. Participant provides own food and lodging.
What is unique to the Residential Retreat ?
Extended teaching: Except for the first and last day in the Residential Retreat only the daily program runs from 7:30 am – 9:00 pm. The residential setting allows the flow of activities and teachings to occur throughout the day and evening and can be beneficial to reshaping a wellness lifestyle to thrive over a full day.
Custom Training: For an additional fee, students can sign up for a private healing consultation with Master Gu (that includes a customized healing CD), as well as treatments and consultations with other Chi Center teachers.
How Long should I choose? If you are facing challenges of mind, body or heart, these Retreats -- and the longer you reside -- provide the most intensive and profound teachings, learning and healing practice experience. Every participant arrives with a history of living, so give yourself the right time and place to learn the tools and wisdom so tomorrow can be even better. Participating in the Healing Intensive retreat requires your full commitment to the healing practice. If your heart connects with this path of integrative healing energy, this retreat is for you!
Master Gu will bring his joyous teachings and extensive master skills to train your ability to expand wisdom and energy. Born and raised in China, Master Gu received extensive Qigong training under Grandmaster Pang at the largest Qigong medicine-less hospital in China. He has mastered the unique ability to lead the collective energy field to accelerate personal and global healing. Named The Qigong Master of the Year by the World Congress for Qigong and TCM, Mingtong Gu leads retreats and workshops internationally. Master Gu is the author of key books and the Pure Qi Online series that translate the ancient teachings of Wisdom Healing Qigong for contemporary times. 
Vivienne Verdon-Roe: “I had been struggling with chronic fatigue and Lyme’s disease for about twenty years. My health seemed to be going downhill, and frankly, I though my life was pretty much over. I started doing Wisdom Healing Qigong and began transforming on all levels of my being - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. I have tons more energy, no pain, no fatigue. Emotionally I am so much happier. It takes a bit of training, but being able to create a healthier, more abundant, loving, peaceful life seems totally worth the effort!” (Vivienne is now a Certified WHQ Teacher.)
Gina Thompson: “Before I did Qigong with Master Mingtong Gu, my body was swollen from my face to my knees with lymphedema, complications from multiple cancer surgeries. My energy was as low as my spirit, I felt as stuck as my lymph glands. One month after I began Qigong I went to my Osteopath. He was astounded at the change in my body. The lymphedema was almost gone, my energy was high, my body toned, and he noted how calm and happy I was. ‘Your body is fluid’ he exclaimed! ‘If all my patients did what you did I would be out of business.’”(Retired Executive Director.)
This New Retreat (Oct, 24-28) for daytime commuters only is NEW and in response to requests! Affordably priced and perfectly fit for a busy life, you can return home or to your hotel each evening to keep your work, family and home life running smoothly. It is a great opportunity to learn and deepen your Qigong practice with a large chi field. 
Extended teaching: Except for the first and last day in the Residential Retreat only the daily program runs from 7:30 am – 9:00 pm. The residential setting allows the flow of activities and teachings to occur throughout the day and evening and can be beneficial to reshaping a wellness lifestyle to thrive over a full day.