Programs
Sanctuary of Tao Membership
The Sanctuary of Taoâs Membership is a great way to start interacting with us, learn about Taoism, and get an introduction to the various avenues for beginning Taoist Internal Alchemy.
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Through the Sanctuary of Taoâs membership, seminars, courses, and programs, we have been steadily developing a path for learning and practicing Taoist teachings. Please click on the program descriptions for more information and donât hesitate to email us with any questions you may have or desires for more information.
Taoist Internal Alchemy
One of the Sanctuary of Taoâs main purposes is to promote the teachings of Taoist Internal Alchemy, which is about cultivating your inherent internal energies of Jing, Qi, and Shen (body, breath, and mind) to awaken your spirit. Taoist Internal Alchemy helps you live and die well by showing you how to restore and maintain good health throughout your life and die with peace and tranquility.
From his many years of learning from incredibly skilled teachers (most notably Master T.T. Liang) and translating major Taoist works on Internal Alchemy, Stuart Alve Olson (founder of the Sanctuary of Tao) has established himself as one of the leading practitioners and teachers on the subject of Internal Alchemy living today. Stuart has been described as a âTeacherâs Teacher in Taoismâ because many experienced teachers find his expertise and guidance instrumental to their spiritual development.
Internal Alchemy
Foundational Program
Eight Brocades and the Longevity Teachings of Li Qingyun
Learn Li Qingyunâs version of the Taoist practice of Eight Brocades and his guidance for attaining good health and longevity.
Although this is the first course we created for the Sanctuary of Tao in 2019, we add material to the course every year through review classes and practice sessions.
It is a self-study program but is also enhanced with live group classes each year.Â
Once you have registered for it, you will have access forever and always be welcome to attend any live group classes in the future.
Eight Brocades is a core practice of the Sanctuary of Tao and is at the heart of all other practices and programs we teach.
Self-Study Internal Alchemy Contemplative Methods
Laying the Foundation of Internal Alchemy
Laying the Foundation is a one-year program and entry point for becoming a Closed Door Student of Stuart Alve Olson. Whether you wish to continue with Stuart or not, this course provides a lifetime of cultivation practice and study. The program comes in three parts:
Laying the Foundation: in these recordings, Stuart provides a detailed roadmap with step-by-step instructions to replenish your Internal Energies of Jing, Qi, and Shen (body, life force/breath, and Spirit). This is what it means to lay the foundation for Internal Alchemy. He will also explain the process of reverting Qi to the brain, mobilizing the Qi, and developing Mind-Intent (28 lessons total, one every 14 days).
Major Texts and Methods of Internal Alchemy: in these recordings, Stuart delves into an in-depth overview of the great works on Internal Alchemy. This is a unique opportunity to study ancient teachings that havenât been accessible to Westerners with this level of depth and thoroughness (12 talks, one each month).
Live Review Classes: four times a year, Stuart will meet with the group to answer questions and delve further into some Internal Alchemy subjects. These will be ongoing classes and available to every student of Internal Alchemy. So, registering for this program means you can always attend any future classes. As you listen to the monthly talks and lessons, you can consider which text and methods resonate with you.
Self-Study Internal Alchemy Solo Methods for Regeneration of Jing, Qi, and Shen (not partner training methods)
Dual Cultivation of Sexual Energy (Masculine-Yang and Feminine-Yin)
This program includes the recordings from two seminars Stuart led in the Fall of 2023 on Taoist Dual Cultivation methods. The talks focus on the methods and information for increasing sexual health, vitality, and spiritual experience. In Taoism, the term Dual Cultivation means using your own contemplative and sexual energies to lead you toward awakening your spirit.
These seminars provide information on how to individually strive for this goal. They are not about partaking in partner training.
This program is designed to aid students in the development of their Jing (Essence) Energy (body/sexual energy), which furthers their development and experience of Qi (Vital Energy, breath), and, thus, leads to awakening their Shen (Spirit) Energy (consciousness and mind-intent).
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
The Sanctuary of Taoâs Taijiquan programs provide access to a lifetimeâs worth of teachings and reference guides that will only get deeper and more useful with time. These courses are the most effective way to present Stuart Alve Olsonâs foundational knowledge and experience of Taijiquan.
Although Taiji has many health and self-defense aspects, it is an incredible means for developing Internal Alchemy. It is all about developing your internal energies and is every bit as effective as seated Taoist meditation practices. Stuart often refers to Taiji as âmoving meditationâ or âmoving Internal Alchemy.âÂ
Taiji Foundational Course
Before Heaven 16-Posture Form of Taijiquan
Become a Member and get access to this program through your Membership subscription, or register for it separately and get lifetime access.
Taiji Foundational Program
After Heaven 64-Posture Form of Taijiquan
The complete Taijiquan foundational postures program. Includes the 16- and 64-posture Before and After Heaven courses.Â
Taiji Foundational Course
The Twenty-Two Principles of Taijiquan
Seven-part series by Stuart Alve Olson on the Taijiquan principles of practice for developing the internal and intrinsic energies of Qi and Jin.
Taiji Foundational Program
The Intrinsic Energies of Taijiquan
Fourteen-part online lecture, instruction, and demonstration series on the development and training of 30 intrinsic energies of Taijiquan.
Taiji Foundational Course
Secrets of the Eight Postures of Taijiquan
This course unlocks the Intrinsic Energies and applications that make Taijiquan such an effective martial art and a supreme method of Internal Alchemy. Itâs a perfect complement to the Intrinsic Energies of Taijiquan Program.
This online course includes 5 hours of instructional videos, commentary, and downloadable PDFs.
Taiji Foundational Course
Tai Ji Qigong
Become a Member and get access to this program through your Membership subscription, or register for it separately and get lifetime access. Course includes:
- 32 videos; PDF and audio downloads
- Over 6 hours of instruction
- Guided practices on the 21-Posture Taiji Qigong Form
- Supplemental Qigong methods
- Advanced Tracing the Wall Qigong practices
Tai Ji Ruler Program
Discover one of the most effective and accessible Taoist methods of QigongâTai Ji Ruler (ć€Șæ„”ć°ș)âin this self-study program taught by Stuart Alve Olson, Patrick Gross, and Bruce Goff. This program gives you direct access to this ancient and highly effective art for health, energy balance, and meditation.
On the left, Master Zhao Zhonghua from Hua Shan, and on the right, his student Master Xu Zhenyu, performing Tai Ji Ruler. Photo from their book, Tai Ji Ruler, the source material for the Tai Ji Ruler Program.
What is Tai Ji Ruler?
Tai Ji Ruler is a Qigong practice rooted in Taoist traditions passed down from Master Zhao Zhonghua, who lived to 120 years of age.
Tai Ji Ruler integrates principles that support the flow of Qi and overall well-being. It's an ideal complement to practices like Taijiquan and Eight Brocade, but it also functions as a complete system on its own.
Through recorded lessons and classes by Patrick Gross and Bruce Goff (and periodic live review classes), PDFs, and practice audio files, we will guide you through the core movements and health benefits of Tai Ji Ruler, focusing on meridian activation and Qi flow. Each exercise is simple to follow and takes just a few minutes to performâperfect for busy lifestyles.
Program Breakdown:
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Tai Ji Ruler Standing Meditation (ç«ćŒ, Zhan Shi): Activate your bodyâs natural energy through grounding techniques using the Ba (ć «) Stance (natural and inverted variations).
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Seated Tai Ji Ruler Meditation (ććŒ, Zuo Shi): Practice while seated, either on a chair or a high table, balancing your Qi through focused postures.
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Supine Meditation (è„ćŒ, Wo Shi): Rest and rejuvenate with movements designed to circulate Qi while lying on your back.
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Fixed Tai Ji Ruler Stance (ćźæ„, Ding Bu): Align your energy centers through breathwork and posture.
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Tai Ji Swaying Ruler (ć€Șæ„”éć°ș, Tai Ji Yao Chi): Harmonize your body with swaying footwork and circular movement that guides energy from the lower abdomen to the solar plexus.
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Tracing Fish with Tai Ji Ruler (æžé, Mo Yu): Learn three traditional methods of tracing the Tai Ji Symbol to enhance your practice.
This program is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the ancient practice of Tai Ji Ruler that has profound modern applications. Registration provides lifetime access to the course and teaching materials and invites to the live review classes via Zoom.
âMy journey with Tai Ji Ruler began in 1979, and it has since become an integral part of my daily practice. Iâm excited to share this transformative method with you and hope it resonates with you as deeply as it has with me.â
âStuart Alve Olson
Closed-Door Student Path
Becoming a Closed-Door student includes access to the pre-recorded classes from the Laying the Foundation Program and the ability to meet with Stuart online twice a month in one-on-one private sessions.
A Closed-Door Student (é é 珏 ć, Guan Men Di Zi) is someone who commits to truly cultivate their spirit with the personal guidance of a teacher over a long-term period.
This program is right for you if:
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Youâve been practicing consistently for a long time and found that youâve reached a plateau practicing on your own. You are ready to apply the practices youâve been doing towards a path of Internal Alchemy but need the right information at the right time and the personal guidance of a teacher.
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Youâve been practicing on your own on and off, and you feel ready to become consistent in your practice and need the support of a personal teacher and a small group of other dedicated students to help you along the Way.
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You are ready to focus on cultivating Taoist practices intensively to have a transformation in your health and revitalize your energy and youthfulness. Or youâre ready to shift your approach to life because the norms of our society have not been working for you, and you crave a deeper sense of freedom and peace from within.
As a Closed-Door Student, month-by-month through the year you will receive guidance about how to practice Internal Alchemy with the purpose of forming the elixir (developing and combining Jing and Qi) to awaken your spirit (Shen).
Philosophy Courses
Introduction to the I Ching
Learn the basics of the ancient Chinese system of divination and calculation for gaining wisdom and developing intuition.
Then continue your studies of the I Ching through the monthly talks in the Membership.
Register Here
