Programs & Services
Sanctuary of Tao Membership
The Sanctuary of Tao’s 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 Tao’s 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 don’t hesitate to email us with any questions you may have or desires for more information.
Taoist Internal Alchemy
One of the Sanctuary of Tao’s 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 “Teacher’s Teacher in Taoism” 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 Qingyun’s 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 and Monthly Review Sessions of Internal Alchemy Contemplative Methods
Laying the Foundation of Internal Alchemy
Laying the Foundation is an ongoing program with self-study lessons released over one year, but it also now includes monthly review sessions led by Patrick Gross (starting in January 2026). These classes are available to all currently registered students of any of the Internal Alchemy Programs and future students as well.
Laying the Foundation:Â In these twice-monthly released recordings, Stuart Alve Olson 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 monthly released 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 haven’t been accessible to Westerners with this level of depth and thoroughness (12 talks, one each month).
Live Review Classes: Starting January 2026, Patrick will lead ongoing monthly review classes for students to ask questions and delve deeper into the methods and exercises presented in the original pre-recorded lessons.
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 Tao’s Taijiquan programs provide access to a lifetime’s 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 Olson’s 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 “moving meditation” or “moving Internal Alchemy.”Â
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. It’s 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 Qigong—Tai Ji Ruler (太極尺)—in 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.
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
Private Classes and I Ching Readings
Private Review Class
If you'd like an online or in-person class on Taijiquan, Qigong, Meditation, or other subjects, private review classes with Patrick are now available for booking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Alternate days and times are also available.
I Ching Reading – Full Consultation
Embark on a two-part I Ching consultation designed to offer clarity and insight into your current path.
In the first online session, you and Suzanne will explore and refine your question. She will then cast the I Ching and prepare a written interpretation based on your inquiry.
Once your reading is complete, Suzanne will contact you to schedule a second session to review the results together and deepen your understanding.
You’ll receive:
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Two 1:1 online sessions with Suzanne
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A written I Ching reading prepared between sessions
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Personalized guidance and interpretation
If you have already cast your own I Ching reading and would simply like Suzanne’s help interpreting your question and hexagrams, please click here for details on the Interpretation Only session.
If you have questions before booking, please reach out to [email protected]
