Dao of the Heart - Shen Gong Training

Shen Gong is cultivation of Heartmind

These practices refine emotional awareness, restore inner alignment and strengthen your capacity to remain present with what is real — through movement, breath, stillness and contemplative self-inquiry.

This online training weaves seven modules into a nine-month 1:1 mentorship journey. It is for those called to understand themselves more deeply, refine their inner landscape and develop embodied energetic skill.

This pathway is for you if you feel drawn to explore your deeper Self — to move beyond patterns and imprints, cultivate inner steadiness, awaken energetic sensitivity and establish authentic presence as the foundation for your life and practice.

What is Shen Gong?

  • Shen Gong is a lesser-known stream of Daoist tradition. It is the skill of the Self — essentially knowing and developing who you are. 

  • Shen Gong is the bridge between Qigong and Neigong — in essence its the way, or Dao of the heart.

  • The practices of Shen Gong combine Qigong form and movements with breathwork, meditation and reflective, contemplative study.

  • Together, this creates a deeply connective mind-body practice, which can evolve consciousness and transform your life and the lives of your students.

  • Shen Gong practices help us to balance our emotions, mind and spirit, and the flow of those energies within.

 
 

Training Format:

At the heart of this pathway is the Dao Mentorship — a nine-month, online 1:1 process offering the personal guidance, accountability and depth of integration required to embody and, if called, teach Shen Gong.

The training unfolds through structured self-study modules supported by monthly private mentorship sessions. You move through the material at a steady, grounded pace while receiving individual feedback, refinement and direction aligned to your development.

This is not passive learning. It is applied cultivation. You will move through seven modules in total — beginning with the foundations of Qigong (Modules 1 and 2), followed by five Shen Gong modules that open into distinct dimensions of practice, perception and transmission.

Tuition information for this program is available here.

 
 

Who is this for:

This pathway is for those who feel called to deepen their inner cultivation, those who recognise that emotional patterns and energetic imprints do not shift through insight alone — they shift through awareness and refinement.

You may already have experience in Qigong, meditation or therapeutic work and sense there is another layer to explore. Or you may feel the responsibility to strengthen your own inner alignment before guiding others.

This training develops inner steadiness, perceptual clarity and mature emotional awareness. It is not about performance or persona. It is about refining your capacity to remain present with yourself and with others, without collapse, reactivity or withdrawal. Whether you walk this path for personal integration or feel called to teach, the foundation remains the same: embodied cultivation.

 
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Explore the training modules:

  • Explore posture, alignment and song, along with the deeper foundations of practice, like how styles connect, the role of the Dantian, Kua, and the transformative power of Zhan Zhuang.

  • Building on the fundamentals of Qigong, this module explores how to regulate the body, mind, and breath to cultivate a natural sense of flow and ease.

  • In this module, you’ll explore essential Daoist principles such as Xin, Xing, Yuan Shen, and Ming, while engaging in foundational practices like Balancing the Three Treasures and Divine Tranquility.

  • A flowing, heart-mind-centered form that goes beyond physical movement, guiding you into deep emotional clarity, Heart presence, and conscious transformation.

  • The Eight Extraordinary Vessels are unique energy pathways that influence the deeper, often unconscious layers of our being. In Qigong, working with these vessels offers us a way to tap into our first ancestory and early developmental energies. In this module, you’ll explore the pathway of the Grandthoroughfare, along with practices Zhongmai Gong, Three Treasures Harmonic and Daoist Pore Breathing.

  • This practice explores the interplay of the Five Spirits, Five Poisons, Five Thieves, and Five Beauties—revealing how they shape your perception, energy, and consciousness. In this module, you’ll explore these precepts, along with practices Zhongmai Gong, Three Treasures Harmonic and Daoist Pore Breathing.

  • A seated, esoteric energy cultivation practice rooted in ancient Daoist and Chinese shamanic traditions. This module explores how to circulate and stabilise energy through inner alignment with the Dao.

Certification: Optional

For those who wish to become an accredited Shen Gong Teacher, certification is available through the International Institute of Complementary Therapists (IICT).

Certification is an additional process beyond completion of the training pathway and includes separate assessment criteria and a fee of $162 per module. To qualify, you must complete the full nine-month Dao Mentorship and all curriculum modules.

Assessment requirements include written reflections, practical integration and video submissions demonstrating readiness to teach Shen Gong with clarity, embodied understanding and integrity.

 Frequently asked questions

What is Shen Gong, and how is it different from other forms of Qigong?

Shen Gong is a path of working directly with the Heart and Spirit. While many forms of Qigong focus on physical health, energy flow, or longevity, Shen Gong goes deeper into emotional awareness, inner alignment, and spiritual cultivation. It’s about meeting life as it is, not bypassing it — and learning to hold steady, clear, and compassionate in the midst of what arises.

Do I need to have teaching experience to join the training?

No. You don’t need to have taught before. What matters most is your commitment to your own practice and showing up consistently and honestly. If you are already a teacher, therapist, or practitioner, you’ll find these teachings integrate beautifully into your existing work.

Why is the Dao Mentorship required for certification?

Because teaching Shen Gong is not about memorising techniques — it’s about embodying them. The Dao Mentorship gives you the time, guidance and accountability to integrate the practices into your own life. Without that, it would be surface-level. With it, you gain the confidence and authenticity to hold space for others.

What is the time commitment each week?

This will vary depending on your pace and format, but a good guide is around 2-4 hours a week. That includes your personal practice, study time, and mentorship sessions. What’s important is regular, consistent practice and study.

Can I complete the training fully online?

Yes, the entire program can be completed online.

Can I get accredited to teach Shen Gong to others?

Yes. This aspect is undertaken after completion of the nine month mentorship program and requires completion of assessment tasks and a fee of $162 per module.

How are assessments done?

You’ll submit teaching demonstrations via videos online, along with written reflections through a Qi Journal. Assessments aren’t about perfection — they’re about showing your understanding, your readiness to teach, and your ability to embody what you’ve learned.

Can I take this training just for personal development, without seeking accreditator or teaching?

Absolutely.

 
  • Violet W, Qigong Teacher, HypnoBirthing Educator & Postpartum Doula who completed the Alchemy Meditation Teacher Training

    "Truly magical and soul-nourishing.

    "Nicole's teachings have beautifully intertwined with my needs, allowing for expansion in health, practices, and business. I've felt more liberated and inspired, reclaiming lost parts of myself. This program is enriching, weaving together life's puzzles in a sacred space. Gratitude to Nicole for her authentic love and for sharing her healing passion.”
     

    — Violet W, Qigong Teacher, HypnoBirthing Educator & Postpartum Doula