Dancing Qigong

An open platform for our systematic and focused work, combining the principles of Qigong and energy anatomy with dance and movement improvisation.

The platform is divided into two main types of programs (see details below):

Dancing Qigong – seminars for the general public
Dancing Qigong – seminars for professionals and students of art school

Qigong literally means “work with the Qi energy”. Qi means energy, vital life force, thanks to which we are alive. Qi circulates in our bodies in energetic pathways, also called meridians, and it is also connected to our internal organs which are nourished by Qi. Gong can be understood as activity, work, skill, but also as the time and mindful attention dedicated to cultivating Qi.”

The system and practices of Qigong have been evolving into their present form for hundreds of years. Their ancient roots lie in dance and archaic rituals, and this system has been a source of inspiration for us for many years. Our focus is not on the form of the exercises themselves, but on the application of their principles. In this, we see immense potential for naturalness and spontaneity of movement, through which the body’s Qi can be cultivated.

Dancing Qigong – Seminars for the Public

These workshops are designed for people who enjoy movement and are interested in Taoist philosophy. They help embody it quite literally. We work with the principles of yin–yang, the circulation of Qi, and the Five Phases (elements) through focused physical practice rooted in the natural structure of the body – for example, the alignment of the spine, the joints, as well as the main energy centers – the dantians.

The workshops are suitable even for those with no prior experience in movement or Qigong. They are gentle, joyful, and safe for the body, making them accessible also for older generations.

Dancing Qigong – seminars for professionals and students of art school

These workshops are programmatically based on our Dancing Qigong research carried out between 2016 and 2023. Through this research we discovered that Qigong, in its very essence, can be seamlessly integrated with dance and become an unconscious part of movement or dance expression – whether in training, improvisation, or even in performance on stage.

We do not focus our attention on particular form of practices/exercises, but rather on application of their principles. We see huge potential in the latter for aiding and enriching movers, actors and dancers in a number of areas of their professional lives:
– improving their technique
– enhancing their interpretative abilities as performers
– providing deeper knowledge of healthy and effective body work, aiming to prolong their artistic career
– opening doors to new creativity

Zuna or Milan are happy to bring this workshop to your location.
If you are interested in hosting it in your city or at your event, contact us at: artyci@artyci.com

Our work is divided into these areas:
A) Qigong exercises aimed at preparing and activating the body (as a start of a new day or before rehearsals)
– qigong practices for activating Qi in one´s body and getting it moved around the body in meridians,
– getting acquainted with energetic and movement centers,
– practices which use the energy activated in one´s body for strengthening of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles

B) Physical (or dance) training
Focused on understanding the structure of a human body and perceiving mutual movement relations and forces which connect the bodily parts into a whole. Through a variety of exercises we focus on:
– supporting the flow of the vital Qi energy in body and conscious channeling of this energy by means of movement into different parts/layers of the body,
– understanding of how the rotation of joint centers works, searching for harmony and balance of and in the body
– transferring energy through and into joints and bones
– strengthening our bone structure and discovering a balanced alignment of body through learning about is correct physio-dynamics,
– conscious work with the essential physiological and energetic centers
– evolving the movement potential of our bodies
During the entire training, we do not put emphasis on the external form, but rather on integrating and understanding of the essential concept underlining the work and its individual principles. We put emphasis on what it means to consciously detach one´s self from the “critical and judgmental mind” of a dancer or performer, through what one becomes more of an “observer” than a “doer”.

C) Creating a system of assignments for improvisation
– using traditional and established qigong forms, but also just pure principles with no specific or defined forms as basis for movement improvisation alone or with a partner
– discovering new movement vocabulary during the creative process

D) Creating a system of preparatory exercises for performers to be used before the show/performance
– activating the vital energy to be used in introspective focus of one´s attention (coming at inner peace, tuning the concentration before the show onto one´s performance feats)
– mental and movement preparation which effectively warms-up and strengthens muscles and tendons of performers

We develope this work through workshops, intensive research and creative process.

For its vastness we have divided the work thematically into different circles. Topics of seminars and researches:

The Meridian Flow
This workshop focuses on conscious work with the skeletal structure, guided by the flow of Qi in the meridians. Activating Qi in a specific meridian can inspire new movement possibilities, physical connections, and qualities for movement or dance. These unusual body links create new connections between different parts of the body. Working consciously with meridians also supports health and can inspire both creative work and a mindful lifestyle.
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The Flow of Five Elements
This workshop/research focuses on working with yin–yang transformations and the flow of the five energy transformations (Five Elements), primarily through the movement of the body. During practical sessions, including mindful physical improvisations, movement connections, and movement research, as well as in theoretical discussions, participants explore the concept of the Five Elements and the flow of energy between them. Students experience these transformations mentally and, most importantly, through their own bodies, gradually learning to apply their potential in movement.
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Embodied Yin-Yang
Yin and Yang, the cosmic principles of a single Qi energy, create and shape the world through their interaction and alternation. In dance, these principles influence movement, spatial awareness, and musical dynamics, while also respecting the natural structure and possibilities of the body. Eastern tradition divides the body’s surfaces and parts into yin and yang, each with distinct roles that are best honored. Misusing these energies can lead to tension, imbalance, or blockages. This workshop offers an embodied insight into the Yin-Yang concept, explored for centuries through Qigong and Tai-Chi-Chuan, and its application to conscious, expressive movement.
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The Anatomy of Movement
This workshop explores Milan’s approach to the human body and creative movement, focusing on skeletal strength, conscious body organization, and efficient use of physi-dynamics. Students engage with energy and locomotive centers, practicing exercises that strengthen bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. The emphasis is on understanding principles and concepts, cultivating awareness rather than focusing on form.
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The Body Awakeness
This series of workshops is a space in which we can perceive, observe, and exercise by a conscious, vigilant mind. Such a mind has enough time to listen to the energy of the body, to recognize its feelings, and to use natural stimuli for free movement. Through the inner body experiences, we recognize the true intelligence of our body, its subatomic physics and logic of motion with natural mechanical patterns. All this can happen only through the present moment, where the vigilance of our mind is truly essential. “Incarnated mind,”ergo “embodied mind”, is what we are about.
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Living Spine
The spine is the fundamental structural pillar and an energy channel of our body. Through “anatomy in motion” and conscious improvisation, this weekend we will embark on an intensive journey focused on detailed work with the spine, its connections to other parts of the body, and discovering its new dimensions in time and space. We will learn to sense and use its individual segments, uncovering its multifunctional plasticity through chain reactions. Within Qigong practice, we will also work on activating the flow of Qi through the spine. The weekend will also bring relief from spinal discomfort.
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Liquid Joints
The body’s movement capacity depends on the natural mobility of each joint. Through anatomy in motion, we will rediscover the movement possibilities of every joint, revitalizing them. In addition to conscious movement improvisation, we will work intensively with the energy in the joints through Qigong, which will also strengthen the kidneys, responsible for the health of bones, cartilage, hair, teeth, as well as willpower and fear. We will also explore the connection with the mental realm, as mental flexibility is closely linked to physical flexibility, in which joint health plays an important role.
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… and more.

Our studies of Qigong, Tai-ji-quan and chinese medicine:
Zuna – study of Chinese medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, qigong, praxis of qigong at Shiatsu School (established by Zuna), study of Universal Tao Healing System, study at Academy of Chinese Metaphysics, studies at Master Zhong Xuechao (from 2020)
Milan – master of Sam F.S. Chin – I Liq Chuan, study at Academy of Chinese Metaphysics, studies at Master Zhong Xuechao (from 2020).

Video from Dancing Qigong 2016 / Pangea Meetingpoint, Eagle Mountains (CZ)

Institution, groups and project we have worked with this way:

Dance theatre Studio Tanca /B. Bystrica / SK – creation of a piece “Spaces” (awarded by Slovak Theatre Award “Dosky” (2019)
Honey and Dusted (SK) – creation of piece „Eu.genus“, “Uninterested Scream”, “Out of the Box” directed by A. Kalinka / 2018, 2019, 2020
The Nine Theatre, Beijing (China) – creation of piece „Within“ / 2018
Transformation /Beijing, China – Choreo-Lab inspired by The Book of Change(Yi Jing) / 2016
Artyci Dance Company/SK – creation of pieces „For Gaia“ and „Satsang“ 2015-2016
Dancing in the Mountains /CZ – International summer dance camp / 2000-2016
Studio Matejka /Wroclaw /PL – theatre research / 2012-2013
Pangea Meetingpoint / Eagle Mountains /CZ – theatre research, piece „Split second“ / 2015
Teatr Piesn Kozla /Wroclaw /PL – creation of the piece „Dead Walk Love“ / 2015
Res Ratio Network – Efi Birba /Athens /GR – international residency / 2016
TIP – Schule für Tanz, Improvisation und Performance /Freiburg / D – conducting workshops 2014-2015
Dance and Medicine – project of interfacing dance with chinese medicine principles
Puppet theatre Bratislava (SK) – creation of piece „The King“ directed by A. Kalinka / 2017

Video from Dancing Qigong 2016 / Surya Centre, White Carpathian Mountains (SK)

Seminars 2025
April, May, October, December 2025 – Dancing Qigong, Bratislava (SK)

Implemented seminars and researches 2016-2024
April, May, October, December 2024 – Dancing Qigong, Bratislava (SK)

April, May, October, December 2023 – Dancing Qigong, Bratislava (SK)

August 2022 – Dancing Qigong, Out of the Toolbox festival, Ghent (Belgium)

June 2021 – Breath in Movement / Movement in breath, Bratislava (SK)
July 2021 – Dancing Qigong, High Tatras mountains(SK)
July 2020 – Dancing Qigong_TAO TANCA, High Tatras mountains (SK)
May 2019 – Dancing Qigong_EMBODIED YIN-YANG, Bratislava (SK)
June 2019 – Dancing Qigong_MERIDIAN FLOW, Freiburg (SK)
August 2019 – Dancing Qigong_THE FLOW OF 5 ELEMENTS, High Tatras mountains (SK)
August 2019 – Dancing Qigong_EMBODIED YIN-YANG, Beijing (China)
October 2019 – Dancing Qigong_MERIDIAN FLOW, Bratislava (SK)
November 2019 – Dancing Qigong_ANATOMY OF MOVEMENT, Bratislava (SK)
November 2018 – Dancing Qigong_MERIDIAN FLOW, Banská Bystrica (SK)
September 2018 – Dancing Qigong_LIQUID JOINTS, Prague (CZ)
July 2018 – Dancing Qigong_MERIDIAN FLOW, Mlynica, High Tatras (SK)
May 2018 – Dancing Qigong_ ANATOMY OF MOVEMENT, Bratislava (SK)
August 2017 – Dancing Qigong_BODY AWAKENESS, Pangea Meetingpoint, Eagle Mountains (CZ)
March 2017 – Dancing Qigong_ENERGY IN DANCE AND PHYSICAL ACTION, Rotterdam (NL)
February 2017 – Dancing Qigong_THE FLOW OF 5 ELEMENTS, White Carpathian Mountains (SK)
Máj 2016 –Dancing Qigong_ ENERGY IN DANCE AND PHYSICAL ACTION, Bratislava (SK)
July 2016 – Dancing Qigong_MOUNTAIN ZOOMING, Pangea Meetingpoint, Eagle Mountains (CZ)
August 2016 – Transformation (ChoreoLAB) – The NEW festival, Beijing (China)
October 2016 – Dancing Qigong_BASIC, White Carpathian Mountains (SK)
December 2016 – Dancing Qigong_ ENERGY IN DANCE AND PHYSICAL ACTION, Athens (GR)

Dancing Qigong