Sawai Kenichi - Founder of Taikiken or Taiki Shisei Kenpo

Experience the nature and deep inner martial arts in this retreat. Keep distance from the hasty modern life style and practice martial arts the way the old daoists did. In nature and with nature we let us inspire by its harmony and peace. We breathe the fresh air and sleep under the stars. Cold Water will make us feel alive.

The martial arts of Taikiken and Yi Quan have very old roots. Their simplicity opens the doors to meditative practice, a deeper understanding of our life force (chin. Qi, jap. Ki) and martial applications. The retreat will be refreshing, but maybe sometimes challenging, too. That’s why it is a retreat and not any regular seminar.

We will be a small group of max. 7 participants . Therefore it will be a very unique experience.

Le Maitre

Maitre Jean-Luc Lesueur is studying martial arts for almost 60 years and has a wide background in different arts. He is a Kyoshi of Taikiken and a Master of Yi Quan but also Judo and Shuai Jiao. He studied Taikiken with Sawai Kenichi Sensei (the founder of the art) at the Meiji Jingu. Since Yi Quan is the mother art of Taikiken Jean-Luc Lesueur learned it in China and is a successor of Li Jianyu. He studied also with famous teachers Wang Yu-Fang (the daughter of Wang Xiang-Zhai, founder of the art) and Wang Xuanjie. In Shuai Jiao he is a successor of Wang Wenyong. For his rich in-depth biography have a look at his website. We are thankful that he will share his rich knowledge with us.

Jean-Luc Lesueur with the Taikiken group at the Meiji Jingu in the 80ies

Jean-Luc Lesueur training Yi Quan with Wang Xuanjie in the 90ies

The place

In the ligurian mountains, distant from big cities we will enjoy the training like in the old times. It will always be outside and in nature as recommended not only by Sawai Kenichi, but also in accord with most old martial traditions. To avoid the summer heat, classes will be held in the morning and evening. During the day it is possible to relax and refresh in the woods or to do a tour to the ligurian sea (30 km distance). If you are fond of hiking the Parco del beigua is the place to go (15 km distance). We can give you recommondations how to enjoy the beautiful area. Some participants will come by car, so carsharing will probably be an option. If you want to be independent it is good if you come with your own car or you rent one.

Accomodation

Since we want to experience nature with all our senses we will enjoy camping. The hideaway has beautiful places to put up a tent. You can also use one of our hammock tents and sleep inside the woods. You will have showers with cold mountain water which not only clears the mind but is also very refreshing. If you are a warm shower lover you can use one of our solar-showers. The experience is a natural one, so don’t expect unnecessary luxury. We will spend most of the time outside. If you think about the benefits of Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) you are going to be very refreshed and earthed after one week.

If you are very uncomfortable with sleeping outside we can offer two very simple rooms for sleeping inside (+ 20 €/day)

The seminar includes 6x vegetarian breakfast and 5x vegetarian dinner. One evening we will go to the local Pizzeria and enjoy the dinner there (not included).

Instead of Wi-Fi you will experience your own open senses and “digital detox”.

Shut down your smartphone, open your senses…

Training

The training will be 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon. It consists of a mix of meditation, Qi gong, Ritsuzen/Zhang Zhuang, Kihon and applications. If the weather is very challenging or it is necessary for the stamina of the participants the times might be adjusted.

Arrival and Departure

We can offer you a pick-up from the railway station of DEGO (10 € per Person / one way). If you need a pick-up from Savona Station or Genova airport we try to help you organise a pick-up. Please make sure you arrive in the evening at the 25th of August.

The departure will be at the 31st of August after breakfast.

Fee

Early bird (application before 01.03.24: 700 €

Regular Fee (application after the 01.03.24): 760 €

The fee iincludes tuition, camping place, 6x vegetarian breakfast and 5x vegetarian dinner, water and tea during the day

If you want to have a private room you can book one for 210 € extra for the entire retreat. (only two rooms available). Please keep in mind, that we can only offer simple but comfortable accommodation in our private rooms at the moment.

Application

If you want to experience the Nature and Martial Art Retreat please send us an application. You will receive a confirmation mail. For questions you can write us an email.

Unleash your natural abilities

Nature And Taikiken / Yi Quan Retreat