healing from within Retreat 2026
Join us in the Alps of Switzerland in October 2026 for a 4-day retreat of healing and renewal, mutually supporting & witnessing our growth as we work towards our highest human potential with a small group of fellow travelers along the Way.
An immersion in Taoist healing practice
Led by Dr Mao Shing Ni, anti-aging specialist, NY Times bestselling author and College of Tao master teacher
This retreat is led in English and is appropriate for both beginner and experienced practitioner.
Early Bird Discount - Register below now
Early Bird discount until July 31, 2026 & new refund policies
Photo credits: our special thanks to all of our previous retreats participants for their beautiful photo contributions
optional pre-retreat ‘26
Eight Treasures Qigong training
Hotel Balance, Wed Oct 7, 2pm - Thu Oct 8, noon; info & registration on Eight Treasures Qigong page
video - Katy Anderson: Retreat with Dr Mao, Oct. 8-11, 2026
healing from within retreat - Four Days, four movements
“You did not come here to learn something new, you came to remember something ancient.”
Eight Gateways of healing
Benefits
Through the timeless healing arts of Taoism,
you will awaken your life-force,
replenish your deepest reserves of energy,
and return home renewed in body, mind and spirit, profiting from Dr Mao’s clear transmission of these treasures as well as his kind supportiveness of the unique learning path of each participant.
Optional Personal Healing Sessions
Dr Mao offers acupuncture & one-on-one guidance during the retreat from Thursday afternoon October 8 (with appointment).
Information and registration
Dr Mao Shing Ni
About Dr Mao Shing Ni
Co-founder of Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tao of Wellness, Dr Mao Shing Ni is a 38th generation master practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, leading authority on the Taoist Arts and Taoist anti-aging medicine, and author of many books and DVDs on integrative health. Dr Ni, featured on American tv, newspapers and blogs, teaches internationally meditation, Tai Chi and Qigong, Feng Shui, I Ching, Taoist Psychology, Chinese medicine and more. Beside his healing work, Dr Mao, like his father Hua-Ching Ni, is thoroughly versed in all aspects of Taoist arts and practice as transmitted by the Integral Way tradition.
About the College of Tao and the Integral Way
Going back thousands of years, the Integral Way transmits one of humanity’s oldest unbroken traditions of personal cultivation and spiritual development to the modern world. Its elucidation provides practical solutions for todays’ life and health challenges. For more on Dr Mao and the Integral Way, go to the College of Tao.
Q & A about the retreat
Q: I worry the program may be too much for me, can you clarify it?
Don’t feel intimidated: the focus is gentle and personable, following a natural variation of quiet activities. Everything is done with ease, with no practice done for too long. Rather than quantity, we focus on depth and meaning. The program is an excellent introduction to chi movement and meditative practices and will respond to the individual needs of each participant.
Q: I have been meditating or practicing Qigong or Tai Chi for years, will this program respond to my needs?
Yes, this retreat can certainly help deepen your personal practice. These four days together will help you nurture a profound link between mother nature and your advancing meditation and Chi cultivation practice, whether you wish to look for new input or explore a new approach, resolve a particular blockage, receive support to clarify your vision, strengthen your purpose or open the way to reap greater rewards from your diligent efforts. Bring your personal / practice questions for Dr Mao.
Q: How can I use this retreat - I am skilled in a branch of the Taoist Arts, as a Feng Shui or TCM practitioner, or a Qigong or Tai Chi teacher?
Coming with a sincere desire to learn, your positive energy will be nurtured and your growth assured through the application of Taoist natural science. Cross pollination in Chinese medicine, Feng Shui, Taoist meditation or Qi movement arts is very fruitful; by discovering other avenues of a similar integral approach, we end up with a more direct knowledge and an empowerment of our skills.
Schedule - October 8-11, 2026, Qi movement and meditation practices interspersed during all sessions
Thursday, Oct 8: registration 5-6:00pm, dinner: 6:30pm, session 7:45-9:15pm
Fri-Sat, Oct. 9-10: Qigong 7-8am, b’fast 8am, session 9:30-12:30pm, lunch 12.30pm, session 3:30-6:00pm, dinner 6:30pm, 7:45-9:15pm
Sunday, Oct. 11: Qigong 7-8am, b’fast 8am, session 9:30-12:30pm, lunch 12:30-1:30pm, departing
Optional pre-retreat Eight Treasures Qigong training (Eight Treasures exp. required) - Wed Oct 7, 2pm - Thu Oct 8, noon. Details /registration
About Hôtel Balance
CH-1922 Les Granges
See Hôtel Balance
Dining
The food is vegetarian and delicious. Please mention when booking if you would prefer the Vegan or Gluten-free options.
Travel & practical information
With limited local parking and access only via a steep mountain road, coming by train is highly recommended for non-local drivers. From Swiss international airports, take CFF/SBB train to Martigny. From Martigny, take the Mont-Blanc Express alpine train to Salvan / Les Marécottes where Hôtel Balance staff will pick you up. By car, it is 1 hr 40 minutes from Bern & 2 hrs from Geneva International airport. Please consult our travel, tourist and practical retreat info sheet below.
Travel, tourism and practical retreat information
Mont-Blanc Express, Martigny to Chamonix / Vallorcines, MontBlanc
From previous participants:
““An amazing opportunity to learn from a teacher with priceless experience, teaching ability and generosity.” MJ
_________
”Absolutely a unique opportunity to learn the Way of Living from an exceptional teacher.”
________
”As the days were passing by, I felt the effortlessness of life and the authentic me coming out more. The retreat has been transformative, to say the least.” YD
_________
“I feel nourished on all levels, very motivated to integrate what I learned into my life, happy and free.” PS
_________
”The retreat with Dr Mao is an invaluable and precious experience. He has this extraordinary capacity to transmit precious teachings from Taoist tradition in a simple and powerful way. You will come out of the retreat rejuvenated and rich with tools & practices to leave in balance, harmony and good health.” IC”
Special note for all participants:
In order to maximize your experience, we recommend you diminish or forgo smoking, alcohol or coffee intake during the retreat. Also take special precautions to avoid any cold / flu before the retreat (wearing a mask in crowded areas, airport and planes, etc). If applicable, each participant should also discuss with their healthcare provider about the appropriateness of this retreat given their mental or physical health situation. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
CEU - ASCA, RME: 24 hrs
All-inclusive Retreat, Thu Oct 8 - Sun Oct 11, meals & lodging fee in one of the 6 categories of lodging:
- single room with private bath, per person: CHF 1692.- / CHF 1592.- early bird
- single room with shared bath (w 2-3 guests), per person: CHF 1593/ CHF 1493.- early bird
- double room with private bath, per person: CHF 1583.- / CHF 1483.- early bird
- double room with shared bath (w 2-3 guests), per person: CHF 1495.- / CHF 1395.- early bird
- group room / apartment (3-4 beds) with bath, per person: CHF 1495.- / CHF 1395.- early bird
- superior single room with private bath, per person: CHF 1732/ CHF 1632.- early bird /sold out
Please contact us if you do not see the type of room desired in the selection, or if would like to share a group room with one or 2 other participants. We may be able to work out a solution for you. We look forward to your contact.
registration
Early Bird discounts - until July 31, 2026
Full payments received no later than July 31, 2026 are entitled to our Early Bird. As last year’s retreat with Dr Mao was sold out and as room choices are limited, we encourage you to sign up early.
Cancellation / Refund
Upon receipt of a written request, we will reimburse 100% of your payment minus a CHF 100.- registration fee until August 31, 2026 and 50% of your payment until September 28, 2026 minus a CHF 100.- registration fee. No reimbursement will be done thereafter but your reservation is transferable to another person. As per our refund policy and as unpredictable events do sometimes occur, we highly recommend that you contract a comprehensive travel / hotel / course cancellation insurance, or separate insurances covering you completely.
Payment options
Wire transfer, credit card or Paypal
