Recharge through Qi Gong and hiking in the lush Himalayan landscape, between Buddhism and Hinduism.
I invite you to join me in the Himalayas to access exceptional natural sites and practise Qi Gong, the traditional Chinese discipline rooted in the mastery of vital energy. Alternating Qi Gong sessions with easy walks allows for an exploration of both inner and outer landscapes, reconnecting you with your own nature.
The Kangra Valley, a diamond with a thousand facets
Over the years, I have created various retreats by seeking out places particularly suited to the practice. These are natural sites with a remarkable energy, often still inhabited by peoples with traditional ways of life.
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Qi Gong in Dharamsala © Antoine Epiphani[/caption]
For this trip, I chose the Dharamsala region for several reasons. First of all, it is a matter of the heart — I lived there. What drew me in was the atmosphere created by the coexistence of Tibetans with the "Gadis", a people of Himalayan shepherds. The mountains resonate with the prayers of monasteries and the whistles of shepherds. The presence of the Dalai Lama is palpable, as he lives and teaches there among Tibetan Buddhists.
What strikes you at first sight upon arrival is the space. An infinite expanse where vultures and eagles soar endlessly. In the morning they ride the thermals up the slopes and sometimes brush past us with their whistling wings. To grasp the scale of the landscape: the guesthouse that welcomes us sits halfway between the plains (1,000 m) and the summits (6,000 m), separated by just a few dozen kilometres.
The mountains are rich in wildlife, but also in human life still in harmony with nature. This is a region that often moves people deeply — through the purity and abundance of its natural landscape, and through the richness and vitality of the cultures encountered there.
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Kangra Valley © Antoine Epiphani[/caption]
A retreat focused on Qi Gong practice, through the lens of Indian spiritualities
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Golden Temple © Antoine Epiphani[/caption]
We will begin the stay at the foothills of the Himalayas in the plains of Punjab, just long enough to soak in the deep peace of the Golden Temple, a major spiritual site of the Sikhs. This gateway to mythical India will help us settle in beside the lake, edged in marble, surrounding the gold-covered temple from which a hymn to creation softly rises. We will then make our way to our guesthouse in the heart of a traditional village.
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Qi Gong session at the summit © Antoine Epiphani[/caption]
Qi Gong practice is open to everyone, whether you have prior experience or not. A session every morning will alternate with afternoon hikes around the lodge. They are of moderate difficulty, even if the trails are sometimes steep. We will take a few days to ascend to 3,000 m at a mountain hut to practise Qi Gong just below the summits, in an exhilarating high-altitude atmosphere.
The stay concludes at the Tibetan cultural centre, in a guesthouse furnished with the finest Tibetan art. We will have the privilege of practising Qi Gong in the temple with the mountain peaks as our backdrop.
Qi Gong and hiking, two health practices
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Qi Gong session © Antoine Epiphani[/caption]
As both a Qi Gong teacher and a mountain guide, it became natural for me to combine these two physical health practices.
Qi Gong draws its roots from Chinese medicine as a health practice. Its distinctive quality is that it connects us to the elements and helps us reclaim our place within the universe, following the principles of Taoist philosophy.
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Qi Gong session © Antoine Epiphani[/caption]
Walking is an essential health practice: through movement it keeps us physically active by stimulating circulation in the body, and it is also a way to regulate our psyche, as reflected in that feeling of serenity at the end of a walk.
Combining Qi Gong practice with walking in nature enhances that sense of well-being and restoration. A session followed by a mindful walk opens us up to our surroundings and allows us to recharge through the energy available in the natural world.
Far from mass tourism, this is a encounter with wild ecosystems, communities with traditional cultures, and a group of travellers united through practice. If you'd like to explore this original approach to hiking, you can contact me via my website www.naturasana.fr or by email.
Antoine Epiphani
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