Gods Playing in the Clouds Qigong Retreat

I recently returned from a three week instructor training in a chi gung practice called “Gods Playing in the Clouds”. This intensive was held at Menlo College near San Francisco and I’d like to share some details about my experience.

This practice is considered the culmination and integration of all the practices in this system which comes from a lineage tradition in which Bruce Frantzis, the instructor, is the lineage holder. Those of you that attend our classes have experienced some of the energy gate practices from this system.

The entire system is organized into five phases or elements (earth, metal, water, wood, fire). “Gods Playing in the Clouds” is the earth phase. This phase is the stabilizing and integrating force that brings all the other elements into balance. Thus, it contains all knowledge of the other practices which are integrated and evolved into a deeper level.

There are only six fairly simple movements, but they contain all the physical and energetic relations and connections that make this the most advanced of the forms for anti-aging and longevity in this system.

I was able to see Bruce’s teachings in a new light. What is offered in an instructor training differs considerably from a week-end workshop. To become an instructor the amount of material is vastly increased and the depth of material grows exponentially.

Bruce’s depth of knowledge at so many levels was visibly astonishing. I clearly got to see his truly compassionate side (Lao Tsu nature) and his raw wild side (Chang Tzu nature) and his down to earth nonsense approach was extremely condusive to learning.

We practiced and were taught from 14 to 17 hrs.daily amid the soaring redwoods. There were about 107 students from around the world, most of which had several years to several decades experience doing this kind of work with Bruce. The students were extremely supportive with a foundation of knowledge which they generously shared. The presentation of the material and the retreat itself was also very well organized. I found the Energy Arts team to be very accessible and professional. Overall, the time I spent at the intensive was profound and life altering for me.

I’ve been practicing and teaching mind body practices for over 38 yrs. The last five of those years have been mainly focused on practices from Bruce’s lineage. I have been able to deeply clarify my understandings of physical imbalances and the process of working with emotions, thoughts and psychic energies to re-balance them fundamentally for myself and others.