Awaken the Power Within: Qigong & Tai Chi for Harmony with Nature and Self

Name: Awaken the Power Within: Qigong & Tai Chi for Harmony with Nature and Self
Start: 2026-10-01
End: 2026-10-04
Location: Yogaville

108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States

Up to 30 in group

October 1 - 4, 2026

Retreat Highlights

Root yourself in earth and sky with guided sunrise standing meditation
Cultivate strength and resilience through graceful Tai Chi and Qigong forms
Restore natural balance by working with the five elemental energies
Deepen your connection to vital Qi through breathwork and visualization
Discover movement as a prayer of peace by expressing strength through softness

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Master

Michael

Master Shahar Kovetz

Master Shahar has devoted over two decades to the living arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. His journey began at the age of eleven, under the guidance of distinguished teachers such as Grandmaster Yaron Benyamini and Tal Rejoan, whose lineage traces back to the legendary Chen Fa Ke. Through this unbroken tradition, Shahar came to understand that Tai Chi and Qi Gong are not merely practices of movement—they are living pathways into the heart of nature, resilience, and inner stillness. With a presence both powerful and accessible, Shahar teaches not only technique but the art of embodying life itself. His classes weave together breath, movement, and meditation, creating an experience that reconnects the practitioner to their own inner vitality, balance, and natural joy. His teaching is not rigid; it flows like water—serious in depth, yet touched with lightness and ease. Rooted in the Taoist view of nature and spirit, Shahar’s approach reflects a rare integration of profound wisdom and practical living. His understanding of resilience is not theoretical. As a former special unit soldier, Shahar has faced both the visible and invisible battles that life presents. From this deep well of experience, he teaches that true power is not born of force, but of alignment—with oneself, with others, and with the greater rhythms of life. In every class, Shahar opens a gateway: an invitation to return to simplicity, to cultivate true inner peace, and to move through life with strength, softness, and effortless flow. michaelanthonycounseling.com

Michael Anthony, LCSW

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Florida, Michael Anthony has dedicated his career to creating safe, supportive spaces where individuals and couples can work towards healing and growth. With over seven years of experience in Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and martial arts, Michael incorporates the calming principles and physical movements of these practices into his therapeutic work. Whether in individual or couples counseling, he seamlessly blends Eastern philosophy with evidence-based practices to foster mindfulness, balance, and resilience in his clients. Michael specializes in trauma therapy and utilizes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients work through past wounds and trauma. His passion extends to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly for men, and he is deeply committed to helping individuals reconnect with their inner strength and peace. In addition to his private practice, Michael has over a decade of experience serving diverse communities, including those with disabilities, neurodiverse needs, at-risk youth, and under-resourced individuals, often in partnership with nonprofits. His background also includes a love for live music and martial arts, two pursuits that continue to shape his personal and professional life. michaelanthonycounseling.com

Details of this retreat

The Practice: Awaken Energy Through Movement
Move as meditation. Breathe as prayer. Return to the rhythms of the natural world.

Step into the healing embrace of the mountains, the radiant sun, and the timeless wisdom of the internal arts. Guided by Master Shahar and Michael, this unique retreat invites you to experience Qigong and Tai Chi as living meditations — pathways to harmony, vitality, and inner peace.

Rooted in the ancient traditions of Tai Chi, Qigong, and internal martial arts, each session helps you reconnect with the rhythms of nature and awaken the deep wellspring of energy within. Through mindful movement, standing meditation, breathwork, and the cultivation of inner stillness, you will learn to restore balance to body, mind, and spirit.

Mornings begin with the rising sun over the mountain's edge, where soft light and earth become your companions in practice. As you move with the breath and flow with the elements, the external world dissolves and a deeper awareness is born.
During this retreat, you will explore:

Standing Meditation at Sunrise — Root yourself in earth and sky, and align with the vastness of nature.
Tai Chi and Qigong Forms — Learn graceful, flowing sequences that cultivate strength, resilience, and inner stillness.
Elemental Harmony Practices — Work with the energies of Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood to restore natural balance.
Breathwork and Visualization — Deepen the connection to your vital energy (Qi) through conscious breathing and inner awareness.
The Martial Roots of Peace — Discover movement as a prayer of peace, where strength is expressed through softness and clarity.

About Your Teachers:
Master Shahar brings more than two decades of mastery in martial arts, healing, and spiritual leadership, offering profound depth and inspiration to every student. Michael shares a grounded, heart-centered approach, weaving wisdom, humor, and clarity into each session to create an atmosphere of ease, openness, and transformation.
You will leave with:

A deeper connection to nature and your own inner being
Practical tools for managing stress and cultivating calm
Renewed vitality, strength, and flow in body and mind
A living understanding of the internal arts as a way of life

This is more than a workshop — it is an invitation to return to your true nature, to move with grace, and to meet each day with an open heart.

All levels are welcome.

View Daily Ashram Schedule →

Getting Here

Yogaville, 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States

Directions

Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.

Accommodation

Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory

The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)

Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.

Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.

Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk

Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room. Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds. Shared bathroom Dorm rooms are not coed Availability is Gender Specific

Private Dormitory

This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only

LGH: Full Bed

Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.

LGH: 2 Twin beds

Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.

LGH: Queen Bed

Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.

Tent-Site

Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15 Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3. Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience. Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night. Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Spa

Sauna

Pool

Towels

Free Parking

Kitchen

Tour Assistance

Hot Tub

Coffee/Tea

Cafe

Restaurant

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Housekeeping

Bicycles For Rent

Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Meals

Menu Types

Vegan

Vegetarian

Pescetarian

Ayurvedic

Includes Meat

Organic

Gluten Free

Dairy Free

Nut Free

Organic, vegetarian/vegan food Labeled ingredients Lacto-vegetarian Gluten-free and vegan options Salad bar Large herbal tea selection Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe

What's Included

Accomodations
Meals
Meditation Sessions
Yoga Classes

What's Not Included

Transportation
Airfare

Customer Reviews

No reviews available.