- Can I change my choice of retreat after I’ve signed up?
Yes, it’s no problem to change retreats within any one session to one of the other retreats happening simultaneously. You can also change between sessions, i.e. move from Week 3 to Week 5. Out of respect for the instructors and those planning housing & meals, we ask that you notify us as far in advance as possible (minimum 15 days notice, otherwise there will be a $95. penalty by the Mars Hill food service). We also know that Change Happens, and sometimes emergencies require last minute changes.
On rare occasions, someone finds themselves in the wrong retreat and asks to switch to a different retreat after classes have begun. After retreats have started, you must ask permission of the instructor teaching the course that you now wish to take, if its OK to start late. If they agree, there is no penalty for switching.
- Can I arrange private healing sessions at the Summer Retreats?
Yes. We attract world class healers from many different modalities who come to refine their energetic skills. Many offer private sessions during breaks and in the evenings.
Call our registrar to check what is available each week and make your reservation in advance for popular teachers. Energy healing, Chi Nei Tsang deep organ massage, Energy Psychology, private tai chi, tao yoga, & bagua lessons, spiritual crisis counseling, Life Destiny fengshui/astrology readings, etc. are samples of what is offered at different times.
- What should I wear/pack for your summer retreats?
A suggested packing list will be sent to you after you register. Generally it is an extremely comfortable summer climate, warm and sunny by day (t—shirt/shorts) – around 80 degrees F. At night it cools to about 70 degrees F.
You will be living at 2500 feet elevation (800 meters). In the hot summer people from the rolling piedmont below and coastal areas flee to these mountains to cool off and get recharged. You’ll find people from Florida to Wash DC driving up here. But please note the global climate is changing. Mountain weather is also changeable, it may suddenly get very cool if we hit a rainy spell. So bring a sweater/jacket to be safe.
- Will my cell phone or laptop work at the retreat site?
Verizon cell phones will work fine from most locations, but due to mountain interference some other services may not work from all locations. Payphone will be available. Hookup for laptops are available in each room, BUT YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN ETHERNET CABLE. There are some wireless hot spots on campus as well.
- Can I stay as a retreantant without taking a course?
Yes, you are absolutely welcome to do so. You may come to do a private retreat and share meals at the same room & board package costs listed above. You don’t have to be doing Taoist practices. You must respect the quiet and schedules of those taking retreats.
You will likely find the people taking the courses to be stimulating company at meals.
- Can I bring children?
Yes. Sometimes a spouse comes along to watch the child. There is no room/meal charge for infants 3 or under. We cannot guarantee babysitters, but are always investigating availability. For older children, the area is safe to roam and play without supervision. There is virtually no traffic near our residential complex, and pretty light traffic through town.
- I’m new to Qigong, Tai Chi, and Tao. What is the best way to find out more?
Start with the Frequently Asked Questions on the HealingTaoUSA.com site. Then read the homestudy/course descriptions for more depth, all accessed on the homepage.
In the beginning, it is fine to focus on just getting more healthy and learning to feel energy for the purpose of healing yourself or others. Many of the retreats have NO PRE-REQUISITES and offer very quick results. When you begin to consciously feel the chi flow, you have already gone beyond belief and are working directly with the Life Force.
The essay “Guide to the Healing Tao System: One Cloud’s Nine Tao Alchemy Formulas To Cultivate the True Immortal Self"
offers a concise summary of the path of qigong + inner alchemy. This describes a high level spiritual path that takes many years. But it gives you an idea of the potential depth of this Way.
