The 5 Week Course
A live, online qigong course taught by John Walsh.
Learn the Tian Yuan form through body, Qi, heart, consciousness, and Shen — the five aspects that make a qigong practice complete. Three cycles run between May and September 2026.
Format
10 sessions over 5 weeks
Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:00–7:45am AEST
Live on Google Meet
All sessions recorded
Form taught
Tian Yuan, Method 1 of the Yuan Gong system
Prerequisites
None. The introductory workshop is recommended but not required.
Fee
AUD $385
Class Dates: 25 August – 25 September 2026
| Week | Tuesday | Friday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 Aug | 28 Aug |
| 2 | 1 Sep | 4 Sep |
| 3 | 8 Sep | 11 Sep |
| 4 | 15 Sep | 18 Sep |
About the practice
Tian Yuan is the first of nine methods of Yuan Gong, a qigong system developed by Yuan Tze and taught internationally through Ren Xue.
It is a flowing, meditative practice that works on the body, breath, mind, and Qi. With regular practice, students experience more vitality, greater mobility through the shoulders, neck and spine, a calmer state of mind in daily life, and a clearer sense of how the body, the breath, and the heart are connected.
The form can be practised for five minutes as a quick reset, or for fifty minutes for a deeper effect. Once learned, it becomes a practice that stays with you for life.
To learn more about Ren Xue and Yuan Gong, visit renxueinternational.org.
About John Walsh
Former osteopath. Three decades of clinical practice. Trained full-time in China for three years in qigong and tai chi. Holds teacher’s certificates in both. Over a decade of teaching qigong and tai chi.
Level 3 certified teacher in the Ren Xue Yuan Gong system.
Based in Sydney.
After the course – The Monday Circle: An ongoing weekly practice, exclusively for graduates of the 5 week course. One session a week, Mondays, live online. Same form, continuing to deepen.
Cycle 3
The 90 Minute Reset — Sunday 23 September, 9:00–10:30am AEST
Course: 25 August – 25 September 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I’m not in Australia. Will this work for me?
Yes. The class runs at 7:00am AEST, which is Monday/Thursday 5:00pm New York, 2:00pm Los Angeles, 10:00pm London, 11:00pm Paris. Most of John’s existing weekly circle is international. If the live time doesn’t suit, every session is recorded and shared the same day — you can practise on your own schedule and still be part of the cohort through the WhatsApp group.
What if I miss a session?
Watch the recording. The form is the same form every session — what deepens is your relationship to it, not the content. Missing one or two sessions over five weeks won’t put you behind.
I’ve never done qigong before. Is this for me?
Yes. The course is taught from the beginning. The form is introduced slowly, then layered with breath, intention, and refinement over the five weeks. People with no prior experience and people who’ve practised for years are both well-served by the same course — that’s how the form works.
Do I need to do the 90 Minute Reset workshop first?
No, but it helps. The workshop is the easiest way to feel the practice in your body before committing to five weeks. If you already know you want in, you can enrol in the course directly. If the next workshop date works for you, doing both is the most complete entry into the practice.
What do I need to take part?
Enough floor space to stand with your arms outstretched. A device that runs Google Meet. Comfortable clothes. Bare feet if you like. That’s it. No mat, no props, no equipment.
Is this religious?
No. Tian Yuan is a qigong practice, not a religious one. It is spiritual, and rooted in Daoist philosophy. The practice works on the body, breath, and mind, and over time on the heart and consciousness. It’s not tied to any religious belief system. People of every faith and no faith practise it.
Where can I learn more about Ren Xue and Yuan Tze?
The Ren Xue International website is the main resource: renxueinternational.org. It includes Yuan Tze’s biography, an overview of the full Yuan Gong system, and writings from the wider community. The Learn Ren Xue site (learnrenxue.org) hosts practice audios and online events directly with Yuan Tze and other certified teachers.
What happens after the 5 weeks?
Graduates are invited into the Monday Circle — an ongoing weekly practice held live online, exclusively for course graduates. You don’t have to join. Many graduates do, because practising in a group sustains a practice in a way that practising alone often doesn’t.
Can I work with John privately?
John offers limited 1:1 sessions in person at Project Dao in Alexandria, Sydney, and online. These are best discussed after you’ve started the practice, so John can see how you move first. Email him for availability.