Cultivate
the life
energy.

Qigong is a generic word for a variety of energy exercises and healing practices developed in ancient China. The word qigong is composed in Chinese of two characters: qi, which means "life force", and gong, which means "skill", "work", but also "achievement". So we could translate it like this: exercises in which body and mind are in harmony in order to govern the life force. More briefly, qigong is the art of cultivating the life force — a cultivation that requires effort and time. Like acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage, qigong is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which postulates the existence of a subtle energy circulating within the body and mind of the human being: when it is strong and in balance, this energy improves health and repels or slows down the process of disease. The concept of bio-energy can also be found in other cultures, such as the Ki of Japan, the prana of India or the Mana of Hawaii and the Philippines.

The centre is based inside La Roccia, a unique eco-village campsite on the island of Lampedusa, Italy. Guests have their own cabins and chalets; practice and discussions are held daily. The accommodations are simple self-contained bungalows with a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and private veranda, available as double, single or family size. The purpose of the centre is to give anyone, anywhere, the chance to experience the benefits of Zhineng Qigong — wise qigong, medical qigong — in an environment far away from normal everyday life, exposed to the pure universal elements of nature, allowing deeper concentration and connection than in the city. There is no time limit to your stay: you remain as long as you want or, as you will discover, as long as you need. Anyone with any sort of problem will have the full opportunity to work on any aspect necessary.

The centre is particularly active in October, November and December: when the influx of tourists stops, the island returns to its natural state and daily practice becomes more intense. And then there is the weather: for our northern guests — Scandinavia, Germany, Poland — in these months Lampedusa can be even warmer than their summers. A great reserve of sun, with swims in the turquoise waters of the island, is a fine extra bonus.