The Damo Mitchell Podcast

Damo chatting about various topics including: How to start Qigong and Martial Arts How to choose a teacher or lineage Why the systems don't matter as much as you think Why people are so sure their system is best The path of cultivation 'Local' classes The end of Spiritual Teachers Wing Chun!

A personal chat by Damo Mitchell on the nature of the Yi Jin Jing (Sinew Changing), Nei Gong and Internal Arts in general. He also chats about the nature of abuse online, arguments within the Qi Gong world and the importance of the early stages of Nei Gong being improving your health and dealing with characteristics such as self-entitlement. Nei Gong is looked at in relation to both Martial Arts and Qi Gong practice.

Happy Christmas to everybody out there and much love to all those who have enjoyed my podcasts! Hope you be a great holiday period and a happy new year! In this episode, it’s just me talking about love, forgiveness and meditation.

Adam and Damo are chatting about Taiji principles, internal arts and Adam's thoughts on Taiji 'in the cage'. The podcast was filmed in a hotel room so not in the usual studio in Bali.

Damo Mitchell discussing that tired meme of "would Gong Fu work in the cage?". He compares Western fighting systems and combative arts to traditional or forms-based systems of martial arts training. He looks at the level of respect/disrespect people have for the other form of training and the nature of insecurity in Chinese Gong Fu.

Damo is joined by Ben Manns to discuss his experience of studying Hebei Xingyiquan and other internal arts with Lotus Nei Gong. Ben is a student and teacher who is currently focusing much of his efforts on Xingyiquan and Nei Gong in Bali for the last few years. This is maybe more of a niche episode as it may not make much sense to those who don't study Xingyiquan.

Damo discussing the nature of Spiritual practice and its place in relationship to arts such as Taiji and Qigong. He looks at striving versus non-striving, enjoyment for practise and the dangers of obsession becoming a driving force for what we do.

Damo in conversation with Adam Mizner in Bali. In this episode, Adam is sharing his take on many aspects of Taiji and related subjects. Damo in conversation with Adam Mizner in Bali. In this episode, Adam is sharing his take on many aspects of Taiji and related subjects.

Damo discussing the differences between Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and Taijiquan. This is in response to the common question on how these styles differ in power, principles and inner-mechanisms. These arts are discussed in reference to Damo's personal experience and studies. There is the common view that all three of these 'internal arts' are the same as one another but Damo's view is that they are quite different from one another and so he tires to explain these differences here.

In this episode Damo Mitchell and Adam Mizner once again get together to chat about various topics, including Taiji frames, Bagua mechanics and much more

A more personal podcast by Damo Mitchell reflecting on 20 years of teaching the Lotus Nei Gong School. He discusses the various phases he has been through as a teacher, how Lotus Nei Gong has changed, the conflicts involved in a school and various other topics related to teaching. This episode probably only relevant or of interest to those who are in Lotus Nei Gong itself as it's not an instructional one at all.

A podcast by Damo Mitchell on the common question of 'should you lift weights alongside practicing internal arts such as Taijiquan or Qigong?' Many past and contemporary masters of Taiji have said that you should lift weights at all when practicing Taiji whilst an equal amount of teachers have said the opposite. This can cause confusion and so Damo attempts to answer this question from his own perspective and experience.

Damo chatting with his father, Paul Mitchell, in Somerset, UK. They discuss the nature of classical martial arts training, the modern movements towards sports fighting, the history of Japanese Karate and approaches to both learning and teaching these systems. Paul has practiced and taught Japanese and Chinese systems of practice for many years in the South of England.

Damo Mitchell in the forests of Sweden, chatting about the recent explosion of poor mental health which resulted from the Covid era. He looks at the nature of believing ones own mind as well as how extreme visualisation within the internal arts may contribute to a loss of sense of reality. The main section of the podcast talks about the difference between the paths of 'sensation' and 'cultivation', two roads that are presented to a practitioner when they first start out within an art such as Qigong.

A podcast (as requested) on the topic of Baguazhang and the underlying principles of the system. Damo Mitchell discusses the similarities and differences between Baguazhang and Taijiquan. Further discussion then looks at the following principles of Baguazhang training: - Yi and Qi - The Baguazhang body - Static postures - Circle walking - Common errors The discussion covers the theory of developing the body prior to learning any of the forms of palm-changes which are usually what is demonstrated and what most people know as Baguazhgang.

A very niche podcast here. This one is looking at the quality of touch in Taijiquan pushing hands. Damo discusses the difference between 'grappling' style push hands and 'subtle Qi type' push hands practice. The mechanics behind pushing hands and the internal arts in general are looked at as well as the nature of Qi within these arts, the place of 'somatic empathy' and the problem with 'empty force' style practice.

Damo Mitchell discussing the phenomenon of 'speaking in tongues' which is commonplace within many Christian traditions but also within Qi Gong and Nei Dan schools. He discusses the nature of religion, his own approach to religious practice, the idea of attachment and the necessity for recognising transience when approaching the spiritual path. Another random chat whilst Damo is on the road in the United States.

Damo Mitchell doing a late night podcast on the idea that 'a spiritual awakening is a painful and chaotic process'. Damo explores this idea and explains why he doesn't see this as an accurate statement as the suffering is unrelated to the awakening process itself. He also looks at the nature of suffering when on the internal path, the nature of 'going inside' as well as a common form of Qi deviation which is similar to a psychotic break.

Damo Mitchell responding to many of the questions he is asked on semen retention and sexual Qi Gong. He discusses two different reasons for semen retention - rationale from an alchemical/energetic perspective and then rationale from a meditation perspective. As a rule, he is anti the practice of long-term semen retention for the sake of it. What is important is the correct intention behind it, understanding the pros and cons of it and recognising the importance of discovering normality of sexual activity. He looks at these factors as well as the risks of such practices

Damo Mitchell looking at the development of the group here in Bali over the course of the third semester. This is a talk about the overall plan for student development over the previous 18 months and then onwards into their future. The students development is based on working through external mechanics, then on into Dan Tian and Qi development followed by learning to develop the 'internal body' of arts such as Taijiquan and Xingyiquan.