“Art du Chi” is oriented towards well-being and health. It helps to make the body more supple, free the breath, help with muscular and nervous relaxation while stimulating vital functions. It also develops strength and suppleness, concentration and inner calm. Over the years and with on-going work, it can lead to the development of physical abilities otherwise unreachable and provide a new understanding of life. “Art du Chi” comes from Chinese martial arts, Taï Ji Quan and Qi Gong, and other Eastern disciplines.

• Three forms of Taï Ji Quan, Yang style (24 postures, 108 postures and 127 postures)
• Qi Gong exercises (11 health exercises and 8 brocades)
• Breathing and relaxation techniques
• Energetic exercises practised seated or on the floor, simply called “Chi exercises”
• A rapid martial art sequence known as “Kirikido” derived from a kata of Kung Fu.
• Vocalized energy techniques (Bija Mantra, Nemboutsou…)

The first objective of the Inner Way School is to mobilize Chi. The harmony and beauty that emanate from this practice, the on-going search and the development of inner potential make this practice an Art form.

Our method, using extreme softness, is accessible to all. It requires no particular physical condition.

"The Way we practice is Inner because it is oriented towards life, towards its source and its centre. Life happens inside. In an extremely well-protected and closed life-space. Penetrating the awareness of this world is like identifying to one’s own life and at the same time indentifying with one's life, universal harmony." Vlady Stévanovitch

Vlady Stévanovitch, the School founder, has always described himself as a link in the chain. His Masters had chosen him as a way to transmit a precious and sacred teaching. When accepting to receive it, Vlady made a commitment to transmit it intact.

"My sole intention has been to transmit. To pay off my debt towards my Masters who worked so hard to teach me. And my Masters did not solely teach me techniques. They also helped me to understand what was beyond techniques and art : Life itself. They showed me a way, one that leads to communication with all living beings, one that consciously integrates this huge momentum towards joy. In other words, the Way of Life." Vlady Stévanovitch in "La voie de l'énergie" published by Dangles

- Everything started when he met, at the age of 14, his first Master in Belgrade (in 1939). During those crucial years he transmitted basic teachings that went way beyond the teenager’s awareness. He remained “his Master” for his entire life. He transmitted techniques to Vlady which are close to what we now call yoga (India).

• Posture Techniques
• “Centre” Seeking
• Breathing Techniques
• Vocalized Energy Techniques
• Work on Will and Intention in Energy Use

- In the early 60s, Vlady met his second Master in Paris who taught him techniques based on Zen philosophy (from Japan).

• Postures Techniques and Meditation
• Energy-based and Therapeutic Techniques
• Work on Will and Intention

At the same time, he diligently practiced Martial Arts (Karate, Kung Fu) and worked at integrating into these practices the energy-based techniques he had learnt with his two first Masters.

- In the 70s, in Brussels, Vlady found what he was looking for in Master Kuo Chi’s Taï Ji Quan (China).

• Taï Ji Quan
• Qi Gong
• Techniques for manipulating Chi in movement

In 1988, combining the teaching received by his Masters, Vlady founded the International Inner Way School. He has always had absolute trust in the authenticity of the teaching he received.

"The Old Masters handed down messages in a language that was not broken down over centuries and civilisations. It is the language of the body. Posture, attitudes and movements they passed on contain the genetic code of their knowledge. It is also within our reach." Vlady Stévanovitch, "La voie de l'énergie" published by Dangles

Vlady Stévanovitch wrote numerous books translated in several languages such as "La voie de l'énergie" and "La voie du Taï Ji Quan" published by Dangles.

Vlady chose “elders” and gave them the role of Senior Trainers. Today Michèle Stévanovitch, Pierre Boogaerts, Fabien Bastin and Karine Taymans have the responsibility to train all the School’s teachers.

Vlady recognized in Pierre Boogaerts the quality of a Master.

Vlady transmitted the link to Michèle Stévanovitch, and designated her as the guarantor of the Way, "Do-Shu". She will be the one who, one day, will transmit the link in the chain.

Through a clear, precise and progressive teaching methodology, the traditional energy-based techniques from Asia are made available. Emphasis is on the universal spirit of these practices rather than on any particular feature associated with cultures of the Far East.

The Method is based on the students’ own discovery of Qi in their body, which allows them to act on it. We draw on all personal resources: logical comprehension, sensitivity, rigour, imagination, humour, breathing, muscular work, body memory. We also use sounds (1) richly charged with Qi to facilitate learning and discovery of the Tantien.(2)

"I did not invent anything. I just teach what I’ve learnt myself. These techniques have remained the same over centuries and there are no reasons to change them. What I’ve added is the way in which they can be shown, broken down in sequences so that my students can learn them faster." Vlady Stévanovitch

(1) A result of Vlady Stévanovitch’s life-long research
(2) Vital energy centre also called Hara or Dantian

Followed over weekends or week-long workshops, this training is geared towards those who have taken weekly courses and desire to go deeper into posture and Qi techniques. It also concerns those who cannot find weekly courses in their region. Several thematic weeks are offered per year by the Trainers as well as Senior Trainers.

• Individual training (PDF, <150 Ko)

After the individual training (at least three years), students can start a teacher training through week-long or longer workshops. The training is comprised of several steps: Student Instructor, Instructor, Senior Instructor. Committing to the School’s teacher training is a life choice. It requires enthusiasm for our work, our orientation as well as a commitment to the School and on-going training. However, each goes at his/her pace, according to his/her own resources. There is no imposed syllabus.

"Becoming a School Instructor is first about intensifying and deepening with one’s own personal practice; it is then about acquiring essential tools for teaching; and lastly it is about committing to life-long learning." Vlady Stévanovitch

Teachers commit to life-long training, one of the School’s special features that guarantees students a teaching of quality.

Teacher training is offered at the four Vlady Stévanovitch Centres:

• Centre International Vlady Stévanovitch
• Centre Vlady Stévanovitch Portugal
• Centre Vlady Stévanovitch Québec
• Centre Vlady Stévanovitch Belgique

300 instructors are located in twenty countries and teach “Art du Chi” following the Stévanovitch method.

All courses consist of floor work: relaxation, self-massage, breathing, techniques in order to discover Tantien and mobilise Chi (about 30 minutes).

The second part of the course consists of moving posture work (about one hour): seeking body centre, posture, balance, coordination and breathing by freeing the body, listening to Chi and learning Taï Ji Quan and Qigong movements.

• The 11 exercises and the 24 postures (First and second year)
• The 108 postures and the 8 brocades (Third year)
• The 127 postures (very advanced level)

It is possible to attend a first course without commitment. Please follow link for information in your region :

• Throughout the world (PDF, <150 Ko)

Each summer, since it was founded in 1988, the School organises a six week-long workshop that gathers teachers and students from all over the world.

Today, three simultaneous workshops take place on both sides of the Atlantic:

• In Provence (France), under Michèle Stévanovitch’s supervision
• In Quebec, under Pierre Boogaerts’s supervision
• In Portugal, under Fabien Bastin’s supervision

Teacher training is possible in four centres. The training is given by the Senior Trainers who work in constant connection with Michèle Stévanovitch.

• Centre International Vlady Stévanovitch
• Centre Vlady Stévanovitch Portugal
• Centre Vlady Stévanovitch Québec
• Centre Vlady Stévanovitch Belgique