Introduction to the Lineage of the Information and to your Facilitator, Ryko Kalinko

This course is rooted in a long and evolving tradition of energy cultivation practices that draw from the rich and ancient system of Taoist internal alchemy — sometimes referred to as Neidan — as well as classical Qigong principles passed down through oral transmission, dedicated personal practice, and contemporary integrative study.

The material presented here is not simply theoretical. It emerges from a lineage of lived experience: practices refined over thousands of years by Taoist adepts and health practitioners who observed both the natural world and their inner world with deep precision. These practices have been passed down through teacher-student relationships, refined through personal experimentation, and adapted into modern life without losing their essential wisdom.

My own journey with these teachings began over two decades ago, shaped by both curiosity and necessity. I’ve had the privilege of studying with teachers from several energetic lineages, exploring Taoist, Yogic, Hermetic, Kabbalistic and Indigenous perspectives, as well as engaging with disciplines like Traditional Chinese Medicine, martial arts, meditation, and bodywork. Through these, I’ve come to understand that energy cultivation is not just a technique — it is a way of being. A relationship with life itself.

Specifically in relation to the Taoist tradition, I travelled for many years around China and South-East Asia, studying with various schools of Qigong, Tai Chi, Kung Fu and other martial arts, including with Shaolin Monks, forest hermits, various Tai Chi lineage holders, Filipino sword fighters, and master healers from throughout the East. 

But the central teacher I’ve had in the Taoist Qigong system is Grandmaster Mantak Chia. He has been one of the deepest revealers of the Taoist system, suited well to the Western mind. Master Chia has played a pivotal role in bringing the deep wisdom of Taoist inner alchemy to a global audience. His teachings synthesise ancient Taoist methods into accessible, practical tools for cultivating physical health, emotional balance, and spiritual insight. When I came across his teachings, I was bedazzled. There indeed was the depth that I was looking for, with an emphasis on practicality.

After studying his work for several years, I went to study directly with him at his training centre in Thailand, and achieved instructor status within his system, known as the Universal Healing Tao.

What I offer in this course is a distillation of what I have learned, practiced, and lived. The teachings have been tested through my own experience and adapted to support modern practitioners in reconnecting with their innate vitality.

Please watch the video below, where I speak more about my introduction to Qi work and the lineage of Mantak Chia:

[INSERT VIDEO]

This course is for everyone — whether you’re new to energy work or already walking your path. What matters most is sincerity of heart, consistency of practice, and an openness to what unfolds. This is not just theoretical knowledge — it is a living practice that becomes more powerful through personal engagement. My intention is to serve as a guide, helping you develop your own relationship with Qi, and supporting you on your journey toward health, resilience, and inner harmony.

Welcome to the journey.

— Ryko Kalinko

A Note on Transliteration: Tao vs. Dao, Chi vs. Qi

When studying Chinese philosophical and energetic systems, it’s helpful to understand that there are different ways of spelling Chinese words in the Roman alphabet — a process known as transliteration.

In the modern pinyin system, which is the official romanisation method used in China, the word 道 is written as Dao and pronounced like “dow” (as in “how”). Similarly, the word 氣 is written as Qi, pronounced like “chee.”

However, in earlier Western texts and popular culture, these words were often spelled Tao and Chi. These older forms reflect earlier transliterations and have become deeply familiar in the English-speaking world.

In this course, I’ve chosen to use a combination of both systems:

• Tao, for its recognisability and poetic resonance.

• Qi, which is the most accurate and widely accepted spelling today, especially among scholars, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners, and those familiar with energy work.

Both spellings refer to the same underlying concepts:

• Tao/Dao refers to “the Way” — the flow of the universe, the path of natural harmony.

• Chi/Qi refers to the vital life force or energy that animates all living things.

So, whether you say “Tao” or “Dao,” “Chi” or “Qi” — the essence remains the same. What matters is not the spelling, but the understanding and direct experience of what these terms represent.