Nestled in the serene Blue Zone of Nosara, Costa Rica, the Aknanda Qigong Academy offers a sanctuary where ancient wisdom meets contemporary practice.
In a setting defined by pure air, natural beauty, and elemental energy, Bharú has created a space for deep healing and personal transformation. Drawing on Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, the Aknanda Method blends Qigong, meditation, and internal arts to guide individuals toward emotional regulation and inner empowerment.
In his interview with MysticMag, Bharú opens up about the essence of his teachings, the power of foundational practice, and how Aknanda Qigong supports practitioners at every stage of their journey.
What inspired you to establish Aknanda Qigong in Nosara, Costa Rica?
Essentially, the inspiration for choosing Nosara, Costa Rica as a place of reference of Aknanda Qigong Academy’s main headquarters and base sunderlies its natural environment.
Nosara is considered a Blue Zone; its energy and full relationship with water and earth generate the best conditions for the practice of internal arts such as Qigong and Meditation. This atmosphere provides pure air, silence, and, of course, great beauty.
How does the Aknanda Method integrate Qigong, meditation, Buddhism, and Taoism?
The Aknanda Qigong methodology is a corpus of knowledge, based on ancient exercises, principles, practices, and philosophy, with a contemporary approach. That is, considering the patterns and habits of today’s society and culture.
Buddhist and Taoist wisdom is the primary source of our syllabus. The reason is simple. Sustaining and maintaining traditional principles assures the practitioner, student, and/or amateur to travel a safe path, gradually, developing their body, mind, and energy in the right way so that the transformation of the Being unfolds.
Specifically, broadly speaking, Buddhism falls mostly on understanding the nature of the mind, and Taoism on the nature of the body in relation to the universe. Both currents propose different exercises and practices that help us heal, know ourselves, and experience well-being and happiness.
Throughout my career and experience, I was able to explore part of these two great lineages, to propose a method that integrates both perspectives, enriching and strengthening the quality of education.
What can participants expect from your 200-hour Qigong Teacher Training Course?
Well, our Qigong Teacher Training course and retreat is the most comprehensive and captivating experience and program at Aknanda Academy. It’s really something special. It is a challenge in itself.
Participants will be able to access the practice and study of Qigong in a profound way, with a pedagogy based on the feelings, memory, and wisdom of the body, and then adjust the intellect. It is 3 weeks of pure focus, personal work, and transformation. The configuration of the program is based on a progressive contact with the art of Qigong, assimilating and consciously recording what happens and questions.
It is truly a unique and unbeatable opportunity to cultivate solid knowledge, whether to improve the quality of life, share with the family and of course to have the necessary skills to initially transmit this beautiful and powerful transformative art.
How do your programs cater to individuals with varying levels of experience in internal arts?
In general, regardless of the level or experience in the internal arts, we always dedicate ourselves to refining our foundation. With which, many times we study and practice primordial principles and concepts that, according to the individual path and conscience, will have a different impact and understanding.
That is, the manifestation of art will be different according to the degree of knowledge. Also, from Aknanda Qigong Academy, we usually offer different programs and events, both for beginners and advanced.
In what ways does practicing Qigong contribute to emotional regulation and personal empowerment?
The emotional mind depends essentially on our internal energy state. In this sense, the practice of Qigong, emphasizing the cultivation, understanding, and mobilization of energy, we can transform our inner world. For example, thoughts, internal conversations, and of course, emotions. Emotional states must be dynamic, not static.
The lack of movement will generate stake, blockades, and therefore cost us even more to transform those limiting emotions. In terms of empowerment, the practice of Qigong strengthens our rooting, interior center, and mental clarity. At the root of the cultivation of these virtues, through different positions, movements, breathing techniques, and mindsets, we begin to perceive with greater confidence and internal strength.
What advice do you have for someone new to Qigong and interested in beginning their journey?
First, I would like to say that Qigong’s practice is for all and all ages. We can all benefit from this art of healing and personal development. We currently live in a very intense, unstable, unpredictable, and turbulent world, therefore, I observe more than necessary to find refuge in these types of practices that will help us create our own “temple” or inner stability.
For all those who begin in Qigong, the essential suggestion is that they concentrate on developing a good foundation based on the fundamental principles: the correct physical structure and alignment, the correct breathing, and the correct mental attitude. Any Qigong system or method should clearly give us these ingredients to achieve a safe, evolutionary, and transformative practice.
Without a solid foundation, our Qigong will be “superficial” and the time invested in its practice does not peel the interior. I invite everyone to approach the Aknanda Qigong Method and join our family.
Find out more at: www.aknanda.org
