The school
The School of the Inner Way was founded in 1988 by Vlady Stévanovitch. It aims to train teachers and disseminate the techniques of the Inner Way as faithfully as possible.
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The school grew rapidly thanks to Vlady's enthusiasm and his Western-oriented teaching, which was devoid of any theoretical approach or interpretation.
Currently, the School of the Inner Way has 5 trainers, 8 teachers delegated to personal training, approximately 200 teachers and 5,000 students.
Vlady Stévanovitch
Vlady Stévanovitchhe was more than a master of energy techniques. These were just a way to venture out and explore the path of inner freedom, the unique freedom.
While living near him for about 5 years, I was able to observe and experience his attitudes and comments directly in everyday life. These could be contradictory and abrupt. In fact, they served only (!!!) to awaken our conscience drowned in the daily concerns and truths of our society, education, spiritual traditions, science and our morality. These comments fell from the clouds, were unexpected, but delivered at the right time.
I vividly remember one morning, while the group of students was heading towards the place where the practice was taking place, Vlady exclaimed: - "If I have to eat in a restaurant, I'll go to MacDonald's". This comment made many participants shudder. Personally, I've never seen him at MacDonald's. This time, I immediately understood his shocking comment that shattered our stored truths in our brains.
His comments were neither premeditated nor thoughtful, not in particular. When I decided to leave Italy to follow him in Portugal, a doubt plagued me and I questioned him: "I had barely developed the School in Italy, which was very young, leaving it could lead to its extinction". Although Vlady was very determined to make his new school grow, he immediately told me: "It's you who counts, not the School". He responded very naturally, which was the right thing for me to do at that time, even if it was apparently against the School's own development goals.
"His words were valid only when he spoke them. In that sense, they were absolute. His sentences were not sacrosanct truths, inscribed forever."
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Fabien Bastin, Senior Instructor
The School in Portugal
The School of the Inner Way in Portugal was founded in 1992, when Vlady Stévanovitch established the International Training Centre in the Monchique mountains. The location was chosen because it was still unspoilt and had a pure, strong energy. Vlady said that it had a prehistoric energy, uncontaminated by human beings. In 1996, he left Monchique to settle in France.
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In 1997, on their return from a year spent with Vlady Stévanovitch in France, the School in Portugal was taken over and run by Fabien Bastin, a trainer, and Jeanne Houde, a teacher specialising in personal training. At the same time, they created the Vlady Stévanovitch Portugal Centre (CVSP), where students and teachers from many countries come to train.
Formations
Personal training
It is aimed at anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of the Art of Chi in their own inner journey. This training is given by delegated teachers and/or trainers during weekends or week-long courses. Regular practice in weekly classes given by the School's teachers is strongly recommended.
The training is presented in modules. The workbook provided (see https://www.artduchi.com/formation-personnelle.htm) covers all the basic techniques to be acquired (on the ground and in movement).
The time required to acquire these techniques varies according to the time available to each individual, the number of classes (modules) they attend and their length of service in the weekly classes. The minimum duration is three years.
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Once all the modules have been completed, the student is considered a ‘Practitioner of the Art of Chi’ and, if they wish, they can begin teacher training with the school's trainers.
Teacher training
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The steps
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Once the personal training is complete, the student can participate in an internship to become a Candidate. This course is focused on personal corrections and the Trainer validates the participants' level. Once the acquired level is confirmed, participants who wish to do so sign a document and become Candidates.
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The Candidate then begins their training to become a teacher. They will do so with the trainers and Michèle Stévanovitch. The training consists of several stages: Candidate, Instructor, Teacher (Promonca).
The Candidate participates in:
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Trainer training courses and advanced training courses
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Weekly courses with other teachers
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Summer internship
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​When the candidate is ready, their Trainer, according to Michèle Stévanovitch, informs them to organise their first year of courses.
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The time it takes to obtain a teaching licence depends on each person's commitment to the courses and internships, but the minimum is four years (3 years of personal training + 1 year of teacher training). Official permission to teach the Art of Chi on behalf of the school is given during the big summer internship at the International Centre in Aubard. The candidate will receive their ‘logbook’ in which they will record all the training courses they participate in.
​They then continue their training as candidates until they have acquired a certain amount of teaching experience. They will then be invited by Michèle Stévanovitch to present a course in front of the trainers and deputy teachers of their choice in order to become an instructor.
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​Training continues indefinitely, depending on each individual's abilities. There are no rules. Only enthusiasm and perseverance count. It is good to work with all the trainers, but it is essential to go to the source and work with Michèle Stévanovitch.
"Wanting to become a school teacher is, first, to intensify your personal practice; then, it is to acquire the essential tools for teaching; finally, it is to engage in a learning process that has no end. Our discipline is not based on in knowledge stored in memory, but in the development of some bodily and mental faculties. They can be acquired only by following direct instructions and are always perfectible."
Vlady stevanovitch
Attached files
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The other training centers:
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Courses and Internships
Courses
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The School offers floor and movement classes lasting an average of 1.5 hours.
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Groundwork preparation allows for a transition between the hustle and bustle of the day and inner listening. This first part includes relaxation, breathing and self-massage techniques, as well as learning energy techniques (depending on level): taking control of the Tantien, creating the ‘small circulation of Chi’, as well as other advanced techniques.
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The class continues with learning and practising movements (Qi Gong, Tai Ji Quan) related to breathing and body logic.
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Whether working on the ground or moving, the primary objective of L'ART DU CHI is energy mobilisation (Chi).
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Workshops
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The workshops are open to everyone, beginners, students and teachers alike. They make it easier to immerse yourself in listening and deepening techniques.
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In addition to workshops at training centres, delegated teachers and many other teachers organise weekends or workshops in their region with their students.
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The workshops allow you to immerse yourself more easily in inner listening and to connect the different aspects covered in the weekly classes. They usually take place in a natural environment, which promotes integration and openness in our listening. They also allow you to bond with the group and discover the friendly and caring spirit of our practices.
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The courses and workshops consist of four classes per day, with floor classes alternating with movement classes.
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Great Summer Workshops
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Every summer, the School organises three major workshops, bringing together teachers, students and trainers.
The Grand Summer Camp is the School's biggest annual event. It is an opportunity to bring together practitioners of different levels and nationalities, from beginners to the most advanced, as well as teachers. The whole event is imbued with an attitude of research and discovery.
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The courses take place in a peaceful and unspoilt environment, far from the noise of the cities, in the Algarve countryside. Most of the practice takes place outdoors, in an informal, simple and relaxed atmosphere, with no competitive intent or ambition other than to improve the well-being of each practitioner.
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It is a unique and healthy way to combine holidays with physical and emotional revitalisation.
During the longest break of the day, you can enjoy the sun (A SUGGESTION... and nature). If yo
u prefer the beach, it is only an 8-minute drive away.
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Centre Portugal: 4 weeks
Centre International (France): 5 weeks
Centre Québec (Canada): 4 weeks
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