Behind the Dao Dance Festival is a team of instructors, artists, and long-time collaborators that has grown over many years.
The project is led by Petr Osadchev, who was a co-organizer of the Spiritual Healing Festival from 2006 to 2011 and has been working as a kung fu and tai chi instructor in Berlin for 20 years.
Concept & History
Concept and History
How does a festival focused on personal development come about?
I — Team
Team
II — Sources
Sources
Spiritual Healing Festival. Chi Kung Fu.
Spiritual Healing Festival
The Spiritual Healing Festival took place from 2006 to 2012. As one of the first festivals of its kind, it deliberately placed topics such as personal development, bodywork, meditation, and healing techniques from various cultures at the center of its festival concept.
The idea was enthusiastically received by many visitors and helped similar event formats become established in Germany and Europe. The New Healing Festival, which still takes place on the same grounds today, can be considered its direct successor.
Although the Spiritual Healing Festival ended in 2012, its core principles live on in numerous projects and events and make a significant contribution to the development of a conscious festival and event culture.
Chi Kung Fu
The second origin lies in the Berlin martial arts school Chi Kung Fu. For many years, traditional Chinese martial arts and movement arts have been taught there to children, adults, and seniors.
The focus is not on competition or performance, but rather on the health-promoting and character-building aspects of the training. Physical development, inner stability, concentration, self-confidence, and a mindful approach to oneself are understood as integral components of a holistic practice.
III — Pillars
Pillars
Tiefe. Raum. Erholung. Tanz.
We have reviewed the experiences and insights gained from previous projects. Several aspects have proven to be outdated. While ever-increasing visitor numbers, an abundance of activities, and nearly constant background music do create variety, they often leave little room for truly meaningful experiences and relaxation.
IV — Philosophy
Philosophy
The Dance of the Dao is everywhere
We do not consider ourselves practicing Daoists. Nevertheless, many of the Chinese health and movement arts that we teach have been closely linked to Daoist philosophy for centuries.
Daoism does not view the universe as a collection of separate things, but as a living, interconnected process. Behind the countless forms and events lies a deeper order whose full nature eludes our understanding, yet which we can intuitively perceive.
Our task is not to explain or control everything. Rather, we can learn to consciously perceive the beauty, depth, and immensity of reality and find our place within it. Our talents, interests, and intuition guide us along the way.
It is the people, qualities, aspects of life, and events to which our spirit responds with ENTHUSIASM, WONDER, and fascination that clearly show us what our purpose in life is. It is precisely this enthusiasm that not only points us in the right direction but also gives us the strength to walk a long and often arduous path. It gives us the motivation to learn, to practice, to overcome setbacks, and to devote ourselves to a cause over many years. Over time, we can realize our potential in this endeavor and inspire others.
Finding and living out this life’s purpose is not only the essential prerequisite for personal fulfillment, but also the most valuable contribution we can make to the development of society.
Training serves as a tool in this process. It helps us develop and hone our bodies, minds, and character, and keep us healthy and capable of action for as long as possible. It prepares us to face life’s challenges with clarity, strength, and composure.
But as important as development and growth may be—life is not a means to an end. What matters most, ultimately, is life itself and the present moment.
Experience mindfully, enjoy mindfully, be mindful!