– The Internal Arts Academy –
Self Development and Inner Life, Step-by-Step
Much of modern life is concerned with the outer world, while the inner life is rarely cultivated; this, sadly, leaves many feeling empty and unfulfilled. This is actually fairly easily remedied through the Classical Internal Arts.
The Internal Arts Academy provides a structured approach to this inner development through traditional practices that support Health, Clarity and Personal Development.
Explore ancient Chinese practices through the teachings of Damo Mitchell and discover the benefits of traditional inner-cultivation methods.
Learn. Practice. Grow.
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The Results of a Lifetime of Study – 道可道非常道
Damo Mitchell began his martial arts training at the age of four, studying Japanese and Chinese combat systems from an early age. Born in the south of the UK, his dedication to the internal arts led him to extensive study across China, India and Southeast Asia, where he trained with teachers from established lineages of internal practice.
He is the Founder and Director of Lotus Nei Gong, an international school dedicated to authentic Nei Gong training and the owner of Xian Tian College of Chinese Medicine, which offers in-depth study of classical Chinese medicine. He is also the author of several books on Daoist practice, Nei Gong and the internal martial arts.
The Internal Arts Academy is the online learning hub through which this material is taught, offering structured, step-by-step courses in martial arts, Nei Gong and Daoist practices.
All cultivation practice must begin with the physical vessel of the body. The body is the medium through which we live, act and experience the world on a daily basis; therefore ensuring that it is healthy, strong and functionally integrated is essential.
Damo’s teachings approach bodily development through the framework of the classical martial arts. Through this training, the body becomes healthier, more efficient and increasingly capable of supporting the deeper energetic and internal stages of cultivation that follow.
Qi is the functional basis that allows martial arts to operate internally rather than mechanically and is also fundamental to health and Spiritual practice. Although Qi is frequently discussed, the actual methods for developing it have often been lost, leaving many systems devoid of much in the way of potential.
In Damo’s teachings, Qi cultivation is approached through classical methods. Through this training, Qi is cultivated so that it supports health and provides a reliable foundation for the deeper internal stages of cultivation that follow.
Shen, or Spirit, represents the highest aspect of internal cultivation that governs our inner life.
In Damo’s teachings, Spiritual cultivation is approached through structured and progressive methods that build upon a stable Body and abundant Qi. Through this training, the Spirit is clarified and stabilised so that cultivation extends beyond health and skill, supporting genuine internal transformation and deeper stages of Daoist practice.
The Nei Gong Program
The Nei Gong/Qi Gong Program offers a structured and systematic journey into the foundations of authentic internal cultivation. Designed for practitioners of all levels, this program guides students through classical breathing methods, standing practice, movement training and internal exercises to develop Qi, stabilise the body and lay a reliable foundation for deeper internal and spiritual work.
The Taiji Quan Program
The Yang Style Taiji Quan Program offers a direct and down-to-Earth route into the world of traditional Chinese martial arts. Designed for practitioners of all levels, this program guides students through a comprehensive syllabus of foundational exercises, forms, standing practice, and pushing hands training to cultivate internal force and martial skills. Come and learn one of the jewels of Chinese martial culture.
The Xingyi Quan Program
The Xingyiquan Program offers a structured pathway into one of China’s most direct and principle-driven internal martial arts. Designed for practitioners of all levels, this program guides students through standing practice, foundational body methods, the Five Elements, animal training and partner work to develop unified power, intent-driven movement and mind/body connection through one of China’s most direct Gong Fu systems.
The Bagua Zhang Program
The Baguazhang Program shines light on one of China’s most sophisticated internal martial arts. Designed for advanced practitioners, this program guides students through circle walking, foundational body methods, palm changes and partner training according to the Baguazhang system. Please note that this program unlocks much later within the Academy once students have a basis in either Xingyiquan or Taijiquan.
-Bringing Eastern Arts to the West –
“The Internal Arts academy is providing the chance to study something not previously available to the western world. To be able to access the inner mechanics of neigong in a such a systematic and clear way is unprecedented, in my opinion. So much intention, attention, and detail has been put into this program, that if a student applies themself, they have a wealth of tools to move deep into these arts. I cannot recommend it enough!”
Women’s Nei Gong Program
The Women’s Nei Gong Program offers a structured and progressive pathway into internal cultivation as it applies specifically to the female body and life cycle. Designed for women at all stages of practice, the program presents classical Nei Gong principles through methods adapted to support menstrual health, hormonal balance, emotional stability and long-term vitality. Training includes breathing methods, standing and seated practices, gentle movement work and internal exercises that nourish Qi, regulate the Blood and support women medically. Through a clear and methodical progression, the program establishes a stable foundation for deeper internal development, meditation and spiritual cultivation, while respecting the natural rhythms and physiological realities of women’s practice.
The Academy Library - 'Daoflix'
The Academy Library is a comprehensive and continually expanding archive that brings together the full depth of theory, lectures and teachings drawn from Damo’s in-person events. Designed as a long-term study resource, the library contains recorded lectures, detailed theoretical explanations, structured course teachings and supporting material that explore the principles underlying Nei Gong, Qi Gong, Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang and related Daoist practices in a clear and systematic manner.
Originally intended as a supportive element of the Academy, the library has grown into a substantial body of material in its own right. Its scope and depth have reached a point where many students comment that the Academy is worth joining for the library alone. With hundreds of hours of teaching now available, it has been affectionately nicknamed ‘Daoflix’ by the community.
The library continues to expand on a regular basis and stands as a central resource for those wishing to develop a deep, coherent understanding of Chinese internal arts and spiritual traditions through authentic, experience-based teaching.
☯︎ - Hundreds of Hours of Lectures & Talks
☯︎ - Structured Courses on Internal Arts
☯︎ - A Large Collection of Past Zoom Events
☯︎ - Live Classes taught by Damo & Seniors
-Clear Methods and Teachings –
“Damo Mitchell shares his vast knowledge without holding back and in a unique way which allows the Western mind to understand the theory behind the practice.
This combination leads to a linear progress along the path and opens the door to understanding the inner workings of the human energy system.”
The Academy Teacher
Damo Mitchell is the founder and lead instructor of the Internal Arts Academy and has spent his life immersed in the study and practice of traditional internal arts. Beginning his training at a young age, he pursued a wide range of martial and cultivation disciplines, eventually travelling extensively through China and Southeast Asia to study with teachers and lineages rooted in classical Daoist training and internal martial arts.
His teaching draws upon decades of dedicated practice in Nei Gong, Qi Gong, Taijiquan, Xingyiquan and Baguazhang, alongside formal training in classical Chinese medicine. As an author, lecturer and experienced instructor, Damo is known for presenting complex internal principles in a clear, structured and experiential manner.
- Director of the Lotus Nei Gong of Internal Arts
- Head of the Xian Tian College of Chinese Medicine
- Initiated into Long Men Daoism
- Initiated into Chan Buddhism
- Award-winning author of numerous books on the Chinese Inner Arts
- Keynote speaker and guest speaker at numerous conferences
- Speaker at the Bhutan Vajrayana Conference 2022
- Teacher of workshops and retreats worldwide
- Host of the Damo Mitchell and Scholar Sage podcasts
-The Gold Standard –
“By my estimation the Internal Arts Academy and Lotus Nei Gong offer the highest quality tuition you can get on these subjects in the west, or anywhere else for that matter. Especially impressive considering the sheer volume and breadth of knowledge shared in this school. I haven’t felt the need to look anywhere else in over a decade studying with Damo, and am extremely grateful for the truly life-changing effect these arts have had on my life.”
Multiple Routes
When you subscribe to the Internal Arts Academy site, you gain access to a series of ongoing programs. These programs work by unlocking a new lesson each week which builds upon the previous weeks to take you deep into your chosen method.
– Nei Gong Weekly Classes
– Taijiquan Weekly Classes
– Xingyiquan Weekly Classes
– Women’s Special Classes
– Baguazhang for Advanced Members
Members do not pay ‘per course’ but instead have access to all of the programs and they may choose which they sign up to and at what speed they progress through them.
Nei Gong is the Core
The Nei Gong program sits at the core of all training within the Internal Arts Academy. Without this foundation, practices such as Taijiquan and Xingyiquan remain external in nature, relying upon conventional, ‘contraction and lever’ based mechanics which are not correct for internal-styles.
This is why we advocate for all members of the Academy to work their way through the Nei Gong program no matter what else they choose to study. Alongside this, students may study Taijiquan and/or Xingyiquan is they wish which gives a way to embody the Nei Gong process through a moving Gong Fu system.
It is classically stated that the Internal Martial Arts are a form of martial Nei Gong and we adhere to this philosophy within the Academy.
Join the Movement
With decades of experience in the internal arts, Damo Mitchell has taught workshops worldwide, sharing his deep knowledge of Taiji, Nei Gong, and Daoist alchemy. Damo’s workshops have gained acclaim for their detailed theoretical talks & practical sessions, which illuminate the often-obscure teachings of past masters, making these ancient practices more accessible to modern practitioners.
We also have qualified teachers around the world who have trained extensively with Damo Mitchell in-person. Please visit our branch listings to find out more.
The Programs
- 3/4 videos per week minimum
- Ongoing tuition in Daoist Nei Gong
- Ongoing tuition in Yang style Taijiquan
- Ongoing tuition in Hebei style Xingyiquan
- Regularly updated library of past events, lectures and talks on various aspects of the Asian Arts
- Exclusive Online Community Access (Discord)
- Access to Online Live events on the internal arts
The Internal Arts Academy has been running for many years and, as a result, contains many hours of study material. There is more than enough content to keep students fully engaged and how deeply you choose to study is entirely up to you, whether you prefer a lighter approach or wish to immerse yourself fully in the classical Chinese arts.
With such depth and variety available, there is always something to explore; you will never be bored again!
As well as the pre-recorded material available in the Internal Arts Academy, we also run regular online Zoom classes designed to help students work through the material within the programs and to provide an opportunity to ask questions live. These classes are taught by Damo Mitchell, along with senior members of the school, ensuring that several live online sessions are held each month. All classes are offered at no additional cost and all members are welcome to attend.
Joining the Academy
The Internal Arts Academy is a subscription site and so you gain access to the training portal once you sign up and select either annual or monthly membership. You pay by the month of your membership and NOT by the amount of videos you watch.
We have a system set up to ensure that members of the Academy work step-by-step through the training programs. The process goes like this:
- Select the programs you wish to join. You may join 1-4 programs at no cost variation. So, it is the same price to join the Nei Gong program as it is to join the Nei Gong and Taiji Quan program or whatever. You pay by membership to the academy and not per program.
- You open your video lesson for the week which teaches you the skill you should be working on at this time.
- After watching your video, you press a button beneath it to show that it has been completed; it is very important to remember to do. Once you press this button, a timer begins and in just under a weeks time, the next lesson will unlock for you.
- Continue working through the programs in this manner until you become an expert in your selected system!
You also gain access to an extensive library of pre-recorded material taken from previous live events as well as the ability to sign up to actual in-person or Zoom events with Damo and other senior teachers within the Lotus Nei Gong School.
Also, don’t forget to connect to discord via your membership dashboard, so that you may join our dedicated IAA Discord group of Nei Gong enthusiasts from around the world that discuss Academy material daily, as well as receiving feedback and corrections from LNG qualified teachers.
Study Courses
Video Classes
Hours of Footage
Competitors
Annual Membership
Our Annual Membership Includes- Access to all ongoing programs
- Access to extensive theoretical material
- Access to regular live class
- Access to discord group for questions and feedback
- Access to extra footage from live events
Monthly Membership
Our Monthly Membership Includes- Access to all ongoing programs
- Access to extensive theoretical material
- Access to regular live class
- Access to discord group for questions and feedback