Program · Chan meditation
Chan meditation in Ljubljana
To sit, to breathe and to watch. Chan is the oldest form of zen - a simple training in attention that we practise together with Qi Gong.
Chan is the oldest form of what we now call zen. It is not a relaxation technique but a training in attention: to sit, to breathe and to watch what happens, without rushing to change it.
Chan (禪) is the Chinese forerunner of Japanese zen and one of the oldest forms of meditation we know. At its core it is very simple: you sit, steady the breath and watch what happens - thoughts, sensations in the body, sounds - without trying to change anything right away. When attention wanders, you bring it back to the breath. That is the whole practice. What sounds easy turns out to be the most honest teacher of patience there is.
Chan here is not an add-on but part of the training. Every Qi Gong session opens with settling and closes with a short sitting, and in the morning group meditation is woven through the whole hour. Longer sittings - seated meditation, walking meditation and a second sitting in open attention - run from time to time as sessions of their own and are announced among our events. You sit on a cushion or a chair; nothing has to be crossed by force.
Meditation suits anyone who would like to react less in tense moments, stay focused longer and know their own body better. It requires no belief and is not tied to a religion - it is a practice, not a rite. We start with short periods and lengthen them only once sitting becomes comfortable. Come to any Qi Gong class and begin there.
Why practise it
- Less reactivity in tense moments
- A clearer head and longer concentration
- Better awareness of the body and the tension it holds
- Calm that stays with you after the session
Our approach
Meditation is part of the practice here, not an add-on. We start with short sittings and lengthen them only once sitting becomes comfortable. No mysticism - just regular, simple practice.
How a session goes
- 5 min Settling in We find a seated posture that is stable and sustainable - on a cushion or a chair. A few deep breaths settle the body.
- 20 min Seated meditation Attention rests on the breath. When the mind wanders, it is brought back without reproach. That is the whole practice.
- 10 min Walking meditation We stand and walk the hall in slow, measured steps. The legs loosen, the attention stays.
- 20 min Second sitting We sit again, this time in open attention - watching what comes and goes without holding on.
- 5 min Closing We return slowly to movement. A short conversation if a question has come up.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be a Buddhist or believe in anything in particular?
No. Chan has its roots in the Buddhist tradition, but the practice itself - sitting and watching the breath - requires no belief. We practise it without rites or mysticism, as attention training.
I cannot sit cross-legged. Is that a problem?
It is not. What matters is a stable, sustainable posture, not a particular position. You can sit on a cushion, a bench or a chair; the teacher helps you find a posture you can stay still in.
How long does the meditation last?
In regular Qi Gong classes the sitting is short - a few minutes at the start and at the end. In the dedicated sessions seated and walking meditation alternate in blocks of roughly twenty minutes. We lengthen the periods gradually.
How is Chan different from mindfulness?
Modern mindfulness programmes grow from the same roots and use similar exercises. Chan is the original, fuller practice: besides attention on the breath it includes posture, walking and the attitude towards whatever arises while sitting. The technique is similar; the frame goes deeper.
How do I start?
Come to any Qi Gong class - meditation is part of it. If you are interested in the longer sittings, follow our events or write to us and we will let you know about the next date.
Walking meditation: what twenty minutes of slow steps does
For many people sitting meditation is impossible. Walking is the same work through a different door - and for a restless body often the only one… Read →
Chan meditation - fifteen minutes of silence that change the whole day
What separates Chan from relaxation apps, why an empty mind is not the goal, how to sit, and what actually changes after three weeks. Read →Schedule & prices
Join anytime.
Morning and afternoon sessions for adults, afternoon sessions for children. You can join at any time of the year.
Adult classes run from September to July.
Regular morning group
For adults · Kung Fu / Qi Gong / Kickbox (Sanshou)
- Mon
- Kung Fu / Qi Gong / Kickbox (Sanshou) 6:00 – 7:15
- Tue
- Kung Fu / Qi Gong / Kickbox (Sanshou) 6:00 – 7:15
- Thu
- Kung Fu / Qi Gong / Kickbox (Sanshou) 6:00 – 7:15
Regular afternoon group
For adults · Kung Fu
- Tue
- Kung Fu 18:00 – 19:30
- Thu
- Kung Fu 18:00 – 19:30
Beginners group
For adults · Qi Gong and Kung Fu
- Mon
- Qi Gong 17:30 – 18:30 Kung Fu 18:30 – 19:30
- Wed
- Qi Gong 17:30 – 18:30 Kung Fu 18:30 – 19:30
Other options
No commitment - a good fit if you first just want to see what a class is like.
Children's classes run from September to the end of May and, as a rule, do not take place during school holidays or on public holidays.
Children's group
Kung Fu · for children up to 16
- Mon & Wed
- Kung Fu 15:30 – 16:30 Kung FuGroup full 16:30 – 17:30
- Tue & Thu
- Kung Fu 15:30 – 16:30 Kung FuGroup full 16:30 – 17:30
Annual passes
Pay for the whole season up front - one month is free, and one less thing to do every three months.
An annual pass covers the whole season: adults 11 months (September–July), children 9 months (September–May). You pay for 10 or 8 months - one month is free. Family discount: when two or more members of the same family train, the second and every further member gets 10 % off.
The first step is the hardest.
Take it with us.
or write to us at andrej@bodymindljubljana.si