About the Founder

Academy of Qi Dao grew naturally from the seeds planted early in the life of the Founder – Lama Somananda Tantrapa Tulku – the holder of the lineage of Qi Dao that has been fostered in his clan for 27 generations since 1224 AD.

Affectionately addressed by his students as Rinpoche, Lama Tantrapa has over 30 years of experience in Qi Dao and other internal martial arts. He was primarily trained by his Grandfather who was the last Grandmaster of this style of Tibetan Shamanic Qigong. In addition to being recognized as an incarnate Bön lama, ordained as a Buddhist monk and initiated into Subud spiritual brotherhood, Rinpoche holds a degree in Cultural Anthropology and certifications in Qigong, Hypnosis and NLP.

Lama Tantrapa’s initiatives dedicated to peace work and spiritual freedom were subjected to persecution in his homeland thus he received religious asylum in the United States in 1997. His unique background is complex enough to include serving in the Soviet Army’s Special Forces, being kidnapped in the Ukraine and going through several near-death experiences.

Rinpoche’s coaching has inspired many professional athletes, speakers, dancers, singers, writers and actors to open up to the infinite source of intuition that exists within everyone. After pioneering Qi Dao coaching in 2000, he has provided wellness, peak performance and life coaching to hundreds of clients of all ages from all walks of life. For years, he operated Portland Qigong Clinic – one of just a handful of Qigong clinics in the United States at that time.

Rinpoche is an author of a book on Qi Dao and a companion DVD, as well as numerous articles and multimedia training materials. Being an avid speaker and presenter, he appeared on many radio and TV programs in the US, Guam and abroad. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Qigong Association.

As the founder of the Academy, Lama Tantrapa maintains that his goal is not just to train students to an advanced level, but rather to grow Qi Dao Masters, thus setting the highest standard for Qigong schools in the United States and worldwide.