Testimonials


"Lama Somananda Tantrapa, Tulku is an accomplished Qigong Master, and I truly appreciate the time spent with him. His physical ('external') qualities are admirable, however, it is his 'internal' (energy and philosophy) qualities and the blending of those with his physical abilities that I find inspirational. I encourage anyone who seeks a better understanding of the self and environment in regards of energy to listen closely to his words."
- Scott Finney, Kung-fu Black Belt

"After studying with Lama Tantrapa for a while, I started noticing a remarkable improvement in my energy and vitality. After practicing seemingly simple exercises, I feel younger and more alive. Other people have been noticing these changes, too, including my teacher at the personal growth seminars I attend."
- Hans Solbrig, Hypnotherapist

"I have witnessed some feats of power executed by Lama Somananda Tantrapa, Tulku that rival those of the legendary Chung Man Ching. Lama is a true master of Tai Chi energy work."
- Rayner Ward, Martial Arts Veteran

"My experience with Qi Dao has been very liberating. With practice, I have reconnected with my inner nature and the flow of the dream I call my life. It has been an experience of releasing my old inhibitions and trusting my own intuitive expressions. I have found Qi Dao to be a profound metaphor for all areas of my life. I highly recommend this powerful practice to everyone."
- Robin Leonhard, Healer

"Since I became Lama Tantrapa's student, a few quite illuminating and at times amazing experiences have taken place. Lama has taught me, through the practice of Qi Dao as well as his personal guidance, how to 'listen' to my body, which has taken my own personal healing process to a much deeper, more profound level. He has taught me that it is unnecessary to look 'without' for guidance and healing; all I have to do is look 'within', and listen to what my body is trying to tell me. He has taught me that a person's body is always in the process of communication with them, but people (in this case me) are simply not attentive enough. He has also taught me that when you do listen and pay attention to your 'body-mind,' you can achieve amazing results. This man and his art of Qi Dao have truly changed and enriched my life for the better. I highly recommend learning the art of Qi Dao to anyone who has not embarked upon this incredible journey as of yet. I now practice every day, and feel that to do so is no less important than breathing for me. I can guarantee this to you: you will never regret it, and once you have begun the practice, will probably wonder how you ever got along without it!"
- Peggy Merriman, Musician

"Before I started studying with Lama Tantrapa, I never realized how much I was holding myself back, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Through the practice of Qi Dao, I have gained the ability to make myself relax into situations that I never thought I would be able to before. It is a constant effort to keep from falling prey to my old habits, but now I have the tools to deal with the mental and emotional blocks that I put in my way, and have started the process of not adding further restraints on my own abilities. Physically, I have seen improvement in my agility, flexibility, strength, and speed since I have started studying this practice. Daily benefits include a decrease in chronic muscle pain and improved posture and balance. Lama's instructions in pressure points and energy healing has also been of great use in dealing with more acute injuries, and his willingness to continue instruction in these techniques is invaluable. I firmly believe that the spiritual underpinnings of this practice form the soil in which all of the other advances are rooted in, and that Lama's ability to mix the various disciplines into one art is what sets Qi Dao apart from other practices offered here in the States."
- Andrew Hill, Student v

"I have studied, practiced and taught a variety of Martial Arts for decades, some for relatively short periods, others for years. Although I often had excellent teachers and was able to make progress, still something was missing. I gave credence to subtleties that I hadn't actually made my own. For instance, the hard/soft dichotomy, the nature of the elements of earth, water, air, and fire, as well as their applications in Martial Arts. However, Lama Somananda Tantrapa, Tulku actually put such subtleties into practice in a relatively short time. Moreover, I did not need to start from scratch and learn a whole new system, as is often required, he rather helped me make my previous knowledge and skills come alive. For this and much more I am profoundly grateful to him."
- Rayner Ward, Martial Arts Veteran

"I want to recommend my friend Lama Somananda Tantrapa, Tulku, a native of Russia, from a long lineage of Shamans in his family tradition. He has been recognized by some Tibetans as an incarnation of a Tibetan Lama in the Bon tradition, the Shamanic religion that predates Buddhism in Tibet. Lama teaches a very good wellness system that includes a type of meditation with physical and energetic exercises I am sure you will appreciate what Lama has to share and what he can give to your community."
- John Wingfield, Minister

"I wish to recommend my friend Lama Somananda Tantrapa, Tulku. I have known Lama for about one and a half years now. We met practicing latihan kejiwaan, or the spiritual exercise of Subud, a practice through which its adherents aspire to achieve a state of higher consciousness and spiritual grace. I recognize in Lama a person who sincerely strives to realize such aspirations within himself. Shortly after having met Lama, I became aware of his great skill as a teacher of a unique system of Qi Dao and other Martial Arts. As a lifelong student of such arts myself, I became curious about his skills and began to take private lessons from him. In a short time I saw that Lama was not only a truly incredible teacher of the arts, but a healer as well. He has been a good and generous friend and teacher to me, and I am happy to see that he is becoming well known for the fine qualities I see exhibited in him."
- Lucas Kimsey, Chairman of Portland Subud