Mantak Chia

Resurrecting Chi Nei Tsang into the modern world began with Grand Master Mantak Chia. In his quest to learn more about Taoist teachings, he was led to the esteemed Master Yi Eng, one of the last White Cloud Monks quietly tucked away in the mountains near Hong Kong. Over the next 5 years he imparted to Chia the most sacred Taoist practices, formulas, and internal alchemy methods. From that time on Grand Master Chia has dedicated his life to sharing these 3,000-year-old practices and making them accessible to all for the first time in history.

Integrating Eastern Wisdom with Western Medicine

Through Grand Master Chia’s background in Western medicine, he recognized the challenge for the logical, allopathic Western mind to grasp these Eastern concepts. In seeing this potential roadblock, he integrated Taoist teachings with his studies in Western physical anatomy, creating a unique perspective on ancient Taoist knowledge. He called it the “Universal Tao, " allowing individuals to learn the essence of these subtle, ancient practices quickly.

Gilles Marin & “TaoTouch®”

Gilles Marin, the Founder and Director of the Chi Nei Tsang Institute and TaoTouch® in Northern California, has studied and practiced massage therapy since 1976. Born in the south of France, Gilles holds a degree in Philosophy of Education and trained under Aikido Master Andre Noquet and studied Traditional Chinese Medicine with Dr. Stephen T. Chang. Gilles discovered Master Mantak Chia’s Taoist disciplines in 1983, beginning a lasting involvement with the “Universal Tao” System. Certified by Master Chia, Gilles is an expert in the system and Chi Nei Tsang.

Originating in Master Mantak Chia’s teachings, Gilles Marin evolved the Chi Nei Tang practice further into what he called “TaoTouch®” as a result of 30+ years of clinical practice. This new adaptation was tailored to bridge the Eastern aspects of CNT to our Western needs while utilizing Aikido practices of “peace touch”. This method believes that there is nothing to “fix”, only patterns of habit to be outgrown.  At Grand Master Mantak Chia’s request and blessing, The TaoTouch® approach to Chi Nei Tsang was born and Gilles began to teach this method by founding Chi Nei Tsang Institute in Berkley, California.

Gilles has served as the Technical Editor for Master Chia's book Chi Nei Tsang, Internal Organs Chi Massage, and is the author of Healing from Within With Chi Nei Tsang, and Five Elements Six Conditions: A Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing, Psychology, and Internal Alchemy.

Crestone Healing Arts Center

In 2010 Gilles Marin hosted training schools at Crestone Healing Arts Center with Dan Retuta and Sue Beck in Southern Colorado. This continued to be a sacred place of training for CNT for a few years until the training was moved to Crete, Greece, where Asclepius, the Father of Modern Medicine (carried forward by the “Rod of Asclepius” symbol with the rod and snake) had his ancient practice.

In 2015, I began taking sabbaticals to Crestone, Colorado, where I stayed at a Carmelite Hermitage nestled in the sand dune foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This location held special significance for me, as my grandparents had a house across the mountain range in Westcliffe. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have been a part of my life since I was a baby, and I have returned to their base at various times throughout my life. Now, they offered me a place for rest, reflection, connection, and rejuvenation.

During a solo retreat a year later, I found myself in need of a massage to unlock my hip. I was recommended to Crestone Healing Arts, where I met the owners, Dan and Sue. Dan introduced me to the practice of Chi Nei Tsang, which profoundly impacted my healing journey. This practice was deep and cultivated in me an awareness I had never experienced before, unlocking and accelerating my path to wellness.

Following Intuition

After being diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and continuing gut and hormonal issues that my doctor had no explanation for, I decided to leave my corporate job and take a season of deep rest. During that time I continued with CNT treatments and experienced more healing on multiple levels. I couldn’t see what the path forward was but I heard clearly through intuition that I needed to go to the CNTI school in Greece. I began taking online classes and studying Gilles' textbooks in preparation.

During the school, it felt like I was coming home. The teachings were rich, practical, down-to-earth, humble, and extremely powerful. I resonated with every teaching Gilles gave and was delighted to have these ancient practices transmitted in a package that was full of life and joy. I knew at that time that I wanted to share this empowering work with others and become a practitioner.