Spirit Arts Academy
The Spirit Arts project aims to open the possibility for anyone to study the ancient Daoist arts and explore in a genuine way the profound transformative power of these methods.
This includes healing arts, self-cultivation methods, energy work, and martial arts that come from the Taoist lineage of the Dragon Gate from the Temple of the Five Immortals at Wudang.
We believe that these ancient philosophies and methods can be particularly valuable in these times when humanity is challenged to rethink itself and seek new ways to live more harmoniously with nature and in peace.
Our greatest ambition is to teach/learn with those we are destined to meet with the purpose of deepening our connection with the source and empowering each other in the pursuit of our path.
Giulio Saltelli
Founder of Spirit Arts Academy
I deeply believe that this era and the challenges it brings us collectively will lead to a metamorphosis that we cannot yet imagine. In this process of transformation, the wisdom of our ancestors can be a guiding light for us, a source of help and profound inspiration.
Giulio Saltelli is a teacher of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Daoist Meditation methods.
He studied for three years with Master Du Song Feng (Li Shifu) at the Temple of the Five Immortals at Wudang, China, where he also worked for two years as a Chinese/English instructor and translator.
He was taught karate by his father from the age of five and began practicing Tai Chi Chuan and seated meditation at the age of 18. His first contact with the Wudang mountains was at the age of 19 during his first trip to China when he studied for a year with various kung fu academies and teachers before meeting his master at the Five Immortals.
In 2015, he founded Wudang Tian Ma (now Spirit Arts academy) and dedicated himself to teaching seminars and retreats on Taoist arts and spiritual practice.
Daoism is a tradition still largely unknown and unexplored. I feel extremely grateful to have been able to study the methods and teachings passed down by ancient Taoist masters, and I have a deep desire to contribute to the spread of this tradition to give everyone who wishes the opportunity to study and practice it.
Helena Castellà
Quiromassagista, Qi Gong trainer and communication specialist
I grew up in an environment where talking about energy, emotions, and intuition was as natural as breathing. But as I grew older, I discovered that outside of that intimate and safe world, all of this was often ignored, ridiculed, or set aside. Yet today, I see more and more people embarking on a journey of inner discovery, opening up to their own energy, making peace with themselves, their wounds, and their resources. I deeply believe that change begins from within, and I feel profound gratitude for being able to accompany, even if just for a while, those who choose to embark on this journey toward their inner world.
Helena is a Qi Gong teacher, a massage therapist specializing in manual therapy, and a Tai Chi practitioner at the Spirit Arts Academy. Raised in an environment deeply connected to body and spiritual practices, she learned from a young age the value of awareness and inner well-being from her mother, who is a yoga instructor, manual massage therapist, and acupuncturist. This allowed her to approach the world of massage and meditation since childhood.
Her passion for martial arts led her to practice Taekwondo, developing discipline, strength, and mental presence. In 2023, she began a new path at the Spirit Arts Academy, where she works alongside Giulio Saltelli. There, she deepened her knowledge of Taoist arts, training as a Qi Gong instructor and starting her journey in Tai Chi, with the goal of becoming a teacher.
Graduated in Communication and specialized in Digital Communication, Helena also contributes to the development of instructor courses and provides support to therapists and wellness professionals who wish to improve their online presence or grow their projects.
Graduated in Communication and specialized in Digital Communication, Helena also contributes to the development of instructor courses and provides support to therapists and wellness professionals who wish to improve their online presence or grow their projects.
Temple of the Five Immortals
The Temple of the Five Immortals is a small and secluded place in the Wudang Mountains of China, which welcomes all those who seek to shape themselves in Taoist Arts.
Come study under the guidance of Abbot Li Song Feng (Li Shifu). Experience the Daoist lifestyle and worldview.
Throughout the year, courses on Daoism and martial arts are offered on scriptures, ceremonies, traditional Daoist medicine and healing, internal martial arts, Wudang Qigong, Wudang Tai Chi, Wudang sword, and more.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi (or Tai ji) is an ancient practice that combines energetic exercises (Qi Gong) with martial techniques.
The name Tai Chi refers to Taoist Cosmology and can be roughly translated as "supreme unity," the stage of creation where everything exists in unity.
Tai Chi Quan expresses this principle in all its aspects, from the most superficial to the deepest.
It harmoniously combines meditation, energy practices, martial practices, and health.
The exercises are characterized by slow, steady, and relaxed movements, like flowing water that never stops, and by low postures and techniques to increase inner strength.
With relaxation and coordination, it is possible to remove physical and energetic obstacles, open the flow of meridians, and eliminate the root of diseases.
In questo modo il Tai Chi si pratica contemporaneamente a livello del corpo, dell’energia e dello spirito, visti come diverse espressioni della stessa forza vitale che anima l’universo.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong (or chi kung) is an ancient Chinese practice that aims to heal and prevent diseases, calm the mind, and learn to consciously control the energies of our body and nature.
The name "Qi Gong" is a historically new name and has been used to define in one word the great variety of Chinese energetic practices.
The exercises we will practice in our class are a combination of standing static and dynamic postures and meditation.
These meditative practices include and combine breathing, relaxation, stretching, concentration, visualization, exercises to strengthen the body, and control energy.
Visualization, exercises to strengthen the body and control energy.
They are based on Yin and Yang theories, ancient medicine, and also Daoist principles, philosophy, and practices.
For this reason, in addition to healing and strengthening the body, these practices also aim to cultivate character and connect with high wisdom to open new doors to understanding ourselves and the universe.
A journey to the Temple of the Five Immortals