The Systems of Practice

Driven by a desire to go deeper, Damo traveled to China and Southeast Asia, where he committed fully to the internal arts. There, he studied Daoist internal alchemy and classical Nei Gong under respected teachers such as Hu Xuezhi, Hao Nanren, and most importantly, Wang Haitao, who became his primary inner teacher for many years. Wang’s guidance helped Damo access the deeper layers of Daoist cultivation, particularly those tied to internal transformation and energetic refinement.

Additional studies with Master Tan Yichen offered another dimension to his understanding, focusing on the interrelationship between body, mind, and energy in the alchemical process. Though Damo has received input from many other teachers throughout his journey, he only considers a handful as formal mentors—yet remains deeply grateful to all those who aided him along the way.

Today, Damo teaches Qi Gong and Nei Gong in a structured, methodical way, refined over years of rigorous practice. His approach is non-sectarian and designed to guide students through the harmonization of physical, energetic, and spiritual aspects of life.

Qi Gong & Nei Gong

Damo’s introduction to Qi Gong and meditation came through his early martial arts training and self-study in Yogic and Qi Gong systems. This foundation led him to:

• Shen Hongxun and Shen Jin (Europe/UK) – foundational Qi Gong, spontaneous movement, and internal force methods.

• Paul Mitchell and Phil James (his father and uncle) – Qigong and energy work. 

• Hu Xuezhi, Hao Nanren, and Wang Haitao (China) – deep study in Daoist alchemy and Nei Gong.

  • Wang Haitao became Damo’s primary inner teacher.

• Tan Yichen (China) – further refinement in internal alchemy and Nei Gong training.

• Damo also continues to study with two Nei Gong teachers who remain to stay out of the public eye and so, in accordance with their wishes, he only discusses them with his close students.

Damo also studied with many other masters from around the world whose input he honors without claiming formal discipleship.

Taijiquan (Tai Chi)

Damo’s deep connection with Taijiquan began at the age of 14 and has remained one of his greatest passions ever since. His early training was rooted in the Zheng Manqing (Chen Man Ching) lineage, which he studied initially with his father, Paul Mitchell, and uncle, Phil James. These studies in Taijiquan also then extended to Shen Hongxun and his family in the Southern systems of Yang Taiji,

As his curiosity grew, Damo began traveling more widely in search of authentic instruction. What started as a six-month trip to China turned into more than two decades of travel throughout China, Southeast Asia, and the Far East. Along the way, he expanded his training within the Yang style Taijiquan systems, learning from teachers including Master Hao Nanren, who helped him delve into the core principles and internal mechanics of the art.

In Southeast Asia, Damo explored the Huang Xingxian method with several teachers, finding it to be a highly effective approach for developing internal structure and flow. He also investigated the Zhaolin methods, which now form an important part of the curriculum at his school for more advanced students.

Damo’s journey also led him to the Chen family village of Chenjiagou in Henan Province, the birthplace of Chen-style Taiji. Although he chose not to pursue this system long-term, the experience broadened his understanding of the art. More pivotal to his path was his encounter with Master Ni Yuanhai, who introduced him to Feng Zhiqiang’s Hunyuan Taiji system. Damo studied this method intensively, training briefly with Feng Zhiqiang himself and further with teachers such as Qi Zhaoling and Chen Xiu. The Hunyuan Qi Gong set in particular became a cornerstone of his personal training.

Seeking further depth, Damo explored the San Feng and Xuan Wu traditions of the Wudang Mountains and eventually studied the Long Men Pai Taiji system under Master Guan, a respected martial artist and calligrapher. Despite the range of systems he encountered, Damo ultimately returned to his roots, recognizing that the Yang style of Taijiquan—particularly through the Huang Xingxian method—most closely aligned with his philosophy of internal cultivation.

Today, Damo teaches Yang style Taijiquan as a means of promoting health, balance, and self-cultivation. Beginners start with the Huang system, and committed students may progress into the Zhaolin and, where appropriate, the Hunyuan systems, which Damo reserves for close students due to the intensity of training required.

Baguazhang & Xingyiquan

Damo’s first meaningful encounter with Baguazhang came through the Bagua Qi Gong of Shen Hongxun, which highlighted the internal energetic potential of the art beyond its more commonly taught external forms. Already fairly proficient in external Baguazhang, including the Liang style, and having some experience with the Sun and Gao methods, Damo realized that he had only scratched the surface of what Bagua had to offer.

Determined to explore its internal dimension, he traveled once again to China and Southeast Asia, training with various teachers in Beijing’s parks before eventually committing to Master Wang Haitao, who would become his key instructor for the Cheng style of Baguazhang. Under Wang’s mentorship, Damo refined both his Bagua and his Hebei Xingyiquan, learning to build the internal engine of the arts while maintaining practical structure and martial application.

Later, Damo expanded his understanding of the Gao system through studies in Taiwan, appreciating its connection to Cheng-style Bagua while recognizing its unique qualities. To deepen the spiritual and energetic framework of his martial training, he also incorporated Xian Tian Bagua (Pre-Heaven circle walking methods) derived from Daoist alchemy. These practices now serve as a foundational element of the Bagua training at Lotus Nei Gong.

At the school, students begin with circle walking and internal mechanics, laying the groundwork for the sophisticated forms and drills that follow in the Baguazhang and Xingyiquan curriculum.

Philosophy and Path

Although Damo is formally initiated into the Quan Zhen / Long Men Pai Daoist lineage and an esoteric branch of Chan Buddhism, he has chosen to step outside of formal religious structures. Rather than being limited by lineage, Damo uses the tools acquired through decades of study to offer universal principles of internal cultivation.

His teaching is focused, accessible, and designed for sincere seekers of self-transformation. With deep respect for tradition, he nonetheless aims to make these practices relevant to modern life, emphasizing experiential insight over dogma.

“Inner truth transcends cultural and spiritual boundaries. My goal is not to preserve lineages for their own sake—but to use their wisdom to help people grow.” – Damo Mitchell

Other Arts 

As well as the arts and teachers listed above, Damo also has extensive knowledge of the Japanese martial arts which he studied in the UK and abroad. These include traditional Shotokan Karate, Kendo, Iado and Aikido. 

Damo has also studied western boxing and wrestling as well as various forms of Western body-movement exercise.

Damo’s Chinese external Gong Fu study also includes Northern Shaolin Long Fist, Wing Chun and various other methods of external Wushu.