Biography of Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen (費丹凝)
Prof. Dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen (born 1960) is a Belgian anthropologist–sinologist, Taoist alchemy specialist, and internal-martial-arts master. Known in Chinese contexts under his Taoist name Fei Danning (費丹凝), he is recognised internationally for his research on Southern School Daoist Internal Alchemy (Neidan 內丹), Chinese internal martial arts, Taoist medicine, and Jiangnan (Taoist) culture.
He co-founded the China Arts College (CAC) and the Taoist Alchemical Studies Center (TASC), and has authored more than thirty books and articles on Taoist Alchemy, Chinese arts, and Internal Martial Traditions. In 2024, he co-founded Taoist-Lifestyle.com and in 2025 the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy, where he continues his work as their Principal Teacher and lineage holder. He is an ambassador of the Embassy of the Free Mind (Amsterdam) and a researcher affiliated with the Academy of the Free Mind. He is also a director of the World Sinology Council.
He has trained in China since 1985 and is considered a bridge figure between academic Taoist research and living Neidan & martial lineages in both China and Europe.
Academic Formation and Research Background
Ghent University, Belgium
He studied Sinology and Anthropology at Ghent University (1978-1982), later working as a research assistant and Chinese-language lecturer at this university (1986-1990), while conducting extensive fieldwork on Taoism, Internal Martial Arts, and Chinese Fine Arts in China.
He completed his PhD (summa cum laude) in 1990 on the history, philosophy, and practice of Internal Martial Arts (Neijiaquan), Qigong, and Neidan.
Fudan University, Shanghai
In 1985–1986 he pursued studies in Classical Chinese Philosophy at Fudan University, during which time he continued his training with martial and alchemical teachers in Shanghai. He also started his study of TCM and Authentic Chinese Medicine with several practitioners in Shanghai.
Academic Recognition
His work is cited in:
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Chinese Wikipedia (Southern School Daoism) as an authority on xing–ming Neidan theory,
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the IAK cultural association (Switzerland) as a “renowned Belgian sinologist and Daoist scholar,”
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the Embassy of the Free Mind (Amsterdam) and VNC–China, describing his long-term Taoist fieldwork and publications.
He is noted for integrating textual scholarship, anthropological fieldwork, and direct lineage training in a way rare among Western specialists.
Founding of CAC, TASC & Taoist-Lifestyle.com
In 1990, together with his late wife An Woestenborghs (武安), Prof. Vercammen founded:
China Arts College (CAC)
An institute dedicated to Taoist arts, internal martial arts, Chinese aesthetics, and contemplative practice.
Taoist Alchemical Studies Center (TASC)
A research institute for Southern School Neidan, Taoist Medicine, Internal Martial Arts, and classical Taoist texts.
TASC houses a physical Taoist Canon (Daozang), Daozang Jiyao, Zangwai Daoshu, and many other important Chinese Taoist scriptures , making it one of the few institutions in Europe with such a rich collection.
Taoist-Lifestyle.com & the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy
Prof. Vercammen later founded Taoist-Lifestyle.com as the digital home for his teaching, lineage, and research.
He is the architect of the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy, shaping its:
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multi-year curriculum in Taoist Internal Alchemy
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Taijiquan, Shidaxing, and Baguazhang training paths
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meditation and breathing programs
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instructor certification process
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philosophical framework and aesthetic direction.
The Academy continues the lineage of Taoist internal training he received from his Chinese teachers, offering a structured path for modern practitioners while preserving the depth of the classical traditions.
Internal Martial Arts Lineage
Prof. Vercammen has trained in Chinese martial arts since 1975, specialising in internal arts from 1985 onward.
Yang-Style Taijiquan
He transmits the Shanghai Yang tradition through the lines of:
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Dong Yingjie (董英傑)
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Tian Zhaolin (田兆麟)
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Yue Huanzhi (樂奐之)
and through the personal instruction of:
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Dr. Fu Qinglong (傅青龍) — Internal Martial Arts and Taoist Alchemy expert.
Baguazhang
His Bagua background stems from:
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Li Ziming (李子鳴) — Liang Zhenpu lineage
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Fu Qinglong (傅青龍) — Shanghai Internal Arts and Cheng-style Baguazhang
Xinyiliuhequan / Shidaxing 十大形
A Henan–Shanghai internal tradition focusing on animal-forms, structural power, and alchemical mechanics, as taught by Dr. Fu Qinglong.
Other main teachers
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Shen Hongxun (沈洪勳) — Taijiquan, Taiji Wuxigong (Qigong), Buqi
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Cai Longyun (蔡龍雲) — Shanghai Wushu master teaching Xingyiquan at teh Shanghai Sports University
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Zhou Minde (周敏德) — Internal and External Martial Arts (Xinyiliuhequan, Taijiquan, Sanda, Mianquan, Changquan, Shaolinquan)
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Jie Kon Sieuw (余官秀) — Pak Mei Pai (Baimeiquan, White Eyebrow) and other Southern Martial Arts (Nanquan) teacher
These lineages form the martial foundation of the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy’s Internal Arts Program.
Taoist Internal Alchemy (Neidan)
Prof. Vercammen is internationally recognized for his expertise in Southern School Internal Alchemy (南宗內丹), tracing the transmission from:
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Zhang Boduan (張伯端)
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Liu Huayang (劉華陽)
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Wu Chongxu (吳沖虛)
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Chen Yingning (陳撄寧)
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Wu Zhiyuan (伍止淵)
His research includes xing–ming shuangxiu (dual cultivation of Taoist personality and vitality), inner fire, breathing sequences, qi-guiding practices, and the physiology and psychology of Taoist transformation.
TASC's library holds rare copies of the Daoist Canon and other important Taoist scriptures, enabling direct access to primary textual resources for both scholarship and instruction.
These teachings appear throughout the Academy’s multi-year curriculum, guiding students from foundational practice to advanced alchemical work.
Publications and Contributions
Prof. Vercammen has authored over thirty books and essays on Taoist alchemy, Chinese arts, Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Qigong, Taoist breathing, and aesthetics.
Key works include:
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Taoist Alchemy and Breathing Practice
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Baguazhang: the Palm Techniques of the Eight Trigrams
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The Mystery of Taijiquan
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The Way of Qi
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Food for Thought
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Jindan: De wereld voorbij je navel (Dutch)
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關於性與命的幾個問題 (Chinese)
He has lectured at international conferences in China, Europe, and Russia on Taoist Internal Alchemy, Taoist psychiatry, traditional healing, and the history of Internal Martial Arts.
These teachings form the theoretical and practical core of Taoist-Lifestyle.com’s programs.
Influence in Taoist-Lifestyle.com
As Co-Founder, Lineage Holder, and Principal Teacher, Prof. Vercammen:
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shapes all curricula within the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy,
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transmits the alchemical and internal-martial lineages he holds,
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curates the Daozang and Taoist book collection for research and teaching,
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guides the philosophical, aesthetic, and structural development of the site,
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mentors the next generation of Taoist-lifestyle practitioners and instructors.
His life’s work forms the intellectual, alchemical, and martial foundation of the entire Taoist-Lifestyle platform.