Biography of Esther Schenk
(沈玉雪)
Esther Schenk (沈玉雪), alchemical name 致妙, is an advanced practitioner of Taoist arts and internal cultivation practices associated with the China Arts College (CAC) / Taoist Alchemical Studies Centre (TASC).
Inspired by the Taoist practice of her partner, Gijsbert Ruitenburg, she began practicing qigong in 2006. Since that time, she has been trained across a broad spectrum of Taoist Alchemy, with particular emphasis on qigong and martial arts.
From 2014 onward, Esther Schenk has assisted in group classes within the CAC-associated teaching context, working alongside Gijsbert Ruitenburg in Jindanfa. In official CAC / Taoiststudies.org documentation, she is listed together with him as a teacher of Taoist practices, including Yuanqigong.
Taoist Practice and Orientation
Within the Taoist tradition in which she is trained, internal cultivation is not regarded as an activity limited to specific practice moments, but as something that integrates into daily life and lifestyle.
This approach emphasizes active participation in society, rather than withdrawal from social or professional life. Taoist health cultivation, in this view, is closely connected to everyday responsibility, prevention, and care.
Professional Context
In line with this understanding, Esther Schenk made a conscious professional transition earlier in her career, moving from work as a teacher in psychiatric nursing to the field of preventive healthcare.
Her professional activities have included work in Belgium with the Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven, and in the Netherlands with the GGD, focusing on health prevention and wellbeing. Preventing illness and supporting healthy living are regarded within Taoist health culture as core principles.
Teaching Association
According to documentation published by China Arts College / Taoiststudies.org, Esther Schenk is associated with teaching activities within the CAC/TASC context, particularly in the instruction of Taoist health practices such as Yuanqigong, in cooperation with Gijsbert Ruitenburg.
Source Note
This biography is based on:
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official China Arts College / Taoiststudies.org teaching listings, and
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a personal professional statement provided by Esther Schenk on Jindanfa.com, incorporated here in an objective, biographical form.
No independent publications or academic works by Esther Schenk are listed in the referenced sources.