Ikigai Coaching: A Holistic Approach to Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life

Our Practice of Ikigai

In our approach to ikigai, we follow a holistic path that integrates body, mind, and environment. We draw on the principles of ikigai alongside the Daoist practices of Feng Shui (an intentional, goal-oriented practice) and the Ba-Zi (a system for mapping personal energy cycles).

We believe that true ikigai-kan - the emotional experience of having ikigai, a life that feels purposeful and fulfilling - can only be realized when the body is strong and healthy. Taking care of your health is your first and most important responsibility. For this reason, movement and exercise form the foundation of our practice, with qigong and taichi woven into our daily practice.

The Role of Qigong and Taichi

Qigong (pronounced chee-gong), rooted in ancient Daoist traditions, is a mind-body discipline that combines flowing movements, deep breathing, and focused awareness. Its aim is to nurture the body’s vital energy while supporting physical health, mental clarity, balance, and resilience.

In coaching sessions, we begin with the Six Healing Sounds (Liu Zi Jue 六字訣), a practice that uses breath, sound, and movement to balance energy in the body. Each sound is connected to a specific organ and its function. From there, we move on to the Eight Essential Movements (Ba Duan Jin 八段錦), also known as the “Eight Silken Movements.” This gentle yet powerful sequence enhances circulation, strengthens muscles, corrects posture, and cultivates vitality.

Once these foundations are in place, we introduce Taijiquan (taichi), an advanced form that integrates Daoist philosophy, qigong principles, and traditional Chinese medicine. Taichi develops internal strength, supports health and longevity, and promotes harmony of body, mind, and environment.

Nourishment and the Five Elements

Just as movement is vital, so too is nourishment. We hold to the belief that you are what you eat. Using your personal Ba-Zi chart, we provide guidance on foods that align with your personal frequency, drawing on the Five Element Theory (Wu Xing 五行). This ancient Daoist framework interprets the interactions of five fundamental energies - wood, fire, earth, metal, and water - as movements or cycles that connect nature, the body, and life itself. Eating in harmony with these cycles supports balance and well-being.

Mind, Reflection, and Personal Growth

Beyond the body, our practice emphasizes personal reflection and development (the mind). A key step is to identify your natural rhythm - your destiny code or Ba-Zi - shaped by cycles of yin and yang. This awareness helps guide when and how to act, enabling you to live with greater alignment and purpose at each stage of life.

From here, we begin to recognize and identify ikigai moments - small, everyday experiences that spark joy and meaning. These are then transformed into keiko (稽古) or intentional practices. The word keiko combines “think” and “old,” signifying reflective and deliberate practices focused on mastering and refining these. By cultivating these moments, you foster ikigai-kan, the feeling of a life worth living.

Once your ikigai moments are established, we expand to the bigger picture: exploring your passions, talents, contributions, and livelihood through the Ikigai Venn Diagram. This helps identify a possible path toward deeper purpose.

We then connect these aspirations to your immediate environment. Drawing on Feng Shui, we reinforce your aspirations with the Ba Gua or Bagua (八卦), an octagonal diagram used in the practice of feng shui to create a personal and intentional floor plan for your home, room or office. This ensures your immediate environment becomes a supportive space that continually reflects and nourishes your ikigai-kan.

Reconnecting with Nature

Finding ikigai is inseparable from reconnecting with the natural world. Time in nature restores balance - physically, mentally, and spiritually. In our fast-paced, technology-driven lives, nature offers a powerful counterweight: it slows us down, calms the nervous system, and reminds us that we are part of something greater.

Simple practices - walking in a forest, sitting by the ocean, or just listening to the sounds of nature such as birds and the wind blowing through the trees can ease stress, sharpen focus, and lift the spirit. On a deeper level, nature reflects the cycles that shape all life - birth, growth, decay, and renewal - inviting us to feel more present, grounded, and alive.

We also encourage eco-conscious living and support environmentally responsible choices. Aligned with this vision, we advocate for green building practices, the tiny home movement, and sustainable interior design, offering consultations to help create spaces that harmonize with both people and the planet.

The Coaching Process

We offer immersive Ikigai Boot Camps, 3–4 day camping retreats designed to reconnect with nature and explore your ikigai in depth. Camps are BYO (bring your own gear), with options to rent camping equipment or book Suzuki Glampers, as featured on our website.

Please visit our Ikigai Journeys page for more information or follow us on Facebook for updates on upcoming boot camps.

For those unable to join the retreats, we also provide one-on-one and group coaching sessions in central Cape Town. Contact us for more details or to book a free introductory consultation.

About Your Coach

Wynand Art Koch is a qualified Anthropologist, Building Biologist, Feng Shui Consultant, and certified Ikigai Life Coach.

He spent 25 years in Taiwan, where he immersed himself in the rich traditions of Feng Shui and internal arts such as qigong and taichi. During this time, he earned professional qualifications in Feng Shui and Building Biology, while training intensively under Master Wu, a renowned Taijiguan practitioner in Taipei.

Now based in Cape Town, South Africa, Wynand offers a unique blend of Ikigai Boot Camps, Coaching, Feng Shui Consultations and Sustainable Interior Design. He regularly returns to Taiwan to deepen his practice and also leads Taichi Tours, designed for those eager to experience the ancient arts of feng shui, qigong and taiji firsthand.