About Ken
Ken Marchtaler is a mindfulness teacher, movement instructor, and energy‑awareness guide with over four decades of experience in martial arts, meditation, and holistic wellbeing. His approach integrates yoga, qigong, breathwork, somatic awareness, and mindful living into a grounded, accessible path for modern life.
Born and raised in Canada, Ken spent many years studying traditional martial arts — ultimately earning the title of Renshi in Okinawa Shorin‑Ryu Shorinkan Karate. Through this path, he discovered that true strength begins with inner alignment, presence, and energetic clarity. This insight shaped his lifelong work.
Ken also holds a Diploma in Professional Counselling, which informs his trauma‑aware, choice‑based, and compassion‑centered approach to teaching and coaching.
Today, Ken teaches a unique blend of mindfulness, movement, and energy regulation, helping people reduce stress, reconnect with their bodies, and cultivate resilience through daily practices that are gentle, practical, and deeply human.
A Path of Embodied Awareness
Ken’s teaching is grounded in compassion and simplicity. He believes that growth happens through small, consistent steps — breath by breath, movement by movement.
His work integrates:
Mindfulness
Yoga and breath‑centered movement
Qigong and energy cultivation
Somatic awareness and grounding
Postural alignment and embodied presence
Trauma‑aware, choice‑based practices
Whether teaching a meditation session, leading mindful movement, or offering private coaching, Ken’s intention is always the same: to help others feel more present, balanced, and connected to their own inner wisdom.
Books, Courses and Teaching
Ken is the author of Mindful Body Fueling, a practical guide to nourishing body and mind with awareness and balance.
He is also the creator of MBSR 2.0, an evolved version of Mindfulness‑Based Stress Reduction that blends traditional mindfulness with gentle movement, breathwork, trauma‑aware principles, and energy regulation.
In addition to his writing and courses, Ken teaches:
Yoga
Qigong
Karate 5.0 (his integrated evolution of Okinawan karate)
Mindfulness and breathwork
Private coaching and embodied energy sessions
Samadhi World
Samadhi World is Ken’s long-term vision for conscious living, community wellbeing, and values-based innovation. It builds on the principles of mindfulness, energy regulation, and embodied awareness, exploring how these practices can shape healthier systems—not just healthier individuals. Through Samadhi World, Ken is developing a gentle, people-centred approach to purposeful technology, community uplift, and the idea that wellbeing is both personal and collective. It represents the next chapter of his life’s work and the broader framework that connects his teachings, writing, and philosophy.
Life & Practice
Ken lives in Nova Scotia, where he continues to write, teach, and develop new programs. When not working with students, he enjoys quiet time in nature, qigong practice, mindful renovation, hiking, kayaking, and exploring the energetic relationships between movement, breath, and daily living.
He is committed to helping others discover steadiness, clarity, and an authentic sense of inner home.
Ken continues to teach, write, and explore mindful living. Those interested in connecting can visit the Contact page.