Gentle movement, breath awareness, and mindful cultivation practices for balance, vitality, and inner calm.
Tai Chi Qigong in South Pasadena
South Pasadena, California
Saturdays at 10:00am
“medication in motion”
Calming
Classes move at a relaxed and sustainable pace, emphasizing mindful movement, coordinated breathing, and calm awareness. The atmosphere is quiet, welcoming, and non-competitive, encouraging students to settle into practice without pressure or performance.
Rooted in Presence
Drawing from traditional Tai Chi and Taoist Qigong approaches, the practice explores the relationship between movement, breath, awareness, and harmony with natural rhythms. Students often discover benefits that extend beyond physical exercise into daily balance and steadiness.
Gentle Movement, Lasting Benefits
Slow, attentive movement allows practitioners to improve balance, coordination, mobility, and breathing while releasing unnecessary tension. Over time, even simple practices can become deeply restorative.
A Welcoming Environment
Classes are designed to be approachable for beginners while still offering depth for long-term practitioners. Students are encouraged to explore the practice gradually, with curiosity, patience, and self-awareness.
Tai Chi and Qigong have traditionally been practiced not only for physical health, but also for cultivating clarity, balance, and inner steadiness. Movement becomes a way of settling the mind, refining attention, and reconnecting with presence.
Over time, consistent practice may support greater balance, vitality, resilience, and ease — while encouraging a calmer and more grounded relationship with body and mind.
What We Practice
Eight Pieces of Brocade
A classical Qigong practice using coordinated movement and breath to improve circulation, posture, flexibility, and energetic balance.
Nine Phases Qigong
A foundational sequence for cultivating awareness, vitality, breath connection, and embodied presence through simple flowing movements.
Yin-Yang Balancing Qigong
A calming practice that harmonizes opposing energies within the body while encouraging grounding, fluidity, and centered awareness.
Tai Chi EASY™
An accessible approach to Tai Chi and Qigong designed to support relaxation, balance, flexibility, and mindful movement for everyday wellbeing.
Class time is about 45-60 minutes. Appropriate for beginners. You are welcome to start at anytime. Rain cancels.
My classes focus on qigong and tai chi for enhancing mind, body, and spirit. It does not have a martial arts focus.
Modest free-will donations gratefully accepted.
Contributions may be made via Venmo or via Zelle.
Current classes are at capacity. Until an opening becomes available, you are welcome to explore the Home Practice section, where you’ll find guided Qigong practices, breathing exercises, and resources to cultivate balance, vitality, and inner calm at your own pace.
This class is ongoing. There are occasional Saturdays that I am unavailable. Dress right for the weather.
Schedule subject to change
Begin Where You Are
Tai Chi and Qigong are practices of gradual cultivation — approached one breath, one movement, and one moment at a time.
Whether you are seeking greater calm, improved vitality, or a deeper connection with yourself, you are welcome to explore the practice.
Practice & Safety Notes
I (Mark) wish to keep things light, supportive, and stress free. As with any movement or exercise program, please use common sense when attending class or practicing with my videos.
Respect your comfort zone and move in a way that feels safe and appropriate for your body. You are always encouraged to modify any Tai Chi or Qigong exercise presented in class or online to suit your individual needs and abilities.
If you have health concerns or medical conditions, you may wish to consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new movement or wellness practice.
By participating in class or using these videos and materials, you acknowledge that you are practicing voluntarily and at your own discretion and risk. Mark Melchiorre is not responsible for injuries or health issues that may result from participation in classes, videos, or information shared through this website, email, or related content.
Thank you for your understanding and care.
Continue Exploring
Explore additional practices and resources that support balance, mindfulness, and daily well-being.
Nine Phases Qigong
A qigong practice that guides you step-by-step—from first sensing qi in the body to refining and integrating it at deeper levels of mind and spirit.
Breath Medicine
An introduction to the transformative role of breath in cultivating relaxation, awareness, resilience, and energetic harmony.
Yin-Yang Balancing Qigong
A calming practice that harmonizes opposing energies within the body while encouraging grounding, fluidity, and centered awareness.
Continue Exploring
Explore additional practices and resources for balance, mindfulness, and daily well-being.
Nine Phases Qigong
A step-by-step qigong practice for sensing, refining, and integrating qi.
Breath Medicine
Explore how breath supports relaxation, awareness, and resilience.
Yin-Yang Balancing Qigong
A calming practice that cultivates grounding, fluidity, and inner balance.
Practices
Explore practices for balance, awareness, and daily well-being.
Recommended Resources
Books, videos, and learning materials for further study and inspiration.