I was born into the south Trentino mountains and was an alpine skier before studying at Verona Sports University. During the last year of my studies, in 2001, I met Cristina Minelli and the T’ai Chi Chih movements. Cristina was an assistant professor and the only T’CC Accredited Teacher in Italy. (She had lived about 20 years in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the United States.)

Cristina introduced T’ai Chi Chih and from that day on, I was enlightened through these simple but powerful movements. (That also happened to Ilaria Sighele, Ph.Ed., and later T’CC colleague, in a class of about 180 people.) And so I started to practice, play and focus with this slow, soft and circular movements.

In August 2006 we had a Teacher Training week in Mantova with Sandy McAlister. It was after five years of fine preparation, progression and focus with the guide and teaching of Sr. Antonia, Pam Towne and Daniel Pienciack.

I am a personal trainer and sport instructor (alpine ski and freeski coach) and an outdoor sports practitioner (free climbing, hiking and trail running, mountain biking, free water swimming, kayaking and archery). So I know very well the importance of good posture, good balancing of power and flexibility, and fine circulation of the Chi. I know the evidence of awareness into movement and action. I know and respect my limits and the objective ambient situation.

I love the simplicity and circularity of the T’ai Chi Chih movements, and I love the benefits they can give back. I love that these movement can apply to all sports — as warming up or checking your form, or as a deeper awareness of the still and moving body (our hardware) and a good reset and balancing of the brain (our software).

I hope to share in the best way the teaching of T’ai Chi Chih and Justin Stone, here in Italy and in the beautiful Trentino. I am always grateful to all my teachers and Masters.

Colleagues and students, you’re always welcome here in Trentino!

Chi hugs and Namaste,
Francesco ‘Mondo’ Mondini

See all accredited TCC teachers in Italy.