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5 Elements Martial Arts & Wellness Center

4.5 ★★★★★ 17 Google reviews · Tai chi studio in La Mesa, California

Certified Beginners welcome

Certified instruction — reviews and the studio's own info point to a recognized tai chi program or lineage (think Tai Chi for Health / Dr. Paul Lam, the Taoist Tai Chi Society, or a named family-style teacher). If credentials matter to you, ask which program the instructor is certified in and which style they teach.

Plan your first class

  • Beginners welcome all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or flexible to start
  • Free / donation / in the park free, donation-based, or outdoor park classes — a low-cost way to try tai chi; confirm times on their site
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule 5esd.com — see the live class schedule and book
  • Phone (619) 335-8338

Hours

Monday 4–8 PM
Tuesday 4–8 PM
Wednesday 4–7 PM
Thursday 4–8 PM
Friday 4–7 PM
Saturday 9 AM–4 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, workshops, and seasonal outdoor sessions — worth a quick check before a special trip, and class times can differ from the studio's front-desk hours.

The classes they run

Tai chi and qigong classes on the schedule at 5 Elements Martial Arts & Wellness Center, drawn from students' own reviews and the studio's info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

All studios that run beginners →

🔄 All Levels

“Great for all ages and body types.”

All studios that run all levels →

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 17 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 patient, skilled instructor 3 mentions

“Sifu Mario is a great teacher; very thorough and patient!”

⚖️ improved balance & health 4 mentions

“Instead of not knowing how to harness her own strength, she's become more observant of her surroundings and precise with her movements.”

📘 clear, well-structured classes 2 mentions

“Sifu Mario is a great teacher; very thorough and patient!”

From the reviews

My 2 boys have been training Kung Fu here for 2 years and my wife for 1 year. This studio has made my boys stronger and more confident. It has made my wife more confident and more secure in herself. Something every woman needs.

★★★★★ — Khiirsten, Nov 2017

My daughter has been coming to this studio for almost a year. She loves it! Her mental and physical discipline has improved so much. Instead of not knowing how to harness her own strength, she's become more observant of her surroundings and precise with her movements.

★★★★★ — Daniza, May 2025

I’m so thankful the stars aligned and I stumbled upon this place. My son did taekwondo when he was younger and it really helped shape the incredible human he is today. At 15 I felt it would be life changing for him to get reacquainted with martial arts for body, mind, and soul.

★★★★★ — Monique, Mar 2021

Sifu Mario is amazing. You can tell he really cares for the kids and wants them to succeed. My son loves coming to 5 Elements.

★★★★★ — Porschia, Sep 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 17 reviews →

New to tai chi? Start at 5 Elements Martial Arts & Wellness Center

5 Elements Martial Arts & Wellness Center comes up as a beginner-friendly studio, going by its listing and students' reviews. If you've never tried tai chi, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first session. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — the movements are slow and gentle, you set your own pace, and many can be done seated if standing is hard. Second, there's nothing to buy and nothing to keep up with — wear comfortable clothes and flat, flexible shoes, and simply follow along. Third, all ages and abilities really are welcome — ask whether there's a dedicated beginners or all-levels class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most studios are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first tai chi class at 5 Elements Martial Arts & Wellness Center

Nervous about walking into a tai chi class for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a gentle warm-up, then learning a few slow movements of the form, step by step — no pressure to get it perfect, and you can rest or sit whenever you need to. What to wear: loose, comfortable clothing you can move in, and flat, flexible shoes (some studios practice in socks or bare feet). What to bring: water, and that's about it — there's no equipment to buy. Arrive a few minutes early to say hello to the instructor and mention it's your first class. It comes together faster than you'd think — most people feel far more at ease by their second or third visit.

Tai chi is gentle and low-impact, but it's still exercise, and the health notes here are general information, not medical advice. If you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them to the instructor before class, and check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Where to find 5 Elements Martial Arts & Wellness Center

8324 Parkway Dr, La Mesa, CA91942

Get directions Instagram · Facebook

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Teach here or own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.