In Victoria, BC, Oak Bay & Esquimalt
Build strength, balance and steadiness for daily life
You’re invited into a journey of self-cultivation. Through breath and movement, we harmonize with natural cycles so strength and resilience builds as you release stress and tension.
Tai Chi (aka. Taijiquan) and Qigong can help you:
- Improve strength, balance and flexibility
- Increase energy
- Heal pain or injuries
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Practice mindfulness
- Enhance inner peace
Try it out with a month of unlimited classes for $40.
Practising Kinesiologist
Tai Chi Instructor
Medical Qigong Practitioner
25 years in practice
Join a class this week in Victoria, BC
Learn moving meditation, gentle martial arts and breathing practices with expert guidance and a supportive community.
What makes these classes unique:
- Traditional Yang style Tai Chi
- Healing Medical Qigong
- Grounded in physiology and body mechanics
- Clinical nervous system lens
- Low-impact martial arts
- Non-dogmatic, pragmatic spiritual principles
Beginners and experienced practitioners welcome!
Meet your instructor
Hello, I’m Gabriel.
I started Tai Chi and Qigong at 13. Over the years, these practices helped me manage anxiety, heal from pain, and find my way back from burnout. As a practising kinesiologist and somatic coach with 15 years in clinical healthcare, I can adapt the exercises to your needs, whether you’re navigating an injury or seeking more balance, strength and resilience in your daily life.
After 25 years of traditional Yang style Tai Chi practice, I explain each movement in plain language, from both a traditional Tai Chi perspective and how the body works. My teachers include Master Sam Masich and Imperial Yang style lineage holder Michael Paler. I have also trained with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming and David-Dorian Ross.
Classes and Schedule
Rooted Strength: Partner Tai Chi (beginner + intermediate)
Tuesdays, 7:00pm
Esquimalt-Gorge Pavilion (next series starts Nov 17, 2026)
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Tai Chi Fusion for Beginners
Wednesdays, 9:00am
Oak Bay Neighbourhood Learning Centre (next series starts Nov 4, 2026)
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Rooted Reset: Yang Tai Chi for Stress & Resilience (beginner + intermediate)
Thursdays, 5:30pm
Esquimalt-Gorge Pavilion (next series starts Nov 19, 2026)
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*All classes are included for members.
Not ready to sign up yet?
Start with a free, quick Tai Chi reset you can do at home.
“Coach Gabriel Shaw is a masterful guide. I’m a beginner and he gently and expertly leads us through breathing movements that are easy to follow. The grounding experience helps me relax as I feel a deep sense of control over the flow of energy and the release from tension and stress. With every session, I build confidence. Highly recommended coach.”
– Ginette T.
Tai Chi Basics for Mind-Body Wellness
online course
Four weeks of guided classes and tons of bonus materials to improve your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Master the basic moves, exercises, stances, meditations, and Qigong. Practice at your own pace with detailed online lessons and reference materials.
Yang Family Tai Chi 24-Form Follow-Along
Follow along from home with the video above to practice the 24-movement sequence at home. The video below includes front and rear views, posture labels and audio cues.
“Gabriel is hard-working and always looking for more information to bring is understanding of Tai Chi and similar arts deeper. The mark of a good teacher, he genuinely cares, which makes what he teaches that much more effective. Anyone who learns Tai Chi from Gabriel is a fortunate person indeed!”
— Michael Paler, Lineage Holder, Imperial Yang family Tai Chi
“Gabriel is an awesome instructor who is able to gear a class to all levels. I don’t think I’ve ever found a class that causes my muscles to relax so immediately. I also really appreciate his insights for helping us develop more awareness of ourselves, both mentally and physically. Highly recommended instructor for anyone who is looking to reduce pain, feel better or build resiliency.”
— Jenna Peters, Physiotherapist
FAQs
Do I need experience?
Nope! Beginners are welcome. The classes are stacked so the first part is great for new members. The more experienced practitioners are happy to help out as well. There are also lots of resources to help you practice and build your confidence, from the free Tai Chi reset to the Tai Chi Basics 4-week online course.
What happens in class?
A typical class starts with a brief community check-in, followed by a couple minutes of standing meditation. From there, we move on to Qigong breathing practices and the Tai Chi mobility warmup series. During the second half of class we focus on mastering the fundamental movement skills and Tai Chi forms.
What should I wear?
Wear clothes that allow you to move freely. Loose, comfortable clothing is best. When we are in the park, it’s good to have layers, too.
Do I practice in shoes or barefoot?
Either one is fine. Many people enjoy the warmth and cushion of a shoe. However, it is best to use light, flexible shoes with minimal support. This will allow your foot to flex and move naturally. Specs to look for in a good shoe include: flexibility, zero-drop sole, expanded toe box. Examples might include moccasins, barefoot shoes, slip-on sneakers.
Do you meet indoors or outdoors?
In general, practice inside from October-April and out in the park from May-September. During the winter, we are outdoors once per month on the second Tuesday of each month.