For Antonio Antolini, teaching means, above all, caring for others, helping them recognise their own resources and transform difficulties into opportunities. This conviction has developed through his extensive experience as a professional educator, beginning in 1987, working with at-risk young people and participating in social mediation projects in marginalised communities. Throughout this journey, he has gradually recognised profound similarities with martial arts practice: both, in his view, can contribute to the symbolic transformation of “lead into gold.”
His journey in Chinese martial arts began in 2004 with the study of Wing Chun, Tai Ji Quan, and later Ba Gua Zhang. While training under Master Mauro A. D’Angelo, he was particularly struck by a quality of movement that seemed to express the person as a whole, as though a force were flowing through and engaging every part of the body.
The evolution of Master D’Angelo’s research into the DECODE Method marked a significant transformation in Antonio’s understanding of practice. He rediscovered the value of seemingly less dynamic exercises, Zhan Zhuang, and relaxation as tools for developing elasticity, connection, and strength. Rather than accumulating forms and techniques, the focus shifted towards consciously cultivating the physical qualities from which movement itself can emerge.
Through the teacher training programme, Antonio also deepened his understanding of a fundamental principle of Master D’Angelo’s teaching philosophy: “Even within a large group, teaching remains individual.” Recognising each student’s difficulties and potential thus becomes an essential part of the educational process.
Today, Antonio teaches Internal Alchemy across Rome, Civitavecchia, and Santa Marinella, bringing the practice into educational and professional environments as well. He continues his development through DECODE Intensive Courses and seminars, exploring the connections between body-based practice, education, and the Buddhist tradition, which has accompanied his personal journey for almost thirty years.
For Antonio, DECODE represents a space for shared exploration, where transforming the quality of movement also becomes a tangible way to deepen self-understanding and connect with others.