Paola Codipietro’s martial arts journey began when she met Master Mauro A. D’Angelo at the DECODE school in Rome, where she started studying Ba Gua Zhang without any previous martial arts experience. From their very first encounters, she was impressed not only by his technical expertise and theoretical knowledge, but above all by his ability to guide students gradually, making a complex discipline accessible without creating frustration.
As she continued studying with Master D’Angelo, Paola gradually became involved in the DECODE Method, gaining a clearer understanding of principles she had already encountered in Ba Gua Zhang. Particularly meaningful was the work on interoception and proprioception, through which she came to understand the importance of moving beyond the external and aesthetic aspects of movement to explore its deeper qualities. This experience also transformed her understanding of practice: an inherently individual journey that can be greatly enriched through interaction and shared exploration with others.
Her desire to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the programme led her to undertake DECODE teacher training. Through this process, she deepened her knowledge of lesson structure, the definition of learning objectives, and the progressive approach to providing corrections, while regularly exchanging ideas and experiences with other teachers within the school. Her decision to continue studying with Master D’Angelo also reflects her appreciation of his ongoing research and his dedication to transmitting knowledge.
Paola brings her own pedagogical experience to DECODE, paying particular attention to effective communication and the individual needs of each student.
Since 2025, she has been teaching in Rome, following a period of supervised teaching practice at DECODE’s national headquarters. Her aim is to guide students through a progressive learning process in which every exercise becomes an opportunity to refine bodily awareness, understand the organisation of movement, and directly recognise the changes brought about by consistent practice.