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Gianpiero Farina began studying Yang style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and  Qigong (Chi Kung) in 1980.

He studied for 20 years (from 1980 to 2000) with Master Ermanno Cozzi, former student of Great Grand Master Yang Sau-Chung, son of Great Great Grand Master Yang Cheng-Fu. During  this time Gianpiero, took part to seminars (an average of 40) and attended group lessons as well as one-to-one training.

Between 1984 and 1990 Giampiero took over the teaching from Ermanno Cozzi while the Master was travelling abroad studying Tai Ji Quan.

From 1989 to 2000 he rapidly progressed in his studies, almost exclusively through one-to-one tuition (roughly 350 hours).

Gianpiero studied and practised traditional Yang Family Taiji Quan with Master Ermanno Cozzi: this included preparatory excises, Qi Gong, Solo Form, Tui-Shou and Ta-Lu (practice done with a partner and leading to martial applications), the Tai Chi Sabre, the Tai Chi Sword, the Staff, the Spear, the Dual Form applying Tai Chi movements in a combat situation with a partner, free-boxing exercises.

Between 1984 and 1989 he attended a number of seminars lead by well-known Chinese Masters such as Chu King Hung,  Chen Xiao Wang, Yang Jwing Ming, Yuan Zhuo Muo, Wang Wei Guo, William C.C. Chen, Zhang Du Gan.

Alongside Tai Ji Quan Giampiero also devoted his time to research in Eastern and Western martial arts and self defence, developing his own  self-defence training system. 

In 1992 he spent a long time in the P.R.C., at the Beijing Institute of Physical Education (BIPE), where he studied and practised Xing Yi (Hsing I) and Ba Gua (Pa Kua), both “Internal Disciplines” (Nei Chia) like Tai Ji Quan. During his stay in the P.R.C. he also had one-to-one tuition in Chen style Tui-Shou and Chin Na (technique to control or lock an opponent’s joints, muscles or tendons so that he cannot move) with Wang Lan, who grew up in the Chen family’s village.

In 1993 Gianpiero went  back to Beijing for a long period of study with Master Xu Weijun, Director of the department of Wu Shu of the Beijing Institute of Physical Education (now Beijing University of Physical Education and Beijing Sports University), where he obtained the “Instructor Class Certificate of Tai Ji Quan 24 Form and Tui-Shou”.  The same year he went to Taiyuan (Shanxi district) to study with Master Yang Zhenduo (son of Great Great Grand Master Yang Cheng-Fu): he lived in the Master’s house for one month with daily private tuition (100 hours training). While there Giampiero also practiced Tui-Shou with Master Yang Jun, Yang Jun, Master Yang Zhenduo's grandson, and current Head of the Yang family’s school.

He took part to the first and second edition of the European Tai Chi & Qi Gong Forum, in 1995 in Italy and in 1997in Hungary.

In 2001 he attended a seminar in Moscow, Russia, encompassing full-body contact combat techniques, hand to hand, knives, batons and other weapons, (Russian Martial Art), led by officers of Special Service of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (M.V.D.) and the Russian Special Forces (G.R.U.).   

In May 2005 Gianpiero obtained the title Maestro Caposcuola di Qi Gong U.I.S.P. (A.D.O.-Eastern disciplines- section), an Italian sports association, officially recognized by the Italian President and by the CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee). He also became member of the Technical Committee of the Qi Gong section in the A.D.O.-U.I.S.P.

In 2006 he spent some time in Hong Kong in daily one-to-one tuition with Master Mabel Ip, daughter of Grand Master Ip Tai Tak, first disciple of Great Grand Master Yang Sau Chung.
While there he was given the opportunity of training in Tui-Shou and Ta-lu with Master “Uncle” Ng,  student and training partner to Grand Master Ip Tai Tak for 30 years.

In November 2007 Gianpiero was awarded the title Maestro Caposcuola di Tai ji quan (Master of Tai Ji Quan) from U.I.S.P. (A.D.O. -Eastern disciplines- section).

WORK EXPERIENCE

Since 1989 Gianpiero has been teaching Tai Ji Quan with  L.E.S. Ufficio Tempo Libero courses association, where courses are organized by the City of Milan Council and, since 1997, sponsored by Lombardy Regional Council.

From 1991 he taught in several sports and alternative medicine centres, both in Italy and Switzerland, running annual courses and seminars.

From 1993 to 2000 Gianpiero taught Tai Ji Quan at the Alchemilla centre in Balerna  (Switzerland), where courses are organized through a partnership with the A.C.P. – Associazione di Cultura Popolare (Popular Culture Association).

In 1994 he collaborated with the Università Verde in Milan running Tai Ji Quan seminars at the "Percorsi di Eubiotica, l’arte di vivere bene in modo naturale" (Eubiotics, how to live well in a natural way) kermesse.

In 1995 he cooperated again with the Alchemilla Centre in Balerna and the Pro Senectute Association in Lugano (Switzerland) for a program of disease prevention through  Tai Ji Quan practice aimed at the over '55s.

From 1996 to 2004 Gianpiero taught self-defence courses with L.E.S. Ufficio Tempo Libero Association .

In 1999 and 2000 he also ran special courses for police officers and security guards.

From 2001 to 2002 Gianpiero taught Tai Ji Quan at the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in association with the University of Nanjing, recognized by the OMS.

From 2000 to 2004 he run Tai Ji Quan courses at the "Bloom" Association at Mezzago.

In Summer 2006 he collaborated with the Maiori tourist office (Amalfi coast) teaching Tai Ji Quan as part of the festival MAIORI ESTATE 2006, sponsorsed by the Campania Region, province of Salerno, Maiori City Council.

In 2006, 2007 and 2008 Giampiero led Tai Ji Quan sessions in the national training courses for Tai Ji Quan teachers, run by ADO-UISP in Modena.