My Journey

1971–1989 (The Early Years)
Motivated by a desire for self-improvement, I immersed myself in martial arts—starting with Judo and continuing through Taijiquan, Hapkido, Taekwondo, and Wing Chun. I earned a black belt in Taekwondo by the age of 18 and trained for the UK Olympic squad in preparation for the 1988 Seoul Games. However, my weight category was not represented at that time.

1989 (The Shift from External to Internal)
This year marked a pivotal shift. While en route to study martial arts in Korea, I stayed at Suan Mokkh Monastery in Thailand under the guidance of Ajahn Buddhadasa. There, I encountered the Buddhist view and began to let go of many previously held identities. I became deeply interested in the inner world.

1990–1992 (A first blending of the external and internal)
I continued my travels and studied under various Buddhist teachers, including Goenka. I also devoted significant time to yoga, focusing on the Iyengar method and training with senior instructors.

1992 (The discovery of the Qigong Path)
I began seeking a synthesis—a way to combine the clarity of the Buddhist path with the strength and vitality of yoga. That’s when I found Qigong. Since then, I’ve been deeply immersed in the study and practice of this discipline.

Qigong Trainings and Qualifications

Teaching permission Hua Gong
Teaching permission in Taijiwuxigong
Family student Of Dr Shen Hongxun, Buqi institute, Buqi healing and Taiji37
Certified Shen Qi instructor by Master A. Wang

As I underwent these life time trainings. I picked up tools along the way and maintained my mind training.

L’ecole du couer, Arizona , lead co-instructor 6 years
Certified Shiatsu, Macrobiotics and Chinese Medicine, British School of Shiatsu
10 years regular retreats with Lompour Jumnian
15 years Bon training under Tenzin Namdake and His Holiness the 33rd Abbot of the Menri Monastery. Culminating in a 3 year Dzogchen training.

Around 2000 (Physicality vis a vis the mind)
I began to see a means of improving the physical aspects of training. . This led me to seek out experts in somatic learning, which eventually brought me to the Feldenkrais Method and the Anat Baniel Method, both of which I studied extensively, including their advanced training programs.

Around 2015 (Refining the structure and mechanics)
While I continue to admire the Feldenkrais approach, I found it didn’t offer the level of strength and structural stability I hoped to pass on to my students. I returned to my martial arts roots, deepened my Taijiquan practice, and ultimately found a home in the I Liq Chuan system. I’m currently a Level 5 student and Level 2 instructor in that method.

A Bit of Background

The IIT began in 2004 and is the manifestation of decades of practice from our Principal Teacher and Founder, Chris Fernie. The approach is live, constantly developing, responding to the needs of today's society. Rooted in ancient and modern practices - Taoism, Buddhism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Internal Martial Arts, principles of biomechanics and somatics - the IIT courses create a rich learning and healing environment.

Many who have come in the search for healing stay for the long term, finding great insight into their minds, spiritual connection and physical well being. While healing initiates the journey, the transformational experiences fuel the ignition of a larger life engagement. Much more than fixing a problem, this practice augments the foundational aspects of what it means to be healthy, vibrant and truly alive.

Chris Fernie

Founder, Principal Teacher, CEO

I’ve been fortunate to learn from exceptional teachers I’ve met along the way—through decades of study as a student, family student, and friend.

I love teaching. It’s the one thing I’ve never wanted to stop doing. Over the past thirty years, I’ve taught with deep care for both my students and the quality of the work. The system I teach is dynamic and ever-evolving, and it’s an honor to both follow and facilitate the unfolding of this practice—and of those who choose to study it.

Often when reading a teacher’s website, I see long, impressive lists of qualifications and training, but I’m left wondering: Who is this person, really? So, rather than just listing credentials, I’d like to share some key turning points in my journey—and why they mattered. I hope this gives you a clearer sense of how the work at the Institute for Internal Transformation (IIT) evolved.

The Journey Continues

So yes, the list is long—but there’s a clear thread running through it: a lifelong search to help myself and others live with vitality, strength, and clarity. Each method and teacher I studied with offered essential insights that helped shape the system I now teach.

And the journey continues. These days, the school evolves through the depth of my own ongoing practice. Yet I always remain open—ever watchful for a fellow traveller who has uncovered another piece of the puzzle.

Melissa Forester

I'm the COO and Head of Educational Programs at the Institute for Internal Transformation, where I've practiced Qigong, meditation, and somatic movement for over 20 years. I am a certified MBS Practitioner, Gyrotonic Instructor and Aquatic Integration practitioner. My home base is Encinitas, CA where I also teach one on one sessions and group practice in the field of Qigong, meditation and breathwork.

I began working with the IIT in 2005 and was giving teaching permission in 2008. This work isn't just something I do — it's how I live. The work of the IIT continues to renew my sense of purpose, deepen my understanding of mind, and connect me more fully to the world around me. It is my passion to give back to my community and to provide affordable, accessible resources to those of interest and those of need.