The Taoist Center, Zhi Dao Guan

I went to see Alex Feng for acupuncture for my back. I have had intermittent back issues most of my life and have seen several acupuncturists over the years. Alex was different from most — he did not check my tongue or my pulse, like most TCM practitioners. He did not talk much at first and I found I needed to ask more specific questions to understand his prognosis. He also used very few needles. However, the long and the short is he also didn’t over prescribe his service and he really helped me feel better. Yes, his first visit was very expensive, but other acupuncturists I’ve been to have told me to come back 2x/​week and see me for months. The regular appts were reasonably priced and his focus was very specific to the problem. Alex saw me 1x/​week and after a few weeks when I was feeling significantly better, he said return in 3 weeks. Then he said return in 4 weeks. This was very ethical practice. I would definitely recommend him.

I took Tai Chi classes here for several months and have good intentions to return. I enjoy Alex’s teaching methods, both in Tai Chi class and at his monthly lecture and meditation sessions.
The crystal singing bowls really hurt my ears, even with 90 decibel earplugs, so I usually wait/​meditate in the reception area during the meditation portion of the evening.
Alex is family.

amazing space. such a rich program. and Shifu is Superb!
tell them the tall wudang kung fu dude sent you!

first visit went well w/​alex feng. he listened and treated me accordingly. the 2^nd visit was different. he was too aggressive with his acupuncture needles and i was in pain and had cramping for almost a month afterward. the 3^rd visit, no one was there. it takes an hour for me to get to the taoist center from where i live. i sat in my car and waited 30 minutes, called and left them a message and left. no one called me back until my 2^nd call almost a week later. someone i don’t know left a message for me. called a 3^rd time and asked that alex call me. that hasn’t happened.

The Zhi Tao Guan that can be spoken of is not the true Zhi Tao Guan. Ok Taoist humor aside this is a place for cool people to come to for everything from acupuncture (from a true master) to Tai Chi and Yoga classes and beyond.
Alex, Charlene and the whole staff are just plain good people.
I actually go here primarily for the Taoist Monthly Meditation Classes/​Meetings, and I find these to be fun and very enjoyable. The first time I went they used gongs at the end for the meditation portion (the rest is just a dialog with Alex leading) and I swore there were external speakers hooked up because I could hear circles of gong work as if it was being played in my brain heheh, but alas it’ just a big ass gong /​singing bowl they use to help you focus depending on how you see it. Tea and cookies afterward too :)
As for what Jason has said, I can see how it looks like that, and $ 165 isn’t cheap for a first time session in acupuncture but that is what you pay for an expert in the field, and they offer so much more than that at much lower prices (like the classes).

I have visited Zhi Dao Guan for both appointments and special events. Every time I have been warmly welcomed. I have also called the center a few times to ask questions and seem to find someone capable of offering advice and assistance or get a phone call back relatively soon, which is great.
The Laurel district is such a wonderful neighborhood. I’m convinced it is partly because it is the home of Zhi Dao Guan. I have yet to attend the Martial arts/​Yoga or Qi Gong classes, but hope to soon.
Years ago, I had an acute situation that could no longer be resolved by conventional methods. Thank goodness for Dr. Feng, in a matter of days, two to be exact, my symptoms had cleared up, and I was back on track with healing.
I am delighted to have Zhi Dao Guan as a community resource and local hub to visit every now and again. Dr. Feng is an incredible health resource. The level of awareness provided to friends and clients is memorable and appreciated.

After class hopping in 1999 to find a good taiji instructor, I eventually found Dr. Alex Feng. This was back when he was teaching in Albany. I immediately had a good feeling about the class and was impressed with Dr. Feng’s equal attention to both beginning and advanced students alike. Unlike the previous person posting, in my 10 years, I have found Dr. Feng to be extremely compassionate, understanding and always holding personal growth above all other concerns. This is the sort of instructor and class that you just don’t come across every day. Enough said, its time to practice…

Be sure to ask how much this guy charges.
$ 165 (that’s not a typo) for approx 25 minutes of talking to me in vague generalities.
He’s popular among a bunch of «lost» older white women who need some spiritual guidance and apparently have a lot of money to burn. They’re in the waiting area looking sickly, preparing their checkbooks, and hanging on Dr Feng’s every word as if he were the Buddha.
If you find that relieving yourself of your belongings (i.e. your money) is a fruitful thing for you, then you might enjoy The Taoist Center.

The Taoist Center (or Zhi Dao Guan, as it’s also known) is a wonderful resource for East Bay folk interested in the Eastern martial/​healing arts. The center is run by Dr Alex Feng, a well-​respected doctor of Oriental medicine (acupuncture, herbs) who is also a Taoist master. He holds monthly free Taoist meditation classes as well as a yearly Taoist Gathering for followers of the Way from all over the country (and often beyond). The martial arts school associated with the center — Wu Tao Kuan — teaches classes in tai ji (tai chi), judo, ba gua, and other martial arts, with many of the classes taught by Dr Feng himself. Other teachers offer yoga.
I searched for several years to find a school that taught tai ji the traditional way, and I am so pleased to have found this place! It’s made an immeasurable difference in my life and health. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

This place actually defies classification, because just as my new awesome yoga class was ending last Thursday, the judo class was waiting in the lobby!
Oakland has more culture than most non-​Oaklanders think. Here’s a Taoist Headquarters right smack dab in the middle of MacArthur Boulevard. Check out their site and find your own path to enlightenment. Or just loosen up your hip flexors and support another cool local business.