Sebastian Muenda has been in a health practitioner for over 11 years. He graduated from massage therapy school in Miami, Fl in April of 2000. This was his intro into the world of alternative medicine. Sebastian has worked in some of the largest Hotels in South Beach like The Lowes to spa’s and chiropractic clinincs.

In 2001 he began to study Qigong under Master Zhong Wei Fu, after completing his studies he received certification to teach Emei Qigong. While his massage and Qigong carrier flourished he began study nutrition. While studying nutrition he found his passion for cooking, so the next step seemed very natural. In 2003 he co-opened Tree of Zion a raw and vegan cafe in the heart of the Miami Design District. After a couple years of serving Miami with healthy food, good music, and a community gathering space, he headed out west.

In 2005 he landed in San Francisco to pursue his education in sustainability. In 2006 he completed an Urban Permaculture Design Certification in Alameda, Ca. In 2006 he completed a Four Season Permaculture Course in Bolinas, CA at the Regenerative Design Course. He also completed natural building courses offered at Merritt College in Oakland and Adobe Institute in Texas. Also in 2006 he studied western herbs with Adam Seller at Pacific School of Herbal Medicine.

From 2007 to 2011 he began studies with Tibetan Doctor and Yogi Dr. Nida Chenagtsang through the Sorig Institute. He studied mantra healing, dream yoga, sa che’(tibetan fengshui), and completed the first year of Traditional Tibetan Medicine.

In 2008 Sebastian continued his nutritional studies in Chicago under Biomedx, where he learned blood microscope techniques and flow auditing system which looks at saliva and urine to help clients regain homeostasis in the body. Also in 2008 he became a certified Hypnotherapist through the Center for Hypnotherapy in Oakland,CA.

Alongside studying many aspects of health, nutrition, bodywork, and sustainability he also has a great passion for martial arts and fitness. Studying two and a half years of Shaolin Kung Fu and Qigong with Shaolin Monks in Oakland, and spending the last three years studying San Shou, Boxing, and Muay Thai.

Sebastian is a firm believer in living what he teaches, this is one reason he is such an effective practitioner.

                                                                                                                My master Shifu Yan Lei

(Classes Coming Soon)

Ba Duan Jin is comprised of eight movements that are relatively simple and can be practiced at any place or time.  It is also easy to remember, easy to learn and easy to train.  The method of training is flexible – it could be fast or slow, learned by people of all ages.  Because Ba Duan Jin bases its theory and practice on Chinese medicine, Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, the result is that it is very beneficial and will significantly yield positive health effects. What is Ba Duan Jin?

The term “Ba” in Ba Duan Jin literally means eight, which refers to the fact that it is composed of eight body movements.  “Duan” means that the positive benefits of Ba Duan Jin can be achieved through the continous practice of each of the movements.  “Jin” means silk, and how Ba Duan Jin is similar to the exquisite luxury of silk.  In the earlier times when the method was first witnessed by the ancients, they deemed it to be one of their favorite techniques of exercising due to its simple yet elegant nature.  The eight movements are graceful and flows like silk.  Because the style of the qi gong exercises is smooth and practical, that is why it was called Ba Duan Jin.

Characteristics and Health Benefits of Ba Duan Jin

The main features of Ba Duan Jin:

In the eight steps of Ba Duan Jin Qigong, seven Chinese characters represent each movement.  These characters are unique because each describes the general purpose and main function behind each movement.  The Chinese characters also contain Chinese medicine theory, which explains how the primary function of Ba Duan Jin is to help regulate internal organs and to balance yin and yang.

The Role Of Ba Duan Jin

Ba Duan Jin is based on Chan (Zen) Buddhism and traditional Chinese medicine theory.  It satisfies its goal of balancing yin and yang by regulating qi, strengthening tendons and improving bone strength.  Through the practice of Ba Duan Jin, one can expect to improve and strengthen health, gain spiritual cultivation and even promote longevity.

In the first and second movements of Ba Duan Jin, the most important feature is to promote circulation (raising, sinking, entering and exiting) of qi in order to balance yin and yang in the body.   The circulation of qi is essential in preventing diseases: according to Chinese medicine, it is much easier to prevent diseases than it is to cure existing ones.  The first step of Ba Duan Jin is the starting movement as well as the ending movement of the entire sequence.  The importance of the first two steps is that it helps adjust and regulate qi in the body.

The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth steps of Ba Duan Jin are primarily used to regulate the body and qi.  The movements will help treat internal and external damage to the body including regulating inner health by balancing the Chinese medicine theory of “cold and heat”, which is the extremity of yin (cold) versus the extremity of yang (hot.)  These movements also alleviate pain brought upon by chronic illnesses.  The purpose of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth parts of Ba Duan Jin is to promote treatment for the body.  The seventh and eighth steps are strong movements specifically used to control the flow of qi into the dan tian.

Health Benefits

According to Chinese medicine theory, an indicator of good health is the unison and balance of the human body and spirit.  This harmony of body and spirit is what we need to achieve in order for us to remain or become healthy.  The benefits of Ba Duan Jin are expressed through adjusting breathing to make the process of breathing smoother, unity of mind and qi (breathing), strengthening muscles and tendons to make the body more flexible and the unison of mind and body.  The regular practice of Ba Duan Jin will help bolster your spirits, maintain essence and preserve qi.  These three elements are connected due to the fact that they are all dependent on each other.  Qi (breath), body (form) and spirit (heart) together constitute an organic whole.  In order for us to be healthy, we must train our body, mind and breathing to work in harmony by practicing Ba Duan Jin.  This unison is what we should aim to achieve when practicing kung fu.

The 8 Steps of “Ba Duan Jin”

1. Two Hands Reach up to the Heavens to regulate  San Jiao (Triple Burner)

2. Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk

3. Raise hand on each side to adjust the Spleen & Stomach

4. Turn head back to help prevent diseases and injuries

5. Sway the Head and Shake the Tail to help get rid of the “Xin-Huo” Symptoms

6. Two Hands Hold the Feet to Strengthen the Kidneys and Waist

7. Clench the Fists and Glare Fiercely (or Angrily) to Improve Strength and Qi

8. Bouncing (7 Times) on the Feet, Toes, Heel to Help Prevent Disease