BACKGROUND
Luanda Wesley is a bodywork practitioner and co-founder of Luna Nueva Wellness Collective. Prior to being a bodywork practitioner, she earned a BA in Liberal Studies and a teaching credential at San Francisco State University. She taught for more than twenty years in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Dublin, Georgia. During her teaching career, she was a founding member of Nea Community Learning Center, a dynamic, tuition-free public charter school in Alameda, California. Luanda also traveled as a Fulbright Scholar to Mindanao, Philippines for research and development of a multicultural curriculum.
EDUCATION
Her formal healing arts education began at the San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork where she earned a certification in basic massage techniques. Luanda studied Thai Massage at the Wat Pho Traditional Massage School in Bangkok, Thailand. Additionally, she traveled to Aotearoa (New Zealand) where she completed the ‘Te Rongopae-Clear Bright Horizon’ workshop. This workshop taught by Atarangi Muru and Charlotte Milton offered traditional Maori bodywork, mirimiri and romiromi. She also earned a certification in Tui Na massage at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, CA.
PERSONAL
When not offering bodywork she communes with nature, enjoys writing poetry, and travels. She’s been to Greece, Turkey, Brazil, Peru, Thailand, Fiji, and China. She is a dancer/Carnavalesco for life. Her dancing began with Fogo Na Roupa led by Mestre Carlos Acetuino (Ibaye). She loves all forms of dance including Congolese, Haitian, Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian.
HONORING TEACHERS
Luanda is grateful to her first teachers, Lucinda and James Wesley. She also honors all her teachers and mentors who have guided her path; Mestre Carlos Aceituno, Ibaye, Fua Dia Congo, Rara Tou Li Men, Luis Valverde, CultuCuba, Atarangi Muru, David and Najia Wei of WuDang West Cultural Heritage Center.
Luanda welcomes you to her table with an open heart and hands.