When you read the site, you may notice I quote "Master Zi" often.  He is my teacher, mentor and role model.  The philosophy and teachings of Master Zi influenced me in a positives way throughout the years.

His real name is Nzazi Malonga, but everyone calls him "Z" or "Master Zi."  It really made me laugh when I saw the name of the grand surf master in "Surf's up".  (If you have seen that movie, everything about how "Z" is in "Surf's Up" reminded me of Master Zi... what he says and other details...)   

He is a down to earth, kind and exciting human being.  When it comes to his history, however, it's as mysteriously as it gets.  He is well-read, well-traveled, and well spoken who experienced so many things.  Everyone seems to have different story to tell about Master Zi.  Listening to him makes me feel like meeting a movie hero or historical legends came to life.

Originally from Congo, he grew up in Berkley, CA.  When he was still a child, he experienced losing his father in front of him during war, which left a large scar in his heart.  While he was in school, he started practicing Tae Kwon Do with Mr. Baker.  http://www.bakersmartialarts.com. 

In his early adulthood, he was many things.  When you hear his story, you would think he has 3-4 lives.  He was a former military guy, engineer, music manager, energetic healer and kick-boxing champion.    While he was so many things professionally, he always kept his practice of Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Yoga.   During this time, he also trained with  Oso Tayari Casel http://www.tayaricasel.com/ who  is one of the original Kung Fu practitioners in the United States.  He also traveled to various countries such as China, India, and Japan to further his practice.

Master Zi's life turned to one of healing and teaching when his dear teacher from his childhood became ill.  He went to see this teacher and started to help him improve his condition by his energetic healing and teaching him Qi Gong.  The teacher started to feel better through this; however, it was too late to reverse the progress of the illness.  At his death bed, he asked Master Zi to open his heart and teach.  With this promise at hand, Master Zi started to share his gift of healing and wisdom with others.

He started to teach in Venice beach.  Soon after that, he founded "Urban Zen" in Malibu where he taught Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Kickboxing.  Around 2001, he created "OmZen for better living" in Los Angeles, which became a great success. On father's day of 2003, Master Zi's brother, and well respected Congolese dancer Malonga Casquelourd passed away by a car accident.  He was very close to his brother and this left Master Zi devastated.  Around this time, Master Zi's old injury on spinal cord rears its ugly head and he went through a major surgery in his neck.  His neck was replaced by artificial material (Titanium?).   It was a difficult and major surgery.  Nobody could predict what would happen. Through his practice of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and Herbs, Master Zi made a miraculous recovery. 

In 2004, Master Zi and his wife Nisha Rodrigo founded Shakti's Elements in Santa Monica.  (official opening was in May of 2005)  When Tsunami hit Southern Asia in December of 2004, Master Zi and his friends quickly formed Aide to Sri Lankan Tsunami Victims (ASTV) and went to Sri Lanka to aid the recovery.  Later Master Zi told students that "Compared to what they were going through, my suffering was nothing and forgot my own pain."

In 2006, he started to teach Yoga that he learned in Himalayan Naga people.  He used this yoga in his practice for years, but as it was so close to his heart and was sacred to him that he kept it to himself for a long time.  After seeing such a positives impact on first few students, he decided to teach this to wider audience.  This is how "Yoga Naga" curriculum was born in Shakti's Elements.

In 2007, Master Zi went through another surgery from his old injury from his fighting days.  This time was for his knee.  He replaced his knee with artificial knee.  A day before the surgery, we had a Tai Chi class that celebrated his knee with dancing.  Doctors told Master Zi about the limitation he will have to live with this surgery; however, he never accepted this to be true.  Less than a week after the surgery, he was already on exercise bike and moving around.  Again, Master Zi demonstrated the amazing capacity human body has and the power of his practice.

In 2008, Master Zi was included in a Registered Yoga Teacher of Yoga Alliance® at 500 hour level.

If you see Master Zi today, you have no idea what he has been through.  He jump higher than anyone, move faster than anyone.  He is fast, strong, and flexible.  Some days, you will see him sparring with young athletes in their twenties.  At Shakti's Elements, he is currently teaching Tai Chi (Classical Yang Family Style), Secret Yang,  Staff, Yoga Naga, Durga Yoga, Qi Gong and Sword.   He also does bodywork.  He is well known for helping people recover from condition that traditional medical doctors gave up.   Recently, he is expanding his work to educate doctors and therapists on how to combine Eastern medicine, yoga, and Tai Chi in western medicine.