ABK COLLECTIVE est. 1993

LiuHeBaFa (Water Boxing):

The Art of Dynamic Flow & Internal Resilience

Move Like Water: Beyond Static Form

LiuHeBaFa is often described as the intersection of China’s major internal systems: it embodies the yielding adaptability of Tai Chi, the dynamic circular stepping of Bagua, the focused intention and kinetic power of internal Kung Fu (Xingyi), and the restorative breath regulation of Qigong. The result is a unified, three-dimensional practice often called Water Boxing: fluid, structured, and profoundly restorative.

LiuHeBaFa (Six Harmonies & Eight Methods), historically known as Water Boxing, is an advanced internal movement art defined by continuous, three-dimensional flow and unified body mechanics. Rather than rigid choreography or passive, slow-motion exercise, LiuHeBaFa trains the body to move with the seamless adaptability, depth, and momentum of water: yielding without collapsing, flowing around obstacles, and releasing unforced internal power.

Daily practice cultivates sustainable, lifelong vitality by synchronizing intent, breath, and fascial connectivity, transforming how you carry yourself in movement and stillness alike.

Core Principles & Internal Mechanics

Unified Structure (The Six Harmonies): Coordinates the upper and lower body, left and right, interior intention and external motion. Every movement originates from a stable center, distributing effort evenly across the entire kinetic chain.
Spiral & Fascial Dynamics: Replaces localized muscle tension with fluid, multi-planar rotations and dynamic elastic recoil, decompressing the joints while building deep functional strength.
Intention & Focused Awareness: Movement is led by clear neurological direction (Yi) rather than mechanical repetition, sharpening concentration and neuromuscular control.
Effortless Power & Active Release: Teaches the nervous system to let go of compensatory tension (Song), allowing strength and stability to emerge from alignment rather than strain.
Unrestricted, Natural Breath: Deep diaphragmatic breathing synchronizes with expanding and condensing movements, oxygenating tissue, supporting circulation, and regulating the autonomic nervous system.
Embodied Adaptability: Grounded in classical Taoist natural philosophy, the practice mirrors water's innate nature—resilient, patient, and capable of overcoming hardness through intelligent persistence and ease.

Tangible Benefits of Dedicated Practice

Regular training delivers profound physiological and neurological benefits, including:

Structural Integrity & Posture: Decompresses the spine, corrects chronic compensation patterns, and stabilizes the pelvis and core.
Dynamic Balance & Spatial Agility: Enhances proprioception and ground connection, significantly lowering fall risk and improving joint longevity.
Fascial Elasticity & Range of Motion: Delivers active, loaded stretching that lubricates connective tissue without overtaxing ligaments.
Vascular & Lymphatic Vitality: Smooth, full-body pumping actions stimulate venous return and lymphatic drainage without cardiovascular fatigue.
Stress Regulation & Mental Clarity: Anchors the mind in present-moment physical feedback, down-regulating sympathetic stress responses to foster emotional equilibrium and focus.

Who Benefits?

LiuHeBaFa is accessible and challenging across all life stages and backgrounds:

Adults seeking longevity and pain-free mobility: Restores natural range of motion, alleviates joint stiffness, and rebuilds balance safely.
Athletes and martial artists: Develops effortless rotational power, enhances kinetic transfer, prevents repetitive strain injuries, and speeds active recovery.
Movement practitioners and professionals: Deepens internal awareness, fascial connectivity, and biomechanical efficiency.

Scientific Research on Internal Movement Arts

A growing body of modern biomedical research confirms the clinical value of internal mind-body practices for neuro-muscular rehabilitation, chronic pain modulation, balance control, and cardiovascular health. While LiuHeBaFa is traditionally taught as an advanced, integrated internal system, its core mechanisms: three-dimensional spiral dynamics, continuous eccentric loading, and mindful intention are widely validated in biomedical literature under NIH/NLM research on internal movement arts and meditative movement biomechanics.

National Library of Medicine: Clinical Overview of Internal Mind-Body Movement Therapies

About the Teacher

Seta Lerma started teaching in 2017, emerging directly from her personal journey of rehabilitation and recovery. Following a serious car accident that caused debilitating unilateral nerve numbness and pain unresponsive to conventional physical therapy, intensive internal training restored her nervous system, completely resolving the numbness and pain over five years of dedicated practice.

Seta has been training in traditional internal movement arts since 2005 under Yi Ting Pei. Since 2017, she has instructed students internationally across Oakland and Danville (California), Varna and Tryavna (Bulgaria), Warsaw (Poland), Yelapa (Mexico), Sicily, and the Italian islands.

Pathways of Study & Private Mentorship

LiuHeBaFa (Water Boxing) is an intricate internal system that unfolds through patience, structural calibration, and consistent integration. Rather than forcing sudden change, instruction is designed to support natural, progressive development through focused one-on-one mentorship, small cohorts, and seasonal workshops.

Private Mentorship (1-on-1)

Individualized instruction supporting postural ease, nerve recovery, and the fluid biomechanics of Water Boxing.

Each session meets your body where it is today—unwinding habitual compensation, releasing deep-seated tension, and cultivating unified internal structure.

Format: In-Person (San Francisco Bay Area) or Worldwide via Live Interactive Video Lessons.
Mentorship Includes:
- 60-minute one-on-one diagnostic and movement sessions.
- Practical alignment feedback and motion breakdowns.
- Tailored, manageable home-integration micro-practices (10–15 minutes daily).
- Direct asynchronous messaging between sessions for practice questions and adjustments.

Mentorship Pathways:

The Foundations of Flow — $650
Four 60-Minute Sessions
Focuses on establishing spinal decompression, natural diaphragmatic breathing, and learning the primary standing alignments and core spiral mechanics. An ideal entry point for personal practice and immediate postural relief.
The Integrated Practice — $1,800
Twelve 60-Minute Sessions
A steady, comprehensive study. Designed for students seeking dedicated continuity to gradually unwind chronic physical patterns, integrate the fluid stepping dynamics (Bafa mechanics) of Water Boxing, and establish a deeply rooted, self-directed daily practice.

Semi-Private Pods (2–4 Students)

Intimate, collaborative training for practice partners, couples, or small groups.

Semi-private pods combine the attentive guidance of private instruction with the benefit of interactive partner work. Students learn tactile feedback, structural testing drills, and coordinated flowing sequences in an unhurried, supportive environment.

Format: In-Person only (Oakland / Danville, CA / select European locations).
Cadence: 75-minute weekly sessions organized in 6-week progressive blocks.
Investment: $360 per student per 6-week series ($60 per session).

Workshops, Immersions & Retreats

Focused multi-day intensives exploring internal mechanics, Taoist movement philosophy, and nervous system regulation.

These gatherings offer an opportunity to step away from daily routines and immerse yourself in continuous, fluid practice alongside a focused community.

Regular Locations:
- Northern California: Bay Area
- Eastern Europe: Bulgaria
- Central & Western Europe: Warsaw (Poland) | Southern Italy
Custom Engagements: Somatic resilience workshops and adaptive stress regulation sessions available for organizations upon request.

Beginning Your Study

To ensure the instruction aligns with your goals and schedule, new students begin with a brief, informal consultation.

During this 20-minute conversation, we will explore:

Your movement background, recovery history, or personal goals.
How the mechanics of LiuHeBaFa apply to your specific physical needs.
The most natural pacing and training format for your life.

Schedule an Initial Consultation

TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS:

Scott C.

About 6 years ago Seta became my Tai Chi instructor and the experience has been truly life changing. Professionally my job is very stressful and I've found that taking time weekly to focus on an activity that helps both mind and body work together has really helped me. Specifically Tai Chi helps me with posture, breathing, self-awareness, mental perspective and focus. I consider my practice to be at a minimum health maintenance - but it's become more than that and it's something I'll do the rest of my life. Seta has taught me in both group and private sessions and online. She is very patient, yet finds ways to challenge me. Seta works with adults students of all ages - I'm mid 50's but I got my Dad, who is now in his 80's, to study with Seta and it's made a huge difference in his balance, mobility and posture. If you're open to consider a holistic approach to your physical and mental well being, I highly recommend taking the time to explore Tai Chi with Seta.

L. B.

I've had the privilege of studying Tai Chi with Seta for several years, and during that time, she has been much more than a teacher—she has been a guide, mentor, and a consistent source of wisdom. Her 20+ years of experience in Integrative Body and Mind Training are evident in every session, where she skillfully integrates movement, mindset, and holistic living. What makes Seta truly exceptional is her ability to bring deep insight to both the physical and emotional aspects of well-being. Her patient and thoughtful teaching style has helped me become not only more grounded in my body but also more spacious in my mind. Her support has been especially meaningful as I’ve worked through perfectionist tendencies—her optimistic outlook and steady encouragement have helped me shift toward a more balanced, compassionate way of living. She draws from a rich background in psychology, nutrition, culture, and philosophy, weaving these into her work with both elegance and purpose. Her approach goes far beyond teaching technique—she is genuinely invested in helping others live healthier, more meaningful lives.

Alexander K.

Very friendly environment. Seta helped me to improve physical health: balance, flexibility and mental health: stress reduction, mood. We always have flexible hours to attend classes. Practicing outdoors brings more benefits for learning Tai Chi.