Foundations, 2007 - 2020

Esteller Martial Arts, San Leandro,  CA

Taijiquan & Qigong

Daniel’s journey in naturopathic medicine began with training in Guang Ping Taijiquan (Tai-Jee-Chuan) & Qigong (Chee-gong) in 2007 at Esteller Martial Arts, San Leandro, CA. Five years into his practice, his sifu (teacher) encouraged him to explore the roots of Qigong in order to deepen his practice of Neigong (Nay-gong), or internal cultivation arts. The only place where concepts of 'Qi' are decently explained is in acupuncture school where Daniel experienced his first taste of Qiology (the objective study of Qi dynamics) and never turned back.

2012 - 2014

Acupuncture Integrated Medicine College (AIMC), Berkeley, CA

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Daniel enrolled in the masters of science program at AIMC Berkeley where integrative Japanese acupuncture techniques, Japanese medical philosophies, western clinical sciences, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) come together. His experience left him keenly interested to continue learning yet seeking more guidance in classical Chinese medicine. Since AIMC's emphasis is healthcare integration, Daniel sought a deeper relationship with Qi and the lifestyle necessary to provide supernaturally exceptional acupuncture treatments described in the books of old. He wanted to explore the Taoist longevity arts personally, not analytically; he was seeking The Way.

Certificate Achieved, 2014

Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences (ACCHS), Oakland, CA

Tui Na Medical Massage

In order to explore the other local acupuncture school, Daniel enrolled in the evening Tui Na Medical Massage certificate program offered by ACCHS in Oakland. He immediately discovered a talent for massage and decided to explore the possibility of changing careers to Massage Therapy. Because Tui Na has roots in Chinese philosophy, medicine, and culture, Daniel's previous Taijiquan & Qigong experience gave him a distinct advantage connecting to body mechanics principles.

With 250-hours of training, he needed to reach the 500 hour requirement for certification status so he pursued additional education, putting acupuncture on hold in order to enroll in massage school.

17th Generation Disciple, 2014 - Present

Wudang West Cultural Heritage Center (WDWCHC), Oakland, CA

Wudang Healing Arts

Daniel attended an open house for ACCHS, before choosing his preferred massage school, where Sifu David Wei,  魏 资 容, Wei Zi Rong, “Wayfarer of Vast Capacity,” 16th generation disciple of Wudang San Feng Sect, and founder of WuDang West Cultural Heritage Center presented the basics of Bagua. Daniel immediately recognized his next sifu and joined David's organization shortly after enrolling in his class at ACCHS the following term.

WDWCHC is not a place for learning martial fighting techniques, it is a place to find a wellness community that believes in the Chinese cultural way of integrating health into a lifestyle based on the seasons. We believe it capable of combating illnesses found in the standard American diet like diabetes, obesity, chronic pain, depression, melancholy, intestinal sensitivities, premature aging, and so much more with the three treasures: Dao Yin, Yang Sheng, and Tugu Naxin; when combined, are simply known as Qigong.

To read more about the full experience, click here.

Certificate Achieved, 2015 - 2016

National Holistic Institute (NHI), Emeryville, CA

Massage Therapy & Health Education

Daniel enrolled at the National Holistic Institute to expand his existing massage experience. During the 900-hour core program, he learned Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lymphatic Massage, Sports Massage, Prenatal Massage, Aromatherapy & Spa Life, Hot Stone Massage, Shiatsu, TCM, Hand & Foot Reflexology, Acupressure, Energy Work, Rocking & Shaking, and Thai Massage. His clinical experience while in school provided exposure to customer relationship management software. This is where he began using SOAP notes and became a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). After earning a certificate in Massage Therapy & Health Education, he returned to NHI as a teaching assistant to develop leadership skills and earn a 100-hour certificate of achievement in teaching massage.

Orcanit was Born

Rather than returning to his previous job in retail, Daniel took a leaf from NHI's book and created work that he loves and began his first business and private practice. With a loud clap and whoosh, Orcanit was born January 6th in Oakland, CA with the help of the 501(c)(3) non-profit, Youth Business USA (YBUSA). YBUSA placed Daniel under the care of Alison Roessler, Founder of Truve Fitness, and Orcanit grew exponentially. Daniel was exposed to other fields in the wellness industry like pilates, stationary cycling, personal training, movement artist, and additional health professionals like acupuncturist, massage therapist, and estheticians. He now had to make a decision between full-time business ownership and returning to the masters program to complete what he started four years previous. If you were curious, Orcanit is a synonym for 'Hope' and aspires to provide alluring and debatable solutions with naturopathic medicine.

2017

World Medicine Institute (WMI), Honolulu, HI

Classical Daoist Medicine

Daniel decided to re-enrolled at ACCHS where he met Dr. Ken Morris, L.Ac. Dr.Ken introduced him to Dr. Richard Tan's book, Acupuncture 1,2,3. This would be the changing tide for Daniel to relocate to Hawaii because World Medicine Institute provided the classical foundation necessary to hone in his Chinese medicine skills.
WMI was a unique school started by Dr. Chang Yi Hsiang (Lily Siou), a 64th generation Taoist lineage disciple of an unbroken 2,000-year-old Han dynasty tradition. WMI was dedicated for over forty years to training students in Classical Taoist healing arts, acupuncture, Tuina massage, Qigong, and living herbal medicine.

Certificate Achieved, 2017

Pahoa, Big Island, HI

The Final Kopoho Intensive

Daniel completed WMI's last 10-day Kopoho intensive on Big Island, HI, before the Kilauea lower Puna volcano destroyed the property in 2018. At Kopoho, they practiced Taoist hand mudras, Taoist songs, interpreted the I-Ching or Book of Changes, explored the clinical use of Bagua (eight directions) trigrams, how to determine patients Chinese astrology, the basics of Feng Shui, Tuina massage, and unique Qigong forms. This is where Daniel honed in applying classical Bagua trigram philosophy for diagnosing in Chinese medicine alternately called Balance Method for its immediate, effective, long-lasting results. 

Graduated Masters Program, 2020

Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences (ACCHS), Oakland, CA

Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Daniel returned to Oakland, CA in 2018 to complete his Masters of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MSTCM). During his final terms, he was involved with an externship that partnered ACCHS with Northgate Senior Center, Oakland, CA to provide community acupuncture to the local residence. Here Daniel practiced his medical Chinese and managing multiple treatments at one time. He completed the MSTCM program online amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic Shelter in Place ordinance and earned his Masters in the last class that had primarily in-person training.

Graduated, 2021

Pacific College of Health & Science (PCHS), San Diego, CA

 Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Daniel was encouraged by a fellow classmate to explore the Doctoral program offered by PCHS in which he enrolled shortly after the MSTCM program. Within the year, Daniel earned his Doctorate in Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine during the summer of 2021. He dedicates his degree to his long-time friend, kungfu brother, and confidant, Stephen "Zion-I" Gaines who was taken from this world on August 13, 2021- two days before Daniel's in-person graduation from the MSTCM program and official day he could also call himself "Dr.DanCan"

October 9, 1972 - August 13, 2021

Stephen "Zumbi" Gaines

Stephen Gaines aka Baba Zumbi, from the legendary Bay Area group, Zion-I, was a dear friend, kungfu brother, and a personal confidant. His mysterious death at Alta Bates Hospital, Berkeley, CA was the catalyst to Orcanit Wellness's health advocation and activism through Qi Up Academy. His slaying will not be in vain so we keep his legacy of peace and natural healing alive today - defiantly; deliberately.

To learn more, click here to read an article from

The San Francisco Chronicle on the Zumbi Tragedy.