How did you become interested in this line of work? (tell us a little bit about your background)

When I was a child I was very active and athletic, but a congenital weakness of my ligaments led to a lot of pain and suffering from the time I could walk. I began to learn about the power of the mind and the interconnectedness of the body, mind, spirit and the environment when it came to overcoming pain and physical limitations. A devastating sports injury as a teenager would lead to a series of accidents, leaving me unable to walk for over seven years without the aid of crutches, canes, knee and ankle braces.

Being told at age 17 by several doctors that I would never walk again led to a deep exploration of Eastern philosophy and healing methods such as T’ai Chi, Acupressure, Qigong, Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs.

Please share a wellness tip or word of advice that relates to the workshop you will be presenting.

The T’ai Chi philosophy of Yin and Yang, which permeated both the martial and healing arts I studied, became the guiding force to understanding how to heal myself and provided many ways to cope with life’s challenges. There is always a little negative in the positive and always a little positive in the negative. Having patience, faith and persevering to find the positive in the negative can keep you moving forward on your path. Learning acupressure combined with breathing and visualization is a great way to access your body, mind and spirit and move towards balance and better health.

What personal or professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I feel very blessed to have studied with some of the greatest masters both here and abroad and am honored to share many of the essential tools and wisdom through my healing practice and the many classes I have taught over the last 35 years. Despite the daily pain and physical challenges that go along with this body of mine, I am honored that it can still be a vessel of healing and transformation for thousands worldwide.