I am a native of Seattle, born and raised here in the beautiful northwest. In 1998, about the same time I began developing an interest in natural medicine I began studying Chinese martial arts. As part of my training I began to practice qi gong (literally 'energy work') and this was my introduction to the world of the ancient Chinese healing arts. This way of looking at the world and cultivating health- of modifying our lifestyle according to our personal condition and at the same time harmonizing with our environment; growing with the seasons rather than fighting against them- resonated very deeply with me. I began to delve deeper into this rich tradition and to experience its power in my own life. As I have continued to cultivate these living arts over the years I have come to appreciate them more and more both for their effectiveness and their subtlety.

    After completing a B.A. in cultural anthropology at Western Washington University in 2004, I enrolled in a graduate program to study acupuncture and East Asian Medicine at the Wu Hsing Tao School. Part of my training included education on using acupuncture as adjunct therapy in drug detoxification and addiction treatment under the auspices of the National Acupuncture Detoxification Association, of which I am currently a member. I hold a 2nd degree black belt in kung fu, shuai chiao, tai chi, and qi gong under Alexander Knight and Roger Soo (of the International Shuai Chiao Association).

   I consider the practice of Chinese healing and martial arts to be a life long endeavor, and continue to pursue my studies in classic literature, with various teachers around the world, and in different clinical settings in pursuit of personal development and growth.