I'm an MIT graduate who finds human beings and bodies to be much more interesting than computers.
I've combined an understanding of the mind-body relationship, health, systems, and physics into a unique healing method.
Born to a line of teachers, artists and engineers, I grew up in Chicago, studied at MIT in Boston, and became a holistic bodyworker in Los Angeles. Along the way I’ve been a software developer, finance manager, math tutor, origami artist and teacher.
After many years interested in health, I enrolled in the Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing, which taught massage and bodywork with methods based on Tai Chi. I soon realized I couldn't learn everything I wanted at IPSB, so I created my own course of study at IPSB, Hands on Healing Institute, and other programs. By the time I graduated from IPSB’s Advanced Program, I had almost twice as many hours as required.
I volunteered extensively as a compassionate touch therapist at UCLA Children’s Hospital and at Skirball Hospice, which proved more meaningful than any class. (Read In the Pediatric ICU and At The End of Life.) I was beginning to discover and develop my own therapeutic approach, which I'd name Mind-Body Release.
Since then I've traveled to take sophisticated manual therapy courses not available in LA. All told I've accumulated more than 1200 hours of bodywork training.
When I'm not working, traveling or taking classes, I like to read, sing, hike and fold. I was introduced to origami at age six by my art teacher mother. Folding paper into intricate designs helped me to develop the delicate tactile skills I use in manipulating the tissues of the body.
I met my beautiful wife Sheila, a talented writer and educator, singing in a gospel choir. She’s the love of my life and one of the main reasons I went into this field. I help her by editing her books and finding her keys, and she helps me with just about everything else. We live in LA with our amazing puppy Charlie.
California Certified Massage Therapist (CMT # 41277)
Member, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)
EDUCATION & TRAINING:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Computer Science, Electrical Engineering
- Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing – Basic, Advanced and Sports Programs
- The Heart Touch Project – Compassionate Touch for Pediatric and End-Of-Life Patients
- Greet The Day Institute of Integrative Oncology – Oncology Massage
- Hands on Healing Institute – Myofascial Release
- Upledger Institute – Craniosacral Therapy
- Benjamin Shield, PhD – Craniosacral Therapy
- Frank Lowen, LMP – Dynamic Manual Interface
- Jean Pierre Barral, DO – Visceral Manipulation
- Bruno Chikly, MD, DO – Lymph Drainage Therapy
- Raymond Perrin, PhD, DO – Perrin Technique for CFS/ME, Fibromyalgia, Long COVID
- Luc Chabot, PhD – Osteopathic Manual Evaluation
- Michael Krugman, GCFP – Sounder Sleep System
- Denny Goodman, PhD – Transcendental Meditation
- Suzanne Scurlock-Durana, CST – Full Body Presence
- Linda Tellington Jones, PhD – TTouch for Companion Animals
- CSU Northridge Physical Therapy Dept. – Cadaver Studies
- Leonard Ochs, PhD – Low-Energy Neurofeedback
- Jan Dior, MBPI – Buteyko Breathing Method
- Gil Hedley, PhD – Integral Anatomy