Tracing the Origin
 | I trace the origin of my interest in holistic philosophy to a few different key points in my life. A fascination with media centering around themes of dualism defines the bulk of my earliest memories - particularly when those themes were woven into an epic narrative. My first academic exposure to East Asian thought started in a series of middle school classes. At that time I was introduced to the distinctions between Lao Tzu and Confucius. Of course, I was deeply impacted by "The Tao of Pooh." This was also a time when I became more focused on media originating out of Asia that examined topics of cross-cultural influence. Those that have become life-long favorites include the films from Studio Ghibli, as well as videogames like "Final Fantasy" and "Legend of Zelda." |
Later, in high-school, I began developing practical knowledge though reading “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.” This foundation inspired the start of a emptiness-meditation practice which has continued as I have matured. During my undergraduate training, I had the opportunity to learn taijichuan, and at that time started to consider commiting myself to a career in this field.
Opening the Mind
My interests crystalized though recognition of the depth and multitude of concepts originating in East Asian culture that have had a major impact on the development of contemporary thought. Over time, my deepening interest in yin/yang theory became more sophisticated, and soon I began to discover the current I traveled was a tributary leading me toward deepening studies in East Asian medicine. I began graduate school at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine - Chicago, in 2011 and completed my degree at Southwest Acupuncture College - Boulder, in 2016.
In the early days of my post-graduate studies after earning my licensure, I dedicated myself to learning from world-renowned acupuncturist and Daoist priest, Dr. Jeffrey Yuen. In 2025 I earned my Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine degree from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medicial Arts. The program offered by that institution is built/maintained by like-minded practitioners and life-long students of Dr. Yuen. A commitment to preserving the lineage of his treatment style comes with an acknowledgement that the root of health is found within the mind. My formal training complete, I began the first steps of a much larger journey toward fostering a greater way.
In the early days of my post-graduate studies after earning my licensure, I dedicated myself to learning from world-renowned acupuncturist and Daoist priest, Dr. Jeffrey Yuen. In 2025 I earned my Doctor of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine degree from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medicial Arts. The program offered by that institution is built/maintained by like-minded practitioners and life-long students of Dr. Yuen. A commitment to preserving the lineage of his treatment style comes with an acknowledgement that the root of health is found within the mind. My formal training complete, I began the first steps of a much larger journey toward fostering a greater way.
Holistic Integration
| Ted Kaptchuck states it perfectly in his book, “The Web that has No Weaver” by noting that we live in, “a society whose routine processes not only provoke stress but contaminate the environment to such an extent that every new comfort may conceal a new threat to life...” Even at low intensity, the strain from a fast-paced and congested lifestyle can become its own debilitating malady for many - even despite a daily focus on self-care (myself included). |  |
I believe it is vitally useful for anyone/everyone to develop a basic understanding of the value that East Asian philosophy lends to it's associated medical paradigm. Taiji and Qigong are accessible practices for developing health, and can be a wonderful starting point for beginning a process disocvering the nature of holistic medicine. However, learning to understand the vocabulary of this system gives one the ability "to describe myriad subtle body patterns, a method of description not available to Western medicine because of its emphasis on disease states“ (another Kaptchuk quote). Over the course of acupuncture treatment sessions, it is one of my goals to communicate details regaring these ideas in a manner that facilitates patient comprehension.
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