Thanks for visiting! A little about me...
My healing path began in the classical martial arts of Kung Fu and Taijiquan ("Tai Chi"). I had no idea at the time of the intertwined relationship of the martial and healing arts, but over the years I found that the highly refined skills of a martial artist can be repurposed to support life.
A true warrior only fights to defend that which they hold most dear.
Besides strategy and precision, one needs to be in excellent health with a robust and resilient body that knows how to avoid injury and recover quickly. I love the intensity of training, the depth of the practice and as enamouring the shine of a sword, it is the healing work that touches my heart and fills my soul.
My healing path began in the classical martial arts of Kung Fu and Taijiquan ("Tai Chi"). I had no idea at the time of the intertwined relationship of the martial and healing arts, but over the years I found that the highly refined skills of a martial artist can be repurposed to support life.
A true warrior only fights to defend that which they hold most dear.
Besides strategy and precision, one needs to be in excellent health with a robust and resilient body that knows how to avoid injury and recover quickly. I love the intensity of training, the depth of the practice and as enamouring the shine of a sword, it is the healing work that touches my heart and fills my soul.
Adam's positive nature and affirming technique never fail to help me get myself back in balance. His skilled treatments, insightful observations and gentle suggestions are always right on the mark and his generous manner is a balm to my spirit."
I serve individuals seeking to optimize their personal health and reclaim their sovereignty by incorporating various tools in one-of-kind customized sessions that have been described as, "mind-body wizardry!"
Here's what I know and use:
Here's what I know and use:
- Advanced manual therapies including TuiNa, Acupressure, and Cranial-Sacral techniques.
- Exercises, stretches and movements to align, awaken, strengthen and lengthen your muscles and tendons thus protecting your bones and joints.
- Qi Gong and Tai Chi lessons to keep your energy and blood flowing, helping to warm and nourish the muscles, joints, and organs.
I am a Physical Therapist and received regular bodywork sessions. Adam successfully worked out my habitual muscular tensions patterns via massage as well as pointing out my abnormal movement patterns so I could avoid further muscular stress. I never had a better body worker than Adam and highly recommend him."
My professional healing experience began in 2001 after receiving a massage therpy license through the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley. I was way more skilled than I realized having practiced with the North American Tang Shou Tao Association learning the martial arts of Hsing-I and Bagua, as well as Tui-Na (Chinese sports massage) and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for injuries. I followed these trainings with a Masters in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences in Oakland and for the better part of my adult life have continued my study of martial (Kung Fu) and healing (Qi Gong) arts.
Adam's powerful insights and gentle enthusiasm allow him to quickly penetrate deeply into my situation. He is both knowledgeable and curious, and provides guidance that is clear, transformative and easy to incorporate into my life."
I want for you, optimum wellness. Optimum, like all things, is relative. Relative to where you are now and what is possible in the future. It's a moving target and our best chance of catching it is to draw it near by tending to our wounds, cultivating an inner practice, moving the breath and body, eating good food, and being in loving relationship with yourself and others.
Optimal wellness starts under your feet, in the here and now. It is evidenced by a flexible and strong body with both speed and stamina. The mind too as there's a 'brightness' in someone's being who is at or near optimal wellness. In Eastern medicine, we look for it in the sparkle in the eyes and luster of the skin.
Optimal wellness starts under your feet, in the here and now. It is evidenced by a flexible and strong body with both speed and stamina. The mind too as there's a 'brightness' in someone's being who is at or near optimal wellness. In Eastern medicine, we look for it in the sparkle in the eyes and luster of the skin.
I just have to tell you how much difference I am feeling right now. You have helped me come up with dynamic solutions and apply my efforts to fix some very important things. I cannot tell you how the help you have provided me thus far has contributed to getting me back into the game!"
It is such a blessing to have been a part of the healing process for so many people and I want to thank the many teachers and clients who have helped me grow and steadied my path. I also want to thank you for your consideration and for the courage it takes to seek assistance and try something new.
Now let's talk about acheiving the best health of your life... often this means clearing some hurdles along your way to rediscovering center equilibrium. Once found, it takes clear action to stay on the path and deepen your foundation. Finally established, our bodies become self-sustaining, minds self-motivating.
Now in my 50's, I can honestly say I'm in the best shape of my life. I credit it to overall more mindful behavior, especially related to what I eat and how I sleep, as well as to what I'm not putting in my body that I once did, but mostly to my excellent physical conditioning. Everything else seems to fall into place when I physically care for my body. I sleep better and have a better overall mood. I am more productive and less edgy. I have less aches and pains. I think (worry) less. I meet and practice with awesome people. I am outdoors and receive sunshine and birdsongs. So many gifts in the physical care of my body!
Originally it came easy as I was naturally athletic and loved sports, but as soon as I took a 9-5 desk job it became very difficult. Old injuries resurfaced and for the first time I suffered chronic neck and back pain with occassional spasms that would drop me to the floor. I was fortunate to be introduced to ancient lineage arts from China that interwove martial and health. It defintely took some time, probably 9 months of dedicated practice, before I felt better. I had to break lots of bad habits first and then firmly estabilsh new ones and, while always learning, I have maintained a range of motion, core power, and athletic grace that are an incredible gift to myself and those I serve.
I want to share with you this wisdom and assist you along your way to optimal wellness!
Now in my 50's, I can honestly say I'm in the best shape of my life. I credit it to overall more mindful behavior, especially related to what I eat and how I sleep, as well as to what I'm not putting in my body that I once did, but mostly to my excellent physical conditioning. Everything else seems to fall into place when I physically care for my body. I sleep better and have a better overall mood. I am more productive and less edgy. I have less aches and pains. I think (worry) less. I meet and practice with awesome people. I am outdoors and receive sunshine and birdsongs. So many gifts in the physical care of my body!
Originally it came easy as I was naturally athletic and loved sports, but as soon as I took a 9-5 desk job it became very difficult. Old injuries resurfaced and for the first time I suffered chronic neck and back pain with occassional spasms that would drop me to the floor. I was fortunate to be introduced to ancient lineage arts from China that interwove martial and health. It defintely took some time, probably 9 months of dedicated practice, before I felt better. I had to break lots of bad habits first and then firmly estabilsh new ones and, while always learning, I have maintained a range of motion, core power, and athletic grace that are an incredible gift to myself and those I serve.
I want to share with you this wisdom and assist you along your way to optimal wellness!
>> For Local SF Bay Area residents, we can meet in-person at your place or mine if in Marin County in 1.5-2 hour sessions focusing on bodywork, Qi Gong or Tai Chi lessons, life coaching and spiritual consults, or combination therein.
>> For Non-locals, I offer online and phone consults in hour long sessions.
>> For Non-locals, I offer online and phone consults in hour long sessions.
Please enjoy some of my writings and musings...
Other-word-ly
by Adam Shapiro
May you and yours be healthy, happy, and free.