My Story
Like a lot of people, I got injured doing something I loved.
In my case it was Shaolin Kung-Fu. After ten years of training, at twenty-five, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and given a fairly grim prognosis.
I didn't accept it. Over the next twenty years I un-herniated my discs, regained the two inches of height I'd lost, and returned to more-than-full function.
That search is what led me to a small, remarkably effective taoist school and Somatic Experiencing — an evidence-based method for resolving trauma that has since been featured in the New York Times Magazine.
I'm now a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and teach taoist healing techniques
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I know what daily back pain does to a life, and I know the way out is rarely the one you're first offered. My work is discovering with my clients what can work to help them.
How I work
I begin by asking questions. Then I listen.
My approach is integral — I draw on several traditions rather than one exclusively, because the more perspectives I can hold, the more of your lived experience I can actually understand. That habit of mind goes back to studying Comparative Religion at Harvard, where I compared Buddhist conceptions of enlightenment with their Daoist counterpart, immortality.
For bodywork, I most commonly use:
Tuina Qigong- a Chinese form of massage, usually done with clothes-on that ranges from kneading muscles to pressing on exact points to a subtle pulsing of the whole body to using sound to clear stagnant energy from your system.
Craniosacral Therapy - light touch that uses the fluids of the body to bring healing to deep within your being. Especially useful for traumatic brain injury.
For online or in-person coaching, I most commonly use:
Somatic Experiencing - precise cues to draw your attention first to areas of the body that feel good, and then to gently use that positive somatic state to unpack stored trauma in the body
What people are saying
"Ro'i gave me a very physically and emotionally generous treatment, integrating numerous effective modalities, skills and self-help tools that were new to me — which says a lot, as I've given & received massages for 41 years all around the U.S. and in several other countries. I felt his excellent attunement, presence and care immediately from the first touch."
-Steve Carter, bodywork teacher of 34 years, Boston Massage and Craniosacral Therapy
"He really knows how to release tension from my body in a slow and deep way, and he's very articulate about the movement and expression of energy. I also like how he uses his voice and sound to bring relaxation and grounding."
-Norma Nakai Burton, M.Div., Author, normaburton.com
"Immediately after our session, I felt better. As I slept and had some time to integrate the experience, I felt more clarity, and as if a heaviness had lifted... The next day I was hit with a lot of stressful situations, but I was able to handle them all from a more calm and centered place."
-Phoenix Rose, Event Producer
"His depth and fluidity of movement and touch are par excellence."
-D.L., MIT and Stanford alum
Training
Bodywork and massage
Apprenticeship in Shaolin and Southern Fukien Crane Kung-Fu, Taijiquan and
Tuina massage with Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming, author of *Chinese Qigong Massage* (1990–1993)
500-hour Certificate in Holistic Massage Therapy, Ojai School of Massage (2004)
Advanced training in Craniosacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation and Zen Bodytherapy — apprenticeship with Francesca Graziano, OneBody Wellness (2006–2007)
Aston Movement and Aston Bodywork with Judith Aston (2009, 2014)
Nationally Certified by the Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (2010)
200-hour Certificate in Yogalign with Michaelle Edwards (2013)
**Somatic and trauma work**
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner training with Peter Levine and faculty, TraumaHealing.org — certified SEP (2018–2023)
**Qigong, Daoist and energy practice**
Qigong, Bagua and Daoist meditation with Bruce Frantzis, Energy Arts (2003–present)
Bagua Teacher Training with Bruce Frantzis (2010)
Medical Qigong and graduate study in Chinese Medicine, Five Branches University, Santa Cruz (2008–2009)
San Shou with Jason Ming-Yee (2002)
Reiki Level 1 with David Lowenfels (2006)
Apprenticeship in Sacred Acupuncture and Herbs with Adam Atman (2011–2012)
Tibetan Mantra Healing with Dr. Nida Chenagtsang (2015)
Huichol Shamanism with Norma Nakai Burton (2002–present)
**Academic**
B.A. Comparative Religion, *cum laude*, Harvard University Division of Continuing Education (1995–2003)
Three years of doctoral study in clinical psychology
Early childhood education, Taiwan and the United States (2000–2003)
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