I vividly remember sitting in the backseat of my parent's car at the drive-in theater in 1973 watching the incomparable Bruce Lee in, "Enter the Dragon" - to say I was hooked would be a colossal understatement. At the age of nine I was ready to enroll at the Shaolin Temple! Alas, my Mother had other ideas, as did life in general…….

Someone once said to me, "everything is a test, everything is a lesson." Well, speaking of life, unfortunately from earliest childhood onward life has thrown me one challenge after another: poverty, abuse, loss, sickness, grief, fear, and chaos. Of course, it hasn't all been bad - I'm still here! Luckily the Universe has sent me many angels, helpers, and teachers along the way - even if I didn't recognize them as such at the time.

Around the age of twenty the stress caused by the chaos in my life began taking its toll on me in the form of depression, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Realizing that I needed to do something soon to get myself going in the right direction, I decided that the best course of action would be to find a discipline which would help me to positively focus my energies. After careful study and deliberation I determined that the best course of action would be to begin learning the Chinese art of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, as it seemed to contain within it all that I was looking for: exercise, health, and balance for mind and body; self-defense and self-empowerment; as well as Asian philosophy and meditation. Little did I know at the time that my decision would so profoundly and positively affect my life!

In one of those strange and odd "coincidences" which life sometimes gifts us with, I had the good fortune of meeting the person who would go on to become my teacher, guide, and mentor for many years. From him not only did I learn T'ai Chi, Ch'i Kung, Shaolin, and related martial and energetic arts, I received many, many lessons in life. Things like discipline, confidence, heart, and spirit.

Being naturally curious, as well as in serious need of healing, I have explored many meditative and healing arts over the past seventeen plus years. In the field of Reiki and energy healing, I have studied, practiced, and/or taught Usui Reiki Ryoho; Usui/Tibetan Reiki; Takarta-style Reiki; Karuna Reiki; Buddho/Enersense; Burmese/Tibetan Min Zin; Chinese T'ai Chi, Ch'i Kung, and Shaolin; as well as various other meditative and energy arts.

Following spirit and intuition, I have also been fortunate enough to receive Satsang, initiation, empowerments, darshan, and Shaktipat from several spiritual teachers and Masters. Great and compassionate leaders and healers, such as H.H. Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, Mirabai Devi, Shri Anandi Ma, Gen Sherab Kelsang, and Gen Sankyong Kelsang. To you and all of my other teachers and friends, my heartfelt thanks!

Today it is my pleasure and honor to share what I have learned and been given with others who seek healing and empowerment. Of course, I know there is still much learning and growing for me as I travel life's path. My wish is for us all to become perfect, beautiful, Reiki Butterflies!