“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” —Lao Tzu, founder of Taoism Although I didn’t know it at the time, my first step towards becoming a Qigong practitioner dates back to the year 1980, when I began an apprenticeship in the martial arts. Little did I know, however, that my exposure to Eastern cultures was only just beginning to unfold. I say this because I soon began a series of steps along a path that eventually led me towards a passionate study of the life protection systems of Okinawa, Japan. As if by design, in 1994 I found myself on the island of Okinawa as a second generation student-in-training with martial arts Grandmaster, Ezio Shimabukuro. I was truly on a journey. During this 35-year period of martial arts study, I recognized that the serious practice of martial arts requires spiritual, as well as physical, growth. Indeed, as my experience in Okinawa taught me, to achieve higher levels of personal growth, by necessity a student must nurture and develop certain spiritual routines. Over the years I have found that there is a meditative quality involved in practicing the martial arts, most likely because it requires an enormous level of focused concentration. For example, there would be times during martial arts’ sessions when I would experience sudden energy surges. It’s hard to describe the feeling in words, but suffice it to say these energy surges raised many questions in my mind: Where did the energy come from? Could the process be repeated, and if so, how? Where could I turn to learn more? These questions led me to a new path on my journey. I decided to devote myself to a vocation of study and practice in the ancient Taoist Chinese medical discipline known as Medical Qigong. In 2009 I enrolled at the International Institute of Medical Qigong in Palm Desert, California, with the intention of becoming a Medical Qigong practitioner, and eventually opening my own practice. Thanks in part I believe to the energy imparted through my Qigong training, soon my journey’s speed accelerated: in 2010, I became a degreed Medical Qigong Practitioner. In 2011, I received my degree as a Therapist. In 2012, I received my degree as Doctor of Medical Qigong. During this busy period in training, in 2010 I also opened White Cloud Inner Arts Inc. (now known as Tranquil Cloud Temple), a Medical Qigong practice in New Lenox, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Tranquil Cloud Temple is a sanctioned Taoist Temple. Recently I completed the most profound event in my journey to date: In October 2011 I traveled to Mt. Qingcheng (‘green mountain’), considered a sacred mountain in China for Taoists, to become ordained as a 22nd generation Taoist priest. Although I have reached a new plateau in my journey, I know the road ahead is only just beginning to unfold. It may take a life time to truly understand what being a Taoist priest truly means. As a Doctor of Medical Qigong through the International Institute of Medical Qigong and an ordained Taoist priest, my path ahead is dedicated to channeling my energy to assist and inspire others to compassion, kindness, health and happiness. We provide weekly classes and a Medical Qigong certification program in addition to the clinic which offers individual energetic treatments to help people navigate to a state of wellness.