Acupressure Institute Instructors including Michael Reed Gach, Founder of this Career Training School

Faculty

Joseph Carter B.S., L.Ac.

Joseph is the Director of the Acupressure Institute. He graduated from U.C. Berkeley in Conservation of Natural Resources and is a Licensed Acupuncturist. He maintains private practices in Marin County and the East Bay, specializing in the treatment of gynecological and immunological concerns. Along with teaching acupressure and related Asian health practices, he is also a faculty member of the Academy for Guided Imagery.

Michael Reed Gach, Ph. D.
Michael Reed Gach, Ph. D.

Founded the Acupressure Institute in 1976, graduated from Immaculate Heart College in Social Relations and Columbia Pacific University in Health & Human Services. He received advanced training from Frank Chung, L.Ac., O.M.D., in point location; Reuho Yamada (Japanese Zen priest) in Zen Shiatsu; teacher training from Ron and Iona Teeguarden in Jin Shin Acupressure; as well as teacher training in the Yoga of Awareness from the 3HO Foundation. Michael has practiced acupressure for over 30 years and has presented to over 100,000 people. He is the author of Acu-Yoga, The Bum Back Book, Greater Energy at Your Fingertips, Arthritis Relief at Your Fingertips, Acupressure’s Potent Points, Acupressure for Lovers, Acupressure for Emotional Healing and numerous instructional self-healing audio, video tapes, CDs and DVDs.

Kathleen Davis, B.A., C.M.T. Dipl.ABT

Kathleen is a graduate of Mills College and the Acupressure Institute’s 850-hour Advanced Acupressure Teacher Training Program. She studies qi gong with Vajrayana Master Zi Sheng Wang and studies Jin Shin Jyutsu as taught by Mary Burmeister. In addition to teaching acupressure and qi gong, she maintains a private practice integrating Chinese Tui Na Massage with Jin Shin Jyutsu. Kathleen is a core faculty member at the Acupressure Institute.

Alice Hiatt, R.N.

Alice is one of the Acupressure Institute’s major core faculty, teaching over 20 different classes. She places an emphasis on the emotional aspects of health and disease. Alice is certified in Touch for Health and Esalen Massage and has taught acupressure around the world. She has studied Jungian dream analysis and trained with Helen Palmer. Alice has been a psychiatric nurse for over 25 years. She maintains a private practice in Berkeley and lives part time in Tanzania East Africa. She is the medicine woman in her village and during her climbs on Kilimanjaro Mountain.
Her latest trek in Nepal.

Brian O'Dea, B.A., L.AC., AOBTACI, Dipl. ABT, Dipl. Ac, NCCAOM
Brian O'Dea, B.A., L.AC., AOBTA Dipl. ABT, NCCAOM

Brian has 40 years of Martial Arts, meditation, and health care practice. He graduated from the Acupressure Institute and the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences. He continues his Jin Shin Jyutsu studies with Mary Burmeister and Patricia Meador and Qi Gong with Simu Ou Yang Min. Brian also studied Yang style Tai Chi Chuan with Prof. Cheng Man Ching and Aikido with Lou Kleinsmith. His private practice in Oakland integrates Tui Na Massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu, herbs, and acupuncture.
A young artist's drawing of Brian's Tai Qi class.

INSTRUCTORS

Katie Carrin

Katie completed the 850-hour Acupressure Therapy Program at the Acupressure Institute. She also holds a certificate in Traditional Thai Massage (1995) from the Old Medicine Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand and studied privately with several Thai Massage masters. She has an Ashiatsu Teaching Certificate through master teacher Edward Spencer and completed a teacher-training course in Traditional Hatha Yoga from the Sivananda Yoga Farm. She teaches, maintains a private practice and is co-authoring a comprehensive instructional text on Northern Style Thai Massage.

David Caruso-Radin, MSOM LAc MQP Dipl ABT (NCCAOM)

I began my training in Holistic Medicine, Bodywork and Nutrition at The Heartwood Institute In Northern California in 2001-02. The tutelage of Paul Pitchford, author of "Healing with Whole Foods" gave me a strong foundation in Integrative Nutrition, and inspired me to further my degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I received my Master's in Science, Oriental medicine from the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College, Berkeley where I currently serve on the faculty and as the Dean of Students. In addition, I trained as an Instructor in Wild Goose Qi Gong under Master Hui Liu at the Wen Wu School of Martial Arts in El Cerrito, California; and with Dr. Suzanne Friedman in Medical Qi Gong.

Elise Dirlam Ching, R.N., M.A. Transpersonal Psychology; M.A. English; C.A.M.T., C.C.H.T.

Elise, an award-winning poet, has been a Registered Nurse at the San Francisco County Jail for twenty-five years. She has been practicing hatha yoga and Chi Kung for twenty years. She is co-teacher and co-author with her husband, Kaleo.

Kaleo Ching, M.A. Studio Art; C.A.M.T, C.C.H.T.

Kaleo is an artist (University of New Mexico; Tamarind Institute), certified acupressure massage therapist (Acupressure Institute), and certified clincal hypnotherapist (Hypnotherapy Training Institute). He studied Hawaiian Lomilomi with Dane Kaohe Silva and Maka'ala Yates. Kaleo has 35 years of Chi Kung practice. His private practice work is a journey integrating applied Chi Kung, Lomilomi, and hypnotherapy.
He and his wife, Elise, co-teach Chi Kung, maskmaking, and art-as-healing classes for many institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, including the John F. Kennedy University Arts and Consciousness Program for the past 18 years. They co-authored /Faces of Your Soul: Rituals in Art, Maskmaking, and Guided Imagery with Ancestors, Spirit Guides, and Totem Animals /(North Atlantic Books, 2006) and /Chi and Creaitivty: Vital Energy and Your Inner Artist/ (Blue Snake Books, 2007).
View Five Element and Tiger's Breath Chi Kung videos: www.kaleoching.com

View Chi Kung forms they will be learning in Kaleo's classes.
YouTube video showing Five Element Chi Kung with Kaleo Ching.
YouTube video showing Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage with Kaleo Ching.

Frank Chung, L.Ac., O.M.D.

Frank Chung is a licensed Chinese Medicine doctor and pharmacist. He received his formal training in Taiwan and his doctor of Oriental Medicine (O.M.D.) from the San Francisco College of Oriental Medicine. Since coming to the United States in 1975, Frank has practiced acupuncture in San Francisco, Encino, Beverly Hills, and currently in Oakland. He has also served as an acupuncture examiner for NCCA (National Boards) and the California State Acupuncture Examining Committee.

Jim Donak, C.A.M.T., M.P.N.L.P.

Jim’s fascination with the human body began at an early age. He began teaching himself anatomy and physiology at age 8 and studying Gung Fu at age 14. Since then, he has committed himself to in-depth studies of the healing arts, ranging from Tai Chi, kinesiology, and The Alexander Technique, to Neuro-Linguistic Programming, TCM, manual orthopedic and osteopathic techniques, and musculoskeletal therapy.
In addition to teaching at the Acupressure Institute Jim teaches classes at San Francisco’s Circus Center were he leads the popular Extreme Stretching class and teaches privates lessons in trampoline and skill development.
He also maintains a private practice in San Francisco focusing on musculoskeletal healing using Eastern and Western manual and exercise therapies.

Jason Frye

Jason Frye began a study of Tui Na and Acupressure along side a study of Tai Chi and Qigong with Brian O’Dea and Kathleen Davis in 1998. He is a certified Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner and combines this with Tui Na and Medical Qigong in every session. Jason continues his studies with Brian, and has been an instructor of Tui Na and Acupressure at The Acupressure Institute in Berkeley and McKinnon Institute in Oakland since 2002. After a couple years of study, Jason was introduced to Kathleen’s and Brian’s teacher Simu Ou Yang Min in San Francisco. He studied with her from 2000 until she passed on in 2007.

Since graduation from the Masters program in Traditional Chinese Medicine at The Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, he teaches Tui Na there. He practices these healing arts in his home office in Uptown Oakland just a few blocks from Lake Merritt.

Leah Gilman

Leah Gillman began studying Barefoot Shiatsu with Edward Spencer at the Acupressure Institute in 2000, completed his 9 month apprenticeship program in 2005 and continues as his mentee, assisting with his classes and with the authoring of a series of texts. Leah has extensive experience as a modern dancer, choreographer, and as a competitive cyclist. She has played with partner acrobatics, studies White Crane Silat martial arts with Peter Ajemian, and participates in the occasional sprint-distance triathlon. Leah began practicing vinyasa yoga in 1994, teaching yoga in 1999 and now leads Yoga Immersion! a 200 hour teacher certification course.
www.BarefootMovement.com

Kathy Kapps, B.S., C.M.T., Dipl. ABT

Kathy began her Zen Shiatsu practice at the SF Chiropractic Clinic in 1984 after studying at the Acupressure Institute and private Zen Shiatsu tutoring from Ping Lee. In 1994, she relocated her practice to the Dr Stein/Wood Sports Clinic. Kathy maintains a successful private practice and privately mentors Zen Shiatsu students.

Martina Krauss

Martina teaches meditative journeys to heal wounds of the soul. Her background is in Shamanic Journeying, Guided Imagery, Acupressure and Massage. She has been teaching at many of the Bay Area's massage schools, including NHI and McKinnon Institute.

Ananda Ma ERYT, ASIACT

She practices Foot-Reflexology and Acupressure with Tuning Forks in Larkspur, CA. Trained under the renowned Marianne Uhl in 1995 in Frankfurt, and Margarete Teuwen, OMA in 1998 in Los Angeles. Originally from Germany Ananda is a certified Teacher with the Art and Science International Academy of Colour Technology, UK since 1997. She incorporates AURA-SOMA Colour energies and basic ACUTONICS sound vibrations in her sessions to bring Colour & Light to specific parts of the body. Ananda's awakening to work with Qi and nature's forces began with training horses, which led her to dedicate her life to Movement Therapies and work with subtle energies, which also reflects her artistic soul. Being a registered Yoga Alliance Teacher, Ananda is a popular Yoga Therapist in the Bay Area for 15 years, drawing from many Yoga Philosophies. She was honored with former Certification in Bikram-Yoga (95), Yin-Yang Yoga (02) Iyengar Yoga (07) and Acu-Yoga (08). She teaches Acu-Reflexology and Acu-Yoga classes at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley.

Sylvia Nachlinger, B.A.

Sylvia is a holistic health educator, acupressure therapist and animal communicator. Her background includes training in psychic awareness, Chinese and Western herbology, yoga, astrology, and acupressure. She started her studies in 1979 at the Acupressure Institute and has been teaching there for over 20 years. Sylvia maintains a private practice that integrates intuitive counseling, chakra balancing, acupressure, and herbs in her work with people and animals.

Stanley Nakahara, M.S., A.T.C., P.T.A.

Stanley has been doing bodywork for 30 years, mostly with athletes. He learned Biomechanics, Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology and Athletic Training at UC Berkeley and University of Wisconsin, Madison. Participating in Karate and Kendo gave Stan experience to heal people with muscular dysfunction and fascial pain. As a certified athletic trainer, Nakahara has developed techniques utilizing acupressure and myofacial release to relieve pain and regain normal function.

Janet Oliver, L. Ac.
SJanet Oliver, L. Ac.

Janet Oliver has practiced and taught Acupressure and Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 25 years. With delight, she has recently returned to teach at the Acupressure Institute, where she was a Senior Instructor for 15 years from 1982 through 1997. She brings a wealth of education and experience to her classes. She studied Qi Gong with Simu Min Ou Yang for ten years, and apprenticed with Dr. Alex Feng in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine for several years. In addition, Janet studied Jin Shin Jyutsu intensively with Mary Burmeister, became a faculty member of Jin Shin Jyutsu in 1993, and teaches throughout the United States and internationally. Furthermore, she developed the curriculum and wrote four textbooks for a 500-hour Acupressure Therapy Program, which she has taught at various bodywork and acupuncture schools in California. Janet was a member of the Asian Bodywork Examination Development Committee for the National Commission for Certification of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for several years. She is a graduate of the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland. Janet is a Licensed Acupuncturist who prefers to practice and teach Acupressure, due to the joy, nurturing qualities, and effectiveness she finds in this modality. She maintains a full-time private practice in Berkeley.

Janiece Piper, M.S.W., C.A.M.T., R.Sc.P.

Janiece Piper began her career as an acupressurist after 20 years in the field of social work. She has a Master's in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, and her B.S.W. from the University of Uppsala in Sweden/C.S.U. Sacramento. She combines her years of experience in various positions in Medical Facilities, (Oncology Wards, Chronic Pain Clinics, Rehabilitation Wards (spinal cord injuries, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, etc. and Psychiatric Wards) with experience in various clinics for battered women and abused children.This experience and knowledge base, combined with her extensive experience with 12 step program, was consolidated into a comprehensive private practice in acupressure, to focus on healing work for body, mind and spirit especially in working with Adult Children of Alcoholics. As well as her basic modality of Jin Shin, she provides counseling, focusing on cognitive reframing. She also teaches both in classroom settings as well in private tutoring and instruction, both for acupressure students and the lay person who wishes to learn how to work on specific issues with a loved one (including pets!). After having graduated from the Acupressure Institute, she has studied further, to include a specialization in Jin Shin Jyutsu, and has taught at the Institute since 1988. She has conducted workshops for Kaiser, Shell Oil, the California Emergency Physicians Association, Shelters for battered women, health clubs, and various community colleges and Universities.

Graham Quigley, B.A., C.M.T.

Graham teaches the Acupressure for Animals and Animal Communication classes and has been studying Asian Bodywork for over eight years. He is a graduate of the Acupressure Institute and currently a graduate student in Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Academy of Chinese Culture & Health Sciences in Oakland. He holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Colby College and has completed Sylvia Nachlinger's 10 month Spiritual Dimensions of Healing apprenticeship and Edward Spencer's 9 month Ashiatsu Teacher Training apprenticeship. He has also studied Animal Communication and Remote Healing privately with Sylvia Nachlinger, and is currently studying Intuitive work with Phyllis Pay at the Intuitive Energy Center in Berkeley. Graham maintains a private practice in Oakland working with people and animals. His animal work brings him into the homes of distressed pet owners who are looking for new ways to bring their animals back to health. Graham's approach is to empower his clients with knowledge about animal nutrition, holistic health, and acupressure while helping them to establish a newfound heart connection with their pets.

Tom Sherman, Ph.D., LMT, CHTP

Tom holds his Ph.D. in Organization Development, has completed post doctoral study in ecopsychology, is a licensed Massage Therapist, and an Energy Healer with certifications in Healing Touch, Acupressure, and Acu-Yoga. Tom's work integrates his consulting background, personal practice of yoga, experience in various massage and healing practices, eco-psychology. and 25 years of history with AIDS. Tom was diagnosed HIV+ in 1987 and with AIDS in 1994. He currently thrives in radiant health.

http://www.chakraman.com/

Estevan Sifuentes B.A.

Estevan graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Comparative Literature. He has a background teaching languages and literature. In 2006, he began training at the Acupressure Institute and the Chi Nei Tsang Institute for Asian bodywork. He has since completed two advanced programs in Acupressure with specializations in Traditional Asian Therapies and Tui-Na. He maintains a private practice in Oakland at the Grand Acupuncture Center. His work integrates Tui-Na, abdominal massage and Acupressure. He also practices t'ai c'hi.

Edward Spencer, B.S.
Edward Spencer, B.S.

Edward majored in psychology and has graduate credits in clinical psychology. He has been a practitioner of Ashiatsu (Barefoot Shiatsu) for 28 years and an instructor in the Bay Area for 23 years. Edward has studied psychic work with Phyllis Pay and facilitated men’s groups in intuitive processing for 15 years.

Keith E. Stetson, M.Ac.

Keith Stetson practices Five Element acupuncture in Berkeley. She trained under J.R. Worsley for more than 14 years and has incorporated many other styles of acupuncture into her private practice. She teaches the inner correspondences of the elements and how to find the treatment root within the interconnecting dance of the twelve officials and the five elements. She is certified in massage therapy through ReSource.

Joyce Thom, MPA, MMQ, CMT

Joyce has been studying acupressure, meditation, and energy cultivation since she began training in martial arts in 1979. She is a graduate of Yale University, Princeton University, the International Institute for Medical QiGong, the Milne Institute, and the Acupressure Institute. In her private practice, she facilitates movement toward greater peace, awareness, transformation, and health through Tui Na, Shiatsu, Medical QiGong, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Yoga Therapy, and Visionary Cranial Sacral Work. She enjoys teaching classes in consciousness studies, integrated movement, and acupressure.

Kimberly Thompson B. S., C.M.T

Kimberly graduated with a B.S. degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Human Movement from SFSU in 2002. She furthered her training with a clinical based 500-hour program in Integrative Medicine and Spirituality while providing massage to patients in a hospital setting. Following the certification, she worked as a supervisor-in-training for the massage program at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. Combining the practice of acupressure, massage and yoga, she continues to be fascinated with the human body. Kimberly combines her traditional education with her hospital experience to teach Anatomy and Physiology for the basic acupressure program.

Tom Wilson Ph.D.

Tom is a certified teacher and practitioner of Traditional Asian and Western Therapies for humans and animals, including Acupressure, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Craniosacral, Wuji Qigong, Polarity, Tui Na, Reiki, and Somatic Emotional Experiencing. He is an Usui Reiki Master, certified by the Sai Reiki Center of Pune, India, and creator of the Reiki Distance Healing Network. He is a faculty member of the Acupressure Institute, the Healing Arts Institute, Citrus Heights, CA, and director of the Animal Acupressure Training Academy in Nevada City, CA. Tom's approach to energy work emerges from his belief that the compassionate, loving touch of the practitioner is the art of listening deeply with our whole being while healing and transformation occur in the stillness and presence where the breath of life meets the blueprint of the body. He invites you to bring your heart, your touch, and behold the beauty of the body-mind-spirit revealing and renewing itself.

Devon Wortz, B.A., C.M.T., ABT.
Devon Wortz, B.A., C.M.T., ABT

Devon received her BA in Dance Therapy from Columbia College, Chicago. She is a graduate of the Acupressure Institute, the Massage Institute, the Upledger Institute, the Milne Institute and the Academy for Guided Imagery. Her private practice in San Rafael combines Craniosacral Therapy, Acupressure, Orthopedic Massage, Interactive Guided Imagery with the influences of her studies in Continuum Movement, Tai Chi, Cross Cultural Shamanism and Dream Work.

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