About
Joel began studying Taichi, herbs and other traditional health cultivation practices in the early 1990s. He has worked with many renowned teachers and he became a certified Taichi and Bagua instructor in 2004. He has a bachelor’s degree in holistic nutrition from Bastyr University (2006) and a master’s in acupuncture and Oriental medicine (MAcOM) from the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine (2011). Throughout both of his programs Joel trained in Taoist health cultivation at the Taoist Studies Institute in Seattle, refining his Taichi and Qigong practice, and in 2011 he became an authorized Qigong instructor. He has worked in private practice since returning to his home town of Ann Arbor Michigan in 2011.
Degrees & Certifications
- Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (SIOM, 2011)
- Zheng Gu Tui Na Levels 1-3 Certification (SIOM, 2010)
- Zen Shiatsu Level 1 Certification (Zen Shiatsu Seattle, 2008)
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition/Dietetics (Bastyr University, 2006)
- Authorized Instructor: Qigong, Chinese Nutrition, (Taoist Studies Institute, 2011)
- Certified Instructor: Ba Gua and Tai Chi (Wutang PCA, 2004)
Training
- Taoist Studies Institute • 2004-2011
Classes in Chen style Taichi, push hands, Hun Yuan and Chan Si Qigong, Chinese nutrition, Taoist philosophy, meditation, constitutional assessment, Yang Sheng nourishing life practices. - Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine • 2008-2011
Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. Comprehensive Chinese medical training in herbal medicine, Zheng Gu Tui Na bodywork certification, acupuncture and acupressure, moxabustion, cupping, nutrition and qigong. - Zen Shiatsu Seattle • Summer 2008
Level 1 certification. Instruction and practice of Zen Shiatsu and meridian stretching. - Bastyr University • 2004-2006
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition. Classes in holistic, whole foods nutrition, herbal medicine classes along with CADE certified dietetic training. - Wutang Physical Culture Association • 2002-2004
Certified Taichi and Bagua Instructor. Classes in Yang style Taichi, Lao Ba Zhang and Beijing Bagua Zhang, push hands, Qigong and Taoist meditation. - William C.C. Chen Tai Chi Chuan • March-August, 2002
Classes in Qigong and the 37 movement Yang form of the Chen Man Ching lineage - Herbalist Robin Rose Bennett • Summer 2003
Green Medicine Making. Instruction in the creation of teas, tinctures, salves, vinegars and other herbal products. - Ann Arbor Shaolin Kungfu • 2000-2002
Classes in Bagua, Xingyi, Qigong and Chinese martial arts. - Taichi Instructor Tasha Lebow • 1993-2001
Independent study in Yang style White Crane Taichi - Herbalist Bronwen Gates • June-August, 1997
Independent study in herbal medicine and wild plants. - Herbalist Ellen Weatherbee • 1993-1994
Classes in wild edible and medicinal plants through the Matthaei Botanical Gardens