Hi my name is Dean. I have studied the body and massage techniques for more than half of my life. First as a young athlete, wanting to stay in the game and help my teammates do the same. Gradually I expanded on sport based calisthenics and fitness to include tai chi, yoga. My first formal training in body work was in California, and soon found out that my intention was to increase my knowledge base by attaining registered massage training.

After attending the West Coast College of Massage Therapy program in Victoria B.C. I achieved registration as a member of the College Massage Therapists of British Columbia in good standing as of November 2020.

I had finally completed a significant milestone in becoming a healthcare professional. I will continue to learn and refine my skills as compiling accountable understanding of the body is endless. I am pleased to have a strong foundation of practice. I feel confident to address a variety of patient needs.

I look forward to greeting you with enthusiasm and curiosity, listening attention, and willingness to use techniques that will make a difference in how you feel.

Raised on Vancouver Island with a voracious interest in the ancient ways of medicine, I have followed the wisdom of natural medicine around the globe. 

My background in is the yogic sciences. From 19 years old, I lived in a Buddhist Dhamma house training under my teacher, a Buddhist monk of the Parayana lineage for 8 years. Under his tutelage I trained in Buddhist psychology, Medical Qi Gong, Qi gong massage, meditation, martial arts, Buddhist yoga and dance. In 2007, After completing a midwifery apprenticeship in West Africa, I went on to study Traditional Chinese medicine, completing the Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine program.

My interest in culture and medicine have taken me to southern India on a year long internship at an Ayurvedic hospital, to Europe to work as a doctor of Chinese medicine. Between 2013-2017 I worked in Kenya, Uganda and Zanzibar, in both maternity and Chinese medical hospital departments. Since 2022 I have been discovering traditional plant medicines of Mexico, Peru and the Pacific North West.

I have been so very fortunate to have amazing teachers; gifted wise women; yogis; monks; midwives; doctors, herbalists, people all over the world who have taken me in, taught me and trusted me with their earned knowledge and their loving wisdom.

Residing in the Cowichan Valley, I am now studying the Sa’am system of Korean Acupuncture, Shipibo-konibo language and am currently enrolled in a Plant Spirit Medicine Apprenticeship.

I am ever grateful to the world of medicine for being my teacher and my guide.

Continued Education…

• Yoga Satsang Society, Yogic Psychology Program

• American Institute of Vedic Studies, Course in Ayurvedic Philosophy 

• DONA recognized doula training

• Seattle School of Midwifery, Satellite Program 

• Buddhist Healing Association, Buddhist Psychology Training

• Qi Gong Medical Massage, Level I & II 

• African Birth Collective, Midwifery Apprenticeship 

• The Ayurvedic Institute, Ayurvedic Program 

• Jin Shin Do Five Element Acupressure Certification 

• Canadian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Graduate 

• Arya Vaidya Pharmacy, Kerala Paramedical Special Therapies Training

• New Yuthok Institute, Tibetan Medicine Program

• Pacific Rim College, dual Doctor Traditional Chinese Medicine & Phytotherapy Program 

• Royal Pacific Institute of Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine Program, DTCM

• National Acupuncture Detox Association, Detox specialist

• Spinning Babies Certification 

• Pan Africa Acupuncture Project, Uganda 

• FreMo Maternity Hospital, Kenya

• Independent Birth Association Graduate 

• IndieBirth Midwifery School Graduate

• Obstetric Acupuncture Association Member

• White Pine Circle Member and alumni 

• People's Organization of Community Acupuncture member

• Plant Medicine Facilitation, Guadalajara Mexico & Iquitos, Peru 

• Sa'am Korean Acupuncture training (present)

• Plant Spirit Medicine Apprenticeship (present)