John Michael Doyle:
"Exploring the human body in motion and how to encourage our
experience of its grace and balance has been my passion for
almost 30 years.

Originally from Canada, I majored in Philosophy at the  University
of Toronto and went on to do graduate studies in Philosophy
and History of Science at Oxford University in England.

I came to the Bay Area  to pursue my interest in Hatha Yoga
(Iyengar style), martial arts (Yang style Tai Chi Chuan) and dance
(primarily postmodern, contact improvisation, mask dance and
butoh). I taught yoga and dance, and have been a frequent
performer since 1988. Dance remains a fundamental means of
self-exploration and self-expression for me, especially the 5
Rhythms approach developed by Gabrielle Roth. I also enjoy
hiking, cross-country skiing, and working out at the gym. More
recently I have become an enthusiastic golfer, as well as
reconnecting with Tai Chi.

I was first certified in Swedish/Esalen massage through the San
Francisco School of Massage in 1985 and went on to study other
modalities, including:
Acupressure (at the Acupressure Institute), Polarity Therapy
(with Alan Seigel), Jin Shin  Do, Breema Shiatsu (with Nadine
Kachur), Trager (with Janet Macleod), Rosen Method Bodywork
(with Gloria Hesselund and Marion Rosen). In 2004 I passed the
NCTMB exam, becoming nationally certified in massage therapy.

My own approach to bodywork has often been eclectic,
incorporating at times the receptive energy balancing of Jin Shin
Do, the rocking motions of Trager, and the more psychological
approach of Rosen Method, listening deeply with my hands and
following the client's breath. It has also been shaped very much
by Continuum Movement meditation, which has led me to
become more sensitive to inner and intrinsic movement, as well
as the power of wave motion, breath and sound to transform
what we tend to think of as fixed structures.

My main interest continues to be the human body as a whole
and how to work through its structures to recover from injury,
restore balance, and enliven self-expression. This led me to begin
the Rolf Institute training in 2002, becoming certified in
Structural Integration and Rolf Movement in 2004.

I am also a member of:
  • Association of Massage & Bodywork Professionals (ABMP)
  • International Association of Structural Integrators (IASI)
  • International Somatic Movement Education & Therapy
    Association (ISMETA).

My recent continuing education has included:
  • Manual Management of Pain (with Barnett Dorko, P.T.)
  • Spinal Rotations and Scoliosis (w/ Rolfers Jan Sultan and
    Michael Salveson)
  • The Neurology of Posture (w/ Don Hazen, D.C.)
  • Bomechanics of Alignment (w/ Liz Gaggini)
  • Myofascial Release (w/ Teresa Schmidt, P.T.)
  • CranioSacral Therapy I (w/ Ingrid Bacci)
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