Staff Biographies Dr. Todd Whipple, DC Dr. Laura Whipple, DC Zea Calvin Dr. Lavere Wilson DC, DACNB Robin Mooring Kathy Kraft, RN, RMT, CLT-LANA Aaron B. Kropp BS, RMT, MTI Rebecca Lincoln, MA, RMT, LPC Kathy L. Purvis, Certified Rolfer Billy Zachary, Texas Licensed Acupuncturist Janis S. Marion, L.Ac., MSOM, RMT Dr. Todd Whipple, DC Dr. Todd Whipple grew up and attended college in Arizona before going to Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas. Upon completing his Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Todd and his wife moved to Austin in December, 2000 where they purchased Barton Springs Chiropractic. His current practice, Austin Longevity Center opened its doors in March 2005 and was the realization of a longtime dream to offer a wide range of natural healing therapies in relaxing spa surroundings. Dr. Todd has extensive training in treating sports injuries, chronic pain, nutrition, applied kinesiology, cranio-sacral therapy and rehabilitation. In his private life, Dr. Todd is passionate about sports and the outdoors. In his spare time he plays men's league basketball, tennis and golf. top Dr. Laura Whipple, DC Dr. Laura Whipple grew up in Ottawa, Canada and attended college at the University of Toronto where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. After working for several years in medical research she decided to change gears and become a chiropractor. Dr. Laura attended Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas where she met her husband Dr. Todd Whipple. Upon completing their studies, Dr. Todd and Dr. Laura moved to Austin in December, 2000 where they purchased Barton Springs Chiropractic. Her current practice, Austin Longevity Center opened its doors in March 2005 and was the realization of a longtime dream to offer a wide range of natural healing therapies in relaxing spa surroundings. Dr. Laura has extensive experience in treating chronic pain and children, nutrition, rehabilitation, and lifestyle counseling. Dr. Laura is passionate about public speaking, preventative health education, writing and fitness. top Zea Calvin Zea has previously worked in the medical/dental field for 15 years. Just prior to joining Austin Longevity Center she spent 4 1/2 years running Brenda Ladd Photography Studio in central Austin. After 13 years of booking music for two Waterloo Ice House locations, she has just retired and now looks forward to filling that time with assisting in the lively expansion of the Austin Longevity Center facility and various personal growth projects. Having joined Austin Longevity Center in January 2005, she has quickly become an integral part of the staff. Zea enjoys her position as the first person most clients encounter when they contact Austin Longevity Center. Zea and her husband, Glenn Schuetz, are serious about animal rights and a wide variety of humanitarian concerns. They share their home with three wonderful cats...all adopted as strays. Glenn is a musician, playing/teaching upright and electric bass for many years. In addition, he works in Photogrammetry at Sam, Inc Surveying and Mapping. top Dr. Lavere Wilson DC, DACNB Lavere Wilson received his training at the Parker Chiropractic College and at the Rolf Institute. He specializes in Cranial Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Reiki, Acupuncture, and Chiropractic Neurology. He has 20 years experience with the Ida Rolf Technique and 11 years in Cranial Sacral Therapy and Chiropractor. In his current practice, his major focus is structural integration which deals with the body's fascial system. The fascial system of the body holds the body together and supports it in the field of gravity. Muscles move the body in space and fascia holds it together. Since the faciscia is heavily embedded with pain sensors, much of the body's pain is centered within the fascial system. Lavere works through various techniques to alleviate pain, restore mobility and increase quality of life. Office Hours - Friday, Saturday and Sunday two times per month in Austin, TX at the Austin Longevity Center. Call direct to make an appointment: 1-805-798-0078. top Robin Mooring, LMT, Licensed Aesthetician, Make-up Artist Robin is 32 years old and originally from the Shreveport, Louisiana area. She has been a resident of Austin, TX for the past 8 years and has practiced out of the Austin Longevity Center for the past 4 years. Robin has received well over 3000 hours of training and been involved in the beauty and wellness industry for 9 years during which time she has worked at such prestigious places as Lake Austin Spa and Resort, The Crossings Wellness Spa and The Laser Therapy Clinic of Austin. Robin has had a lifetime of influence by a family of holistic practitioners that have inspired a passionate pursuit in the balance of body, mind, and spirit for herself and her clients; through experience and referrals to our in-house doctors and practitioners. Robin¢'s specialties and services are facials and peels for lightening, anti-aging, acne, rosecea and general maintenance. She also performs preventative maintenance massage; which will help you relax while intuitively pulling from effective modalities of Swedish, deep tissue, trigger-point and stretching with an emphasis on neck, shoulders and TMJ conditions. Robin also offers body scrubs and wraps for clearing, toning cellulite, balancing pigment, exfoliation, detoxification and relaxation. Other services include but are not limited to waxing, make-up, oxygen treatments, ayurvedic treatments, scalp treatments, air brush tanning, lash and brow care, ear candling, and spa parties in your home or office. All products utilized in her treatments and provided for retail are free of questionable chemicals that toxically harm the body and damage the environment, while still being effective for your skin and body care. Robin is available for day, evening and weekend scheduling by appointment only. You may reach her at 512.289.1455. Robin recommends the following websites: www.epicuren.com,  www.eminenceorganics.com,    www.shankara.com. top Kathy Kraft, RN, RMT, CLT-LANA Kathy Kraft is a Registered Nurse, Registered Massage Therapist, Certified Reflexologist and Certified Lymphatic Therapist. She has been a critical care RN for 25 years and began doing bodywork in 2000. She trained for MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) at the Vodderschule in Austria and trained for Reflexology at the International Institute of Reflexology. MLD is technique developed in Europe in the 1930's to treat a variety of conditions related to swelling. It is a gentle, yet very effective, approach to cleansing and moving excess fluids from the body's tissues. This type of massage purifies the lymphatic system, flushing away cellular wastes and toxins that may adversely affect health. MLD is beneficial for anyone planning to undergo surgery or who has already had surgery and is experiencing pain, swelling, or pressure. It can safely be performed within days postoperatively. It is an ideal treatment to receive pre-operatively for anyone wanting their body to be as healthy as possible before undergoing anesthesia and surgery. MLD is also of benefit for anyone suffering from chronic or episodic constipation or gastrointestinal issues. It is also an excellent way to flush the system before starting a detox/cleansing program. Reflexology is a technique of applying pressure to certain points on the feet. It is based on the theory that there are reflexes in the feet that correspond to all the glands, organs and body parts. By working on those points, the Reflexologist can identify areas of imbalance in the body. The application of pressure to those points triggers the body's own healing mechanisms and is said to improve circulation and nerve supply to the corresponding body parts. Reflexology is very relaxing and can benefit almost anyone who experiences a lot of stress and may have either chronic or acute conditions that are bothersome. Research has shown that stress is directly or indirectly involved with over 75% of medical and emotional problems. Reflexology is an excellent way to begin addressing the issues of stress through relaxation. Treatments are entirely focused on the feet and are available for 30 minutes or 60 minutes. For more information on MLD or reflexology, or to schedule an appointment, Kathy can be reached at 512-443-3204 or via email. top Aaron B. Kropp BS, RMT, MTI, PTA Aaron B. Kropp BS, RMT, MTI, PTA has 15 years of experience in the massage field and a BS degree from the University of North Texas with a major in kinesiology and a minor in biology. He specializes in pressure points, sports massage, deep tissue, stretching, headache relief, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel, lower back, hip, leg and foot pain, and TMJ. MT License #0072. Please visit Aaron at his website for more information! top Rebecca Lincoln, MA, RMT, LPC Rebecca Lincoln, M.A. is a registered massage therapist (RMT) and licensed professional counselor (LPC). She is an advanced student in the Hakomi Method of psychotherapy, which is a body-centered psychotherapy www.hakomiinstitute.com. She has been studying the healing arts since 1988 and has worked as a massage therapist since 1991. In 1999, she completed her master's degree in professional counseling and now combines her learning to offer therapy that address the body, mind and spirit. "My hope is to help us move toward the truth of who we are and to rest in our celebration of living." In psychotherapy she will work with you in mindfulness to assist in understanding the ways you currently operate in the world and to give you choices of new ways of being. In massage therapy she brings her knowledge to help you feel free in your body and to experience relaxation. She has training in a variety of massage techniques including swedish massage, myofacial release, trigger point, polarity therapy, reiki, intuitive energy balancing, deep tissue massage, rhythmic massage, reflexology, thai massage, and hydrotherapy. For your convenience, Rebecca's new patient intake form is available here in .pdf format for download so you may print it, fill it out and bring it with you for your first visit. top Kathy L. Purvis, Certified Rolfer Kathy L. Purvis is a Certified Rolfing Structural Integration and Rolfing Movement Practitioner. Prior to becoming a Rolfer she worked for the federal government for over sixteen years. During her fifteenth year of employment she underwent her first Rolfing ten-series (the "recipe") and experienced such a profound change, both physically and emotionally, that she soon left her job so she could train to become a Rolfer. She wanted to be trained to do this "thing", that provoked such a life-changing experience for her, so she could share it with other people. She completed her Rolfing training with the Rolf Institute in 1998 and has been aligning bodies with gravity and teaching people further body awareness. She currently lives in Austin and practices Rolfing in Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. Rolfing is a lot of things, but it is mostly about body alignment in gravity. Rolfing organizes the body around a vertical line, allowing gravity to support, nurture and maintain the body in 3-dimensional space. It is not a technique or a series of techniques, but rather a vision of the body's design. It helps the body so that gravity works with you instead of against you. In a ten-session "recipe" developed by Dr. Ida Rolf over the course of decades, a Rolfer uses hands-on bodywork to realign the body by easing and lengthening the soft tissue (fascia) that holds the bones in place. As these soft-tissue structures become healthier and better nourished due to improved circulation, they adjust to the most comfortable and efficient positions possible, allowing the entire skeletal structure to align itself more efficiently. This leaves you feeling lighter, springier, and more "centered," with an improved range of motion in your joints and an increased ability to stand and move comfortably. Kathy can be reached by calling 512-698-2962; you can visit her website at www.klpurvis-rolfing.com. For your convenience, Kathy's consent form is available here in .pdf format for download so it can completed and brought with you for your first visit. top Billy Zachary, Texas Licensed Acupuncturist Billy Zachary chose a career in acupuncture because he wanted to have a positive impact on his community. His martial arts background, family medical history, and interest in social justice came together to lead him into this hands-on field, where he helps real people with real problems. Physical pain and emotional distress are rarely isolated events. In his 17 years of experience in the traditional Korean martial art of Kuk Sool Won, which include 5 years of full-time teaching, Billy has seen the mind-body connection at work, and his mission at Medical Arts Acupuncture is to provide integrated treatment that takes this connection seriously. A martial arts instructor with over 15 years experience, Billy believes strongly that the power of mental and spiritual focus can be life-changing. This belief led him in 2000 to begin studying acupuncture at the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin (AOMA). At AOMA, Billy studied bodywork and herbology intensively while working as a manager at White Crane Herbal Pharmacy. In addition to the rigorous coursework and clinical practice gained at AOMA, four years of experience in ordering and dispensing Chinese herbs have given Billy a distinct understanding of the importance of quality and accuracy in herbal medicine. In 2001, Billy traveled to China with AOMA for the opportunity to intern at the Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Sichuan. Billy graduated from AOMA and obtained his license to practice acupuncture in 2004 from the Texas State Acupuncture Board. In the summer of 2004, he partnered with a practitioner in Guatemala to treat local patients on a sliding scale, and he has offered his services to the People's Community Clinic in Austin. Billy remains an active member of the Texas Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, dedicated to strengthening the position of Chinese medicine within the state of Texas. A positive force within the community, Billy shares his energy and commitment to mental, spiritual, and physical well-being with his patients and with everyone around him. Please visit Billy at his website for more information! top Janis S. Marion, L.Ac., MSOM, RMT Janis Marion is a licensed practitioner of acupuncture and oriental herbal medicines. In addition, she is a certified practitioner of the Mei Zen Cosmetic Acupuncture System. Janis is a graduate of the Academy of Oriental Medicine at Austin with her Masters degree in acupuncture and Chinese herbs. In the early 1980's, she studied Japanese style meridian acupuncture at the Kototama Institute in Santa Fe, NM. Her lifelong exploration of whole health and natural foods began in Boston in college in the 70's. Michio Kushi and Macrobiotics showed her that healing and healthful living are possible through diet, a discovery that led her to her most important mentors, Hiroshi and Masako Hayashi, who taught her cooking, how to run a natural foods restaurant and a thousand life lessons at Boston's Seventh Inn Restaurant. Her years in Boston provided opportunities to be a student of ancient and new healing arts - shiatsu with Shizuko Yamamoto, Korean styled acupressure from Bo-In Lee, tai chi from Master John Chung Li, Touch for Health, Iridology, Okido. Moving to Santa Fe to study acupuncture in the 1980's coincided with the births of her four sons, all born at home. She helped organize a group of friends and other female acupuncture students to study midwifery (having just become a legal and licensed practice in New Mexico), to have their babies at home and to assist each other, during countless study sessions devoted to learning everything about home birthing. Her family arrived in Austin, Texas in 1986. Raising her sons was her first commitment and her acupuncture practice took a back seat until a decade later. She taught cooking classes and led mothers' groups and became the ultimate homeroom and team parent, eyewitness to all the achievements and dramas as her children grew up. Some time was spared to keep up with her acupuncture, studying with Dr. Manaka, Kiiko Matsumoto, and to become a Texas RMT, registered massage therapist. Then, in 1996 she enrolled at AOMA with plans to re-join her peers as a practitioner of oriental medicine. Janis has been exposed to the wisdom of many teachers and spiritual practices, and feels the honor of such a full life. She has taken it all in and made it her own, turning a life of experience into her current acupuncture practice.