Donald Leathers, ND.

Dr. Donald Leathers was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He had an interest in physical health, well being, and sports since the age of twelve. At eighteen years old he started studying martial arts and at twenty three years old he entered into formal study. He started by studying Issynrhu karate (three years), then Hapkido where he obtained his first black belt (five years), then Taiqi, Baqua, Shing-I, and Qigong for four years.

In 1986 Don left his career as a mining engineer and went back to school to study naturopathic medicine at National College of naturopathic medicine in Portland, Oregon. During his time at College he continued his study of the internal arts. He spent five years studying Aikido with the Ki Society, started studying Qigong with Dr. Lilly Siou, and later met Master Ron Lew.

Don spent four years studying with Dr. Lilly Siou learning qigong from the Tai Shuan Monastery system of Qigong in China and hands on healing Qigong. He has spent 16 years studying with Master Ron Lew learning a Tibetan form of Qigong, later formulated into the TiAiki system by Master Lew, Steve Frison and Don Leathers.

After graduating from naturopathic college, Don settled into practicing naturopathic medicine and teaching Qigong, Taiqi, and martial arts. In continuing his studies, he obtained a second degree black belt in Hapkido and a fifth degree black sash in the TiAiki system of internal arts.

In 1998 Don met Teacher Li Jun Feng and started to study the Sheng Zhen Wuji Yuan Gong form of Qigong. After three years of practice he became involved with the International Sheng Zhen Society by becoming a certified teacher and assisting in setting up an international teacher's training program.

Don has been practicing medicine for fourteen years and teaching for 20 years. He presently resides in Moab, Utah and has co-founded the Phoenix Rising Center with his wife, Catherine Shank. The Phoenix Rising Center offers health and healing services as well as classes in Taiqi, Qigong, martial arts, and teacher training.

Catherine Shank

Catherine Shank grew up in a small town near Buffalo, New York. Her life reflects a weaving together of her love for the natural world and a desire to share knowledge of the universal truths that can ease global suffering and cultivate compassion.

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from Wittenberg University in 1979 where she participated in several exchange programs in Latin America. In 1986 she received a Masters degree in Intercultural Management from The School for International Training with an emphasis on environmental studies.

She was a Ranger for the National Park Service for seven seasons. She has also worked in several institutions of higher learning as a Student Support Services Advisor for people with disabilities and for women in transition.

She began her study of healing and bodywork in 1992. She maintains a national license in Massage Therapy, Jin Shin Do Accupressure, and Ortho-Bionomy®. She is currently an Advanced Practitioner and and Associate Instructor of Ortho-Bionomy®. She has trained in the TIAIKI Tibetan Internal Arts system with Grand Master Ron Lew and Dr. Don Leathers. In 2003 she completed her first degree black sash which includes Taiqi, Qigong, and Kung Fu. She also trains with Master Li Jun Feng.

Over the past 25 years she has participated in Native American and Shamanic ritual, having recently completed her apprenticeship with Victoria Allen in the Toltec tradition. She is a dedicated student of Swami Sri Kaleshwar. She offers spiritual healings and hosts monthly fire pujas along with doing community seva.

Throughout her many years of training, she has learned from many diverse spiritual traditions. She joyfully blends and shares this wisdom in her private practice and classes.