Since 1995,
Vaughn Health's mission has been to resolve the conditions that prevent individuals, organizations, and communities from thriving.
James Vaughn, Founding Director
I began studying Western and Eastern Bodywork and Chinese Medicine at the Acupressure Institute when I was 21; and began my professional practice in 1995.
In 2005, after seeing that 99% of people can't afford to get Therapeutic Bodywork 90-min/week or more—knowing how that would dramatically improve everyone's lives, I began teaching couples, friends, and families how to do it for each other — so everyone can get it as often as they need from people they know, for free.
I've seen over the years how people are their best when they feel their best. Making that possible for as many people as I can is how I'm trying to make the world a better place for everyone.
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I was raised to value nutrition, fitness, personal growth, curiosity, creativity, the arts, and a deep respect and fascination for Nature.
My childhood was filled with backpacking and cross-country skiing across the Sierra-Nevada wilderness, bicycling country roads, Kajukenbo classes, National Geographic magazines, music, theater, and adventuring in wild, muddy creeks with my friends.
My mother learned shiatsu as part of her Physical Therapist training, which she taught me when I was 10. I gave it to my friends when they were in need before I learned I could do it for a living.
My childhood was filled with backpacking and cross-country skiing across the Sierra-Nevada wilderness, bicycling country roads, Kajukenbo classes, National Geographic magazines, music, theater, and adventuring in wild, muddy creeks with my friends.
My mother learned shiatsu as part of her Physical Therapist training, which she taught me when I was 10. I gave it to my friends when they were in need before I learned I could do it for a living.
When I was 20, I was gifted a session of shiatsu, tui na, and jin shin by a student at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley. By the end, I was in a sublime transcendental state and was inspired to learn these skills.
The next year, I moved to Berkeley to complete 1,000 hours at the Acupressure Institute in Chinese Medical Theory, Taoist Philosophy, Eastern and Western modalities of Therapeutic Bodywork and Complimentary Healing Arts.
I began my professional practice in 1995, and expanded my expertise with degrees in Psychology, Social Science, Liberal Studies, and Biotechnology to more fully improve the human condition.
I've worked at chiropractic offices, high-end spas, massage franchises, sport events, festivals, and tech companies while developing my private practice.
The Taoist concept of how our environment affects our mind and body inspired me to advocate sustainable environmental stewardship to support human health and wellbeing.
An example of this was spearheading San Francisco's first biodiesel co-op in 2003 to curb use of fossil fuels, especially related to conflict oil.