Born in Australia, Stephens love affair with the East began early. He took his first Yoga class in 1976 while still at high school and as the only boy in the class was made assistant teacher by the clever teacher who did not want him to feel out of place with his choice. In 1977 he started Martial Arts training with the famous Marshall Smith a legend in martial arts circles. His first training was in the old pre-sport Martial style of Tae Kwon Do, it was an unheard of Korean Martial
art at the time and by 19 he had earned his first Black Belt. At that time he was appointed to take over from his Master teaching 6 classes a week.
His interest in the Eastern way of life strengthened as he learned more from
the Chinese herbalists who treated his training injuries.
Fascinated by the accompanying philosophy, Stephen began searching for ways to
train his inner world. In 1984, some say by accident,(but that's another
story) he was introduced to Buddhist meditation and for a few years friends and
family watched his fascination turn into a bit of an obsession. With regular
retreats to explore his own psyche, he rediscovered the source of happiness in
life and much of his own dissatisfaction.
In 1995,after a cathartic trip to work on a seminar with the singer/ songwriter
John Denver, he decided to undertake serious study and make a career change.
Finally bringing together his love for physical training and the practices of
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, he began to do what he
loved full time.
Stephen has professional level qualifications in Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Shiatsu
Therapy and Remedial Massage, as well as Meditation, Qigong and Tai Ji Quan.
He lives a simple life with his wife who is a singer / songwriter and Yoga teacher and their two children in the inner west of Sydney. They enjoy regular retreats and camping holidays to connect with nature, especially the Blue Mountains west of Sydney.
Stephen dedicates his life to supporting mental and physical health through using eastern medicine and meditation practices.
He calls what he does Transformational Medicine as most people who come to him are facing major stress or changes in their life.
When he studied and worked in the Chinese Hospital System he was know as Yi Sheng Phill (Dr Phill) and in martial arts circles he is referred to as Laoshi Stephen and in Qigong he is known as a Shifu. He been continually involved in Eastern Philosophy and the Martial Arts for the last 30 plus years, he does not like titles much as he feels it separates people and is happy to be called Stephen.
Stephen says you can only ever be a Master to yourself and an example to others.
