Natan is a sabra, native born Israeli, who was raised on a kibbutz in northern Israel by an American mother and Israeli father.  Bilingual and bi-cultural, he is at home in both his country of birth and the United States, which he first visited – and fell in love with --just before his tenth birthday.

After serving three years in the Israeli army, Natan trekked through  India and Nepal for over a year,  visiting every place from Dharmsala, the home of the Dalai Llama, to Mumbai, India’s financial hub.  During his travels, he pursued classes in shiatsu, yoga and qi-gong, and developed a passionate interest in oriental medicine.   By the time he left India, Natan had decided that his future was in the healing arts.

Soon after returning to Israel, Natan moved to the US, where he enrolled in the acupuncture program of the Five Branches University in Santa Cruz, California, one of America’s premiere schools of oriental medicine.   Upon graduation in 2001, he settled in Austin, Texas where he honed his acupuncture skills as a member of an holistic medical clinic which included chiropractors and physicians.

In Austin, Natan also continued his study, begun in Santa Cruz , of Golden Shield Qi-Gong,  a powerful form of qi-gong little known outside of China.  After two years, Natan was certified as an instructor, and ever since has taught beginning and advanced courses all over the United States.

Natan moved to Fairfield, Iowa in 20005 , where he established a successful private practice and became the first acupuncturist to be admitted to the staff of the county hospital.   As a staff member, he introduced acupuncture to many patients who had never been needled before and developed a loyal following among the local farming community.

In 2006, he enrolled in the first class of the doctoral program in oriental medicine at the Five Branches University.  After a year of monthly commuting, he moved to Silicon Valley to pursue his degree full time.  While completing his dissertation, Natan has joined the university staff as an instructor and clinical supervisor in the master’s level program.

He also practices at the Integrative and Sports Medicine Center where, working in close collaboration with holistic physicians, he specializes in treating sports injuries and pain syndromes.  In addition, Natan is a consultant at the South Bay Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic, a well known medical facility specializing in treating injured workers.

In 2008, Natan passed one of California’s most difficult professional exams and was designated a forensic medical specialist by the state, which means he is able to offer forensic medical opinions on complex and contested medical issues.

When not teaching, studying, or treating patients. Natan loves to ride his 20 year old Bianchi racing bike through the foothills.  He has completed two 500 miles rides, in Iowa and California, and is looking forward to the challenge of a thousand mile excursion.

For additional information on Natan’s acupuncture practice, you can contact him at 408-720-1766.

To find out more about Golden Shield Qi-Cong classes,  go to  www.jingui.com or see an introductory class on YouTube ( search: Golden  Shield Qi Gong) .