RECONNECT WITH YOUR BODY’S NATURAL INTELLIGENCE

Movement and health preservation practices rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Martial Arts that help you move with confidence, stay independent, and build lasting resilience.

Meet Jonathan

Jonathan is a certified instructor with 16+ years studying Chinese Internal Arts under master practitioners, including training in Beijing with masters of Ba Gua Zhang, Chin Na, Qi Gong, and Nei Gong. He has over a decade of teaching experience and is currently completing his master's degree in acupuncture (2026), with 11+ years of medical training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tui Na, and herbal medicine for trauma and orthopedic conditions.

Jonathan is known for working directly with people dealing with chronic pain and mobility issues, helping them avoid unnecessary surgeries through movement-based practices that address the root cause, not just symptoms.

"What’s most exciting to me is watching people discover new abilities in themselves through these timeless arts and seeing them have more and more confidence over time "

Jonathan discovered these practices after years as an electrician in NYC left him with chronic wrist pain that two surgeries and a decade of treatments couldn't fix. Doctors told him the pain was normal. Within months of practicing Ba Gua Zhang and Qi Gong, his pain disappeared, his energy increased, and lifelong digestive issues resolved. He felt better in his 30s than he did in his 20s.

His hands-on approach and deep understanding of both ancient practices and modern medicine have made him a trusted guide for people who want to move better and feel better as they age.

About Us

At Root of Movement, our mission is simple: to promote self-preservation and longevity through the lens of Chinese medicine and Chinese martial arts, principal based practices that are easy to follow and address the whole person, not just symptoms. Jonathan works directly with you to understand your body's unique challenges and develop a tailored approach that creates long-term change.

Proven Track Record

Jonathan has helped people reclaim their mobility, reverse pain, and avoid unnecessary treatment by focusing on sustainable practices that build lasting resilience.

Tailored Approach

No two bodies are the same. Every session is customized to meet your specific needs, whether you're dealing with chronic pain or focused more on building a longevity practice.

Expert Guidance

With 16+ years of training in Internal Arts and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jonathan gives you the insights you need to reclaim more strength and ability.

What We Teach

We believe that understanding your body is key to long-term change. Our teaching approach equips you with the knowledge and skills to make progress while you’re moving through the actives of your day, not just following a routine.

Ba Gua Zhang

A Traditional Martial Art that develops balance, proprioception, and whole-body integration. Known for keeping practitioners mobile and stable well into their 80s.

Tai Chi

Slow, flowing movements that build internal strength while calming the nervous system. Improves posture, balance, and sustainable vitality.

Qi Gong & Nei Gong

Breath-centered practices that restore your body's natural systems and cultivate deep energy. Gentle and profound.

What Students Are Saying

  • “When I started taking class with Root of Movement I was in constant pain from an old ankle injury that kept getting re-injured. It had been treated by acupuncturists as well as Western doctors, but the relief was only temporary. It has now been six months since I started taking class and I rarely think about that injury. I am almost never in pain. Beyond that, Qi Gong and Ba Gua have released tension that I didn’t know was there before. I highly recommend these classes!"

    Javier Picayo, Licensed Acupuncturist, East Village NYC

  • "Jonathan is an exceptional teacher and his classes are a highlight of my week. My relationship to my body has changed immensely since studying Ba Gua with him - I feel stronger, more resilient and have greater awareness of my body’s structural integrity, balance and gravitational dynamics. Practicing Ba Gua and Qigong also compliments my sitting practice. Ba Gua was challenging from the beginning, but it quickly revealed a range of motion and movement that I was not accessing and have since begun to enjoy."

    Daniel Cowen, Filmmaker, Manhattan

  • "I was intrigued to start an internal practice because I heard about the benefits of having a meditative practice, but I knew I needed something physical as well. Little did I know, that even in a year so much could change within my body and my relationship to my holding patterns. After class I feel magical. I finally feel like I understand how to breathe and my breathing is so much deeper. I am so grateful for all I have discovered thus far."

    Kenna Bouvet, Professional Dancer/Nutritionist/Acupuncturist, Queens, NYC

  • "I’m extremely busy at work and my mind is constantly racing. The way Jonathan presents the material allows me to focus on the movements and my breath which I find carries over to the rest of my day. They make it incredibly easy to understand and follow. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to feel better, more focused and more balanced"

    Jason, Business Executive, Flatiron, NYC

Ready to Move Better and Feel Better?

All classes are built for beginners in mind. No pressure. No commitment.

Come experience what it feels like to move from your center, reconnect your body, and discover a practice that actually gets easier with time.

FIND YOUR FIRST CLASS