Cypress Pillar Healing Arts

Cypress Pillar Healing Arts Cypress Pillar Healing Arts approaches a rebuilding of self using a multi-modal approach: Body, Mind, & Spirit are all nurtured.

Heal yourself using medicinal techniques, diet, meditation, martial arts & tai chi, dance, visual art, music, and more! Somewhere along the line, Cypress Pillar founders Brian and Misha decided life could be about joy and love. This decision was made, when all good things happen, riding together on a bus bumping along and dreaming. But, really, wouldn't it be amazing to wake up every morning pain

free, strong, loving your *self?* How incredible to look forward to a long life filled with wonder and adventure, to know what to eat, to laugh, and to be stress free. Well, why couldn't we all live like that? We all have a bit of healing to do, and we can work together to move through it. Whether you're suffering from pain, stress, or body image issues, Cypress Pillar Healing Arts is passionate about creating a healing journey that is right for YOU. Misha and Brian believe that health should be accessible to all and offer our services at affordable prices. At our healing arts center you can enjoy acupuncture, massage, herbalism, Reiki and traditional Shamanic healing. Dr. Brian and Misha are the core of Cypress Pillar, and partner with a variety of skilled healers to bring these services to the community. We also offer small, intimate classes with one on one attention from our experienced facilitators and empower you to continue learning when you leave the classroom, too. Sensei Brian - Dr. Brian Nell holds a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and offers acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and traditional Chinese massage. He specializes in injury recovery, sports injury, stress, anxiety, and depression as well as elder care. He is a fourth degree blackbelt in Pangai Noon kung fu, certified Tai Chi instructor, tea master, graphic designer, woodworker, computer animator, and generally adventuresome guy. Dr. Brian offers courses in a number of different healing arts and is known for his gentle yet charismatic teaching style. Misha - Misha Nell is a Clinical Herbalist, Reiki Master, Shaman and Intuitive Tarot Reader. She believes in helping people become healthy through a balancing of both the physical and spirit and is honored to assist folks seeking to work on this goal. Misha is a Master Teacher for Global Caravan Tribal Bellydance, a certified Master Naturalist and nature guide, reptile wrangler, mermaid, and founder of the dance troupes ShimmyBOOM, Caravan Project Sarasota, and PURE Sarasota. With over 20 years of teaching experience and a Master's degree in education, this award-winning instructor delights in creating dynamic programming to suit her audience's interests and needs.

05/05/2026

Word Tai Chi Day 2026 was a marvelous experience at GT Bray Park!

We had over 50 participants join us to play Tai Chi throughout the day and another 20 coming in from all over the world online!

We’d like to say a special thank you to the local instructors who donated their time to share this beautiful art:




Sifu Richard Cummings
Reuben Fernandez
Leslie Harris-Seneca
Hua Chi Wan
and ShimmyBOOM Bellydance

And, of course, huge thanks to and Manatee Co Natural Resources and Manatee Co Parks and Rec for sponsoring and co hosting this event!

Thank you to all who joined us in this fabulous event! Mark our calendars for next year the last Saturday of April, and we will play in the park again!

05/03/2026

🌸May Calendar of Special Events🌸

Catch us blooming all month long with events in house and off site!

Some highlights:
🌸 and return to to teach workshops on Martial Arts and Tai Chi!

🌸Together with we are hosting and sponsoring the third annual Shimmy in the Swamp Bellydance Festival this year at the Hampton Inn Sarasota Bradenton Airport

Check out the link in our bio to join our events or our weekly classes too!

Today! (Saturday April 25) It’s World Tai Chi Day!Join us from 9 am to 11 am at the GT Bray Park Amphitheater for this b...
04/25/2026

Today! (Saturday April 25) It’s World Tai Chi Day!

Join us from 9 am to 11 am at the GT Bray Park Amphitheater for this beautiful FREE event!

We are thrilled to be joined by the following amazing teachers:
Sifu Richard Cummings
Master Kevin Berquist
Dr. Brian Nell
Reuben Fernandez
Leslie Harris-Senac
Huachi
Shihon James Smith
Misha Nell
ShimmyBOOM Bellydance

these amazing teachers are volunteering their time to share their art and follow along presentations all morning long. You can join us in person or via Zoom. Check the link in our story or the comments below. We hope to share one world one breath with you!

We are thrilled to have Reuben Fernandez joining us as a new teacher for World Tai Chi Day 2026! Reuben began his martia...
04/24/2026

We are thrilled to have Reuben Fernandez joining us as a new teacher for World Tai Chi Day 2026!

Reuben began his martial arts studies as a teen in Brooklyn, NY with Sensei Rusty Kanokogi where he began his interest in Judo and ultimately became one of the highest ranking teens in the NYC metropolitan area.

After his judo studies Reuben sampled several other martial arts including Aikido, Kungfu and eventually Chen Family Tai chi under the tutelage of Master Yan GaoFei. Reuben has trained under master Yan for more than 20 years and has been giving classes for the past ten years in Miami-Dade, Broward, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Learn from Reuben tomorrow morning at GT Bray Park Amphitheater for World Tai Chi Day 2026! Beginning at 9 am until 11 am Reuben will be joined by other local instructors from across the Sarasota / Bradenton area to volunteer to share their arts for "One World, One Breath!"

Our next World Tai Chi Day featured instructor is Rev Misha Nell, RH, MS. Rev  is an Usui Reiki Master Teacher who has b...
04/24/2026

Our next World Tai Chi Day featured instructor is Rev Misha Nell, RH, MS.

Rev is an Usui Reiki Master Teacher who has been working with Reiki energy since 1996. This year, she celebrates 30 years of Reiki in her life, having first been attuned to this beautiful energetic healing modality so long ago in college. Since then, she has visited Mt Kurama, the birthplace of Reiki in Japan, many times and brings the lineage of the Mountain and its Spirits to all those who wish to learn and grow their Reiki practice.

She is a Reiki Master across multiple styles, a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, and a Mesa Carrier in two different Shamanic lineages. She carries a deep devotion to the Earth and all of its creatures, and each World Tai Chi Day she helps people connect in to the universal Qi of the world with beautiful meditations.

Misha loves to help others find their own personal magic. She has been described as “a light in the dark” and her students say she helps people thrive and transform with “spiritual glow ups”. She usually just smiles and reminds folks that everyone is able to grow and live in joy. Her role is to help folks remember their birthright to do so. 💖✨

Catch her sharing her magic Saturday April 25 at World Tai Chi Day Manatee County / Bradenton. GT Bray Park Amphitheater 9 am to 11 am

We are so excited to have our friend,  , as a featured instructor for World Tai Chi Day 2026!Kevin has been featured on ...
04/23/2026

We are so excited to have our friend, , as a featured instructor for World Tai Chi Day 2026!

Kevin has been featured on the National Geographic Channel, Guinness World Records, and even has a documentary about him on Amazon Prime!

He has been in countless movies, TV Shows, magazine covers and books, and is known internationally for his fun and high energy seminars!

Beginning his training at the age of 5, he has earned an 8th Degree Black Belt, as well as many other teaching certifications.

His indepth knowledge of, technique, history, and cultures will deepen your understanding of the Martial Arts.

He is a seasoned competitor and Heavyweight Fighting Champion, earning the Florida State Champion Title in Weapons, Forms, and Fighting!

Get ready to learn new skills and have a blast doing it!

Saturday April 25 * GT Bray Park* 9 am to 11 am

Our next World Tai Chi Day featured Instructor is Sifu Richard Cummings. We are so happy to welcome back Richard, who ha...
04/22/2026

Our next World Tai Chi Day featured Instructor is Sifu Richard Cummings. We are so happy to welcome back Richard, who has been a beloved part of our Bradenton / Manatee Co World Tai Chi Day for many years!

Shifu Richard Cummings is 71 years old and has been practicing various forms of martial arts since the age of 8, including Judo, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu and Tai Chi. He has been teaching Tai Chi for 28 years at University Tai Chi in Sarasota. He has been a competitor, coach and international judge.

He will discuss overall balance as it relates to aging, and specifically as it pertains to Tai Chi. “All Tai Chi has balance, but balance only does not have Tai Chi”.

Shifu Richard will demonstrate and participate with you in sharing healthy balance exercises for all ages and balance as it specifically connects with Tai Chi. Practice is the key.

Sifu Richard teaches at University Tai Chi on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7 PM. All ages and levels of experience are welcomed.
Website: Universitytaichi.com * info@universitytaichi.com or universitytaichi@yahoo.com

We are thrilled to welcome Leslie Harris-Seneca as a featured instructor for World Tai Chi Day Manatee County 2026!Befor...
04/20/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Leslie Harris-Seneca as a featured instructor for World Tai Chi Day Manatee County 2026!

Before teaching at The Palms Center on the Church of the Palms campus, Leslie had been teaching Tai Chi & QiGong for over 19 years at the Sarasota YMCA. Leslie is certified as a Supreme Science Qi Gong Instructor with QiGong Master Jeff Primack, and “Moving Through Better Balance” at Tampa YMCA. This focus on Balance & Wellness are continuing themes in Leslie’s Tai Chi & Qi Gong private & group lessons.

Leslie has taken classes with Dr. Yang Yang and his Healing Science at Harvard University. She has studied Chen style tai chi & Broad Sword locally with David Christophy, Bear Walking & self-defense with Reuben Fernandez, Baby Dragon with Gina “White Dove,” to name a few.

Catch her sharing her beautiful art on Sat April 25 at World Tai Chi Day 2026!

GT Bray Amphitheater 9 am to 11 am. Free event - great for all levels and ages. Come play Tai Chi with us!

🎉🎉🎉Congratulations to our newly certified Usui Reiki Level 2 Practitioners!Five students joined Misha Cain Nell in perso...
04/19/2026

🎉🎉🎉Congratulations to our newly certified Usui Reiki Level 2 Practitioners!

Five students joined Misha Cain Nell in person and another two virtually to take the next steps on their Reiki journey. And we are just so proud of this incredible group!

For some, this experience was an eye opening wonder of new possibilities. For others, it was an invigorating refresh in their Reiki practice. But whether you already had this cert, or were joining us to receive it from Misha for the first time, it was a marvelous weekend!

Every time we gather to share weekend it is just a miracle. No two groups are the same, and every time the students wow me and amaze me with their open hearted, diligent and dedicated approach to The Work.

Misha shares:
‘I’m so thrilled to be able to share this experience and to be able to teach Reiki, which I’m celebrating 20 years of practicing this year!!! I can think of no better way to do so than with such beautiful souls. Wishing you all the very best on the next steps of your journey!’

Thank you so much to all who joined us! If you missed it, or would like to join Misha for her next Level 1 session, please DM us to be added to the list.

Our first WTCD 2026 Instructor spotlight is our very own Dr. Brian Nell!Dr. Brian has been attending WTCD since 2013, an...
04/18/2026

Our first WTCD 2026 Instructor spotlight is our very own Dr. Brian Nell!

Dr. Brian has been attending WTCD since 2013, and took on the task of helping - and then leading - the organization of Manatee County’s World Tai Chi Day in 2015.

He is a 6th Degree Blackbelt in Pangai Noon Karate, an Usui Reiki Master, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and a Certified Tai Chi Instructor. Each year, he volunteers to organize World Tai Chi Day so that the people of Manatee County, many of whom are his beloved students, can share in “one world, one breath.”

Dr. Brian teaches Tai Chi and Qigong Mondays and Thursdays at GTR Bray, Tuesday nights virtually at his healing arts center Cypress Pillar Healing Arts and in person Saturdays at Cypress. Seasonally, you can find him teaching all across Sarasota and Manatee county. He has taught in Greece, India, Japan, and the UK, and is a very sought after teacher for his gentle and beautiful style. He is excited to see everyone this year and is looking forward to share his art with all who join.

Join us for World Tai Chi Day Manatee County 2026 Sat April 25 at GT Bray Park in Bradenton 9 am to 11 am. FREE event!

04/17/2026

Coming up this weekend Sat & Sun April 18 & 19: Usui Reiki Level 2 with Reiki Master Teacher

With Reiki, the power of healing is in your hands. You channel Divine Ki (Qi / energy) and share it with others. Humans, animals, children, even places or situations…the possibilities are endless (and magnificent in all of the options to send Reiki for help and healing).

In Level 2 you will learn all about the Reiki symbols, their history and origins, their use and magic. We will discuss distance healing through time and space, and you will learn how to work with Reiki to break long standing issues in your past, as well as sending it to the future for support.

Reiki is such a gentle, yet powerful, modality. Born on Mt Kurama and steeped in the traditons of Japan, it’s a beautiful opportunity to build personal intuitive skills as well as energetic movement.

If you’ve taken Level 1 in Reiki and would like to expand your horizons, and your skills, the link to join is in our bio.

Address

1940 Northgate Boulevard Suite B2
Sarasota, FL
34234

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm

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