Thank you Michael, and please have a wonderful day.

Michael: I left DC in 1989 when I was 26 years old.

Actually, I initially moved to La Jolla, CA, which is about 20 minutes south of Encinitas. My wife and had no relatives or friends who lived in San Diego at the time. However, in our exploratory trip to determine where in California we would start out adventure, we fell in love with the people and the region. We traded a very dense urban environment in which there were about 6 months in which you could be comfortable outside to one in which you could comfortably nature every day.

After 5 years, we were irresistibly drawn to the spiritual energy of Encinitas. It is a town that is much more than just wonderful beaches for swimming and surfing. It has a history of alternative thinkers, healers, and creatives who have chosen to live fully and authentically. Since settling here in 1996, I am constantly amazed by the inspirational stories of those who live in my community. I feel blessed to be here as this is where I was able to learn from yogis, philosophers, meditators, artists, and other masters. Indeed, I am constantly in a state of “beginner’s mind” as the more that I learn, the more that I realize that there is a universe of knowledge and experience to gain insight and experience.

I have been with my wife since she was 16 and I was 18. We chose at that time and have never wavered from not having children. However, her brother has 3 children and so does mine! Our dependents are our 3 “fur” babies (2 Basenjis and 1 Mini-Aussie Shepard . So, we were fortunate in not having to factor children in our decision to move to California in 1989.

While I have fond memories of DC, I do not regret making the move for one moment. The decision was based solely from my heart.

Dick: How old were you when you made the bold decision to move to California in search of fulfillment? Why Encinitas (a beautiful place) and did you know anyone there? Do you have children that were affected by your decision?

Michael: I left DC in 1989 when I was 26 years old.

Actually, I initially moved to La Jolla, CA, which is about 20 minutes south of Encinitas. My wife and had no relatives or friends who lived in San Diego at the time. However, in our exploratory trip to determine where in California we would start out adventure, we fell in love with the people and the region. We traded a very dense urban environment in which there were about 6 months in which you could be comfortable outside to one in which you could comfortably nature every day.

After 5 years, we were irresistibly drawn to the spiritual energy of Encinitas. It is a town that is much more than just wonderful beaches for swimming and surfing. It has a history of alternative thinkers, healers, and creatives who have chosen to live fully and authentically. Since settling here in 1996, I am constantly amazed by the inspirational stories of those who live in my community. I feel blessed to be here as this is where I was able to learn from yogis, philosophers, meditators, artists, and other masters. Indeed, I am constantly in a state of “beginner’s mind” as the more that I learn, the more that I realize that there is a universe of knowledge and experience to gain insight and experience.

I have been with my wife since she was 16 and I was 18. We chose at that time and have never wavered from not having children. However, her brother has 3 children and so does mine! Our dependents are our 3 “fur” babies (2 Basenjis and 1 Mini-Aussie Shepard . So, we were fortunate in not having to factor children in our decision to move to California in 1989.

While I have fond memories of DC, I do not regret making the move for one moment. The decision was based solely from my heart.

Dick: What a wonderful set of priorities you have. How many hours a week do you now work on legal matters, and how long have you been doing so?

The City of Hope offers marvelous care free of charge thanks to people such as you. Are there other charities you support, or charitable work you do?

Michael: I work about 45-50 hours on my legal work for the past 20 years. This frees me up to do my yoga privates, teach yoga classes for the public and for charitable causes, teach workshops, teach trainings, and, of course, do my own sets of practices.

City of Hope is my primary charity.

I do fundraisers for individuals in the community who are in need of resources. One of my longstanding fundraisers was for my friend Anna Young who has a very rare pulmonary impairment that she developed at a very early age. She has a very difficult time breathing and often requires emergency room or even ICU attention. She is on the short list for a very complicated and risky double lung transplant. We have been raising the $250,000 that she needs for medical and living expenses. Anna is a wonderful being who embodies courage and wonder in the face of daily adversity.

Hope you are well.

By the way, our 6th Yoga for Hope went very well even though it was 90 degrees when the event ended (inside Petco stadium)!

All the best,

Michael