John Calvi

Certified massage therapist specializing in trauma

Quaker healer with a gift for releasing physical and emotional pain

Began working in the AIDS epidemic giving massage in 1983

Recognized by his Quaker meeting as having a genuine ministry in the Quaker tradition, he was a Released Friend for fifteen years

Has worked with many different kinds of people, including tortured refugees, people with AIDS, sexual abuse survivors, inmates, war veterans, ritual abuse survivors, among others

Has taught in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica

Teaches in diverse settings: prisons, hospitals, religious conferences, and non-profit organizations that provide crisis services

Frequent topics of teaching:

• disciplines for making compassion pragmatic

• avoiding burnout for caregivers

• massage and energy work for trauma and deep relaxation

• traumatic experience and healing from it

• healing life’s wounds in the dance between hope and fear

• spiritual disciplines for the tasks of healing

• the uses of reverence and humor amidst great pain

John’s song, “The Ones Who Aren’t Here,” was first recorded by Meg Christian at Carnegie Hall in 1982 and is often heard at Gay memorials and weddings

John is the founding convener of The Quaker Initiative to End Torture

Married to Marshall Brewer