Most professional Bios read like a CV and don't really show behind the veneer of a person. Last year while celebrating Innate Chiropractic's 20th anniversary in Albany, I intended to send a celebratory history of Innate to the Albany Patch. But it just read like I was patting myself on the back, which was not my intention. So I scrapped the project. I gave it some time, and then decided to write from the heart...who am I and how did I get here? That is what I've shared with you below. It is not complete and doesn't delve into the private aspects of my life, but rather it shares with you the public aspects which I feel are pertinent to understanding who I am.
Enjoy!
Innate Chiropractic & Wellness Studio, opened by chiropractor Stefan Cohen and yoga teacher Debbie Gilman marked its 20th anniversary in August 2024. Since 2004 it has been a cornerstone of holistic healthcare in Albany.
Dr. Cohen, with 25+ years of practice, and Debbie, teaching for as long, both embody unparalleled dedication to the wellbeing of their patients and students. Their journey began at Stanford University 40 years ago, where they met as undergraduates studying International Relations.
Debbie went on to pursue graduate studies in Middle Eastern Studies and also in Education at Harvard University, ultimately leaving academia to study yoga under yoga master Donald Moyer, co-founder of The Yoga Room in Berkeley. Debbie taught yoga at the Albany Y for over 20 years.
While at Stanford, Stefan mentored with Tenor great Stan Getz and after graduation he followed his interests in music on a full merit scholarship at Berklee College of Music in Boston. While there, he deepened his interest and practice of yoga and meditation, which led to a transformative journey through Southeast Asia where he studied Traditional Thai Massage and Zen Shiatsu, becoming a certified Zen-Shiatsu therapist once back in California. This led to his pursuing further education, ultimately culminating in chiropractic studies at Life Chiropractic College West.
In addition to practicing chiropractic these past 20 years, Stefan has also been an Albany Rotarian, of which he was the president in 2016. He and his son were search and rescue volunteers with CAL-ESAR. And more chiropractic-related, Stefan volunteered to treat athletes for the short-lived Tahoe Ironman as well as for the NorCal Crossfit regionals. He was also a trainer for the pro ultimate team SF Flamethrowers and for Berkeley High’s ultimate team.
Stefan is still an active saxophonist and his musical journey continues alongside his chiropractic career. One highlight includes being a founding member of Clif Bar corporate’s funk rock soul band GVO, which won the national 2012 Rock ‘N Roll Battle of the Bands in Cleveland. His “Best Corporate Band in America” Platinum Record adorns the hallway at Innate Chiropractic. You can still hear him performing, mostly in San Francisco and in the East Bay with various jazz groups.
Innate Chiropractic has also grown over 20 years and offers chiropractic specialties from pregnancy & pediatrics to functional neurology, rehab to mind-body medicine and we are happy to now be offering Shockwave Therapy as well.
