Meet Lori Pino
My calling to help others became evident through my work as an herbalist and a counselor.
Lori Pino, Karuna Reiki® Master
Lori Pino
Whenever someone asks me, “Where are you from?” I usually answer, “everywhere and anywhere.” It may sound flippant, but you learn to respond simply without stumbling over explanations when you've never had a true hometown. My father’s U.S. Navy and Air Force service meant we moved to a new city or state every three years or less. I’m what’s referred to as a “military brat.” This nomadic lifestyle gets into your blood, so I continued moving often into adulthood. Eventually, I settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, a place I call home because I spent the most time there and have family connections.
Despite the transient nature of my upbringing, I look back on those years fondly. My parents instilled a sense of adventure with every move, and that spirit enriched my life with invaluable cultural experiences, insights, and the tools for self-reliance. My journey has taken me through many roles, from a military brat to a U.S. Army service member, civil rights investigator, counselor, artist, herbalist, life coach, and Reiki therapist, with challenges along the way. Thankfully, I worked through those trials, always moving forward.
My life adventure has always been guided by a calling to help others, often prompted by spiritual nudges. I emphasize the value of listening to these intuitive cues in my work. They can help balance the material and spiritual worlds and keep you on course, even when you’re unaware you’ve strayed. Some nudges are not so subtle, like when my dream of following in my father’s footsteps into a military career was suddenly derailed, altering my reality. Instead of military history and national security, I found myself studying psychology. My academic path led to degrees, but I was increasingly drawn to the healing arts and metaphysics—areas I once dismissed as impractical. Life has a way of shifting your perspective.
I explored different forms of energy medicine, including the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as “tapping,” and ThetaHealing™. But discovering Reiki and learning about my heritage in curanderismo truly deepened my path. My mother’s genealogical research revealed a family lineage in curanderismo, a traditional Mexican American folk healing system focused on holistic well-being, primarily through herbal medicine, to care for the mind, body, and spirit. This practice, rooted in harmony with nature, soul, and self, captivated me, aligning perfectly with my desire to take charge of my health and assist others. Although the family lineage had broken, leaving me without living relatives to learn from, I eventually apprenticed under Charles “Doc” Garcia, a respected curandero. After a decade of training, he honored me as a curandera, and both Charles and curanderismo remain vital influences in my life.
While embracing my curanderismo heritage, I worked as an academic counselor at a chiropractic college emphasizing holistic healing. Immersed in this community, I repeatedly encountered Reiki. When I discovered my cousin, an intuitive healer, also practiced Reiki, I realized it was time to explore it myself. I trained with the Kammermeyers of Innercompass Reiki, earning certifications in Reiki I & II, Usui/Holy Fire® III Master Reiki, and Karuna Reiki® Master over several years. Reiki has since become more than a practice; like curanderismo, it’s a lifestyle imbued with unconditional love and empowerment.
My next big ”nudge” brought me to Hawai’i, where I felt it fitting to expand my holistic practice while also being closer to family on Oahu. Combining Reiki and curanderismo, I developed Mestiza Reiki (pronounced meh-stee-zuh ray-key), a blend of cultural healing traditions that honors my mixed Indigenous and European ancestry, promoting harmony in our interconnected world.
Finally, a story of mine would only be complete by mentioning the profound impact of horses. I grew up with horses, enjoying family trail rides and competing in gymkhanas. They have remained a lifelong passion and are now part of my healing journey, as they, too, benefit from the harmony that Reiki brings to our shared experience.
Creative Projects
Art
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My artwork offers a commentary on the human experience. I begin by creating a unique foundation, layering acrylics mixed with my own blood onto repurposed surfaces like Masonite. This intentional use of my life force is both an existential expression of my creative process and a personal signature.
On this rich, textured background, I either bring to life a pre-conceived image or meditate on the colors and patterns until a new vision emerges. The resulting artwork often features female figures, evoking movement and sensuality. However, I also embrace ambiguity, challenging stereotypes and societal norms to promote a sense of liberation.
My work also includes illustrations from my book, Haight Words: Voices from the Street. This anthology showcases the writings of over 50 unhoused individuals from Haight Street, San Francisco.
Salve
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Salve – Home-crafted, plant-based, topical salve for pain relief, quick healing, skin issues, and more. Made when plants, supplies, and time are bountiful.
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Where to buy :
Coco’s Trading Post in Haleiwa and Kailua, Hawai’i
Sivananda Yoga Farm in Grass Valley, California.
Herbal Products
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Scared Space Spray
Smudge sticks
Thieves Oil
Medicinal honey
Plant-based cough syrup
And much more when plants, supplies, and time are bountiful
Publications
Voices From the Street
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Haight Words is an anthology of thoughtful poetry from people who share their experiences of being homeless on one of the most famous streets in one of the most prosperous cities in the world: San Francisco, the heart of America's tech revolution. The writings are accompanied by colorful illustrations that serve as a visual commentary on the growing plight in many of our communities.
Haight Words' provocative approach aims to awaken the senses by illuminating silenced voices. It invites us to challenge social constructs by taking the smallest of actions toward a collective shift that can prove profoundly beneficial to all concerned.
Collective Wisdom
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Collective Wisdom: Powerful Stories and Practical Advice For Achieving Success
Research Paper
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Co-Authored
Objective
From 2009 to 2019, staff, students, and faculty volunteers from a chiropractic college started Mission Trip America, later re-named Service Trip America (STA), providing monthly free chiropractic services at a hiring hall for day laborers in San Francisco until the 2020 COVID-19 hiatus. We report on volunteers' service-learning experiences.