Tao practices qigong healing, reiki, and pranic healing, and tantric and shamanic healing methods. He is certified in Aromatherapy and Herbalism in Complementary Alternative Medicine (A-CAM) by Miguel Cisneros-Abreu. His first Taoist initiation was given by Raven Cohan, one of 8 original instructors of Mantak Chia's Universal Tao System, with more from Doctor Morris, and from Sifu Francis Fong; Hindu Tantra initiations from Santiago Dobles, Dinu Roman, and other students of Gregorian Bivolaru; and Highest Yoga Tantra, Anuyoga, and Dzogchen initiations from Gelug, Ningma, and Bon Rinpoches, including the late Ningma Lama Khempo Yurmed Tinley Rinpoche. Terry Waltman taught Tao pranic healing, Carol Rockman taught him reiki. He is grateful for every one of his teachers, named, and unnamed, and their lessons.

Tao graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Science (major in Biology, major in Oceanography, minor in Chemistry) and numerous graduate credits. He is a National Merit Scholar and Isaac Bashevis Singer merit scholarship recipient. Tao was a nationally ranked swimmer as a teenager. He is also a whitewater kayaker, rock climber, bicyclist, and lapsed martial artist.

Tao lives with his girlfriend Veronica, a documentary and tv producer and graphic designer, in sunny Miami Beach, FL.