Hello
Continued from home page :
A little about me,
When I think about it I have been drawn to the Healing Arts for as long as I can remember. It started with an interest in nutritional healing and vitamin deficiencies. Then it moved into learning about the many systems of the body through studying Anatomy and Kinesiology. Yoga, Thai Massage, and finally, Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine. (Likely what I enjoy the most, is being a lifelong student! )
I was born in Nelson BC and grew up in the Kootenays. In my early 20’s I moved to Taiwan to be an ESL teacher and ended up staying there much longer than planned. It was an amazing place, and even after leaving, I found myself returning often. I had fallen in love with the Eastern Ways.
My most recent trip to Taiwan was in 2016, when I was fortunate enough to get to do a month of my TCM practicum hours in a Buddhist Hospital in Taipei, shadowing some incredible doctors.
My journey to Traditional Chinese Medicine was not a straight line, I hadn’t even tried Acupuncture until had been in Taiwan for a few years. Before I knew it was my path I spent some years traveling and would study anything that drew my attention. This started with Thai Massage and Reiki in Thailand, then Yoga and Ayurvedic philosophy in India, and Mandarin Language studies in Taiwan. When I did finally decide on TCM I was thrilled to find out that all of these certifications would be useful in my practice of Chinese Medicine.
On the first day of TCM class, I knew this was my path. Finally a medicine that saw each person as a unique, dynamic whole. Rather than bits and parts that needed to be fixed, a person was seen as an energetic entity, always in flux and sure, sometimes out of balance. To regain that balance you needed the whole story, including lifestyle, health history, and even predominant emotions and dreams. This would lead to the root cause of the imbalance, rather than just the symptoms. It was the only way to do it, in my opinion.
When I am not in the office you can find me enjoying this beautiful island, via surfing, hiking to search out new swimming holes, taking bellydance classes, crocheting, camping, paddleboarding, or just hanging by the beach with my partner and large breed pup :) .
Education and Certifications
International College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vancouver BC
Received a Diploma in Acupuncture and another Diploma in Chinese Herbalism
Tzu Chi University Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan
Attended Practicum hours, while living in this wonderful Buddhist Hospital ~Amazing experience
Craniosacral Therapy Level 1&2,
Studied with Kari Toft, of Visionary CranioSacral, Vancouver BC
Old Medicine Hospital, Chang Mai, Thailand
Certification to practice Thai Massage
Conscious Yoga Family Ashram, Rishikesh, India.
Completed 200hr Yoga Teacher Training.
Inner Space Yoga, Vancouver Bc
Completed 100hr Anusara Yoga Training
Shambhala Reiki Level 1 & 2, Chang Mai, Thailand
Usui Reiki Master Training, Rishikesh, India.
Philosophy
There is a very important Idea in Chinese Medicine Philosophy that states
“ If there is no stagnation, then there is no pain.”
If an entity is in balance, then there is good flow and circulation. Things do not get stuck, or backed up, and therefore, do not cause pain.
During my time in India, I met a 100yr old Yogi who was so energetic and limber, it blew my mind. It also brought me back to this idea. This man spent time moving every piece of his body every single day through a Rajasic yoga practice and breathwork. He had no complaints of pain, and he could do every asana that we could do and even jog a circle around us!
This must be the key then, to a long and healthy life. Keep it moving, circulating, and detoxifying, always. This includes the ‘Qi’ too. Big emotions can also stagnate the Qi. Keep a peaceful mind when you can, and move through big emotions via breathing, physical movement,
Oh and I almost forgot laughter! He definitely kept his energetic qi in a good flow with a daily dose of laughter too.