July 7, 2023 - Happy Summer!
My Practice Update
Hello and happy Summer! July is one of my favorite months because it is my birthday month and I always take time off to relax, recharge and reflect on the previous 12 months. I hope you are able to get some time off too and enjoy some fun activities that you love.
As I reflect, I am reminded as to the reason I went into this field in the first place - and that is to help people. But choosing Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine was no coincidence. The philosophies and foundations of Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine strongly resonated with me. This excerpt from one of the first books I read on the subject, Between Heaven and Earth by Harriet Beinfield & Efrem Korngold, is some of what drew me in:
"Within the Eastern worldview, the human being is a microcosm of Nature, a smaller universe. Human beings represent the juncture between Heaven and Earth, the offspring of their union, a fusion of cosmic and terrestrial forces. The Chinese ideogram for human being pictures a figure rooted like a tree in the Earth with hands outstretched like branches toward the heavens, receiving power from above and below. Sustained by the power of Earth and transformed by the power of Heaven, humanity cannot be separated from Nature— we are Nature, manifest as people."
The principles of Yin & Yang, Qi and the 5 Elements are reflective in nature and in the human system alike. Every lesson in my schooling was so far from any Western medical thought but at the same time made so much sense to me; because it made so much sense to me, it was easy for me to soak it in. I had seen firsthand the results of this medicine and I didn't have any reason to not follow the breadcrumbs laid out in front of me.
Over the course of each newsletter, monthly or possibly two times per month (when I have time) I will provide learnings from this beautiful medicine. If you have an interest in a particular area of Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine, let me know. This is for you.
Learnings
I'd like to share with you one of the most basic and powerful forms of the medicine that you can start to experience right now - Qigong. If you already know about Qigong and are practicing it, you know the lovely simplicity and power of the practice. If this is new to you, I highly recommend it. Here is an introductory video of an online Qigong teacher who I like: Qigong for Beginners
One of my favorite classes in school was Qigong. Do not underestimate the power of this practice. Especially in the fast paced, media-filled world we live in today - there is great power in slowing down, going inward with your mind and your intention. 10 minutes every morning will give you a great start to your day.
Let me know if you try Qigong and what you think of it - can't wait to hear!