Live with a Purpose

Today I woke up, struggling to remember my dreams, wrestling with myself to get out of bed, afraid that my toes will begin to resemble popsicles in the 20 degree weather. I sat listening to my yoga station on Pandora, trying to find peace of mind but it was hiding today. Deep breaths. Mantras. I begin with yoga, and I start to feel warmer, so I switch to Qigong Sword Fingers. As my focus centers on my fingertips I begin to emit energy through my human handguns (like Clint Eastwood in 'Gran Torino', which I never would've guessed as #1 in the box office).

Following this, I received a rather profound experience at work. This probably happens to acupuncturists and healers all over the world frequently, but today was a first for me (in my own practice). The connection I had with my patient reminded me why I chose this field. I worked with her for two and a half hours, giving full body acupuncture, ear acupuncture, and moxibustion for her pain. Without needling locally, we saw immediate results. She was in disbelief and her eyes were watering as she thanked me incessantly. I, in turn, thanked the medicine and everything in the universe that made it possible for me to study this and have the wisdom to help others. I listened, she listened, and the result was balance instead of a tug of war.

It made me even more enthusiastic about the possibility of studying in Hangzhou, China in mid-March. If you are a practitioner of Chinese Medicine and would like to go for one month to study at the Zhejiang College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, please email me!!

This Little Piggy Had None

I am currently on the quest to save as much money as I can, as I'm sure millions of others are attempting as well. There are so many important things in my life that I am not financially prepared for, and I'm not willing to risk losing them for material possessions. I live my life through the joys of experience, so I'm glad that at the age of 27 I am not attached to many things. However, my interest in the Real Simple blogs have led me to ask myself what 10 things can't I live without? I was surprised to see 'iphone' and 'tivo' in a couple entries, but that's probably because I own neither. Lately, my wardrobe has been neglected so there isn't even a piece of clothing I'd have to take with me if my house was on fire. And that's the whole point. Everything I have today will eventually be gone. I am resisting buying any big pieces like furniture or art, in the hopes that one day my life will merge with another and we will buy things we cherish and adore so neither of us will have any objects to sacrifice. But as an exercise, I will try to come up with a few things that make my life better:

1. Dove SPF15 Face Lotion-a tight face in the morning is never good
2. Yogi Tea Tension Tamer-drinking some right now
3. Glide Dental Floss-no other brand will do
4. Pen & Paper-so I can write lying down, anywhere, with a personal touch
5. Yoga Mat-every swan, cobra, dog, cat, cow, fish, camel, happy baby and child's pose I can do

I am a girl of daily simple pleasures. It took me a while to realize I don't need anything else but love from my family and friends. Buddhism classes were a large influence. Losing things I thought I couldn't live without was a big part as well. But I am alive. I will always have wants and desires. They make me get out of bed in the morning. They drive my interests. I try not to let temptation distract me, nor can I allow negative thoughts to invade my consciousness. There is always another way to look at it. In today's crossword puzzle, a clever clue was "Who to trust in spy stories"...The answer? No one. Always trust your instincts and you'll be just fine.

So how can we live without spending too much cash? A few of my tips can help the planet and/or help you save $.

• Take your own bags to Giant-you'll save 5 cents for the bags you bring. If you shop at Trader Joe's and BYOBag you can enter to win free groceries! (if you like wine, they also have a very inexpensive and tasteful collection)
  
• Always make a list before you shop, so you know exactly what you need and don't buy on impulse. This will also help you avoid going to the store more than once a week.
  
• Plan your route for errands so you can save gas and avoid backtracking or making multiple trips. Living in the 'burbs can add up! (Try taking public transportation or bike to work once a week/month/year)
• Turn off electricity and water when not in use. When boiling water, just take as much as you need. Take showers instead of baths. Turn the temperature down when you go to bed. ..Reduce is the first of the R's.
• Reuse is the second-bring your own mug to the coffee shop (or better yet brew your own for way cheaper) and they'll most likely discount or charge you for a small-& you're not wasting!

What are some tips that may help you to be conscious about spending or doing your part for our planet?

Hello 2009

Happy New Year to all! I apologize for not blogging in December but I felt the need to end 2008 with personal reflection distant from the glare of a computer screen. I hope your holidays included lots of peace and love, a few treats, and a sense of renewal. A new year can be celebrated by all, regardless of religious or political views, relationship status, or background. It recalls memories of the past and hopes for the future. 2008 will be a year that I won't forget, particularly because it is the year I took the California State Board examinations on my birthday, said goodbye to the beautiful people I met in San Francisco and picked up where I left off with my loved ones at home as I started my own practice. This has been a year of change (or challenges) and being in DC as the Obama's move into the White House is going to be sensational! I am excited for all that is to come in 2009, the year of the Ox.

I know it's difficult for me to have resolutions because I always forget about them. I do enjoy, however, seeing those around me motivated to start anew; making plans for the gym three times a week, eating healthy, setting financial goals, meditating or practicing yoga daily, or quitting smoking. It's quite alright if your resolution is the same as last year, because it takes time to change habits, maybe even years. There is always room for improvement, and I myself would like to enjoy more volunteering or creative projects. Is there anyone out there who would like to join me? Is there anyone that may need a volunteer for a good cause?

I would like to write more for my readers in the new year but I need some topic suggestions. Ask me anything and you'll hear the truth!

Health and Happiness,
Kim

You Have Been Poked!

We are all familiar with the symbol of Yin and Yang representing balance, where opposites attract to complete a whole picture. It is my belief that anything in the universe can be explained by the theory of yin and yang, which makes the concept difficult to explain in words. Yin can be the moon, earth, female, cold or stillness. Yang respectively is the sun, heavens, male, heat or activity. Take any pair and it has a yin nature and a yang nature. This is because one cannot exist without the other. Everything is relative and interdependency becomes the basis of Chinese Medicine. As the seasons change and the days pass, yin (midnight) transforms into yang (early morning), reaches the utmost yang (noon), and becomes yin again (evening). Like the cycle of life, they are continually changing; as one decreases, the other increases, and too much of one can eventually weaken the other. When we realize that we are not made of parts, and we are the whole, harmony can be attained. A lot of the work involved in Eastern medicine relies on adjusting the scales of health to become balanced and harmonized.

Qi ("chee") is the universal life energy. It flows through everything, sustaining the life of our cells, tissues, organs and blood. Qi is not visible to the human eye but it is responsible for moving, warming, nourishing and protecting the body and other living things. The roots of our heavenly connection are in the breath. Many cultures across the world identify this powerful energy with names like prana (Hindu), pneuma (Greek), or ki (Japanese). Indeed, most religious practices place a high value on correct breathing. From the kahuna in Hawaii, to the early Christian mystics in the deserts of Arabia, the strength of the breath has long been recognized as the most important indicator of one's connection to the divine. Learning to control one's energy by breathing properly (through the belly, one inch below the navel) may result in lower blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and increased focus and concentration. The gift of breath can be realized when you think about the world's largest animal, the whale. Unlike humans, they breathe voluntarily, and since they cannot breathe underwater they must decide when to come up for air. Their controlled breathing may help explain why some blue whales live to be 80 years old. Many healing practitioners work with the energy through breathing exercises and meditation, such as Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong.

Acupuncture can manipulate Qi, by tapping into channels, or meridians of our body. By inserting very fine needles into specific points, acupuncture adjusts the flow of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids. The body releases endorphins (natural painkillers) and toxins to heal and cleanse your overall system. This in turn allows the body's immune defenses to deal with stress and illness immediately, and reverses the the threat that stress puts on your health. In a country where people are overworked and the disease rate is on the rise, Chinese Medicine can provide an approach with minimal side effects and lasting results. In my opinion, healthcare should not be about managing your illness, but maintaining your health. That is why Chinese doctors for the past 5,000 years have believed that prevention is the best cure.

Although it is typically known and proven that acupuncture can treat acute and chronic pain, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help a variety of issues since its theory is fundamentally holistic. The symptom is only a manifestation of a deeper condition, therefore focus is on the root and not the branch. This is what sets it apart from allopathic, or Western medicine, which generally masks the symptoms for temporary relief. Results from using TCM may differ from person to person, some treatments taking weeks or months to correct, and others relieved in fewer sessions. It is important to note that one's lifestyle factors are crucial to recovery. During a visit with your acupuncturist, S/he may ask you questions about your appetite, habits, exercise, sleep patterns, and bodily functions, while recommending nutritional advice or specific exercises.

During my four years of training, I had experience treating a plethora of pain, Sciatica, Gout, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Hepatitis, Depression, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Anxiety, Stress, Hiccups, GI (Gastrointestinal) Disorders, Acne, Eczema, Insomnia, Smoking Cessation, Palpitations, Cold/Flus, Health Maintenance and many other conditions during my clinic internship at ACTCM (The American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine). I worked at St. James Infirmary, a peer-led occupational health and safety clinic for sex workers since 1999. From this experience in San Francisco, I realized that few things could truly surprise me and I respected the non-judgmental approach to health as I gained more compassion for others. I also worked at the ACTCM Auricular Community Clinic where I learned to treat all diseases by needling the ear, a contribution of acupuncturists from the Western hemisphere. My experience at Dr. Lifang Liang's Infertility and Gynecology Clinic for 3 years gave me a conduit to learn more about Herbology. TCM has so much to offer the world and that has made me committed to its awareness. I hope I will be able to help thousands of people in my lifetime as I continue to study everything it has to offer.

Please visit my website if you would like more information or feel free to email me. I am always interested in talking about Chinese Medicine with those who are curious to learn more.

They Call Me Auntie Kim

What a joyous week-first Obama, & now this! I would like to express how happy I am that I am not 3,000 miles away.
My sister gave the gift of life to my darling little nephew today. She did it au naturale (us Nguyens are hardcore) and out he came-the cool, calm and collected newborn that I met an hour after birth. The joy of having a new person in our family, the first to continue a lineage of Vietnamese/Italian/English/German heritage, the first grandson on either side, the first great-grandchild for Ba Ngoai...what a special being he is, without any clue of it. Undoubtedly, with four aunties and three uncles he will gain lots of attention, but I think his mother and father are completely enamored by his presence and I cannot imagine the emotions or thoughts running through their body and mind.
Looking into his eyes, hearing his sounds while he sleeps, no picture could ever do justice to life and how precious it is (although I will be taking plenty of pics)!

Flying Faster than Time

We are on a race with the clock...Do you know where the finish line is?

Life is going to pass you by if you rush through it. No matter your age, you probably feel younger, even if you have an old soul. It's all the counting that bothers you. It's those aches and pains that are telling us to "slow down, take it easy," which makes you feel like your body has betrayed you. But have you been treating it with the love and respect it deserves? Just like a woman, if you do, it might stop nagging you.

In terms of diet, everybody has a say. There is no right way to eat for everyone. The only tip I can give you is to not consume too much of one thing. Whatever you choose to indulge-beer, sweets, junk food, meat, etc. make it a treat for yourself. With this attitude, you may start to see certain eating habits as controllable rather than a reflex.

When you exercise, remember that pushing your body to its limits is rewarding, but it can also penalize you. It's just as important to pay attention to your breath during rest as it is during a workout. Try stretching those muscles you forgot about, so they don't go into shock when you're trying to lift an object and something goes wrong. (Here's a common injury that I treat in my clinic) That's what I love about yoga. After a new routine, I'll feel soreness the following day because I'm elongating muscles that are severely shortened by hunching over a desk and detoxifying my entire body in the process using breathing exercises. When my body begins to adapt to the flow, I switch it up. In this way, I'm not focusing on one section of the physical body, but I can pay attention to the flexibility of my breath and mind during the challenging postures of the entire body, from Bubbling Spring to Hundred Meetings, which connect man to earth and heaven. Starting or ending the day this way is a gift to my life and practice. It reminds me that in times of difficulties I need only will to move on, that everything passes and this moment is precious.

My patients ask me what type of yoga they should practice. I say do one that you enjoy. I'm not a yogi, but I think a lot of people could benefit their lives by becoming centered. If I am without peace, then it must be within.

What you see is what you get? What you get is what you got.

Here it is people, my workplace. It's a humble building (and beginning) but I have imagined working here as a "doctor" since I was a little girl. I remember when is was Frames By You and my parents bought it. I would wait in the filing room to go to PM kindergarten. I'd sing on the front steps and watch the cars drive by, I mowed the lawn and when I got older, I worked as a receptionist. Becoming a sole proprietor is intimidating but I understand that everything in life is a learning experience. No regrets. Just do it. And don't look back.

Speaking of doctors, I was on Hotmail's 'Spaces' and came upon a blog that quoted Sun Simiao, one of the most admirable physicians of Chinese Medicine. I felt lucky to find it by chance in the week my doors opened to the public, and want to share the oath he wrote 1500 years ago:

The Oath of Sun Si Miao for Physicians of Traditional Chinese Medicine

As a Physician of Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• I shall look upon those who are in grief, as if I myself have been struck and I shall sympathize with them deep in my heart.
• I will not give way to wishes and desires but develop first a marked attitude of compassion.
• I shall not ponder over my own fortune or misfortune and thus preserve life and have compassion for it.
• Whoever suffers from disease and illness will be looked upon with contempt by people. I shall maintain an attitude of compassion, of sympathy and of care. In no way shall arise an attitude of rejection.
• I shall treat all patients alike, whether powerful or humble, rich or poor, old or young, beautiful or ugly, resentful relatives or kind friends, Chinese nationals or foreigners, fools or wise men.
• I shall not emphasize my own reputation and belittle the rest of physicians while praising my own virtue.
• Neither dangerous mountain passes, nor time of day, neither weather conditions nor hunger, thirst nor fatigue shall keep me from helping wholeheartedly.

With this oath, I shall fulfill my responsibilities and my destiny as a physician to each and every patient who seeks help from me, until I am no longer capable of fulfilling my obligations, or until the end of this lifetime.

I sit here thinking of all the overwhelming possibilities I could encounter as patients walk into my office. I want to make it better, relieve their pain, make them smile...but this is not a simple task. I'm already facing differences by practicing on this coast, and number one is providing a conversation about what acupuncture is. I also have to look the part-whereas I could wear casual outfits covered by a labcoat in San Francisco and my age was rarely an issue because I was a student, now I must buy a new wardrobe, wear makeup, get manicures etc. Business is your image. The only problem I have with this prejudice is that this is a fairly recent profession in the US. I attended school with people that were decades older than me and in their third career. That doesn't mean either of us are more knowledgeable based upon age, but you see a man like my father who has been practicing medicine for 30+ years and you trust his experience. You hear a woman on the phone that sounds young and people try to negotiate prices. But, who said life was fair? I knew going into Eastern Medicine that my Asian genes couldn't hurt my passion, my roots, my blood (my great-grandfather was an herbalist). Except those genes, combined with my desire for a youthful spirit, is why people are so curious to know just how old I am.

If people could remind themselves not to judge every so often, perhaps the boxes and pigeon-holes we build to fit an image for ourselves could go away and be gone! I am constantly asked whether I am full-Vietnamese (Yes), and I am proud of it. But I often wonder why people ask--what compels them, and if they are satisfied with the answer or just surprised that their assumptions are pointless. I don't look Vietnamese? I have my father's eyes and my mother's skin, my grandmother's love for poetry and horoscopes, my sisters' mix of pragmatism and rebelliousness, but everything else is mine. Maybe I don't look 100% because we can't trace history and bloodlines, or because I am very Americanized (and proud of that too).

No matter where you come from, don't forget those that came before you. I may not speak the language but it is singing within my soul. SAT NAM.