Professional Training

I attended Southwest Acupuncture College (SWAC) from August 2015 to August 2019. I worked at the school’s library from May 2016 until April 2018. I was student council president from November 2017 until August 2019. In 2016 my school presented me with the “Gentle Tiger Scholarship” for $500. This scholarship recognized my superior point location skills and understanding of the point energetics. While at SWAC, I earned 3,098.50 hours and 857.50 clinical hours, of which 157.50 were observation. My cumulative GPA was 3.80. I had blood-borne pathogen exposure control training, clean needle training, and CPR/first aid training, which is still current.

While in school, I took an extra moxibustion class offered by Honora Wolfe, where she showed us all her moxibustion tools and how to use them. We had an opportunity to practice all of this under her supervision.

I also met Heather Maya Suzuki while at SWAC. She had originally learned acupuncture in Japan, where there is much greater focus on needle and moxibustion techniques. Once she became licensed, she started a small group that practiced the techniques she learned while in Japan. This was a game changer for me. I became a magnet for the most sensitive patients at my school’s clinic. My direct moxibustion technique became as delicate as my needling. We would practice burning the moxa on tissue papers, split the papers, and then check the bottom piece to see if it was burnt to just the right color. If my moxibustion burned through the bottom piece of tissue, then I could see my need for improvement. Moxibustion is a very important tool to me. Mrs. Suzuki travels to Japan every year to translate acupuncture masters’ classes for English speaking students. After I received my scholarship in 2016, I gave her the $500 to purchase four solid silver pediatric acupuncture tools from an artist in Japan. I was able to learn how to use my tools in pediatrics class with Soma Glick. I had four months of pediatric class with three “Full Moon Clinics.” These clinics were free and were held during our class to give us an opportunity to practice on children. Mrs. Glick said she used to do free “Full Moon Clinics” with other acupuncturists for children in the local area. I aim to coordinate some of these clinics for anyone with a legal guardian. I also had four more months of practice in pediatric clinic with Mrs. Glick.

I learned tuina, Traditional Chinese Medical Massage, from my instructor, Li Lu. I had a four month class, an advanced tuina weekend seminar, and a four month clinic with Mr. Lu. After studying with Mr. Lu, I began to used tuina effectively in most treatments I did while in clinic at SWAC.

My specialty is balancing pulses. I learned two different approaches to balancing pulses while at SWAC. I first learned a Japanese Style of pulse balancing with Ted Hall. I spent a full year with Mr. Hall learning his technique. The first four months was spent in class learning about Kototama Medicine. I then spend 8 months in clinic with Mr. Hall practicing his method of pulse balancing. The second method of pulse balancing has its roots in TCM, Traditional Chinise Medicine. I learned this method from an instructor that wishes to remain anonymous. I spent a year in class with this teacher learning Chinese herbs and then eight months in clinic. This acupuncturist’s method revealed what points harmonized the pulse the best. These points are then considered along with all the other information gathered for a more accurate diagnosis and a more effective herbal prescription.

I interned at Chautauqua Apothecary in Boulder, CO with Chip Chace, Kate Blalack, and Jason Blalack. I started working for them in April 2016. I became “office manager” the same month. This meant that I was in charge of ordering herbs and scheduling other students for work. Interns would put together herbal formulas for the practitioners. We were allowed to ask lots of questions, and we were aloud to take home formulas to try on ourselves. It was an amazing learning experience. I worked here until September 2018 when I became a volunteer. Chip Chace passed away at this time. My volunteer work was no longer needed by early 2019.

I began an internship with another local herb company, Legendary Herbs, in January 2018. This company ships bottles of granular herbs to practitioners all around the country. It is a great insight into what herbs and formulas other apothecaries use. The owner, Eric Brand, is very knowledgeable, and has taught me a lot about how herbs are processed. I interned here until April, 2020.