1. What sparked your passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine?
I can talk days about this, but looking back, it is my innate tendency to contemplate life and what it means to be a human on earth. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is essentially a vast book of life, containing the theories but most importantly, passing down techniques to help us navigate through our journeys on earth: each soul came from the void, transitions to all seasons of a human life cycle, and eventually returns to the cosmo again. Trust me, TCM is the all-mighty GPS for your safe passage on earth!
2. What is your TCM journey?
My journey contains detours including temporary successes in the corporate and public service fields, but ultimately I found the way back to the Path of TCM, via a series of personal growth, some aha moments developed in meditations and Yoga sessions, and honestly, guided by the wish to stay true to oneself, and act on such truth.
3. What is your superpower in TCM?
Give me 1 second, stick out your tongue and perhaps make a crazy funny face, I can tell you a thing or two about yourself, like I am telling mine. Just try not to trick me by drinking turmeric latte, or blue-berry beets root cocktail mix before you come in, promise?
4. Tell us about a time when you saw TCM make a real difference in someone’s life.
Everyday we witness differences being made to people’s life: one time, I witnessed transformation from suicidal to hopeful and quickly fruition to actions of self-help; I also facilitated hemiplegic patient to walk again (and quite fast!); as well, there have been GV babies joining the community, so we definitely are touching lives on a daily basis.
5. What is one TCM tip or wisdom you think everyone should know?
That we are loved and supported, by so many! Incredibly many. To name just a few, we were congregations of the auspicious elements when our parents conceived us (yup, or else you and I wouldn’t be here at all); our body and mind contain concentrated essence from our ancestors (physical and spiritual, with a modern name called DNA); we were safeguarded by the nutritious foods if we know how to eat right according to our body constitutions, and most importantly, the biggest piece of TCM wisdom is: be content with what you have, and happily work towards all of your goals.
Number one TCM tip: avoid icy drinks as much as possible, you will do a huge favour to your metabolism.
6. What is one thing about TCM that surprises most people?
Contrary to what many people tend to believe, it is in fact a myth to say that TCM is slow. The famous classical quote would be: the ailment is overcame as soon as the medicinal drink is finished; the pain is rid away in the same fashion as in wiping the snow flakes off your window sill. It is easy for us to reduce BP or curb a high fever in the matter of seconds to minutes.
7. How do you blend TCM with modern health practices?
I love incorporating modern-day technologies, as long as the usage of them is in line with TCM principles. In fact, I invented the “Five Dimensional Acupuncture” to fusion classical acupuncture, with red light therapy, electromagnetic radiation (LLLT) and sound healing (tuning forks and singing bowls), mixing up with a bit of ancient talk therapy to create subtle, safe and immersive sessions.
8. Quick-fire round!
Go-to herb: American ginseng and baked red ginseng, depending on the Yin or Yang body constitutions. I have to throw in BC wild red Reishi as a bonus too!
Favourite tea: I have to pick? This is too difficult but I will say THE best should be our in-house Lychee infused black tea, with a piece of aged green mandarin peel (Chen Pi). Yes, I am proud to be biased about our tea.
Must-try acupuncture point: DU20, located at the tip of our energy pyramid (highest point on top of our scalp), as a master point, depending on the insertion technique, it does multiple fantastic things for us, by way of lifting, subduing, sedating and calming.
9. What do you love to do when you are not in the clinic?
Besides spending time with my family, I will try to squeeze in “ME” time by attending a hot Yoga class, reading a book, discovering new Cafes, and re-organizing my physical space with the help of my energy friends – natural rock specimens and various crystals.
10. One message for your patients or followers: “The wound is where the light enters you.” – Rumi
