☯️ Last month I was asked to present at an event in Bijlmer, Amsterdam. I wasn’t expecting much, because I’m quite awkward and then to make nervous jokes in my presentations. Maybe because of that it went so well. I got to connect with really nice and interesting people. And I really felt I was helping people create awareness about how to take care of their health from the TCM perspective. Since they asked me to share the presentation online, I’d like to share a bit here.
In this presentation
I mainly talked about the root of acupuncture and TCM approach to health. Good health is not only stemming from a super well functioning body. With that I mean a body without pain, aches, stiffness or other complaints. In TCM good health is about a deeper balance on the yin yang levels, qi, blood, jing, fluid levels and the five elements. The body is a whole ecosystem, a landscape even. That has mountains, flowers, animals and villages and they are connected through the five elements, water, earth, metal, wood (forest), fire, the yin and yang (moon and sun) and a river through which a river of qi flows that nourishes the land.
This is a classic illustration of the Taoist body. Where you can also see an interdependence of the human being and his environment.
In a modern world
I think that we apply the Taoist body by taking into account that there are many levels of both nature and nurture that play a big role when it comes to health on a physical, mental and spiritual level. Levels that we can see with our own eyes but also many levels that aren’t visible. A healthy balance is an outcome that is achieved when the invisible and visible levels are stabel. And this can depend on more than one underlying factor stabilize. Those factors not only include our organs, flesh, and blood. But there’s more to that. There’s the TCM way of looking at things, the Qi, fluids and Yin and Yang. But also us as human beings, our own person, with our cultural background, our sexuality, our genders - everything that makes us who we are.
My commitment
At the event I realised again that there are many people running into barriers that limit them from good health and self care. And it brought me to the core of why I became an acupuncturist. I think it’s very important to have a healing or wellness space that’s welcoming to everyone. In the conversations I had, but also over the years I noticed that the limitations people have can be rooted in identity, or social status or even privilege. It saddens me a lot this is limiting people from good health, so I really aim to provide a safe and inclusive space where you can come as you are, with the many factors and levels that makes you you. In my clinic you are invited to be yourself and that is respected.
TCM tip
The tip for this month is not necessarily a TCM one. This month you might want to check in with your partner, friend, family member, child or colleague and inspire them with what healthy habbit(s) you created recently and why it worked for you. Maybe it’s TCM related? Share, reflect and inspire and maybe you can help your loved ones to have better health.
Feel free to book your session via the link below. Or reach out to me via email if you have questions or feedback or want to say anything. Acupuncture by Kim is meant to be an evolving space created together with you and for you 🙏😊
Take care and hope to see you soon ☯️
X Kim
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