ho·me·o·sta·sis n.

The state of equilibrium within the body; stability maintained by feedback and self-regulating processes in response to both internal and external changes.

Practising Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote good health & wellbeing.

Your body is amazing. It naturally strives for equilibrium and balance; a complex network of cells, organs and systems that work together to keep you alive. Learning to deeply listen to your body, and with the help from both ancient and modern natural therapies, you can support this homeostatic process and thrive.

Some snippets of my Thursday…

#lifeasasmallbusinessowner #lifeasanacupuncturist #dayinthelife #chinesemedicine #yeppoonacupuncture #teaceremony #compassionateinquiry #settinggoals

This is what left-handed self treatment looks like for shoulder pain, in case you are curious.
I get sore arms with all the massaging I do at work and my RHS shoulder is particularly flared up at the moment. I’ve been trying to self treat when I can.

I’m using local points: SJ14, LI15, extra shoulder point, LI14, LI10 & LI4

#acupuncture #selftreatment #needling #chinesemedicine #shoulderpain #moveqiandblood #painrelief #yeppoonacupuncture

Nature is generous 💚

If you experience stress and anxiety and it’s interrupting your life, I recommend speaking to your herbalist or naturopath about this plant.

#passionflower #herbalmedicine #natureismagic #flowermedicine #mentalhealth #calming #soothing

This acupuncture point is commonly tight and congested on A LOT of people. The first time I had it released was with Tui Na in the student clinic where the practitioner held accurate pressure and gently shook his fingers for minutes until the tension let go. It was really intense, but so effective. This is something you can do to yourself with the index fingers, pressing into the point on each side and holding pressure, vibrating and breathing deeply until you feel a shift. You can also come into the clinic and have it needled, where you will find a similar release.

I was talking about this point with a client recently and began wondering about its energetic or spiritual uses - I wasn’t surprised to read its connection to the throat chakra, truth speaking and setting boundaries. SO, to help you can also ask yourself: “What/who am I not saying no to right now?”, “Where in my life do I need more boundaries?”, “Where in my life am I silencing my truth?”. Meditations for the throat chakra are wonderful, imagining a light blue light melt any tension in the throat area… You can also hum, sing and chant which will also help tone your vagus nerve to promote a regulated nervous system. Ujjayi and Brahmari Pranayama, plus asana’s to release neck tension are helpful for the throat chakra.

There is a whole other world of esoteric acupuncture and spiritual understanding of points that I am excited to dive deeper into. Whilst continuing my nerd out on the anatomical, physiological and scientific understanding of this wildly wonderful and enormous body of knowledge.

#throatchakra #esotericacupuncture #yeppoonacupuncture #speaktruth #yogicphilosophy #yoga #pranayama #boundaries #acupuncturepoints #sj17 #healing #manywaystounderstand #energetichealing #ilovechinesemedicine #tuina

Really looking forward to holding a regular yoga class at the Queen St Hall - starting next Wednesday, running weekly 9-10:30am.
Would love to see you there 🙏💙

#yogayeppoon #yeppoonyoga #yangyin #yinyoga #hathayoga #pranayama

Body image, eating disorders and trauma. Big topic, but one that needs to be talked about more. When we speak of wellness, health and healing from the root, visiting these topics are important. Voicing that which is often kept hidden is healing in itself. Lots of love to all that have been touched by disordered eating 💙

#health #rootcause #trauma #bodyimage #whole #selfworth #seekhelp

I’m really excited to do some learning with Yvonne Farrell this year. She is an acupuncturist and Chinese medicine doctor with deep focus on psycho emotional health and healing from trauma. She writes and speaks of her experience and research using the 8 extraordinary channels effectively for treatment in this field. It feels important for me to bring more knowledge in, joining the worlds of Chinese medicine, acupuncture & Compassionate Inquiry.
.
.
#8extraordinarychannels #8extras #tcm #acupuncture #trauma #traumainformedcare #psyche #compassionateinquiry #mentalhealth

I am thrilled to be starting my mentorship in Compassionate Inquiry, really looking forward to meeting my mentor & peers, & deepening my understanding & skills in this modality. I finished the 12-month program for professionals last year, where I learnt so much, spending hours practicing each week. This is work that speaks to my soul, I have found so much awareness, release & healing in receiving the sessions myself. I’m excited to become certified & offer the service officially.

In the meantime, I am offering online zoom sessions, with an agreement that I can record the session to rewatch for my own learning & to send to my mentor to watch & give her feedback. Due to the nature of this agreement, all I will ask is a donation for my time.

If this is something you are/think you might be interested in over the next 5months, please DM me your email. I will be sending out consent forms & more details for booking next week.

#gabormate #compassionateinquiry #traumainformed #traumaawareness #mentor #healingfromtheroot

I was craving Yola’s meat overseas in Asia where beef isn’t often an option on the menu. A favourite for inner Winter, would be a great option post-partum too. I’m not one for recipes/amounts so it’s a bit of a guessing game. So easy and delicious though. Serve on mashed potato.

#recipe #slowcooked #slowcookermeals #slowcookerrecipes #postpartummeals #bloodbuildingfoods #chinesedietics #foodinspo

Yoga offerings coming up this month!
- I have about 3 spaces left for my Deep Yin workshop this Sunday - Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra. Follow the link in bio, go to shop to secure your spot.
- Excited to teach Yin in Byfield @bushflow_herbals day retreat on the 22/02
- Also, feels good to lock in a regular class, starting from 26/02 - Yang-Yin Yoga, like VinYin but with less vinyasa and more strength based hatha, followed by some deep opening and relaxation! Those classes are drop in $15 cash.
Let me know if you’ve got any questions. Look forward to practising with you soon 💚

#yogayeppoon #yeppoonyoga #yinyogayeppoon #yinyoga #hathayoga #yangyinyoga #yoganidra

I’ve been wanting to make a little info post on this topic for a while now. How does it land? What do you think? Would love to hear your comments and questions.

#chinesemedicine #warmtherapy #icebaths #moxibustion #yeppoonacupuncture #ancientmedicine #ancientwisdom #listentoyourbody

Mini clinic tour and tools of the trade!

#acupuncture #yeppoonacupuncture #chinesemedicine #bodywork #wellnessjourney #painrelief #holistichealing

Have been enjoying this practise since I learnt it at Tao Garden in Chiang Mai. Would you try it?

#qiflow #moveqi #qigong #bambootapping #bamboohitting #painfree #relax #meridianlines #chinesemedicine

I learnt about the Jade Egg practise in the Feminine Alchemy course I took at the Tao Garden in Chiang Mai last year. My teacher had a long list of benefits for this practise, Dr Lia Andrews also writes about them in a favourite book of mine - 7 Times a Woman.

I’ve got a collection of rose quartz eggs in different sizes at the clinic. If you are interested to learn more, either send me a message or ask while you’re in for a treatment. I’m in the process of making up a little instruction/info sheet to go home with every egg.

Rose Quartz is a beautiful stone that represents universal love, inner peace, unconditional love, self love, all good things from the heart!

#jadeegg #jadeeggpractise #femininealchemy #daoistmedicine #daoisttraditions #rosequartz #womenshealth #crystalmagic #selflove #innerpeace

Tomorrow marks the start of the Chinese or Lunar New Year, being the first new moon of 2025. Celebrations usually last a week, and this shift marks our entrance into the year of the Yin Wood Snake. I’m excited to listen to @qiological podcast for a thorough rundown of what all that means and what to expect. For now I thought I’d share a little from my own understanding.

YIN
.
Last year was large and action filled being a Yang Dragon year. Yin qualities include: slowness, internal, passive, rest, quiet, darkness, reflection. After coming out of such an expansive and outward year, integration in a slow and gentle way will help this year.

WOOD
.
This element connects to our Liver and Gallbladder system, our dreams, plans and aspirations. It represents birth and growth, the developmental stages of 0-7/8 years. Think of fresh green shoots in springtime. Imbalances with this element can look like frustration, emotional stress, broken sleep and tightness/pain in the body - especially the lateral channels (GB). Being in nature is an easy and simple way to nourish your Wood element.
.
SNAKE
.
When we think of snake, often we think of shedding skins, transformation, intuitive wisdom, perhaps fear or overcoming fear. The snake is a symbol in medicine and represents healing. It’s got to be one of the most grounded animals around, spending much time on the cold, Yin earth.

What are your dreams this year? How will you bring more rest in? What do you need to integrate from last year? Who will you be reborn as after shedding skins of limited belief and old patterns?
.
P.S first day back in the clinic and it’s feeling good!

#yinwoodsnake #newmoon #chinesenewyear #lunar #snake #yin #astrology #2025predictions #acupunctureyeppoon #acupunctureworks #chinesemedicineyeppoon

Are you birthing a baby in Yeppoon in 2025? I’d love to use my cooking/catering skills & my knowledge in Chinese dietetics to offer post partum care packages & frozen meals for healing Mummas. If this is something you are interested in, send me a DM.

#postpartum #goldenmonth #fourthtrimester #newmumma #birth #postbirthcare #pregnancyyeppoon #yeppoonmumma

Medicinal herbal baths with the Red Dzao People - culture hike in the north of Vietnam, close to the Chinese border. Learning traditional healing methods and techniques excites me like nothing else. Our guide, May Xuan was a wealth of knowledge and a fantastic host. Hot baths post long hikes = luxury. We enjoyed two nights in a row and I had very deep and long sleeps afterwards!

#northvietnam #vietnamtraditions #vietnamesemedicine #reddzao #culturehikes #healingbaths #herbalbaths #spokenknowledge #sapa #travel #herbalmedicine

There are so many wonderful health benefits to walking, and here are a few:
- Improves cardiovascular health, lowering risks of significant disease
- Releases endorphins and neurotransmitters leading to better moods and more happiness
- Pumps lymphatic fluid, aids the release of toxins
- Gentle on the joints, improving flexibility and reducing pain
- Strengthens muscles and bones
- Encourages good sleep
- Reduces stress and helps to clear your mind
.
Regular walks and long hikes are some of my favourite ways to move my body. Currently enjoying a multi day hike through Northern Vietnam, reminiscing on our overnight hike in India (as pictured). I’m also looking forward to being back in Yeppoon to enjoy my little local circuits. Great time to let the mind wander, soak up a podcast or catch up with a friend.

#hike #multidayhike #bushwalking #walking #walk #wander

A classic quote from Lao Tzu. Nature is the greatest teacher, and in nature lies exquisite balance. A gentle reminder to sit back, relax and enjoy the down time, knowing it is just as important as the action. Trusting the unfolding and the process. It’s a practise, at least for me.

#laotzu #chinesephilosophy #quotes #findingbalance #looktonature #embraceyin #relax #rest #flowersandbees

** DEEP YIN WORKSHOP **

There are many principles that explain the fundamental nature of Yin and Yang. One is that of mutual generation, when Yin is in extreme, it transforms into Yang. When Yang is in extreme, it transforms to Yin.

Think about those holidays where you end up sick. You’ve been living a fast-paced, active and very Yang lifestyle, then suddenly you stop and your body forces you into a deep resting period via illness. Familiar?

Rather than waiting for that to happen, it’s imperative to bring balance into your life. Majority of us need to slow down more and pencil in more downtime for deep rest.

In this workshop, we will move through about 60-70mins of yin yoga to open the meridian lines connected to the season, and finish with 20-30mins of guided yoga nidra medition.

I will post the ticket link shortly. Spaces limited to 15 and will need to be pre-purchased due to no shows in the past.

Love and gratitude 💚

Tix online at www.letscultivatehealth.com/shop
- link in bio

Select the ‘pick up in Yeppoon option’ to avoid shipping costs.

Happy New Year! How fitting that we had a dark moon to end the year. Now she begins to grow as we sprout into 2025.
‘Stars can’t shine without the darkness’ I saw this quote today and it got me thinking… it’s so important to look into the shadowy aspects of the self, psyche, society, humanity. The more we turn away and push down, pretend it doesn’t exist, the more we suffer. Working with the shadow aspect of the self is rewarding. Being with the hurt, pain, grief, fear, anger is what it needs to pass through and release back into the earth. Ignoring it only makes it grow bigger. I hope that you can find time and support to feel the big feelings, look at yourself through honest eyes and slow down to be with your body, who remembers all. We need the darkness for the light to exist.

I’ve just spent the last five days going deeply into Yin energy learning Feminine Alchemy at Tao Garden in Northern Thailand with an amazing teacher, Aisha. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so consistently slow, inward and resting. It was group consensus that in a fast paced life where Yang is encouraged and celebrated, these times of deep Yin are rare, welcomed and somewhat uncomfortable.
.
.
.
#newyear #2025 #shadowwork #lookatthedark #notafraidofthedark #deepyin #rest #lookwithin #shinebright #todaysquote #femininealchemy #taogarden

Closing the gate on 2024. A few pics from my work life this year, keeping in mind that not many pics are taken in the treatment room. What a colourful, soul-nourishing year of work it was. Teaching yoga, running workshops, community acupuncture, catering, making products and doing markets were fun ways to bring more balance and variety into my offerings. All of this kept me fresh and present for the one on one private acupuncture and massage sessions, plus of course my down time and self care. I can’t wait to officially add Compassionate Inquiry to my offerings (2026?!), and to see where next year takes me. More to come regarding news for 2025 in the next week.

I want to say a big heartfelt THANK YOU to all of my clients, everyone who came to the home clinic for sessions, everyone who joined classes and workshops, who purchased products and supported me in my business. All the little things help in running a small business and I am grateful to you all.

#2024recap #workrecap #soulwork #2024inbusiness #acupucnture #chinesemedicine #massage #yoga #womenshealth #menstrualawareness #communityacupuncture #fascia #homemade

A few journal prompts for new year reflections. I created these for an online women’s group I am part of. We started 6 years ago with 30 women, within less than a year we were down to 8 and we’ve been 6 for at least the last 4 years. We take it in turns to hold the space and curate the offerings. Sometimes we read books together, and we’ve explored topics such as non-violent communication, trauma and the nervous system, health values and resets, yoga and philosophy. At the moment I’m running a short Yin Yoga segment with optional self inquiry. Each fortnight we show up live to share from the heart. It is SO beautifully nourishing and I am grateful to be supported by these incredible women, including my mum, and the others whom I may never had the joy of meeting if it wasn’t for this group.

Do you have people in your life you can share vulnerably with? In my opinion it is vital to create safe relationships where authenticity thrives.

I’m not so much into new year resolutions these days, but I do think it can be a powerful time to reflect and plan. Let me know what you think. Love and balance to you all in these festive times. Acknowledging that it can bring celebration, love and connection for some and pain, tension and stress for others 🖤☯️🤍
.
#newyearreflections #endofyearreflections #newyearjournalprompts #journalprompts

*NEW* YIN YOGA BLOG on my website.
.
An excerpt…

However this kind of movement practice is not only found in ancient India. Dao Yin dates back to 2146BC in China and was used as a foundation for martial arts training. This combination of physical movements, breath and mental focus was a key component of health and spiritual cultivation (Chen, et al. 2019). Where Qi Gong is about the nourishment and circulation of Qi throughout the meridians/channels of the body, Dao Yin is about purging toxins and ‘evil Qi’ through stretching the sinew channels. This practice of long held positions is said to tease open joints and lengthen the tissues, including muscle, fascia and tendons (Lotus Nei Gong, 2023).
.
Photo is taken at the museum of Chinese medicine in Shanghai and pictures Dao Yin exercises.
.
.
#daoyin #yinmovement #martialarts #ancientchina #yinyoga #hathayoga #rishikesh #yogablog #ancientindia #gratitude

.☀️.SUMMER WELLNESS TIPS.☀️.
.
Summer has arrived in Australia and I’m sure many of you are feeling the heat! As the external world becomes hot (& damp in humid places), so too the body is at risk of overheating and producing symptoms of internal damp. In Chinese medicine we pay a lot of attention to the external world/changing of the seasons and weather, as it impacts our health directly. Here’s a little info and some tips to keep you well this Summer.
.
🔆 Summer is the most Yang of all the seasons, connects to the element of Fire & the emotion of Joy. Speaking the Heart’s truth flows easily in this season, and if it doesn’t, now is a good time to practise.
.
🌻 The days are long, the sun is out, the plants celebrate with fast growth & expansiveness & humans mimic their reaction to the extra light. With extra capacity you might find your social calendar super full, but remember you can still say no if it’s not feeling nourishing. Jomo for the win. Finding balance between rest and play is the key.
.
🌞To support yourself in Summer drink plenty of water, enjoy rising earlier with the sun, resting at midday if a break/nap is needed, & sleep later in the evening.
.
🥭 The Heart & Small Intestines are the organs associated with Summer in Chinese medicine. Assimilation of nutrients peaks, as does the assimilation of emotions.
.
🌞Eat more fresh, raw foods - think fruits, salads, greens and fish. It’s important to eat lighter meals in summer and avoid foods that may cause indigestion, food stagnation or internal heat. This includes rich, fried or oily foods, red meat, excess spice or onion/garlic.
This is still dependent on your constitution as you may still have internal cold that doesn’t suit raw foods, or you may have internal heat that needs them. Listen to your body, or seek guidance from a Chinese medicine doctor.
.
💛Coffee is also quite warming so if you are looking for an alternative that is cooling in nature opt for green tea, white tea or peppermint.
.
.

#acupuncture #chinesemedicine #wisdom #alignwithnature #summer #sunshine #health #livingwiththeseasons #eatingwiththeseasons #mimicnature

Tian Di Ren is a holistic view of the universe; a philosophical and cosmological concept that comes from classical China, Daoism and Confucianism. It is concept that explores the fundamental elements of existence and the relationship between heaven, earth and humanity.

Tian means heaven and represents the sky, the space above, and the cosmic order that governs natural laws and the universal energies. Tian is pure Yang energy, a creative force that connects to consciousness and spirit.

Di translates to Earth and symbolises the material world, the physical environment in which all living things interact. The fertile ground which sustains existence is pure Yin in nature.

Ren is Humanity, the bridge between Heaven and Earth. This theory emphasises the human beings’ responsibility to practise ethical action, societal harmony and proper behaviour to harmonise the will of the Heavens with the conditions of the Earth.

One of the many things I love about learning and practicing ancient medicine/ways is the undeniable truth that we are part of this intricate web of life and the natural world. Forgetting this truth creates disharmony and illness in the body, mind and society.

Through meditation, qi gong and acupuncture we can use this theory to balance the Yin and Yang, by bringing the energies of above and below to harmonise within us.
.
.
.
#tiandiren #naturephilosophy #daoistmedicine #daoism #meditation #qigong #wearenature #ancientchina #acupuncture

50-HOUR YIN YOGA TEACHER TRAINING 2024
.
I was in Rishikesh in 2017 to complete my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Association of Yoga and Meditation, I always thought I’d be back to complete another 300 hours at some point. Life had a different plan and as Yin Yoga was a huge draw card for further learning I opted for this short deep dive through the Rishikesh Association for Yoga. Rishikesh is located at the foothills of the Indian Himalaya in the state of Uttarakhand and is believed to be the birthplace of yoga. It’s built either side of the Ganges river, otherwise known as Mother Ganga Ji. Descending from the mountains, the water is crisp, clear, fast flowing, refreshing and super special to be close to and swim in. I am grateful that I have had/created the opportunity to learn yoga here. All of our teachers imparted such inspired and embodied wisdom, it was an utter joy and privileged to learn from them.
.
At the start, learning yoga in India was completely personal, to deepen my own practise and understanding of its roots. The last few years as I have been teaching more regularly I’ve found a new love for sharing this amazing practise. I am excited to offer more Yin classes upon return to Australia.
.
Yin yoga is where Yoga & Daoism meet, such a special new world to explore as two of my passions merge. I’m currently writing a more detailed blog post on the topic and will share it in the coming weeks. This will include the schedule of how we spent our days at the course, plus some history and philosophy. I’m also planning to record a short Yin Yoga class to upload on YouTube and share with anyone who is interested.
.
The album of photos is a selection from our opening and closing ceremony, plus some extras from class and a couple more from an Iyenga style Hatha class we found and loved.
.
.
.
#yinyoga #yinyogateachertraining #yoga #daoism #channeltheory #meridian #qiflow #selfhealing #gowithin #lookwithin

Where can you find more softness in your life?
.
Lao Tzu with the wisdom that feels right and makes you think.
.
#water #soft #laotzuquote #laotzu #chinesemedicine #chinesephilosophy #natureasteacher

We were given a Bernie Clark book as our text for the Yin Yoga training. This quote spoke to me, a reminder that it is about the journey, not the destination.

Not surprisingly, the 8 of us students had different bodies, imbalances, tight areas, flexible areas, strengths and weaknesses. A big take away from the course is that individualising yoga practise is important, for myself and for my students.

I am inspired to use the practise therapeutically - to find more balance between my left and right side and correct my posture. After an intensive week of embodied practise I now know what I need to work on.

I’ll share and write more soon about the 50-hour Yin Yoga course in Rishikesh.
.
.
.
#yinyoga #yoga #yogateachertraining #yinyogateacher #yinyang #asana #yogatherapy #embodiment #bodyliteracy #knowingself #yogaquote #rishikesh

A mini series of Yin postures to help you stretch the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. Thanks to @nuwanaturalhealth for the clear channel illustrations. These two organs create a YinYang pair and are connected to the season of Spring. Liver is responsible for the processing of emotional stress and commonly creates tension in the Gallbladder channel and other imbalances in the body. By stretching the channels it will help move blocked Qi stagnation. As always go slowly, listen to your body, use props, never continue if you feel sharp pain and find a good yoga teacher if you are new to practise.
.
.
.
#yinyoga #daoyin #yoga #livermeridian #gallbladdermeridian #springhealth #tipsforspring #asana #chinesemedicine #daoistmedicine

.pro-gallery-wix-wrapper {display: block !important;} .pro-gallery-wix-wrapper .gallery-item-container {opacity: 1 !important; display: block !important;}

Follow us on Instagram

@cultivate.health.acupuncture

Cultivate Health Acupuncture

Learning & growing in health together

Follow us on Instagram

​

Follow us on Instagram