Are you wondering how herbs, qi gong, and meditation can support you? They each have the potential to help ease both physical discomfort (ie like pain with menstrual cycle, issues with menopause, digestive upset, sinus issues etc) and emotional discomfort like anxiety or depression. They can facilitate physical ease, emotional ease, and help the body be a more comfortable and comforting place to be. What I really want to talk about, though, is how these practices actually Continue Reading
Strengthening Your Center During Challenging Times
Times of transition and change can seem unsettling, as if the earth is moving beneath your feet and there is not a stable place to rest and regroup. Change and transition can be anything from the death of a loved one (human or animal), a new job, new home, the end or even the beginning of a relationship, unsettling world events, just to name a few. Chinese medicine offers not only wisdom but practical ways to take care of yourself and to cultivate a stronger sense of trust and Continue Reading
New Medical Qi Gong Offerings
Michele and Andres recently completed the coursework for a masters in medical qi gong. This has been a very rewarding and intense three year process that has involved a lot of study, travel, and focus. For those who do not know what medical qi gong is, it is an ancient, powerful system of healing from China that is useful for a wide variety of health concerns. It is Chinese medicine's version of energy healing, and one of the four branches Chinese medicine. Medical qi gong has been Continue Reading
Living the Authentic Voice of Your Soul
In the Taoist conceptualization of human consciousness, there are two concepts that I find particularly helpful in quest to live an authentic and balanced life. One is called the shen zhi and loosely translates into our personality or the acquired mind. The shen zhi is considered to be the post natal aspect of our mind that is influenced by culture, emotions, thoughts, and daily activities and stressors. It is the combined consciousness of the five organ spirits, and it plays an important role Continue Reading
Medical Qi Gong’s Role in the Modern World
Medical Qi Gong, one of the four branches of Chinese medicine Medical Qi Gong has been used for thousands of years in addressing all manner of health imbalance. It is Chinese medicine’s version of energy work. The medical qi gong therapist uses focus, intention, and meditative states to accomplish particular health goals for the client. By using the roadmap and diagnostic principles of Chinese medicine as well energetic healing states, the qi gong therapist can make significant changes Continue Reading
Strengthen Your Digestion with Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, the earth forms the center of a five element configuration of any given human being. Many traditional systems, like Ayurveda and Native American systems, understand each human body as a unique combination of the natural elements, with each system identifying and working with specific elements, such as water, earth, wood, air, etc. The purpose of using natural elements in identifying body systems is to have an easy, succinct and efficient way to explain and to address any Continue Reading
How Chinese Medicine Can Help Anxiety
Written by Andres Vergara, Dipl.OM, L.Ac. and Michele Collins Vergara, RH (AHG), MPH Anxiety often represents an advanced progression of various smaller imbalances and thought patterns. In Chinese medicine various symptoms are used as clues to understand how to easily and practically address the reality of anxiety. In order to best help we ask clients to breakdown how does anxiety feel in their body. Are there heart palpitations? Is there a shortness of breath? Spinning thoughts? Sleep Continue Reading
Experience all 4 Branches of Chinese Medicine
In the interest of providing more comprehensive care, we have designed some opportunities to better promote a deeper healing facilitated by the synergy of the 4 branches of Chinese medicine. Each of these therapies serves to support and reinforce the other. Also, in addition to receiving acupuncture and a customized herbal formula, we also will teach you important self care tools from Chinese nutritional therapy and qi gong to help you manage your own healing process. Here is more information Continue Reading
4 Branches and the Heart of Chinese Medicine at New Address
by Andres Vergara and Michele Vergara As of November 1st, Andres and Michele will be moving their office from the Naturopathic Health Clinic (2522 Reynolda Rd.) to a few doors down at 2594B Reynolda Rd. As many of you may know, Andres and Michele have been practicing at the Naturopathic Health Clinic in Winston Salem, Michele for the past eight years and Andres for nearly three years. It has been a wonderful home for us, but we are ready a little more space. It is an exciting expansion for Continue Reading
Learn to Dissolve Negative Emotions
Michele Collins and Andres Vergara We have all had moments when unpleasant emotions, whether it is fear, anger, worry, frustration, grief, come up with surprising force and cloud our judgment and leave us feeling unpleasant or upset. These emotions can drain your energy and cause unnecessary suffering to yourself and others. We (Andres and Michele) have found some practical and transformative tools in our qi gong practice that have taught us how to neutralize these emotions and use that energy Continue Reading