I’ve been working with a great acupuncturist for the last few months. Her name is Andrea Vannelli and you can book online with her up on East 90th Street, if you’re in New York City. Since we started working together I’ve lost 20 pounds and managed through the anxiety that comes with living through a pandemic with a baby on the way. Our efforts have complemented my yoga practice and other forms of self-care like therapy and playing squash with friends.
I’ve always wanted to try acupuncture ever since I heard about it being used to help people through addiction issues when I was a reporter in Portland, Oregon. But it never quite happened. Then I met Andrea through a friend of mine, David, her husband, when they moved here to New York. And I took advantage of the serendipity. I can highly recommend the experience.
One of the things I’ve reflected on a lot with acupuncture is the points of similarity between Chinese medicine and Ayurveda—the science of living that we often talk about, associated with yoga. It focuses on the breath but also diet and other ways of looking at the world like non-grasping and wise use of energy. Ayurveda talks a lot about reducing “inflammation.” And in conversations around acupuncture, I’ve heard a lot about our cells holding onto insulation, associated with past trauma.
I’m 100% sure I’m butchering the complexity of all the science and the alternative medicine, there, and so I don’t want you to rely on hearsay. Instead I’d suggest you make an appointment to find out for yourself whether it works for you.
I often joke that I teach yoga for “people who hate yoga”. Guys who like to lift. People whose idea of self-care is being way too hard on themselves. You know. The last person you’d expect to see in a yoga studio.
Likewise, I’m not sure I’d historically have believed in the value of Ayurveda or in Chinese medicine. I was pretty skeptical. But the truth is that for me, it’s like knocking wood. I don’t necessarily have to believe in it, 100%, for it to work.
The biggest thing, for me, is asking myself if I’m ready to move through the world as a slightly different person. With less dread about the future and more confidence. That’s an attitude I try to bring to my yoga practice but also to everything else.
Likewise, the needles don’t hurt as much as I had expected. In fact, one hardly even notices them! I do hope you decide to give it a go when you’re ready.
M
p.s. Check out my archive of free yoga classes here! And feel free to send a pal my way. I really appreciate you and your support.
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