The Original Mind Body Medicine

The ancient system of the Five Elements and the Eight Branches is the original Mind Body Medicine. These practices have their roots in pre-Confucian, pre-Buddhist China. The sages of the past observed nature and observed the human experience within the natural world - from this they perceived the unseen Tao.The human being was seen as existing between Heaven and Earth in a continuous dance that can be described with the concepts of Yin and Yang.The human being was perceived to be made of both seen and unseen dimensions. To this day in even the most technologically focused Western hospital settings the posture and experience of the human spirit/mind is acknowledged as an important part of the healing process.

Saints and Sages across time and cultures have illuminated the people regarding the paths to healing, well being, spiritual transformation and right living. My own studies, experiences and conscience guide my work with people I am privileged to serve. The structures and lens of understanding found in the Traditional and Classical Medicine of the Ancient East offer us an amazing full framework for the transforming of mind and body. Every human being is absolutely unique and of the greatest value. Although every individual walks their own path—we do all heal in the context of relationships, communities and cultures. Relating to one’s own Heart and the people around you is of profound importance in shifting all forms of “dis-ease.”

What does it look like to work virtually with a Chinese Medicine Doctor?

It looks a lot like a visit in person and actually feels very similar! Of course we do not do any acupuncture or Tui Na (hands on bodywork that is a kind of physiotherapy) but you are seen by your dedicated Chinese Medicine Doctor. You are guided to shift your vision, your habits and your ways of being in this amazing tapestry of creation. All healing is a kind of collaboration. This virtual work is a wonderful opportunity for you to collaborate with a practitioner who considers you the image of God and fully capable of incredible healing and transformation.The virtual visits program is done in sets of four meetings with clear goals. I offer focused programs with a structure directed at an outcome. However, I fully acknowledge there is often a winding journey that has many unexpected turns! Your story and your journey are your own. If you are considering doing a virtual visit program with me feel free to set up an initial free consultation so that we can chat and figure out if we are a good match. Also, please consider reading Saints and Sages: Unwinding Anxiety with the Wisdom of the Ancients—my books will soon be available through my website and through Amazon. The work we do together may include any of the following:

Nutritional Healing

Understanding how diet and nutrition can be modified for lightness, energy and improved mood. There are many multifaceted dietary (and fasting!) interventions that profoundly impact our total health. “Ways of eating” can be powerful, temporary, and long term interventions for many health concerns. The Traditional East Asian philosophy of food medicine does not make sense in the fractionated terms of the West. Foods and even the ways they are prepared are considered to have specific energetic effects. I help people cultivate a way of eating for transformation as well as strength. Choosing and preparing our food can be meditative and can create the basis of physical/emotional healing. We often have old scars and patterns around food habits with roots in childhood and even false beliefs about ourselves. Old patterns can be unwound and new practices developed! Food based healing practices can be an amazing component in creating a balanced healthy life.

Movement Healing

Movement to create energy and strength—the amazing systems of movement for vitality can assist us in so many ways. The capacity for deep breath and smooth flowing movement is available to most people. We can make gradual and strong changes to the ways of moving through this life. We indeed are how we move. Stillness is equally important as it provides the basis for strong movement. Through cultivating the healthy rhythm of real stillness and powerful movement we can improve our strength, balance and energy at any age.

Herbal Medicine

Herbal formulas both Traditional and contemporary can be amazing allies. Herbs along with simple appropriate diet can have truly deep effects. Traditional Chinese formulas have been used successfully by millions of people across time and cultures. Herbal formulas sometimes contain culinary herbs in higher amounts and this aspect often helps the digestion to recognize the herbal medicine as something familiar and helpful.Traditional formulas are generally composed of a careful balance of herbs that will gently shift the dis-ease process. We will work together to help you incorporate specific herbs into your cooking practice as well as choosing formulas to support your goals.

Your Place in the Cosmos

Cosmology in Chinese Tradition as well as other Asian traditions plays an important role in the life of the individual. Cosmology is not “fortune telling” but rather contact with the reality of who you are in the Cosmos. A person has absolute freedom to make choices across a lifetime and create the life and relationships they choose- however there are certain boundaries or “pillars of destiny” that do exist. Each of us is born into a time and a place with advantages and limitations. We have great freedom and those boundaries of destiny do help us. We can choose to work with the pillars of our destiny not fight against them.

Feng Shui

Crafting our environments for total well being Feng Shui is the powerful practice of arranging our environments to create harmony, growth, order and potential. Feng Shui means literally “wind and water.” Wind is an unseen force that moves and effects the seen world. Water is the strongest and deepest of the elements. The unseen wind moves the seen water. What we allow in our physical spaces of work, play, rest, will have both seen and unseen results. If we clear away a thousand keepsakes, chachkies and items we never liked anyway we may find new depths of peace and inspiration in our own living room. Peace in one’s own home is a vast treasure that many people have yet to discover. Our world has grown very loud and many people have the base line of low grade anxiety combined with caffeinated rushing. Many consume entertainments that create constant comparison and adrenalin surges leading finally to absolute exhaustion. Our homes and even our work spaces should be places of restoration, connection, and creativity. “Noise” in our environments can be audible noise, echoes of the day, even the “agendas” of the items around us. If your book shelf is full of fine art books you never look at- why not let them go? Things are just things—people’s lived experience is the splendor of a home.

The Breath and Meditation

Finding our way to the deep quiet within us can create amazing opportunities to gain clarity and allow layers of resistance to dissolve revealing our true luminous nature. When we become “ill at ease,” stressed or otherwise in a state of tension that has persisted beyond a healthy level—our breath can become shallow and affected. Sustainable personalized meditation practices can be incredible for shifting from overthinking or any other unhelpful inner pattern—easing the individual back to gentle presence.

These branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine offer an amazing space of healing and transformation.

All the best!

Glory to God in All Things!

Jennifer Bowden

Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Florida Acupuncture Physician 4555