Published by sallylee b-ê :: well
Acupressure and yoga therapy have introduced me to the intricacy of the human bodies.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been known to have over 3500 years in medical history, including acupressure, acupuncture, cupping, dietetics/food therapy, herbology, massage (tui na), moxibustion, and scrapping (guasha). There are many TCM schools and clans of studies, and the most common ground of practice is the fundamental meridian philosophy and theory. Meridians are known as energy channels that connect energies (internal organs, hormones, functions, etc.) throughout the body. In an acupressure session, gentle to deep pressure is applied to the pressure point on the meridian as a form of stimulation in place of needles, in order to tonify/ disperse/ strengthen the energy flow of the meridians, allowing the body to attune itself and find its own balance in its own terms. Yoga Therapy is an amalgamation of scientific and traditional medicines into a healing practice based on the innate wisdom of the body and its energies. Through scientific studies in anatomy, physiology and psychology together with the traditional yogic values of asanas, chakras, breathing techniques, diet, yoga practices, and meditation, yoga therapy allows the trainer and trainee to align the structural as well as emotional bodies, so that the individual can attune, connect, aware of the patterns accumulated between the body and mind. The goal is to bring consciousness to these patterns and eventually creating perspectives to encounters difficulties.
It has been fifteen years of artmaking at the time when I encounter acupressure study, meanwhile cultural and gender politics and community building have always been my point of reference. In 2011, I graduated in Masters of Fine Arts in Montreal. My thesis was a research and attempt to explore the relationship between pleasure and pressure in public spaces. I learned how to make inflatable art from a local inflatable artist, Ana Rewakowicz. I made from scratch with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) a transparent inflatable suit for a public intervention. The public can wear the inflatable suit and inflate it with a foot pump. From then on, it was clear to me that I needed to make a direct connection to my cultural roots, encountering acupressure study and TCM became a pivotal moment for me where the notions of art and the publics, healing and medicine collided and was set as the next goal. It is through my passion in art-making and process-oriented projects that has led me to acupressure.
Since then, I work with folx of all genders and cultures, and continue to work with different groups of community clinics and organizations to bring acupressure and yoga therapy accessible to a greater public. I also offer new parents, caregivers and health professionals baby massage course, integrative birthing workshop for couples, and TCM workshops to continue to share my passion on integrative health approach. My intention is to restore and realign the body, mind and spirit, sharing my knowledge and passion on how the microbiome as a mirroring system to the external world that we live in, and understanding the internal eco-system where bacteria and antibodies find their ways to co-exist and build a healthy environment as a mirror to reflect the importance of (bio)diversity and acknowledgement of difference in a healthy society.
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