Happenings

Tuina offer is with Dr. Shannon at the Santa Monica clinic or Albert Vaca, L.Ac., at the Pasadena Clinic.

Experience the healing power of Therapeutic Tuina Bodywork – a time-tested, holistic approach to wellness that will leave you feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and balanced. Tuina, which means “push and grasp,” is a traditional Chinese massage therapy that combines gentle yet deep manipulation of muscles, acupressure, and energy flow to harmonize your body, mind, and spirit. Our skilled traditional Chinese medicine doctors will customize your treatment to address your specific needs, whether you seek relief from chronic pain, stress reduction, or simply desire a revitalizing experience.

The Benefits of Therapeutic Tuina Bodywork:

Natural Healing: Tuina stimulates the body’s own healing mechanisms, promoting a sense of overall well-being.

Pain Relief: If you suffer from muscle pain, tension, or discomfort, Tuina can help alleviate your symptoms and improve your range of motion.

Stress Reduction: Escape the daily grind and let the gentle touch of Tuina soothe your mind and relieve stress and anxiety.

Detoxification: Experience a unique protocol of Tuina bodywork techniques, including whole-body dry skin-brushing, cupping, and lymphatic drainage to rid your body of lactic acid and other accumulated toxins. 

Enhanced Energy Flow: Tuina’s techniques help balance the Qi (energy) flow, leaving you feeling revitalized and energized.

Holistic Approach: Tuina is about physical wellness and emotional well-being, fostering a deep sense of harmony.

Package may not be shared. New patients require an initial consultation. Must be redeemed by 6/29/2025.



Monthly Horoscope

Welcome to your December 2024 Chinese Horoscope! 

December 2024 is governed by Bing Zi (丙子), a powerful combination of Yang Fire (Bing) atop Yang Water (Zi). This unique elemental pairing—opposite yet complementary forces spark a dynamic interaction and clash between Fire’s hot, rising, and expansive nature and Water’s cool, extinguishing, and solidifying nature. While this dynamic fosters optimism and creativity, it may also bring tension as the excitement may border on irrational exuberance if left unchecked. You may witness this play out from the outcome of last month’s US election. How will this interplay affect your health, relationships, finances, and career? Read on to find personalized advice for navigating December 2024 with balance and insight.

Take a quiz to discover your dominant element, and explore your horoscope below.

WOOD ELEMENT

 You are imaginative, driven, and focused on growth. As a Wood Element individual, you naturally excel in leadership and innovation, constantly pursuing fresh opportunities and tackling new challenges. Progress and development are your strengths. This month, the interplay between your core Element and the energies of the month and year presents obstacles to navigate and opportunities to embrace for personal advancement. Keep reading for your horoscope.

FIRE ELEMENT

 You are vibrant, dynamic, and naturally magnetic. As a Fire Element individual, you are driven by action and energized by excitement. With a talent for inspiring others, you excel as a motivator, though you may sometimes act impulsively or feel overwhelmed under pressure. This month, the interaction between your core Element and the prevailing energies offers challenges to overcome and opportunities to harness for growth and success. Keep reading for your horoscope.

EARTH ELEMENT

 You are steady, dependable, and caring. As an Earth Element individual, you excel in providing support and practicality, often prioritizing the well-being of others. You cherish stability and routine, though adapting to change can be challenging. This month, the interaction between your core Element and the energies of the month and year brings potential hurdles to navigate and opportunities to cultivate growth. Keep reading for your horoscope.

METAL ELEMENT

 You are methodical, focused, and resolute. As a Metal Element individual, you thrive on structure and order, driven by a clear sense of purpose. Your pursuit of excellence is unwavering, though it can sometimes make you appear inflexible. This month, the interplay between your core Element and the prevailing energies offers both challenges to refine your approach and opportunities to achieve growth. Keep reading for your horoscope.

WATER ELEMENT

 You are insightful, adaptable, and deeply introspective. As a Water Element individual, you possess a natural ability to navigate change and exhibit strong emotional awareness. While your intuition runs deep, you may occasionally struggle with making decisions. This month, the dynamic interaction between your core Element and the energies of the month and year presents obstacles to address and opportunities to enhance your personal growth. Keep reading for your horoscope.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Dr. Mao's Year of the dragon Forecast

Based on the Ancient Science of the I Ching

By: Dr. Mao Shing Ni 

Universally, a new year ushers in hope for a new beginning and letting go of the past. It is no exception that nearly two billion people in China and throughout Asia celebrate the lunar new year to bring about a positive reset for their lives. What’s uniquely different about the Asian lunar New Year versus the Western Gregorian New Year is the recognition of astrological significance associated with each new year within the 60-year cycle. 

The calendar system developed in ancient China millenniums ago is still in use today and avidly followed by many, especially feng shui and astrology students. 2024 is a Jia Chen year, according to the 60-year cycle of heavenly stems and earthly branches (from the I Ching), and it is comprised of Wood and Earth elements, respectively. It is also the year of the Dragon, arguably the most powerful and auspicious of the 12 animal signs. 

As we usher in the Jia Chen (Wood Dragon) year, the cosmic energies promise a period of transformation, growth, and adaptability. This Wood Dragon's influence encourages us to align our actions with the essence of Wood—symbolism for vitality, growth, and expansion. In this astrological forecast, I will dive into personalized advice for individuals based on your elemental archetype, encompassing physical, mental, relationship, career, and financial aspects. Additionally, I will provide practical tips to address challenges and seize opportunities unique to your element. To discover your element, take the quiz here.

General Outlook

Political

Growth and Expansion: Jia (Wood) is associated with growth and expansion. Chen (Earth) is associated with stability and harmony. In a Jia Chen year, there may be a focus on political initiatives aimed at development, innovation, and progress. Policies that promote sustainability and new beginnings might also be emphasized.

Challenges in Control: in the Five Elements interaction, Wood overbears on Earth, which could imply challenges in managing growth and maintaining control, possibly leading to political tensions, unrest, or conflicts. Look out for election year clashes in the US and worldwide, as in 2024, nearly 50% of the world’s population will vote politically and geopolitically worldwide with seismic consequences.

Economic

Innovation and Development: Jia (Wood) energy is conducive to innovation and growth. Economic sectors related to technology, especially AI and chips that underlie it, renewable energy, and sustainable practices, may see growth and additional investments.

Strategic Planning Needed: The struggle for dominance between Wood and Metal suggests the need for strategic planning to overcome potential economic challenges. While the US economy may continue to chug along, the rest of the world may lag behind with anemic growth, inflationary pressures, and recession. 

Security

Emphasis on Stability: Chen (Earth) is associated with strength and stability. Government leaders will most surely prioritize national security measures, including stricter border control and immigration policy, beef up defense buildup and cybersecurity, and seek to project strength and maintain stability in the face of potential geopolitical challenges.

Need for Diplomacy: The inevitable jockeying for power between Wood and Metal indicates an increased potential for conflicts or tensions. Diplomacy and strategic negotiations will be critical to managing international relations and security concerns.

Environmental

Focus on Sustainability: Jia (Wood) is linked to the environment and growth. There will be continued focus on environmental policies, conservation efforts, and sustainable practices to address climate change and ecological concerns even as the world pumps evermore fossil fuel. 

Challenges in Regulation: The conflicting nature of 2024 astrologically suggests potential challenges in regulatory frameworks. Striking a balance between growth and environmental responsibility will require thoughtful planning.

Health

Holistic Well-being: Jia (Wood) is associated with vitality and well-being. Health initiatives may focus on innovations in healthcare, preventive and collaborative care models, lifestyle changes, and longevity hacks to promote wellness.

Challenges of Access and Costs: Three years after a global pandemic that broke healthcare systems around the world, policymakers have struggled between scaling up to prepare for the next pandemic, improving mental health access, and skyrocketing and unaffordable healthcare costs.

Social

DEI is Here to Stay: Despite backlashes against DEI policies, globally, the trend will continue to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion to foster community cooperation and well-being.

Need for Balance: As with all social policies, extremes in either direction will engender fierce opposition; therefore, it’s important to have a holistic perspective, careful consideration of the impact, and a balanced approach to creating a sustainable diversity and inclusion outcome.

Yo San University Qi Studio provides morning qi cultivation classes to the community. Led by certified practitioners, these drop-in classes are aimed at making Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Dao-in accessible to all! Qi cultivation is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on enhancing the flow of energy, or qi, throughout the body. Through gentle movements, breathing exercises, and meditation, practitioners can improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Register here: https://yosan.edu/qistudio/