A calling: My personal approach to TCM and Tuina Anmo

As a child, I was able to experience a very traditional, nature-oriented life in my Lolo's (Filipino for grandfather) village. I remember neighbors warming their aching joints with moxa cigars. Having worked as rice farmers all their lives, they suffered from rheumatic complaints (Chinese Bi syndrome) due to their occupation. The pleasant smell and smoke from burning mugwort have always stayed with me. I also remember my grandmother's ginger rice soup (congee), which often saved us children from nasty stomach bugs.

Perhaps that is precisely what makes naturopathy so fascinating. You can take care of minor ailments yourself before they develop into illnesses, thereby taking responsibility for your own health! In Asia, cupping and scraping are performed using whatever is available at home. Tiger balm, for example, is very popular and can be purchased cheaply throughout Asia. You rub the ointment into tense shoulders and necks and then scrape (Gua Sha) the painful muscles several times with the lid. And cupping is done with jam jars. Pragmatic, in other words.

My passion for TCM arose from my knack for happy coincidences: I first came into contact with martial arts in my mid-20s. I stuck with it, despite the sweat and tears, and over the years I had the privilege of meeting some extraordinary people who generously shared their TCM healing knowledge. From the very beginning, I was fascinated by Chinese manual therapy—Tuina. I still follow the advice of my first teacher, a TCM doctor and martial artist: “If you want to master something, you have to turn into it.”

Traditionally, many of China's greatest TCM doctors have also been martial artists. They attained their masterful skills through practicing kung fu, qi gong, and tai chi. But also through calligraphy, feng shui (the study of harmony), and the teachings of the Yi Jing, the heart of Chinese culture and classical medicine. Studying so many sciences required a long and healthy life.

For me, TCM is a gift to humanity that must be passed on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teachers, companions, and my family for their unconditional support. I would also like to thank my clients and the participants in my workshops, who are inspired by my passion.