Happy Chinese New Year

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Welcome to Spring! On the Lunar calendar, it marks a time of renewal, regeneration, and sweeping away of the old to make way for new life and growth. The year of The Snake gave us an opportunity to shed what was no longer needed.
How about you? Any interesting epiphanies? Shedding? Growing? I think my shedding is around expectations. Expectations in my personal life as well as in our cultural/ global environment. Wow, there’s a lot there for me. Initially it feels like grief and sadness and I hesitate to let go. Until…

“And the day came
when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
Anais Nin

I hope you are managing this time with compassion and care.
Let’s see what this Fire Horse has in store for us in 2026 🔥

I am available for appointments Mon Wed Fri
and would be delighted to see you.
Gigi Vincentine
www.gigivincentine.ca
250-882-0659

Please note that my prices will increase on March 1st to $120 Acupuncture $130 Tuina Massage

Feel Better This Fall

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.
As we embrace the arrival of Fall, it is a season characterized by release and transformation. This time of year is associated with the Metal Element, represented by the Lung and Large Intestine. 

Deepening your breath can facilitate the release of tension and allow you to let go of what no longer serves you. The Metal Element often carries emotions such as sadness and grief; therefore, inhale deeply to embrace the expansive blue sky. Integrity, self-worth, and structure are its guiding virtues. Fall frequently signifies a return to routine and a chance to realign ourselves after the carefree days of summer.

If you have a health concern you wish to address or emotional grief you aim to release, I invite you to seek support. I am available in the clinic on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

I look forward to seeing you.  
Gigi Vincentine ☯️
250.882.0659

Detox and Spring

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Detox and Spring, are they related? In Chinese Medicine, our Qi has been in the deeper levels of our bodies, in the Water/Kidney Element. It’s similar to the concept of hybernation.

Now, Spring has arrived and that Qi/energy is sprouting outward into our Wood/Liver Element. Have you noticed any restlessness, irritability, anxiety, inflammation, joint pain, allergies, more heat? That’s our bodies transitioning into Spring. We naturally detox at this time but helping it along will help you suffer less.

Who wants/ needs a smoother transition? Detox?

There are so many ways to help your body along. Simple: drink more lemon 🍋 water or add peppermint tea 🍵

More Complex: Detox kits like Wild Rose, Nestmann Detox Kit(homeopathic), RenewLife CleanseSmart. Something in between could be veggie juicing, adding 1-3 juices a day, sauna, you name it!

Acupuncture, TCM herbs and Tuina Massage can really help speed things along and can reach some deeper layers.

We don’t need to suffer. Get some relief ❤️

I’m here Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Give me a shout.

Happy Spring ☘️

Oh I almost forgot the weeds growing right now are perfect too. Dandelion greens, cleavers, nettle, lemon balm, and peppermint

250-882-0659

gigivincentine@hotmail.com

http://www.gigivincentine.ca

Schedulicity Online Scheduling | Book Appointments Online

Fall 🍂Newsletter

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.
Fall 🍂 The Metal Element
When I think metal, I think of a sword. Strong enough to fulfill it’s purpose, but not so rigid it snaps. The Metal Element and time of year naturally prescribes structure and routine. Getting back to basics (or business). Some of us may describe Fall as a reset. Kind of like the New Year. Fall also calls upon us a certain flexibility and ease to be able to let go of our metaphorical leaves.
Metal, Fall Season relates to our Lungs and Large Intestine. A very fundamental Yin and Yang, In and Out, with our breath and with our food. A process of receiving and eliminating. Breathing in…breathing out.
Have you ever tried explaining Taoism ☯️ to your 16 yr old teenager? Living in harmony with the seasons? I think I lost him somewhere around asking him to go ” with” nature. His inertia (lazyness) was getting the best of him this morning. Getting up in the morning can feel a little heavy in the Fall compared to warm and bright Summer mornings 🌄 I think I was resisting Fall myself, as I love the warm summers and lake swims.
Here are some sweet Fall affirmations that may help you get out of bed in the morning 😉

Breathing In, I Soften
Breathing Out, I Soften

I Breath In Clarity
I Breath Out Resistance

As I Let Go
I Find Peace

I Embrace The Beauty of Fall
As I Am Reminded of My Own Beauty

I Am Grounded On This Earth
As I Watch Nature’s Transformation

Here’s to flowing with the seasons and feeling good! I’m in clinic Monday, Wednesday, Friday, if any of you want to feel a bit more ease and harmony. Acupuncture and body work can be a great way to let go! I’ll see you soon.
Happy Fall 🍁🌾🍂Gigi

Abundance! Welcome to Late Summer

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Late Summer is the fifth season in Chinese Medicine that relates to the Earth Element, the spleen and stomach. Anybody getting any tummy upsets, bloating, maybe even irritable bowel. I woke up this morning thinking why is my tummy still gurgling around and feeling inflamed. Then I remembered Late Summer.

Late Summer starts at around the third week of August and runs into the Fall Equinox (Sept 22 this year). The Earth is our Centre and helps ground and nourish us and keeps us level headed. When she’s out of balance we can feel heavy, physical fatigue, emotional fatigue, worry, digestive upsets…dampness. Maybe a thicker coating on your tongue 👅.

In modern times we’ve made a lot of connections between gut health and immunity and now mental health. In 1180, Li Dong Yuan founded the Earth School to promote and educate the importance of the Earth. The value of Transforming and Transporting our nutrients throughout our bodies and distributing clear yang to the head. ( think leaky gut or head fog) Also know as T&T. It just took us a while to catch up 😉

The Yang time of the pendulum is swinging back to Yin but before it does it passes through the Earth Element for a pause and reflection. This was sent to me this morning by a patient:

August Rain:

“the best of the summer gone,

and the new fall not yet born.

The odd uneven time.”

by Sylvia Plath

Now is the time of year to take care of our Spleen and Stomach Qi to prepare for fall and winter, through acupuncture, food therapy and mindfulness, and maybe a pause of gratitude and reflection.

I’m in my clinic Monday Wednesday Friday. Would love to see you.

Namaste ☯️

Gigi

Oh the Vic Pro Building is getting a new splash of paint to match the modern buildings around. It looks good 👍

Parking is still easiest up on Yates and free. The parkade is working well for some. Parking in the lower numbers 1-10 will bring you to the back courtyard and playground and our back door. That’s a nice way too. For cyclists, there’s a new bike pad in the courtyard in the back.

Happy Time of Light

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Remembering my light.

Remembering I am light and dark and all things in between. In Taoism and Chinese Medicine our light can be described as our Shen. Shen is the light that shines through our eyes. Shen is also the light that emanates from our galaxy, the trees, the stars, people. When I think of this, I remember my beauty and the beauty all around me.

I have had an exciting few weeks as my family has been away to Guatemala without me. Can you believe it?! I have been opening up more clinic hours, studying more, teaching more, playing more. And now it’s my turn in the sun. I will be away from clinic Dec 18th-Jan 3rd. Back in my practice on Friday Jan 5th.

I wish all of you peace and connection. Connection to self, as well as to others and Mother Nature.

Merry Christmas 🎄

Happy Solstice 💫

Happy New Year 🎉

And any other way you celebrate the light ✨️

Blessings 🙏

Here’s a beautiful song I listen to when I forget my light.

India.Arie Sings “I Am Light” | SuperSoul Sessions | Oprah Winfrey Network (youtube.com)

Gigi ❤️

PS My treatment services will increase by $5 on Feb 1st, 2024

Happy New Year!

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Happy New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Water Rabbit! Chinese predictions sound hopeful and encouraging, so I’m going to spread the news.

Here are a few excerpts from the article and I’ll leave the link below.

“But what does the Year of the Water Rabbit really mean for us? According to Chinese astrology, the Rabbit represents peaceful and patient energy. The Rabbit is a gentle creature known for thinking things through before acting. This energy will encourage us to approach challenges and opportunities calmly and rationally.”

“In addition to the Rabbit’s peaceful energy, the Water element brings intuition and inner peace.

Water is all about tapping into our inner wisdom and trusting our instincts. It encourages us to be more in tune with our emotions and sensitive to those around us.”

Chinese Horoscope 2023 – Year of the Rabbit (thechinesezodiac.org)

This is right up my alley. I hope you enjoy the read.

Christmas and New Years was full of fun and adventure for me. By some miracle, my family and I were able to visit family in Ontario and experience a winter wonderland. It was our first Christmas away. We managed to fly in between storms and arrive safely,( with our luggage!)… a little late, but we did it!

I’m in the clinic Mon, Wed, Fri

I’m looking forward to a New Year of reflection, discovery, possibility and adventure! I’m looking forward to our connection/adventure together!

Peace Out

Om

May the Tao be with you

Gigi

http://www.gigivincentine.ca

gigivincentine@hotmail.com

250.882.0659

Your Health Equation

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

Good day! I’ve got some of my creative juices flowing today so here I am writing to you:) The sun and the garden are helping with that.

I thought I would share with you part of my health equation and ask for you to share parts of yours. My next newsletter will highlight some of your feedback. (anonymously)

So here are some of my top health helpers:

#1Neti Pot

#2Breath Work

#3Meditation

#1 Here’s my neti pot, simple and portable

NEILMED NASAFLO NETI POT 50 PACKETS (londondrugs.com)

I keep it pretty easy. 1/2 teaspoon of salt (sea salt or Himalayan) mixed with a 1/2 cup warm water from my tap. My goal is to make it as warm as my body and as salty as my tears would be, so that my body stays calm with no reactions. I started this practice about 5 years ago as a means to cleanse my body before meditation. It also has a myriad of effects on my immune system. My nasal passages being my first line of protection and wisdom to the outside world. I practice this every morning and it has helped keep me strong and healthy.

#2 Breath work is something I do more formally before meditation but I also do it throughout the day, especially in times of discomfort or pain. Nadi Shodhana or alternate nostril breathing is done by breathing in and out through your nose while blocking the opposite nostril. Here’s a video I found to help. Easy Nadi Shodhana | Pranayama Practice – Bing video

Nadi Shodhana is used to calm the mind and body and it helps to centre myself. There are so many breathing techniques (pranayama). This is one of the first ones I learned in yoga class and later learned with meditation. You can do 5-10 rounds. One round starting your in breath on the left and ending on an outbreath on the left. Another simple one I use is breathing in for the count of 4, and breathing out for the count of 6. When my outbreath is longer than my inbreath my body’s nervous system starts to relax.

#3 Meditation is something I do everyday, consistently to find out how I’m doing. It’s a time I take to look at myself without judgement. Can you imagine? I say that bc it’s so easy for me to judge, defend, and protect myself. So I take a break:)

So now, how about you? I’m sure you have lots of tricks up your sleeves. Looking forward to your answers.

I’m in clinic 3 days a week: Mon, Wed, Fri.

Thursdays, I’m teaching at Pacific Rim College, and Tuesdays I work off site. Would love to see you. Hope all of you are feeling supported and finding time for joy.

Many hugs

Gigi

Summer Heart Joy!

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.
Image result for dalai+lama+joy+tutu
The Book of Joy
Welcome to Summer! Summer represents the Element of Fire in Chinese Medicine and it corresponds to the Heart & Small Intestine system. It’s emotions range from love, laughter, enthusiasm, abundance and joy to… anxiety, restlessness, panic, sadness, irrational fears and phobias. The good, the bad and the not so pretty ;)Balance is key ☯️The balance between doing and being. Active Yang and restful Yin. Having presence in our bodies and our minds. Not one or the other, but both. In Chinese Medicine, it’s often referred to as the Heart-Mind connection.
Some summer heat imbalances are:-restlessness, sleep disturbances, palpitations-skin rashes, hives, inflammation, heat stroke-feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and panicky. Cooling foods, water and more contemplative calming activities will keep the heat at bay. I really noticed during the heat wave the difference it made just by drinking more water. Wow was that hot!
Ok, back to Joy! This time of year happiness and joy are more accessible, so let’s go for it. At Christmas, my family gave me The Book of Joy, Lasting Happiness in a Changing World, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The take away for me was that they had cultivated such an inner sense of joy, that all other thoughts and feelings could fit inside, like a compassion container. This compassion can be felt several meters away. I remember when I met the Dalai Lama, I could feel his presence before I knew he had arrived. It went through me like a wave and enveloped my whole body. I now go back to that feeling when I call on my compassion part to hold space for some of the tougher emotions that go through me. I tend to learn through my body, and that was a good lesson to learn. Recently, talking with a patient, we both realized that Joy was a little harder to call on this year. There seemed to be more barriers in the way. Like there was more to work through before getting to Joy. My thoughts lately have been, maybe Joy or Compassion or Empathy could be the container to work through the ” hard stuff”. What do you think? Has Joy stayed with you along your journey this year? What are your barriers to Joy? It’s a little tricky, right!? Would love to hear from you.
I’m taking some holiday time in August. I’m going camping from August 10th-19th. I’m back in the clinic on the 20th.
Book yourself in before August 10th. I’d love to see you, or after the 19th. Acupuncture and body work is a great support to help let go and relieve emotional and physical pain. See you soon:)I hope your enjoying your summer. The island is a great refuge.
Namaste
Gigi
250.882.0659
gigivincentine@hotmail.com
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It’s time to book, I miss you!

Posted on by Gigi Vincentine R. TCM. P., R. Ac.

It’s time to book, I miss you!

Returning to the Body can be our Refuge. The Mind can take us to so many places, yes…but do we feel safe there? (in the past or in the future…in our worries) The Mind and Ego are influenced by fear and isolation. The body can be a safe place to find Refuge. This year I have experienced a lot of deep triggers (fears) and I’ve really relied on my body to come back to peace and safety. Thank goodness. The body knows! The body can be our Compassionate Container for all that we are experiencing. Acupuncture can bring us out of our heads and into the body…ahhh.

In my last Newsletter, I asked the question. What is acupuncture for you?

Here are some to those answers. Thank you

Acupuncture is balancing.

Acupuncture is an inward adventure.

Acupuncture is ancient wisdom, and empirical system of healing.

Acupuncture is a practice. It’s a place of healing my body and mind. It helps me relax and see more clearly what my body is telling me. It’s a ritual I follow once a week that I’ve very much benefited from.

Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is my greatest joy~ Lao Zi

Acupuncture is transformational.

Acupuncture is healing.

Acupuncture is getting connected to your inner healing gift with the support, guidance, wisdom and skills of an excellent acupuncturist like Gigi. (toot toot)

Acupuncture is an opening from the inside out.

Acupuncture is hope.

Acupuncture is a supportive healing technique that assists with unblocking the stagnant energy.

Acupuncture is being open to healing, receiving, and surrendering…

Acupuncture is refreshing, centering, energizing and or relaxing.

Acupuncture is a unique healing process.

What are you waiting for? Come back to the body, your own healing power, your own knowing. How cool is that?!

Namaste

Thank you for all your contributions.

Gigi