My son Andy started piano lesson in September 2004 when he was six years old. Less than a year later, my five year old daughter Amy began her lesson as well. Our family life has not been the same since then.
As any parent whose child takes music lessons knows, learning an instrument requires every day practice. Making the child practice can be a real challenge.
Every evening my kids have to practice piano. This is not something they are eager to do and willing to do on their own.
I always have to remind them, or to be more accurate, nag at them. Most times they comply. But there were days they didn’t cooperate and refused to play, especially at the beginning.
Andy said many times, he hated piano and didn’t want to practice. He begged me he wanted to quit. Besides complaints, many tears were shed.
As for my strong willed daughter, she didn’t like to be corrected. As soon as I corrected her mistakes, she refused to play.
I have to admit I am not someone with much patience. I can easily get frustrated and raise my voice when things don’t go smoothly.
During those difficult times, I was so frustrated, I wanted to quit too.
“Why do I spend so much money, time and energy in something that requires so much hard work and brings so much frustration into our life?” I questioned many times.
Then I have to remind myself again and again the reasons why I wanted them to learn piano in the first place. My hopes and goals for them are:
- Learn to play at least one instrument.
I grew up in poverty and didn't have an opportunity to learn any instrument. I wanted to give my children this opportunity when I can.
- Develop a love and understanding for music to enrich their life.
- Develop good study and work habits early on and learn that any success in life comes from hard work.
- Be able to delay gratification in pursuit of a greater goal and learn that there is no easy success and instant gratification in something truly great and wonderful.
- Learn patience and discipline through daily practice.
- Build confidence and self-esteem by doing something well.
- Learn that self worth comes from who they are and what they do, not from what they have. Giving them more experience is better than giving them more stuff in life.
- Use their free time to play music instead of playing computer games and watching TV.
- Do something creative to fill their time and life so they don't get bored and get into trouble when in their teenage years.
Although I still have to nag at them every day, Amy likes piano now. As for Andy, he doesn’t like it as much as Amy does. But over the last two years, we have established the daily routine that they have to play every day. They don’t question it any more. Often they just argue who plays first.
I told Andy he has to play until he graduates from high school. Then he will be old enough to make his own decision and he can quit if he wants to.
I found a good relationship between teacher and student is very important in a child’s attitude toward the music lesson. A loving and patient teacher can make a big difference in changing a child’s attitude and getting him interested and motivated in music lessons.
I am glad both of my kids have found wonderful teachers, Dr. Jo Anne Link and Dr. Joseph Zins from St. Paul. Since starting lessons with these two teachers a year ago, both Andy and Amy have a better attitude. There is less complaint and frustration. Life is getting easier during practice time.
One day last December, Andy came home from school and showed me proudly a certificate he got from his music teacher after playing piano in the class talent show. He said: “Mom, I kind of like piano now.”
That was music to my ear. It was something I had been waiting to hear.
“Hooray, let’s celebrate!” I was so happy.
I was glad I didn’t quit and I didn’t let him quit despite his many complaints and tears.
No short-term pain, no long-term gain. This is a truth in life.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 6/6/2007]
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
A family holiday tradition
The holiday season has arrived sooner than I expected. Christmas is just around the corner.
Where ever I look, the ads, the signs and the displays, everything reminds me, it’s time to buy and buy more.
I like holidays and special days, whether they are Christmas or New Year, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, but I don’t like the over commercialization of these special days. I am not a person who likes to go shopping. Besides I think most of us already have more than we need. My kids get enough toys and stuff that I don’t feel like to buy more for them. Do I need to buy more just because everyone else is doing so?
My love language is definitely not gifts, but words.
My son was born in 1998. For his first Christmas eight years ago, I wrote the following to him:
Dear Andy:
You very first Christmas is just around the corner. In the holiday spirit of sharing and giving, gifts are shared and given. But instead giving you toys and clothes which you will outgrow in a blink of eyes and certainly will not remember anything at all, Mom is writing you this letter as your first holiday gift.
Mom hopes this letter as well as the ones to follow will become your treasured possession in the years to come. I promise you that every year until you are 18 years old I’ll write at least one letter documenting important events that happen to you during that year.
Another promise I want to make here is to contribute $500.00 or whatever the maximum amount allowed every year from your birth until you are 18 years old to your College Savings Account. The money will be used for your education in the future. It’s a long term investment.
Mom hopes you will become a well educated person who values education and life long learning.
When my daughter Amy came to the world one year later, I promised her the same things.
Two years ago, I did a Christmas treasure hunt for my kids. I hid little presents in different rooms for them to find. They loved it so much, they asked me to do it again last year, which I did.
For each of my two kids, I wrote 10 reasons why I love them on 10 cards in 10 different colors. On the other side of the cards I wrote the clue to find the next treasure. I used 10 different kinds of treats to go along with the cards. The number of treats corresponded to the number of reasons on the card.
So the card with reason number 1 was accompanied by 1 treat, the card with reason number 2 was accompanied by 2 treats, etc. The treats were edible things, like candies, chocolate and cookies, or money or books.
I spent many hours cutting the papers, writing two sets of cards with different love notes and clues so both kids could do the treasure hunt at the same time, but not together, finding treats, figuring out where to hide the treasures according to the clues so each of them could find only the treasures intended for them individually. I didn’t sleep much the night before Christmas Eve.
Andy and Amy had so much fun. And I took a lot of pictures.
Two months ago, Andy and Amy asked me, “Mommy, can we do the Christmas treasure hunt again this year?” I said “Sure.”
I haven’t figured out what to do yet. Just this year, I have done treasure hunt for them on birthday, on Easter and on Halloween. I have run out of ideas. I am afraid I wouldn’t be as creative as last Christmas.
Doing a treasure hunt is not as easy as buying a gift, wrapping it and putting it under the tree. But I would rather spend more time and efforts than spending more money. I know my kids probably will not remember what presents they get, but I am sure they will remember the fun they had on their treasure hunting.
I will try my best to keep the promises I made in my first letter to them and make the treasure hunt our holiday tradition.
Doing things with my children instead of buying excessive or expensive gifts for them is more important and meaningful to me. Letters and wonderful memories are much more precious to me than anything else.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 12/13/2006]
Where ever I look, the ads, the signs and the displays, everything reminds me, it’s time to buy and buy more.
I like holidays and special days, whether they are Christmas or New Year, Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, but I don’t like the over commercialization of these special days. I am not a person who likes to go shopping. Besides I think most of us already have more than we need. My kids get enough toys and stuff that I don’t feel like to buy more for them. Do I need to buy more just because everyone else is doing so?
My love language is definitely not gifts, but words.
My son was born in 1998. For his first Christmas eight years ago, I wrote the following to him:
Dear Andy:
You very first Christmas is just around the corner. In the holiday spirit of sharing and giving, gifts are shared and given. But instead giving you toys and clothes which you will outgrow in a blink of eyes and certainly will not remember anything at all, Mom is writing you this letter as your first holiday gift.
Mom hopes this letter as well as the ones to follow will become your treasured possession in the years to come. I promise you that every year until you are 18 years old I’ll write at least one letter documenting important events that happen to you during that year.
Another promise I want to make here is to contribute $500.00 or whatever the maximum amount allowed every year from your birth until you are 18 years old to your College Savings Account. The money will be used for your education in the future. It’s a long term investment.
Mom hopes you will become a well educated person who values education and life long learning.
When my daughter Amy came to the world one year later, I promised her the same things.
Two years ago, I did a Christmas treasure hunt for my kids. I hid little presents in different rooms for them to find. They loved it so much, they asked me to do it again last year, which I did.
For each of my two kids, I wrote 10 reasons why I love them on 10 cards in 10 different colors. On the other side of the cards I wrote the clue to find the next treasure. I used 10 different kinds of treats to go along with the cards. The number of treats corresponded to the number of reasons on the card.
So the card with reason number 1 was accompanied by 1 treat, the card with reason number 2 was accompanied by 2 treats, etc. The treats were edible things, like candies, chocolate and cookies, or money or books.
I spent many hours cutting the papers, writing two sets of cards with different love notes and clues so both kids could do the treasure hunt at the same time, but not together, finding treats, figuring out where to hide the treasures according to the clues so each of them could find only the treasures intended for them individually. I didn’t sleep much the night before Christmas Eve.
Andy and Amy had so much fun. And I took a lot of pictures.
Two months ago, Andy and Amy asked me, “Mommy, can we do the Christmas treasure hunt again this year?” I said “Sure.”
I haven’t figured out what to do yet. Just this year, I have done treasure hunt for them on birthday, on Easter and on Halloween. I have run out of ideas. I am afraid I wouldn’t be as creative as last Christmas.
Doing a treasure hunt is not as easy as buying a gift, wrapping it and putting it under the tree. But I would rather spend more time and efforts than spending more money. I know my kids probably will not remember what presents they get, but I am sure they will remember the fun they had on their treasure hunting.
I will try my best to keep the promises I made in my first letter to them and make the treasure hunt our holiday tradition.
Doing things with my children instead of buying excessive or expensive gifts for them is more important and meaningful to me. Letters and wonderful memories are much more precious to me than anything else.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 12/13/2006]
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Being thankful
One year ago, on Nov. 8, 2006, my first column appeared in this newspaper. I consider that an important milestone in my life.
It has been a wonderful year for me. When I think about and reflect on this past year, my heart is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.
It has been said, and I really believe it, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” When I am ready to ask, believe and receive, opportunities will come my way.
I am thankful that God gives me the gift and passion to write. Each one of us is born with a certain gift. Some people are good performers, some are good athletes, some are good leaders, and some are good writers. It is our personal responsibility to discover what our God given gift is and what our passion is and then to use it for good.
I am thankful that even though English is not my native language, I have mastered it well enough to write and express myself and, more importantly, I have mustered up enough confidence to share my writing with people I don’t even know.
I know there are people out there who like to write or do something, but are afraid to do it and show it, because they think they are not good enough.
The truth is we can only be good enough and get better if we just do it and practice more every day. Please don’t let self-doubt and fear get in the way of doing what you love to do.
Sometimes I do wonder about whether people read my columns and what they think about them. It feels like I am sending out letters, but have no idea whether they are received and read or lost somewhere and end up in the trash.
Three weeks ago, while I was helping at the annual library book sale, two women recognized me through my name tag and asked me if I was a columnist for the Woodbury Bulletin. One of them said she read my columns every week.
I wished I had asked her some questions and get some face to face feedback.
I regretted that I missed the opportunity. But just that one casual question and the short comment meant a great deal to me. Thank you for letting me know that you do read my columns.
I am also thankful to all the readers of this newspaper, especially those who enjoy reading my columns so much or are so passionate about a topic I write that they take the time to write to me and give me feedback. Your comments and encouragement are very much appreciated.
I read every e-mail I receive and respond to every single message.
I am especially thankful to the individuals who write to me more than once. I can’t tell you how much your appreciation and encouragement have meant to me.
Recently, I received an e-mail from a reader who told me that she enjoyed reading my column topics regarding Chinese cultures.
She thanked me especially for writing the column about Weili Shen and her Acupuncture Woodbury clinic. She had been going to Shen for a few weeks for severe menopause symptoms and the treatment with acupuncture was working wonderfully.
“I wouldn’t have known about her except through your column. I’m recommending her to everyone I know. Thank you so much,” she wrote.
It is very gratifying for me to know that I have helped someone through my writing.
Writing this column in the past year has really been very energizing and rewarding for me. I am thankful in knowing that I can make a difference in someone's life and be an inspiration to someone.
I am very thankful for the Woodbury Bulletin’s managing editor, Bob Eighmy, for his trust in me and giving me the opportunity to write as a columnist for the newspaper. When I approached Bob over a year ago with a brief introduction about myself and asked him if I could write for Woodbury Bulletin on a regular basis, I only had two articles published in the newspaper at that time. He said yes without questioning my background and experience as a writer. I am thankful that he believed in me. Without his trust, I wouldn’t be here today.
I am looking forward to my second year writing for Woodbury Bulletin. I will keep writing what’s on my mind and from my heart to inform you and to inspire you.
May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and may your heart also be filled with gratitude.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/21/2007]
It has been a wonderful year for me. When I think about and reflect on this past year, my heart is filled with gratitude and thanksgiving.
It has been said, and I really believe it, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” When I am ready to ask, believe and receive, opportunities will come my way.
I am thankful that God gives me the gift and passion to write. Each one of us is born with a certain gift. Some people are good performers, some are good athletes, some are good leaders, and some are good writers. It is our personal responsibility to discover what our God given gift is and what our passion is and then to use it for good.
I am thankful that even though English is not my native language, I have mastered it well enough to write and express myself and, more importantly, I have mustered up enough confidence to share my writing with people I don’t even know.
I know there are people out there who like to write or do something, but are afraid to do it and show it, because they think they are not good enough.
The truth is we can only be good enough and get better if we just do it and practice more every day. Please don’t let self-doubt and fear get in the way of doing what you love to do.
Sometimes I do wonder about whether people read my columns and what they think about them. It feels like I am sending out letters, but have no idea whether they are received and read or lost somewhere and end up in the trash.
Three weeks ago, while I was helping at the annual library book sale, two women recognized me through my name tag and asked me if I was a columnist for the Woodbury Bulletin. One of them said she read my columns every week.
I wished I had asked her some questions and get some face to face feedback.
I regretted that I missed the opportunity. But just that one casual question and the short comment meant a great deal to me. Thank you for letting me know that you do read my columns.
I am also thankful to all the readers of this newspaper, especially those who enjoy reading my columns so much or are so passionate about a topic I write that they take the time to write to me and give me feedback. Your comments and encouragement are very much appreciated.
I read every e-mail I receive and respond to every single message.
I am especially thankful to the individuals who write to me more than once. I can’t tell you how much your appreciation and encouragement have meant to me.
Recently, I received an e-mail from a reader who told me that she enjoyed reading my column topics regarding Chinese cultures.
She thanked me especially for writing the column about Weili Shen and her Acupuncture Woodbury clinic. She had been going to Shen for a few weeks for severe menopause symptoms and the treatment with acupuncture was working wonderfully.
“I wouldn’t have known about her except through your column. I’m recommending her to everyone I know. Thank you so much,” she wrote.
It is very gratifying for me to know that I have helped someone through my writing.
Writing this column in the past year has really been very energizing and rewarding for me. I am thankful in knowing that I can make a difference in someone's life and be an inspiration to someone.
I am very thankful for the Woodbury Bulletin’s managing editor, Bob Eighmy, for his trust in me and giving me the opportunity to write as a columnist for the newspaper. When I approached Bob over a year ago with a brief introduction about myself and asked him if I could write for Woodbury Bulletin on a regular basis, I only had two articles published in the newspaper at that time. He said yes without questioning my background and experience as a writer. I am thankful that he believed in me. Without his trust, I wouldn’t be here today.
I am looking forward to my second year writing for Woodbury Bulletin. I will keep writing what’s on my mind and from my heart to inform you and to inspire you.
May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and may your heart also be filled with gratitude.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/21/2007]
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Amy's winning poems
My daughter Amy caught the poetry bug when she just turned 9 in December 2008. She wrote her first poem as a Christmas present for me. Since then she has written 400 poems.
Amy's poem collection titled "Love, Laugh, Life : 100 Seleted Poems" won the first place in her age group at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair.
Amy’s dream is to be a writer and a poet.
Here are a few seleted poems by Amy.
Brother
I like my brother Andy
Because he is very handy
And he gives me candy
That’s why he’s so dandy.
Mother
You are the best Mother
To me and my brother
Above any other
So I would never trade you for
another.
Mother’s Day
I hope this is the best
Mother’s Day you’ve ever had.
And I hope you still love me
When I make you mad.
I know I sometimes can be bad,
But today I want to make you glad.
Dad
My Dad is very special to me
He loves me very much you see
He helps me with a lot of things
From business trip toys he bring
He always wants me to play
Look there he is on Christmas Day
Hooray!
Grandma
I know my grandma adores me
And my grandpa too
As you can see
They always take me to the zoo.
My baby doll
My baby doll is nice to hold
The one I have is getting old.
One eye came out and now instead
She has a dress made out of thread.
I take her everywhere I go
And tell her all the things I know.
I like the way she feels at night,
All snuggled up against me tight.
Walk
I went on a walk
All I did was talk.
On the walk I rode my bike
It’s one of the things I like.
Only my mom and I went on the walk
And all we did was talk talk talk.
After the walk we went to dine
It was my first walk in 2009.
Fire drill
At school we have a fire drill
So we go out on a little hill.
When we go out we get a chill
Even if we don't stay still.
Art
Whenever I do art
I do it from my heart
Since I am so smart
I got a head start.
Wish
The sky is getting gray
I wish it was a different day
My mom made me lay
I pray I get to play
Winning at Minnesota State Fair
August 27, 2009 was a very exciting day for me. It seems I have never felt so excited like that in my life, at least not in a long time. I found out that my 9-year-old daughter Amy won big at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair competition.
This was the very first time she participated in the competition. I did expect Amy to win something, especially for her poems. To my surprise, she not only won the 1st place for her poem collection, but she also won the 1st place for her colored pencil drawing (Fruit), the 3rd place for her acrylic painting (Lions) and the 4th place for her water color painting (Parrot).
I have to say, I am most proud of her 1st place for the poem collection. She is really good at writing rhyming poems and wrote 400 poems since last December. I hope we can get her poems published some day.
My daughter made this one of the proudest mements and one of the best days in my life. It was a great day to celebrate and remember.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Local man introduces North America to China
Scientist, author, and artist. Can one person be all three at the same time? I was happy to discover such a person right here in Woodbury.
Dr. Haiyan Zhang, an engineer at 3M and a well known vocal performer in Twin Cities Chinese community, is also the author of a new book “Thousands of Miles Across North America,” published in Chinese.
I first met Dr. Zhang and his wife during their performance at a 3M Chinese New Year party. They are both great singers. I got to know him more through my contact with his wife, Weili Shen, when I wrote about her acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury.
During my conversations with them, I discovered that Dr. Zhang had many interesting stories and experiences. I was most fascinated by the book he wrote.
“The book consists of 20 stories and about 50 photos and sketches I had made. The stories are about my family’s travels across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Most of the stories took place when I was in graduate school, taking my family on road trips in our 1985 Plymouth Horizon,” Zhang said. “The book is not a travel guide. It’s about family, life lessons and the beauty of this world.”
Zhang was born in Wuhan, China. He graduated from high school during the Cultural Revolution. Like almost all the high school graduates at that time, he went to work in the countryside as a farmer. For two years he did nothing but plant rice and trees. He then went to work at an iron and steel company for one year.
In 1977, when China restored its national unified college entrance exams, Zhang tested into college. He majored in physical chemistry and specialized in rare metal metallurgy. For his Masters Degree, he studied electrochemistry.
Zhang came to the U.S. in 1990 for his Ph. D. In 1995, he moved to the Twin Cities and has been working at 3M since.
“Although my entire career is about science and technology, I have always had a strong interest in literature and art.” Dr. Zhang said.
Even when Zhang was a child he liked Chinese and Western literature. He managed to read many books by authors such as Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Honoré de Balzac. It took courage to do so because those books were forbidden in China at that time.
He became interested in drawing in his youth and later developed an interest in photography. His photos of nature have been featured in the 3M Company calendar twice.
“I wanted to write something to capture what I have seen and felt in my life.” Dr. Zhang told me, “However, with my busy work schedule, engineering projects, and time spent with family, I couldn’t find the time to sit down to write a book. Also, I did not know the right way to express what I wanted to say.”
Things started to change after his son went to college. At the same time, his wife was busy getting her clinic started.
“I suddenly found a lot more time. I wrote a short journal and matched it with photos and drawings. It was then that I realized how I would write my book,” he said.
Using spare time on evenings and weekends, Zhang finished his book in less than two years. A publishing company in China decided to publish it.
As for writing another book, Dr. Zhang thinks it is a possibility.
“I have traveled to over 30 states in the U.S. and I only wrote about half of them. I might write about my experiences in the rest of the states in my next book if people enjoyed reading my first one,” Zhang said.
I know so far he has received very positive comments. His book is available in various stores in China, and even a Chinese bookstore in St. Paul. I also know he doesn’t write to make money, only to fulfill his interests. In fact, the price barely covers the cost of printing and shipping.
I am looking forward to hearing about Dr. Zhang’s second book.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 01/09/2008]
Dr. Haiyan Zhang, an engineer at 3M and a well known vocal performer in Twin Cities Chinese community, is also the author of a new book “Thousands of Miles Across North America,” published in Chinese.
I first met Dr. Zhang and his wife during their performance at a 3M Chinese New Year party. They are both great singers. I got to know him more through my contact with his wife, Weili Shen, when I wrote about her acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury.
During my conversations with them, I discovered that Dr. Zhang had many interesting stories and experiences. I was most fascinated by the book he wrote.
“The book consists of 20 stories and about 50 photos and sketches I had made. The stories are about my family’s travels across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Most of the stories took place when I was in graduate school, taking my family on road trips in our 1985 Plymouth Horizon,” Zhang said. “The book is not a travel guide. It’s about family, life lessons and the beauty of this world.”
Zhang was born in Wuhan, China. He graduated from high school during the Cultural Revolution. Like almost all the high school graduates at that time, he went to work in the countryside as a farmer. For two years he did nothing but plant rice and trees. He then went to work at an iron and steel company for one year.
In 1977, when China restored its national unified college entrance exams, Zhang tested into college. He majored in physical chemistry and specialized in rare metal metallurgy. For his Masters Degree, he studied electrochemistry.
Zhang came to the U.S. in 1990 for his Ph. D. In 1995, he moved to the Twin Cities and has been working at 3M since.
“Although my entire career is about science and technology, I have always had a strong interest in literature and art.” Dr. Zhang said.
Even when Zhang was a child he liked Chinese and Western literature. He managed to read many books by authors such as Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Honoré de Balzac. It took courage to do so because those books were forbidden in China at that time.
He became interested in drawing in his youth and later developed an interest in photography. His photos of nature have been featured in the 3M Company calendar twice.
“I wanted to write something to capture what I have seen and felt in my life.” Dr. Zhang told me, “However, with my busy work schedule, engineering projects, and time spent with family, I couldn’t find the time to sit down to write a book. Also, I did not know the right way to express what I wanted to say.”
Things started to change after his son went to college. At the same time, his wife was busy getting her clinic started.
“I suddenly found a lot more time. I wrote a short journal and matched it with photos and drawings. It was then that I realized how I would write my book,” he said.
Using spare time on evenings and weekends, Zhang finished his book in less than two years. A publishing company in China decided to publish it.
As for writing another book, Dr. Zhang thinks it is a possibility.
“I have traveled to over 30 states in the U.S. and I only wrote about half of them. I might write about my experiences in the rest of the states in my next book if people enjoyed reading my first one,” Zhang said.
I know so far he has received very positive comments. His book is available in various stores in China, and even a Chinese bookstore in St. Paul. I also know he doesn’t write to make money, only to fulfill his interests. In fact, the price barely covers the cost of printing and shipping.
I am looking forward to hearing about Dr. Zhang’s second book.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 01/09/2008]
Chinese medicine - Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of the main forms of treatment in traditional Chinese medicine. Today, in most western cultures it is considered a "new alternative" medicine.
In reality, it has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years (some think it has been around for 4,000 years) and has proven to be effective over thousands of years.
Acupuncture involves the use of thin, painless needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points to influence physiological functioning of the body.
It is based on the principal that the world is full of energy or life force called “Chi” or “Qi.”
Chi is the essential energies of life, including its spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. Chi flows through everything in life, including the human body.
A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body. When the opposing forces of yin and yang are in harmongy, Chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. If the flow of Chi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. The purpose of acupuncture is to facilitate the even circulation of Chi.
Whether or not the traditional explanation of Acupuncture is relevant today, one thing is indisputable: acupuncture works.
I don’t have any personal experience with acupuncture, but I had a family member who did. For many years, my late grandmother had trigeminal neuralgia, which caused her excruciating pain. Then my mother took her to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.
After her acupuncture treatment, her pain was gone forever. So, I believe the power and benefits of acupuncture as an alternative medicine.
I am glad a new acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury, opened recently in this community by Ms. Weili Shen, a licensed acupuncturist.
Shen studied Western and Chinese Medicine in the Health School of Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China. She has worked in a Chinese hospital for over ten years.
She came to the United States in 1991 and became an American citizen in 2001. She moved to Minnesota from Colorado in 1995, when her husband was hired by 3M. She further studied acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years and obtained a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Now, she holds Diplomat in Acupuncture by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA and License for acupuncture by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
“Acupuncture Woodbury is one of the premier Twin Cities acupunctural clinics, a center of excellence in acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine,” Shen said. “The clinic offers a wide variety of acupunctural health care services for all ages, for ailments ranging from back pain to nicotine addiction.”
Shen had treated many patients before she opened her own clinic. The patients with various problems like facial paralysis, migraines, depression, joint pains, high blood pressure and diabetes have been treated with satisfied results.
“The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself. Since acupuncture is a natural way of promoting one’s body to self-adjust, it does not carry the side effects and risks of many modern remedies,” Shen said.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical problems, including:
• Musculo-Skeletal disorders: Arthritis, automobile injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, shoulder pain, sprains, still neck and tendonitis
• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, poor memory, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria and eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Hiccups, inflammation of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder and pancreas, dysentery and constipation
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, obesity and adrenal problems
• Immune disorders: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
• Neurological disorders: Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, sciatica, epilepsy, erythromelalgia, neuralgia, cerebral palsy, Bell’s palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gynecological conditions: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, breast problems, endometriosis, ovarian/cervical/vaginal problems, uterine prolapse, postpartum disorders, menopause and infertility
• Dermatological conditions: Acne, eczema, herpes and psoriasis
• Addictions: Sugar, nicotine, cigarette, coffee, recreational drugs and medication alcohol
• Supportive therapy: Cancer support treatment and post-surgical recovery
At Acupuncture Woodbury, other Chinese Medicine treatments may also be used if needed.
The examples are Tuina, a Chinese therapeutic massage; Cupping, suctioning using a medicinal jar to enhance energy flow; Electric Stimulation, stimulating vital points on the body using a specially-made instrument; Auricular Therapy, stimulating points on the ear that have unique relationships with the body to treat diseases; and Moxiustion, burning moxa wool on vita points on the body to warm energy pathway.
Shen offers six tracks of treatments at Acupuncture Woodbury. They are anti-aging, pain alleviation, stress balancing, weight regulation, skin rejuvenation and stroke and surgery rehabilitation.
The clinic is located at 7582 Currell Boulevard, Suite 215, Woodbury, across the street from Woodbury Post Office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.acupuncturewoodbury.com or call (651) 789-0402.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 09/12/2007]
In reality, it has been practiced in China for more than 2,000 years (some think it has been around for 4,000 years) and has proven to be effective over thousands of years.
Acupuncture involves the use of thin, painless needles that are inserted in the body at very specific points to influence physiological functioning of the body.
It is based on the principal that the world is full of energy or life force called “Chi” or “Qi.”
Chi is the essential energies of life, including its spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects. Chi flows through everything in life, including the human body.
A person's health is influenced by the flow of Chi in the body. When the opposing forces of yin and yang are in harmongy, Chi flows freely within the body and a person is healthy. If the flow of Chi is insufficient, unbalanced or interrupted, illness may occur. The purpose of acupuncture is to facilitate the even circulation of Chi.
Whether or not the traditional explanation of Acupuncture is relevant today, one thing is indisputable: acupuncture works.
I don’t have any personal experience with acupuncture, but I had a family member who did. For many years, my late grandmother had trigeminal neuralgia, which caused her excruciating pain. Then my mother took her to a traditional Chinese medicine hospital.
After her acupuncture treatment, her pain was gone forever. So, I believe the power and benefits of acupuncture as an alternative medicine.
I am glad a new acupuncture clinic, Acupuncture Woodbury, opened recently in this community by Ms. Weili Shen, a licensed acupuncturist.
Shen studied Western and Chinese Medicine in the Health School of Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China. She has worked in a Chinese hospital for over ten years.
She came to the United States in 1991 and became an American citizen in 2001. She moved to Minnesota from Colorado in 1995, when her husband was hired by 3M. She further studied acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for three years and obtained a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Now, she holds Diplomat in Acupuncture by National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, USA and License for acupuncture by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
“Acupuncture Woodbury is one of the premier Twin Cities acupunctural clinics, a center of excellence in acupuncture and Chinese traditional medicine,” Shen said. “The clinic offers a wide variety of acupunctural health care services for all ages, for ailments ranging from back pain to nicotine addiction.”
Shen had treated many patients before she opened her own clinic. The patients with various problems like facial paralysis, migraines, depression, joint pains, high blood pressure and diabetes have been treated with satisfied results.
“The beauty of the treatment lies in its inherent ability to allow the body to heal itself. Since acupuncture is a natural way of promoting one’s body to self-adjust, it does not carry the side effects and risks of many modern remedies,” Shen said.
Acupuncture has been used to treat many medical problems, including:
• Musculo-Skeletal disorders: Arthritis, automobile injuries, sports injuries, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, back pain, bursitis, shoulder pain, sprains, still neck and tendonitis
• Psychiatric disorders: Anxiety, depression, insomnia, stress, poor memory, schizophrenia, psychoneurosis, hysteria and eating disorders
• Gastrointestinal disorders: Hiccups, inflammation of the stomach, large intestine, small intestine, gall bladder and pancreas, dysentery and constipation
• Endocrine disorders: Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, obesity and adrenal problems
• Immune disorders: Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome
• Neurological disorders: Migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, facial paralysis, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, sciatica, epilepsy, erythromelalgia, neuralgia, cerebral palsy, Bell’s palsy and multiple sclerosis
• Connective tissue disorders: Lupus erythematosus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis
• Gynecological conditions: Dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, PMS, breast problems, endometriosis, ovarian/cervical/vaginal problems, uterine prolapse, postpartum disorders, menopause and infertility
• Dermatological conditions: Acne, eczema, herpes and psoriasis
• Addictions: Sugar, nicotine, cigarette, coffee, recreational drugs and medication alcohol
• Supportive therapy: Cancer support treatment and post-surgical recovery
At Acupuncture Woodbury, other Chinese Medicine treatments may also be used if needed.
The examples are Tuina, a Chinese therapeutic massage; Cupping, suctioning using a medicinal jar to enhance energy flow; Electric Stimulation, stimulating vital points on the body using a specially-made instrument; Auricular Therapy, stimulating points on the ear that have unique relationships with the body to treat diseases; and Moxiustion, burning moxa wool on vita points on the body to warm energy pathway.
Shen offers six tracks of treatments at Acupuncture Woodbury. They are anti-aging, pain alleviation, stress balancing, weight regulation, skin rejuvenation and stroke and surgery rehabilitation.
The clinic is located at 7582 Currell Boulevard, Suite 215, Woodbury, across the street from Woodbury Post Office.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.acupuncturewoodbury.com or call (651) 789-0402.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 09/12/2007]
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