Who am I? 

I love to explore this eternal question again and again, to get glimpses of who I really might be. Here is what I’ve done so far: 

I am a Virginia Board of Medicine and Nationally Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, with a Master of Acupuncture degree from the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine. Prior to that have a unique blend of over 20 years of corporate life and have been teaching yoga and mindfulness meditation on a part-time basis since 2013. 

I am both an active acupuncturist clinician and offering movement classes and assist in personal development through IFS based coaching and instruction in mindfulness practices. Passionate about encouraging healing from both physical and mental-emotional perspectives, I strongly believe that we can enhance our overall well-being by combining modern and ancient systems of knowledge.

In my opinion, we need to take time for self-care to honor this precious body and the amazing life that we are given. I am passionate about preventive approaches and finding natural ways of healing by using our body’s amazing intelligence to restore balance. In that regard, movement of the body and practices to still the mind’s constant waves can help us to deal with our fast-paced, technology-driven, and overscheduled modern lives. 

I believe in a multidisciplinary approach to movement. I like to mix Yoga stretches with the intentional and energetic aspects of Qigong to create a richer practice. I might even add weights to that combo to build strength. Yoga and qigong dovetail wonderfully to cultivate inner balance by working with the three treasures: body, breath, and awareness. 

 
Many of us think that taking care of the physical body, through exercise and right diet is enough for good health. These are definitely vital, but that approach is actually limited and misses an equally important piece in this puzzle: the mind. What are you doing to take care of your mind? Are you aware of how it’s functioning and really what’s happening in that space? What are your typical thought patterns? We are often asked to practice critical thinking, but none of those are taught at the schools, yet. Last but not least, how is your attitude towards yourself? Is there some room to soften and bring more kindness and self compassion to your whole being?

I live in the two worlds of VA, USA and Istanbul, Turkey. I am available for acupuncture, private movement and mindfulness based consultations, as well as trainings and keynote events in the corporate world.

Trainings and Certifications

 Virginia Board of Medicine and Nationally Certified Licensed Acupuncturist. In addition, I have been practicing and studying yoga, qigong and different styles of meditation under a rich and eclectic variety of teachers for more than 20 years. I have done a number of amazing long, silent retreats and regularly take time off to remain in silence. I am a 500-hr certified yoga teacher by Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Qigong instructor by Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi. I am certified in Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra and Dynamic Gentle Yoga methodologies. My mindfulness meditation teacher certification is by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, led by Tara Brach & Jack Kornfield. I am also trained in the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy model, Level 1, and IFS Inspired Coaching by IFS Institute.

My influencers are many authentic practitioners, teachers/seekers who have gone through this path before, inspiring students who trusted me, and last but not least, my dearest family and children who are a never ending source of inspiration for love and a test for the real human experience.