I use Acupuncture in clinic to support change in people's lives. Acupuncture's most visible effect is supporting the relief of physical symptoms like pain — but many do not realise it can also support mental and emotional shifts. It does this in various ways, from supporting the body's own balance to providing the energy and courage to face fear and life's challenges.
I find that many of our health problems are preventable and may begin with our conditioning. Our environmental conditioning programs us — how to think about ourselves, what to eat, how to live. Recognising this conditioning is often the first step toward change.
Acupuncture as an impetus for change
Acupuncture can provide the impetus for great and meaningful change in your life. It supports the energy and clarity needed to release old belief systems and habits that may be limiting you or contributing to health problems.
I find that meditation complements Acupuncture beautifully, allowing the cleared energy that Acupuncture releases to be put to good purpose during quiet reflection. Remember: after an Acupuncture treatment, when you are feeling full of energy and ready to conquer the world — don't use it all up at once. Sit back, relax, and allow that energy to also reach deeper issues.
A meditation to try
Try this meditation below to support meaningful change in your life. It works well as a wind-down practice in bed before sleep.
Heart chakra
Lying in bed, close your eyes and focus on your heart chakra (centre of your chest). Breathe in joy — imagine a joyful moment in your life, smile, and breathe in happiness. Fake it till you make it, or pretend you're happy; smile and laugh as you feel the joy. Visualise an orb of light in the centre of your chest and watch it grow with each in-breath.
Breathe in slowly through your nose, expanding your rib cage, and hold your breath at the top for a few seconds. Release your breath gently and slowly through your mouth. With each in-breath, welcome joy, love, and gratitude into your heart. Watch the orb of light at your heart chakra grow. Do this for 5–10 in-breaths.
Base chakra
Now focus on the base chakra at your pelvic floor. Visualise an orb of light and watch it grow as you breathe love and joy into this space — 5 to 10 in-breaths as before. Think of creative thoughts, where wonderful things are being created for you.
Umbilical chakra
Next, focus on your umbilical chakra just below your navel. Imagine that you are releasing toxic waste, negative thoughts, limiting beliefs and suppressive conditioning. Grow an orb of light here with each in-breath. After 5–10 in-breaths, align this chakra with your base chakra with a beam of light — that is, connect your navel chakra with your base chakra.
Solar plexus
Now focus on your solar plexus just below your sternum, where your ribs meet at the centre lower area of your chest. Breathe in loving light and grow an orb of light here. Breathe in joy and love and courage and acceptance, and watch the orb grow. Now align this chakra with your navel chakra, and then your base chakra. Breathe in joy and love from your base chakra and align each chakra with each in-breath.
Working upward
Do this process with each of the following chakras — form an orb of growing light, and align the chakras with a beam of unconditional loving energy.
- Heart chakra — love, joy, gratitude, and forgiveness
- Throat chakra — expression of gratitude and joy
- Third eye chakra — intuition
- Crown chakra — clarity
- Super-consciousness (about 30 cm above your head) — connect and watch a large orb of moving light grow around your body, cycling through your chakras
The final step
This next part is the most important. You are going to ask the super-consciousness for guidance, answers to any problems, and healing. Ask it to clear away any toxic patterns or limiting beliefs that may be restricting you from experiencing a successful change. Imagine and believe yourself to be vital, eating well, and practising healthy habits. Ask the super-consciousness to do whatever it needs to support you.
Meaningful change rarely arrives in a single moment. It is built quietly, in the spaces between practice, reflection, and care.