Yolanda Cazares, CMT

Schedule: Tuesday, Friday 

"All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you."
~Octavia Butler

My approach to bodywork is guided by a curiosity for touch that facilitates change internally, allowing the body to reorganize itself and return to a state of balance and well-being. I appreciate the intricate relationships between Western physiology and an Eastern understanding of the body, as landscapes, weathers, images, breath, and space. Imagination, intention, and energy are meaningful in creating a supportive environment for people to reconnect with their bodies.

I integrate multiple modalities - including Thai, Swedish, and deep tissue - to encourage your body to release tension and discomfort, fostering a sense of ease, lightness, and grounding.

My journey into bodywork began in Thailand, where I studied Traditional Thai Massage, mesmerized by the effects of rhythmic movement and the body’s energy pathways.

I received my certification from McKinnon BTC and have furthered my training at the San Francisco School of Massage and the Esalen Institute. I have Esalen® Massage certification and training in Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release, acupressure, craniosacral, and prenatal massage.

With a BFA in photography and a background in book publishing, I bring an artistic spirit, creativity, and attention to detail into my bodywork practice. I am endlessly inspired by my teachers and my own experiences in yoga, qigong, and running, and I enjoy incorporating what I learn about movement and awareness into my work.

Amanda Rosenberg, L.Ac.

Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday

“To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.”
-Terry Tempest Williams

I use a combination of gentle Japanese inspired needling techniques, integrated Western nutritional counseling, Chinese herbal medicine, gua sha massage, cupping treatments, and tuning fork sound healing therapy to provide my patients with fast yet gentle pain relief. 

Angela Coon, L.Ac.

Schedule: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday + Tues for Telemedicine

“Everything in moderation, including moderation.”
~Oscar Wilde

I am a primary care practitioner with a focus on Digestive harmony, and the lead practitioner for our 21 Days to Better Health Program. Over the last decade I have immersed myself in current approaches to diet, nutrition, western herbalism and whole food supplementation to help my patients with modern digestive health challenges and autoimmune disease, while maintaining a keen eye on Chinese Medicine’s root cause philosophy.

As a mother to two teenage boys I am extremely versed in family systems and teenage health challenges and bring an integrated approach to whole family health.

My curiosity for a healthier life and deep self investigation began in my 20’s after suffering from a serious bout of Chronic Fatigue. I was led to Chinese medicine and the Naropa Institute, both holding mind-body-spirit balance at the core: one with needles and herbs, one with meditation.

This changed my life forever. I studied with several international clinicians at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences, learning the arts of NADA protocol for anxiety and chemical dependence, Balance Method, various aspects of the Master Tung methodology, cupping and electro-stim for pain relief and stroke patients, all of which earned me a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I hold a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Colorado with a minor in music; both of these art forms remain an active part of my world.

I believe health is a nuanced process and I understand how key it is to meet people where they are, that each person has their own starting point, and that the complexities of our lives matters. Health is a constantly moving state and to approach balance we must work together to weave a plan that makes sense. There are many roads that lead to wellness. Together we can remove the roadblocks and take workable steps to make lifelong change.

Kari Napoli, L.Ac.

Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

“We too are part of Nature, therefore constantly changing, so we are always looking at Nature from a different viewpoint. We are a little piece of continual change looking at an infinite quantity of continual change. Small wonder that it gets quite exciting.”
~B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life

I love orthopedics because I love puzzles. Chinese Medicine has always recognized that pain, especially chronic pain, is something far more complex than the pain or injury itself. When one is having no luck reducing back pain by treating the back, time to look elsewhere. Modern medicine is finally subscribing to this way of thinking and integrative medicine is the future of medicine: the wisdom of the past is meeting the power of today’s technology.

I would describe myself as an integrative acupuncturist who practices Orthopedic Acupuncture in combination with Dry Needling, Neuro (or scalp) acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Korean SA AM. I am highly supportive and encouraging of concurrent therapies. My responsibility is to you, the patient. Sometimes that means connecting you with a different (specifically, the right) intervention; I recognize this as part of my job, too. 

Change is necessary to transform pain and though change is inevitable, we are able to resist it. I do believe we must step away from our comfort zones to change. I will not rush you, I will tell you that it is okay to feel frustrated and when things "stink", I will commiserate that they do, in fact, "stink".  But I have watched so many lives and pain patterns change, including my own, I do not lose hope and I do not quit. 

You can feel better. “Better” is different for everyone. Better happens when you are ready. Take your time.

Prajna Choudhury, L.Ac.

Schedule: Monday - Thursday

"Don't throw suffering away. Use it. Your suffering is the compost that gives you the understanding to nourish your happiness and the happiness of others." - Thich Nhat Hanh
"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

~Albert Einstein

My purpose as a Chinese Medicine practitioner, as well as a mindfulness teacher in the tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, is to help my patients navigate the challenges and opportunities of being alive: caring for and easing suffering, while connecting with joy and healing. In these uncertain times, regulating our nervous systems is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine are powerful tools to bring that balance, as they impact body, mind, and spirit.

Through nearly 20 years of practice, I have become expert at listening, asking questions, and discerning patterns to find root causes of disharmonies and correct imbalances. I am also expert at using Chinese herbal medicine—a sophisticated system with thousands of years of documented use and study—to address what Western pharmaceuticals often can’t, providing safer alternatives without side effects.

I love giving my patients effective, non-hormonal, and natural ways of addressing myriad gynecological issues, including PMS and menstrual pain, fertility, pregnancy, post-partum care, and the transition into menopause. We can find more ease and support for our systems through all stages of life, while protecting our long-term health and longevity.

I love providing natural, non-toxic, health- and happiness-promoting alternatives to more invasive beauty practices such as botox, fillers, and surgical facelifts. My facial acupuncture treatments help people look and feel great at any age. My facial rejuvenation patients often tell me afterwards that they love their face, which is my goal.

I love helping people with very few medical options to experience relief for their skin ailments, which are usually much more than skin-deep. Beyond steroids and antibiotics, there are more effective and holistic ways to bring our skin back into balance.

I empower my patients to notice what helps and what harms their well-being, and to realize their agency over their own health.

How I Got Here: When I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. As I grew older, I wanted to understand why people do what they do, and pursued a doctorate in research psychology. This brought me to the Bay Area. While I loved what I was studying, I wanted to impact people’s lives more directly. I went on to work with survivors of violence, run a crisis hotline, and implement violence prevention in communities. But I knew there was still something more for me.

When I discovered Chinese Medicine, all the pieces fit together. I finally found a way to use my head, hands, and heart together. It gives me a way to create real change by helping people in very tangible as well as intangible ways. I’m able to help most people find relief from the problems that brought them in for treatment. But even for the very few who don’t get the full relief they were seeking, they still leave feeling more relaxed and at ease, heard and witnessed, and better than when they came in. I’m grateful and fulfilled to be able to offer that.

I feel I have actually achieved the essence of what underlay my desire to become an astronaut – to discover and explore the vast mysteries of the universe, through the microcosm of our bodies and selves.

Ana Fletes, CMT

Schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

"You are your own stories and therefore free to imagine and experience what it means to be human... And although you don't have complete control over the narrative - no author does, I can tell you - you could nevertheless create it." ~ Toni Morrison

I have always been captivated by the marvels of the human body, starting as a child finding inspiration in the graceful movements of my grandmother's hands as they performed everyday tasks, weaving a tapestry of connection and understanding.

Driven by a deep curiosity for the intricate workings of the body, I embarked on a journey to unravel the mysteries of human anatomy, eventually finding myself drawn to the art of massage therapy. For me, each individual's body tells a unique story, a narrative of aches, strains, and pains that I’m passionate about deciphering and addressing with care and intention.

As a seasoned dancer, yoga practitioner, and avid cyclist, I intimately understand the importance of nurturing an awareness of one's inner self and embracing the subtle nuances of bodily sensations. This profound intersection of awareness and intention serves as the guiding force behind my therapeutic approach, allowing me to tailor each session to meet the specific needs and goals of my clients.

Drawing from my personal journey with recurring foot injuries and my exploration of Myofascial massage techniques, I bring a wealth of firsthand experience and expertise to my practice. My tenure at the Charlotte Maxwell Integrative Cancer Center has further deepened my understanding of the therapeutic power of massage, particularly in the realm of post-operative tissue rehabilitation and scar tissue bodywork, where I find immense fulfillment in helping patients regain mobility and vitality.

Proficient in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, and Myofascial techniques, I possess a versatile skill set that I integrate to offer a holistic and tailored massage experience. Whether it's reducing inflammation, managing pain, or supporting clients on their health journey, I approach each session with a commitment to facilitating healing and well-being.

Kirstin Lindquist, L.Ac.

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“What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
~Antoine Saint de Exupery, The Little Prince

I assist people in shedding obstructions and old patterns so that they may bring more of who they are, their true nature, into the world. I do this through the time-tested tools of Chinese Medicine with my acupuncture patients and qigong students, and by creating a healthy, supportive work environment for Energy Matters staff.

I practice relational medicine. Within the context of the clinical setting, I feel the greatest gift I give to my patients is that of presence. It is an honor to be a witness and guide through their healing process.

I was fortunate that I found my path relatively early in life. I am now 30 years into my journey with Chinese Medicine and patient care. I am also fortunate to have chosen a profession that will keep me engaged and challenged for at least another 30 years. With thousands of years of history to the medicine, and the uniqueness of each patient, I will never be without more to learn.

Currently, I accept new patients whose primary struggles are with metabolic risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDLs, and high waist to hip ratio. If you would like to explore effective, natural options for these issues, I would love to work with you.