Energy Matters Acupuncture and Qigong

Kirstin helps people achieve greater physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. She supports others as they expand their understanding of the world to include the unseen but ever-present realm of energy. She has been a Licensed Acupuncturist since 1993 and an instructor of Qigong since 2006.

She earned her masters degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, California and her bachelors degree from Stanford University. She has had extensive post-graduate training in nutritional health and qigong, as well as other ongoing continuing education in Chinese medicine. Prior to starting her acupuncture practice she was a certified massage therapist.

When she isn’t in the clinic, Kirstin enjoys hiking the many beautiful trails in the East Bay, reading a good novel, and smiling at the antics of the animal menagerie with whom she and her life-partner Susannah share their home: two cats, a bird, a tortoise and an ex-racing greyhound.

Angela had her first acupuncture treatment in her early twenties and has since been pursuing the miraculous ways that the body, mind and spirit strive to find their own energetic balance. She studied and practiced 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 her a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She worked at Octagon North Oakland Community Acupuncture Clinic in the Temescal district of Oakland serving a wide community of people and had her own private practice in Berkeley. With a background in dance and music, Angela has integrated acupuncture into the behind-the-scenes arena treating professional dancers and musicians, stage technicians and anyone associated with the realm of performing arts. With a keen focus on lifestyle and nutritional needs, Angela is dedicated to helping people find and maintain balance and health in all aspects of their life.

When she isn’t at the clinic, she loves to make a mean soup, practice yoga, play music with her close friends and band mates, Toychestra, or peruse the soccer fields and beaches of California with her children. She is a longtime Oakland resident and is thrilled to join the Energy Matters team of excellent teachers and practitioners.

Prajna Paramita Choudhury is a state and nationally certified acupuncturist and herbalist specializing in women’s health, mental/ emotional wellness, and facial rejuvenation. She incorporates many traditional Asian modalities into her patients’ care including not only acupuncture but also Chinese herbal medicine individualized to each person’s needs and constitution, cupping, moxibustion, electro-stimulation, tuina, qi gong, diet and lifestyle counseling, and meditation instruction.

Prajna graduated at the top of her class from the nationally acclaimed Yo San University in Los Angeles, among the 39th generation of practitioners in the Ni family lineage. She completed post-graduate training at the Teaching Hospital of Sichuan Academy for the Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine in Chengdu, China, with rotations in oncology, dermatology, internal medicine, and gynecology, and with an emphasis in herbal medicine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Johns Hopkins University and master’s degree in research psychology from Stanford University, and is a faculty member at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley as well as the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland.

Prajna specializes in gentle techniques and creates a calming, relaxing atmosphere for her patients. A dedicated qi gong and mindfulness meditation practitioner, she strives to be a non-judgmental partner in each patient’s personal path of mind-body healing and wellness.

Veronica believes that healing is an art of living and that everyone has the potential to live better. Veronica was first introduced to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the age of 18. The experience was profound and life changing as acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicines helped her overcome a disconcerting health condition, which affected her for much of her childhood.

Veronica studied at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine with renowned masters of TCM and Qigong including Dao-shing Ni, Mao-shing Ni, Nan-qing Gu, and Shiao-ting Jing. There she graduated with honors, was awarded the Dean’s Prize for the highest academic excellence, a herbal medicine study scholarship to Taipei, Taiwan, and a Women’s Health/Fertility specialty internship at the Tao of Wellness in Santa Monica, California.

Following her academic career, Veronica went on to practice TCM abroad and enjoyed treating an international community for several years. Now she finds that one of the greatest joys is being home in the Bay Area. She is delighted to help all people who want to create better lives for themselves and reach their optimal state of wellness. Veronica treats a wide spectrum of health conditions and especially enjoys challenging cases. Her specialties are pediatric care, women’s health, anti-aging and preventative wellness. Veronica is a member of the Holistic Pediatric Alliance.