Cultivate Health Acupuncture

23/03/2026

Sitting in the meditation hall in Vipassana in 2020 I was behind a woman who looked to be about 7 months pregnant. I was in awe at the idea of becoming a mother, and of taking the time to connect to self and baby so deeply. When the vipassana applications for March opened in December last year, something didn’t feel quite right about another 10-day-sit. I kept an eye out for alternatives, yoga retreats or shorter courses but nothing aligned. I then found a Zen Yoga Retreat centre in Maleny who offered ‘Rolling Retreats’ or what I called a ‘Self Retreat’ that was available to book any time - offering a zen meditation each morning, yoga class in the afternoon and shared dinner. The rest of the day/other meals was mine to spend/organise how I pleased.

I just got back from 4 nights in the hills, lapping up some much needed down time. It was difficult to slow down at first, showing me anxieties that are underlying in my nervous system without the constant ‘doing’ of life at home. I finished my novel, read a small biography on one half of the couple who run the centre, painted in the garden, journaled, sipped tea in silence, enjoyed presence with my body and baby, wandered through the gardens and the forest, smelt flowers, didn’t scroll on social media, practised yoga every day - classes and self led sessions, and napped after lunch! I figure it was potentially my last opportunity for some solid alone time I will get in a while, and it was very welcomed. I’m on the train returning home recharged and ready to finish my last month of work before maternity leave, feeling grateful I was able to make this vision a reality.

22/03/2026

Acupuncture is widely known when it comes to pregnancy for things such as: fertility & IVF support & labour ‘induction’. Chinese medicine views on postpartum are also becoming more mainstream.

I’ve been treating more women in this phase of life lately, & being here myself it feels relevant to share about how this ancient modality can assist you on your journey through pregnancy & motherhood.

Questions and comments are welcome!
💛

16/03/2026

‘Reclaiming our menarche is one of the most important things women can do.’
- Jane Hardwick-Collings

Do you remember your first period? Does the memory bring up thoughts of celebration, shame, dread, excitement?

Girls usually arrive at menarche/get their first period anywhere between 8-16 years old. The average age is 12.8years in Australia.

I put a call out recently for women to share with me their stories of menarche. Ages varied, stories were completely unique though sadly the majority shared elements of shame and lack of education/communication. I know it’s changing already and I am passionate about celebrating the next generations of girls becoming women in this important rite of passage. In Chinese medicine there are ‘3 Golden Opportunities’ for a woman to optimise her health over her lifetime, including 1) menstruation, 2) postpartum and 3) menopause. Let’s educate our girls, let’s open the conversation, let’s celebrate this incredible time of transition. First we have to become menstrual aware ourselves, connect to our natural rhythms and honour our changing seasons.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to take my ‘Inner Moon Workshop’ and adapt it for young maidens, on the verge of this transition. We started by reading the variation of menarche stories from other women, answered questions like ‘what is the pill?’ And ‘how do you use a menstrual cup?’ touched on a little anatomy and physiology and then dove into the inner seasons. I would teach a segment, we would discuss and then the girls would create their collage. We had a few movement breaks with yoga dice, but otherwise these two were completely focused and inspired to create and finish their charts - working for 6 hours straight! I would love to do more of this in the future!!

09/03/2026

Our beloved Queen St Hall is closed for painting ~ Weekly Yoga continues.
I am so grateful I’ve been able to keep moving this pregnancy, this practise of yoga is helping me so much!
I love teaching and will continue for at least another 4 weeks, perhaps longer. Continuing to bring aspects of Yang (strength, warming, active) and Yin (slow, internal, long holds) to class with a little more fluid flow between the two.
Catering for differing levels and bodies, all welcome. Space is limited so bookings by Tuesday are required each week.
Reach out if you’ve got any questions 💛

22/02/2026

I’ve set the date for maternity leave! If you’ve been wanting to work with me, now is your chance. If you’re a regular, I suggest booking ahead if you can.
It’s already a process, preparing to let go of my business as I know it. I’ve given so much energy & love to this career, starting my acupuncture studies in 2018 & my business in 2022. It certainly won’t be the end, but it will transform, just as I will.
Second trimester has me feeling really creative & the task is to manage my energy without overcommitting. I’ve been brainstorming all these work ideas & am excited for what I will bring forward in the future.
For now yoga continues, until I’m no longer up for it. It’s been so lovely to grow a little community over the last 12 months & show up on a regular basis. Perhaps this will be the first part of my work I return to postpartum.
Compassionate inquiry sessions over zoom are continuing, I’ve blocked space for one per week & this may continue beyond April 24th.
Acupuncture home visits for Mumma’s preparing for birth may also be an option beyond April 24th, all things depending on how I’m feeling.
As always, so grateful to all of you who support me doing what I’m deeply passionate about. It hasn’t been easy, but oh so worth it!

18/02/2026

The Snake changed to Horse on Feb 4th & celebrations of the Chinese New Year occurred yesterday with the new moon. As a dear friend put it ‘Chinese astrology has never been so mainstream’ - it seems to be everywhere on the internet! I’m not mad about it though, just here adding my two cents with a little look at how these energies might manifest in your body.

It’s exciting new energy & vastly different from the Yin Wood Snake year we have just come out of.

If you are prone to any of the signs & symptoms listed in the slides, pay careful attention to the greater energetic influences around you & alter life as you need to, seeking balance.

Remember to ask for help if things become too much, there are so many wonderful practitioners across many modalities to support us on this journey called life.

I hope this year brings much joy, connection, passion & equally much rest, relaxation & peace.

08/02/2026

1. Gave up coffee & alcohol. Probably a fairly obvious one, seems easy now but in the start it was a real challenge. When I’m on the coffee train i am on & enjoy everything about it. I cut way back, transitioned to decaf & then went completely off it when i fell pregnant. Still enjoying an Earl grey in the morning. Alcohol is much easier for me to go without.
2. Started couples counselling. It felt important for me to have a third party help Nick & I move through some reoccurring issues. We had a great session with some Daoist intimacy coaches & then found a psychologist to continue with.
3. Lived cyclically. I’ve been doing this for years now. Eating according to my inner season. Having two days off movement & avoiding swimming/ washing my hair first two days of bleed.
4. Dropped a day of work. Since opening my business in 2022 I was going pretty hard: seeing maximum clients per week I had capacity for, running workshops, teaching yoga, community clinic, studying Compassionate Inquiry, learning overseas. I love it all, yet knew I needed to create more space for slowness leading up to conception in 2025. Remarkably it still felt like a busy year, though I had more time for my pottery, family & garden. I did also need more room to be able to complete the Compassionate Inquiry mentorship program.
5. Ate three warm meals everyday. I’ve been in this habit for a good while now. Cooked foods with a focus on protein has been a priority. On occasion raw foods come into my diet & when they do I aim to ingest them at room temp. In Chinese medicine warmth is vital for conception, as is enough Blood & Qi to support pregnancy.

*** CONTINUED IN COMMENTS

01/02/2026

Recently I listened to a fantastic interview with Dr. Gordon Neufeld - a developmental psychologist who co-authored the book ‘Hold onto your Kids’ with Dr. Gabor Mate. You’ll find the episode in the .ro library. Highly recommend!!

He spoke a lot about unshed tears and the importance of freeing them. I’m sure many can relate to the relief felt after a good cry. It’s been a struggle for me over the years - letting them out. Slowing down enough to feel the pain that frees them. Yoga helps, especially yin. I’ve had big releases from bodywork too - both acu and massage.

What’s helped the most, especially in the last 2-3 years has been regular therapy. During this time I’ve been deep in studying compassionate inquiry, it’s been mandatory to log a monthly session for myself. I journeyed with IFS (internal family systems) for 9 months and compassionate inquiry for the same again, meeting and releasing parts of self that were holding a backlog of old pain, stories, beliefs.

I see many tears shed in the clinic and I welcome them always. It’s important to have safe spaces to express, to feel, to let go. It’s an honour to offer that for you.

In my practice as a compassionate inquiry trainee, I’m constantly learning to show up without an agenda, to let go of ‘needing to fix’ and to trust the client in their process, inviting deep connection to themselves, their emotions and needs. I’m excited to see where this work takes me in the future.

P.S I’m overdue for a cry!

29/01/2026

For all my pregnant clients and people out there with growing bellies and swelling breasts. This small batch of belly butter is up for grabs, I’m not sure if/when I’ll make it again so if you’d like some, head on over to the shop on my website (link in bio).

I’m really starting to pop now and can feel my skin tightening more each day. I’m super happy with how this batch turned out. I chose organic ingredients that support the skin to stretch, limiting stretch marks and scarring - great for bellies, breasts, hips or wherever your body needs it. It’s such good skin food I also use it on my face as an occasional overnight treat. You don’t need much, it’s super hydrating.

50g ~ $25
120g ~ $40

Purchase online, can post in Aus for extra $ or select ‘pick up from clinic’ and we can arrange a time for you.

Message me with any questions 💛

P.S. it’s been such an interesting time of joy, acceptance and excitement watching and willing this belly of mine to grow… especially after years (decades!) of wishing it were smaller. We are strange creatures living in a strange world. The real practise will be to take this love and awe for my body into postpartum.

21/01/2026

Dreaming up some Deep Yin for next month. Have you had a big and beautiful (possibly busy) summer ? Are you needing some deep rest, a few hours to soften into stillness with yourself, some rejuvenating downtime to recharge the batteries?

I ran this workshop last year around the same time and it was well received. Inspired to offer it again this year. Spaces will be limited so grab your ticket now if you’re keen.

Feb 15th - an opportunity to romance yourself.

4-6pm - end of the weekend, end of the day chill out vibes.

$30 - buy tickets via the shop website (link in bio).

Message with any questions. Props provided, bring a mat, some water and something to cover your eyes.

29/12/2025