Balanced Way Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Sound Therapy

01/19/2026

Everyday Practices for Regulation

Some of the simple ways I teach patients to reconnect with their bodies and increase awareness are as follows:

- Mindfulness of the breathing body. This is one of the four foundations of mindfulness, and in practice it can be as simple as what I refer to as the “3-Breath Snack”. When you do notice your breathing is “tight”, or a mood or emotion or thought is arising in a distracting way, simply pause and take slow 3 intentional breaths with a nice long exhale on each one. This may help breathe some space around whatever thought, feeling or sensation is present and diffuse its distraction a little bit. It’s like opening a window a small crack and enjoying a bit of fresh air.

- Quick body scan. If, for instance, you are prone to low back or hip pain, it’s wise to check specific areas routinely throughout the day for any unnecessary gripping or tension in your feet, quads (thighs), calves and gluteal muscles, and notice when your posture is being hoisted upwards by your shoulders. Notice when you are standing as well as sitting. This is a typical avoidance response to chronic pain. When you make a point of checking in regularly, you’ll notice any habit of gripping, which is a waste of energy. You can then take the opportunity to soften and sink into a stable, relaxed and grounded posture, reducing your gripping and effort and training your nervous system know that it’s ok to let go. The more you notice, the easier it is to let go and you are also changing the pattern. This practice can go a long way in reducing the intensity and frequency of pain.

- Qigong exercises. I prescribe a specific exercise depending on your unique condition and treatment goals. These are gentle, repetitive and simple exercises that make sense, feel good, and help you develop a skill that you will use for your lifetime.

Just remember that regulation is dynamic and relative, and restoring balance & harmony is integral to good health. Small, routine practices are super helpful not only for mindful awareness and alleviating symptoms, but developing more acceptance and trust with your body.

Thanks for reading,

Nancy

01/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1C5TtdtS1f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

01/15/2026

01/15/2026

This is fascism. It cannot be lived with. It must be stopped now. Nothing but massive nonviolent struggle by you, and millions of others like you, can do that.

Take to the streets everywhere…

ICE Must Go!

The Whole Trump Fascist Regime Must Go Now!

In the Name of Humanity, We Refuse to Accept a Fascist America!

01/15/2026

01/15/2026

“Fascism” is not a curse word. Fully imposed, it is a radically oppressive and repressive form of rule over the people of this country, with devastating impact on the people of the world.

The last five days, which have seen the Trump regime illegally bomb Venezuela, kidnap its president, threaten the sovereignty of more countries, celebrate the January 6 insurrection, and now murder a civilian in the streets, have brought this home in blood and should dispel any complacency.

01/15/2026

The Shut Down Detention Campaign is outraged and heartbroken by the death of Parady La at FDC Philadelphia, a 46-year-old man from Cambodia. This is the fourth death in a little over two years in Pennsylvania detention centers. Mr. La’s death on January 9th was completely preventable and is a direct result of egregious medical neglect.

Members of the Shut Down Detention Campaign have heard from several sources that Mr. La explicitly told staff he was going through fentanyl withdrawal and repeatedly requested care after vomiting several times throughout January 6th, the day he was brought to the detention center. According to ICE’s own reporting, Mr. La was later found “unresponsive” in his cell, and with officers administering “several doses of NARCAN”. NARCAN is typically used for an overdose, not a withdrawal for fentanyl. If Mr. La had been transported to Jefferson at the onset of symptoms and notification, Jefferson would have had a better chance at successful treatment. FDC officers chose to ignore Mr. La’s requests for medical attention and refused to respond with PA Department of Health’s protocol, as is underscored by their own reporting that he arrived at Jefferson brain dead. These cumulative choices all ultimately resulted in his preventable death.

Mr. La arrived to the United States in 1982, as a 2-year old Southeast Asian refugee fleeing the Cambodian Genocide. He was born in a Thai refugee camp, has never set foot in Cambodia, and has only known the United States as home. He grew up in West Philadelphia and Upper Darby, and was beloved by his extensive family - especially his many nieces and nephews, who came to see him like a father figure.

Read the full statement in this post.

The Shut Down Detention Campaign is clear in its demand: this violence must end now and all detention centers in Pennsylvania and the country should be closed immediately.

01/15/2026

Solidarity.

01/14/2026

Exactly

01/14/2026

I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center. Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music. 

I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art.

01/14/2026