Tao of Wellness Pasadena

02/18/2026

Happy Lunar New Year! See Dr. Mao’s prediction for the Year of the Fire Horse.

Dr. Mao's 2026 Astrological Forecast for the Year of the Fire Horse

Chinese astrology offers a sophisticated framework for understanding how time influences human life through nature’s rhythms. Based on the interaction of the Five Elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—it reveals how each year shapes our physical health, emotional balance, relationships, work, finances, and spiritual evolution.

The Lunar New Year of 2026 begins on February 17. The year is governed by Bing (丙) Fire over Wu (午) Fire, known as the Fire Horse year. This is a Yang Fire–Yang Fire configuration—one of the most dynamic and activating combinations in the Chinese calendar.

Bing Fire is likened to the sun: illumination, clarity, vitality, and consciousness. Wu Fire represents the peak of Fire energy—movement, passion, visibility, and action. Together, they create a year of acceleration and exposure. What has been dormant comes into motion. What has been hidden comes into view.

Fire magnifies intention. When action is aligned with purpose and integrity, Fire supports growth and leadership. When driven by impulse, ego, or urgency, Fire leads to volatility, burnout, and instability. The central theme of 2026 is alignment.

Read more www.taoofwellness.com/blogs

From a Chinese medicine perspective, Fire governs the Heart and Shen (spirit). As such, this year places strong emphasis on emotional truth, relationships, leadership, purpose, and matters of the heart—both figuratively and physically.

08/27/2025

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNgfWVKygWb/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

08/12/2025

✨ Wondering if acupuncture can help you? ✨
Whether you’re dealing with pain, stress, fatigue, digestive issues, hormonal changes, or just want to feel more balanced — acupuncture works by restoring the body’s natural ability to heal.
It’s safe, natural, and tailored to you.

📅 Let’s find out together. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward feeling your best.
📲 626.397.1000

08/06/2025

Your body is constantly sending you signals—stress, fatigue, pain, poor sleep, digestion issues. You don’t have to just live with it.

Acupuncture works by gently guiding your body back into balance, using thousands of years of Traditional Chinese Medicine to support healing from the inside out.

Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, hormonal imbalance, anxiety, or just feeling off—acupuncture can help you reconnect and feel better.

I’m here for our community, offering personalized care in a calm and supportive space. Curious if acupuncture is right for you? Let’s talk.

📍 Pasadena | 🧍‍♂️ 1:1 treatments | ✨ Natural healing

12/31/2023

Happy New Year everyone! Have an amazing 2024!

Cultivating Awareness in the New Year
By Albert Vaca, L.Ac.

One day, while practicing tai chi, I realized I wasn’t focusing on my form. I was thinking about my day, my kids, and everything that needed to be done. I was being distracted by the people moving and talking around me. I really wasn’t breathing, come to think of it. I took a deep breath, softened my arms and shoulders, did what I call a “face check” to relax my temples and forehead, and began to flow again in the soft movement of tai chi.

As we usher in the New Year, I find cultivating awareness in our daily lives so important, particularly when it comes to health matters. In this fast-paced world, the pursuit of well-being often takes a back seat to the demands of daily life.

As a practitioner of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, my focus is to help nurture more awareness of health. This may come in the form of a breathing exercise, a particular body movement, a simple meditation, and of course, acupuncture to relieve blockages to allow you to feel more open and receptive.

Read more here-> https://www.taoofwellness.com/newsletters-blog/2023/12/30/cultivating-awareness-for-the-new-year

12/01/2023

Tuina bodywork is an excellent therapy for acute muscle and joint injuries or chronic inflammation and pain. Now is a great time to grab this special for yourself or a loved one.

*Tuina offer is with Dr. Shannon and Angela Soeon Park, L.Ac., at the Santa Monica clinic or Albert Vaca, L.Ac., at the Pasadena Clinic. Package may not be shared. New patients require an initial consultation. Must be redeemed by 6/29/2024.

11/18/2023

PASADENA OFFICE SPECIAL OFFER FOR WORLD ACUPUNCTURE DAY

In celebration of World Acupuncture Day on November 16th, 2023, the Pasadena Office is offering limited-time specials:

NEW PATIENTS
Initial Consultation and Acupuncture Treatment for $175
(a $250 value)

CURRENT PATIENTS
Refer a New Patient and Receive a Free Gift!

(Tension Rollerball, a box of Wellness Living Sleep or Detox Tea, or a bottle of Wellness Living Immunity formula. You choose!)

Offer valid November 18-December 31, 2023 for the Pasadena location only.
Appointments to be made with Albert Vaca, L.Ac.

05/17/2023

I’m so excited to be part of this podcast! It was great talking to an old friend and colleague Alexa Bradley Hulsey. Fun conversation about natural healing, especially how pain can be modulated through breath and proper movement. Have a listen and let
me know what you think in the comments!

https://notesfromyouracupuncturist.substack.com/p/ep-14-holistic-pain-management-living

04/27/2023

I don't know about you guys, but all the gorgeous flowers nourished by the rain are making my eyes itchy. Thank goodness for Chinese medicine to help with any allergy signs. My eyes feel more refreshed already and I'm super excited to get outdoors more.
Let me know where you like to explore!!

Here's an article on how Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture can help you this Spring.

Spring is in the air again, the time of year that brings us the opportunity to go outside and play. Blue skies, sunshine and wildflowers are in abundance and for some of us, spring also means allergy season. A picnic in the park is no picnic when you can’t breathe. Allergic rhinitis, literally inf...

04/21/2023

Had a great time recording a podcast with Yo San Alum and classmate Alexa Bradley Hulsey, L.Ac. We spoke about my journey with Chinese medicine and and all the resources available to us to deal with chronic back pain.

I'll keep you posted on when the podcast lands!