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Spirit of Living

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Spirit of Living

Michelle Kitsmiller DACM, L.Ac.is the founder of Spirit of Living,. This clinic focuses on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mindfulness.

Using these and other integrative tools our purpose is to help you overcome the impact of stress and trauma. About Michelle Kitsmiller + Spirit of Living

Michelle Kitsmiller DACM, L.Ac.is the founder of Spirit of Living,. The clinic focus on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and mindfulness. Treatment plans are created to help you move through your days, months, and years in a way that allows life t

o happen without you getting overwhelmed by it. Just like life, healing is a process and the steps we take now to deal with our past and present stressful experiences will pave the way for brighter future experiences. Michelle (pronouns: she/her/hers) is a farm girl and combat veteran with a passion to help others overcome their challenges in life. Whether it is chronic or acute pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, trauma and the physical effects of stress and trauma she will do her best for you and your situation. Michelle holds a doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of San Diego, San Diego CA, and is certified by the National Certification Commission of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). She maintains a certification in Massage therapy, is certified in Mind Body Medicine from the Mind Body Institute, and is a Reiki Master.In 2013 Michelle completed a two year certification in Gold Standard Facial Acupuncture through the Chi-Akra Center in New York. Clinical acupuncture experience includes Courage Center, Pillsbury House, The Salvation Army, Woodwinds Hospital and Edith Davis Teaching Clinic, as well as a private practice setting. In addition to acupuncture, she taught essential oils and acupressure at Sister Rosalind Gefre Massage and Wellness Centers.

06/24/2025

Most of us have heard and believe in the power of intention. We know that it’s important to set intentions, and to dedicate a certain amount of time and effort to them. We know how powerful the mere act of setting an intention is—it creates an energy that flows outwards and actually changes the reality around us. What we don’t talk a lot about is how this process truly works and the energetic lag time it entails. So I wanted to take a minute and share my own simple process with intention setting and my experience with how it unfolds in practice:

First, I identify what I want, name what I want to clear, and also what I want to replace that with. Then, I state all of this in the affirmative as though it has already happened, and say and hold the intention that this will be for the highest good of all. Finally, I say “and so it is,” three times. For example, I would say, “Universe, thank you for filling me with love, courage and strength. Thank you for having removed all negative and low level energy from me. Thank you for the experience of only positive emotions for the Highest Good of All. And so it is. And so it is. And so it is.”

What I also want to make clear about setting intentions is this: there is lag time. So even though the mechanisms are put into motion the moment you set your intention, it takes time for the energy itself to take shape. To take form. To gel into your particular life and your particular manifestation of the intention. So DO NOT FRET if your intention seems to take its sweet time in coming to fruition. And DO NOT GIVE UP. Keep holding your intention, even through the inevitable doubt (because that’s usually part of the process!) and return to it regularly. Look for ways large and small that changes and shifts are occurring. Notice how the intention IS taking shape. Watch it become clearer, and clearer, until suddenly, you are nearly there, and suddenly you ARE there!

I hope this mini-manifesto is of help to you, and provides some reassurance if and when your intentions are m o v i n g v e r y s l o w l y.
Take heart. Keep the faith. Your intentions ARE powerful!

xoxo,

Michelle

01/16/2025

During this “yin” time of year, we are called upon to practice a more quiet and still way of being in the world. Nature reflects that for us externally in the barren branches of trees, the absence of anything blooming, the frozen ground. Our bodies, too, signal us in various ways to respond to this season—we might crave comfort and quiet (and cookies 🤗). I know some people we dive gleefully into this season of cozy, restorative darkness.

Many of us, however, feel a deep discomfort with the call to stillness. Sometimes the practice of stillness uncovers within us a deep restlessness, and it can feel like we are crawling out of our skin. It could be that inaction feels like it equates to worthlessness in a culture that mostly values production. It could be that stillness creates the space to see ourselves and our lives more clearly, and that is not always comfortable to do.

Whatever the root cause, the question remains: how do we deal with this intense aversion to being still? For my own part, I remind myself that discomfort is normal and even valuable—it is information. I know that beyond discomfort usually lies wisdom and growth. Additionally, I remind myself that stillness is the source of true insight—we cannot see ourselves in a rushing river, but only in the calm surface of the lake. And I want to be able to see clearly. Finally, I remind myself that there is nothing more important I can “do” than allow myself to heed the call of nature, to let my body and mind rest and restore, to allow myself to JUST BE. Be with the discomfort. Be with my needs and preferences. Just being is enough!

12/31/2024

Birth and death. Beginnings and endings. There cannot be one without the other. The birth of 2025 means we must lay 2024 to rest. How do we do that? Some of us utilize ritual, reflection, or journaling. Some of us stay up until midnight (😳😱🤩) drink champagne and dance. Some of us go to bed early, unbothered, letting time do as it will. There’s no right or wrong way. But for me, this time of year offers an opportunity for quiet, intentional reflection. What do I want to release/lay to rest from 2024? What do I want to call forth/give birth to in 2025? Are there things that NEED to be released, transformed, or alchemized? Are there things that NEED to be brought in? And then, maybe I light a fire and burn some things too. 🔥💃🌚

What do you do to celebrate the new year? What will you burn? What will you birth? Let me know in the comments below!

Love and blessings to each of you for the new year ahead, Michelle 💖

12/10/2024

Soooo winter “officially” starts at the solstice, but it our low temps, snow on the ground and chapped lips beg to differ 😀 In TCM, the element of Winter is…you guessed it…Water! It’s interesting (but perhaps not surprising?) that winter, where everything is still + frozen, is paired with water, which cannot help but to flow 🌊 Because water is so essential to life and stores of energy, the frigid winter season can have a huge impact on the water element for us. If we do not heed its call to rest and restore, we will run dry (literally and figuratively). So go slowly, intentionally my friends. And stay hydrated. 💧💧💧Also, side note: did you know that just looking at pictures containing bodies of water soothes our nervous systems? This is called the “blue mind” effect, and winter is a good time to utilize this trick, whether as a screen saver, piece of artwork or photos!

Take care, and happy wintering ❄️

11/19/2024

Ren 17, known as the “sea of qi,” is a profound access point to relief when we find ourselves bracing or stuck in a fear state. It is connects the heart to the breath and to the body, thereby creating unity, releasing anxiety, and opening up the space for peace. This is a quick, easy practice you can do on your own to free your breath and heart from constriction. I hope you find it useful. ✨💓🫁

Love, Michelle

11/05/2024

When the liver needs attention, she *makes* it *known*. Persistent Anger/rage/frustration/depression, Indigestion. Joint Pain. These are only a few signs that the liver needs tending. Any of them feeling present today? 😳
The liver is one of the most important organs in TCM. She controls the flow of qi as well as blood, so yeah…she’s kind of a big deal 💃. To help bring her into balance, MOVE your body + hydrate, DAYDREAM + journal, and my personal favorite: PRACTICE JOY ✨✨✨. Hmmm….what could you do to practice joy for yourself today? Feel free to share any ideas so we can spread it around! yiurselfjiyprcricnow

This Thursday’s class is all about the liver (and the gallbladder, and the triple warmer and pericardium lol). Still time to join us if you’d like! 6-8 pm via ZOOM, just shoot me a DM.

Sending peace and balanced liver qi to EVERYONE today. 🙏🩵🇺🇸

10/29/2024

Last week I did a thought experiment from Pam Grout’s book E^2, where you ask the universe to send you a clear and unexpected gift within 48 hours. The results were rather remarkable, and not only because I DID receive unexpected gifts (including this beautiful “healers stone” from 💜💜💜 thank you Christine!) but because it did so much more than that…. First, it reminded me how important it is to PLAY. Playfulness is not always something that comes naturally to me, so to do something just for the actual heck of it, because it sounded like fun, was so refreshing to my spirit! 🌸Next, most of you will not be surprised to hear that it really turned up the heat on my experience of gratitude (what we focus on grows, of course, and once I started looking for the gifts, I also started counting all the ones I already had and 🤯🥹✨). Finally, the experiment held up a mirror that reflected back old thought patterns and stories—Am I doing this “right”?? What comes up when I ask for something I don’t know if I’ll get? Am I afraid of disappointment? Will I attach meaning to a certain outcome? Why or why not? Am I asking for too much??

Seeing these narratives arise in a low-stakes/ playful/experimental way hit a little different. I could see them for what they were and let them go a bit easier 🌬️ In the end, I saw that it came down to two choices—to believe or not to believe, and I emphatically choose to believe 💓💓💓

Honestly it was so fun, it kind of makes me want to start an abundance group…anyone interested??? 😘🥰🤩

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09/24/2024

Have you ever wished your body could speak directly to you—tell you its needs, where it’s stuck, or how to move forward? And not just physically, but regarding your WHOLE life? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body can and DOES speak like this- it is not just a series of organs that work together so we can walk around and be a separate “self.” The body IS our “self”—it houses all of our energetic, emotional, and spiritual manifestations, as well as the keys to their development. If we can learn our body’s language, we can truly find fluency and harmony within ourselves (not to mention immense physical relief!!!!).

This four part series is designed to teach you about all of the major components of the body as viewed through TCM.

Course dates are as follows, all from 6-8pm via Zoom (replays available)

Thursday, October 3: Overview of the Body in TCM

Thursday, October 17: The Rhythm of My Body! (Spleen, Stomach, Lungs and Large Intestine)

Thursday October 24: The Deeply Emotional Centers (Kidneys, Bladder, Heart, and Small Intestine)

Thursday November 7: Who’s in Charge Here? (Hint: it’s the Liver)

You can sign up for courses individually on my website (link in BIO!)

BUT if you attend all four classes, I have a special offering for you!! More details on that later!!!

09/17/2024

Have you ever wished your body could speak directly to you—tell you its needs, where it’s stuck, or how to move forward? And not just physically, but as regards your WHOLE life? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the body does speak like this; it is not just a series of parts and organs that work together so we can walk around and be a separate “self.” The body, in part and as a whole, houses more than just our physical existence—it also houses our energetic, emotional, and spiritual manifestations, as well as the keys to their development. If we can learn about our body’s language, we can truly find fluency and harmony within ourselves (not to mention immense physical relief!!!!).

This four part series is designed to teach you about all of the major component of the body as viewed through TCM.

Course dates are as follows, all from 6-8pm via Zoom (replays available)

Thursday, October 3: Overview of the Body in TCM

Thursday, October 17: The Rhythm of My Body! (Spleen, Stomach, Lungs and Large Intestine)

Thursday October 24: The Deeply Emotional Centers (Kidneys, Bladder, Heart, and Small Intestine)

Thursday November 7: Who’s in Charge Here? (Hint: it’s the Liver)

You can sign up for courses individually on my website (link in BIO!)

BUT if you attend all four classes, I have a special offering for you!! More details on that later!!!

09/03/2024

So, I know this statement is true. It’s something I’ve practiced, and practiced and continue to practice (life gives so many opportunities! Lol). And yet, it remains challenging to be comfortable with uncertainty, because our human instincts usually sound the alarm bells at the first whiff of the unknown. And, truly, that is as it should be. It means we are alive and our nervous systems are working.

At the same time, I am here to tell you that it does get easier to feel *more* comfortable, with being uncomfortable. Every time you sit down and meditate, you get practice with meeting the unknown. Every time you order a new item off a menu, you practice not knowing how it will turn out. And of course, whether we like it or not, the dawn of each day is full of uncertainty, which means it’s also full of newness, and possibility as well. We truly have no idea what will happen, even if we think we do. This can feel exhilarating (because think of the infinite possibilities for good!) or terrifying (because certainty usually means safety!). But here’s the key, once you start intentionally practicing sitting with the discomfort of uncertainty, you automatically began to redefine your relationship to it.

So take a chance on that new menu item. Sit with your thoughts and feelings for even a few minutes. It truly is an act of bravery. And it truly can change your life.

Xo

Michelle

08/27/2024

Running a little series here on the effects of excess, stagnant, and deficient Qi in the body. I find its helpful for me to connect, even in a very general way, the various manifestations of energy as a way to get out of my head and into my body. And having a few simple, go-to mechanisms for bringing back some balance is key! I hope it helps you too 🌀✨🦋

08/20/2024

For many of us, we are aware that our body speaks, that it has its own language. It communicates to us via sensation, sometimes numbness, through “gut feeling” or “intuition.” The big question is are you listening? Can you hear its whispers? Or do you wait for it to yell at you with pain? Is it a useful guide and vessel, or something you fight with when you don’t like what you are hearing, sensing, or feeling?

On the other hand, did you know that our bodies also listen? That it hears our thoughts and responds to them? For instance, you might find that you have a cyclical thought pattern that often repeats “I can’t.” Then, when you go ahead and try a thing, well, lo and behold, you CAN’T, or maybe you don’t even allow yourself to try. If you’re always labelling yourself as old/young/thin/fat/ill/unwell/stuck etc…well, your body is very likely to believe you.

This is why it’s important spend time with our thought patterns—so we can become familiar with the language we use and gently, with compassion, attempt to re-wire our neural pathways to invite in more supportive language, which will, in turn, invite our body to respond supportively!

Address

165 Dunlap Street N
Saint Paul, MN
55104

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 6pm

Website

http://www.spiritoflivingdr.com/

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