Kim Leibowitz L.Ac, HHP
When I was a child, I suffered from severe allergies to pollen, which were so horrible I could barely function through the spring and summer months. I went to several types of doctors and took many prescription medications and nothing helped. At twelve years old, my mother brought me to a holistic health practitioner who recommended specific dietary changes as well as herbal supplements, which provided me a great deal of relief. I could not believe how these simple changes helped me so much. It was through this experience I began to realize the power of alternative and complementary medicines. Over the next few years, I found additional natural remedies, which continued to improve my overall health.
After graduating college with a BA in Psychology from the State University of New York at Oswego I still had a desire to learn more about natural health, so I got a job in a natural food and health store where I continued to further my knowledge of the benefits of food and herbal/nutritional products to treat various health related problems. During this time, I became certified as a Wilderness First Responder. One particularly memorable comment my teacher shared “Western medicine is great for large trauma to the body…If you cut off a limb, they can sew it back on…but for daily care and maintenance of the body, the Eastern health philosophy of prevention is most powerful.”
This phrase really stuck with me and was an impetus to continue my education at Heartwood Institute. This 1200 hour holistic health and massage therapy certification was a one-year long intensive program, which was located in a remote part of Northern California. During this experience I submerged myself in a truly holistic lifestyle, living and learning in a community that was dedicated to supporting holistic-healing education and right-livelihood, by honoring the sacredness and unity of all .
After completion at Heartwood, I opened up a successful holistic health practice in Telluride, Colorado. I also volunteered in a holistic health clinic working alongside several acupuncturists. I observed the increased benefits, which acupuncture and other eastern modalities offered to the patients. I decided to travel to Thailand to formally expand my knowledge of eastern studies, at the Thai Massage School of Chang Mai. After completing this program I continued to privately study with a well known Thai Master, Pichest Boonthume.
With a continued desire to further develop my healing skills, I decided to attend The Academy For Five Element Acupuncture. I completed a four year Masters Degree in Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, with certifications in Chinese Herbology, and Medical Qi Gong. In January 2009, I opened Sylva Acupuncture & Wellness Center in Sylva, NC.
In addition to helping patients with a variety of holistic treatment methods, I also offer regular Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes at Sylva Acupuncture & Wellness Center. In an effort to share my knowledge with other practitioners, I also teach classes on massage therapy, anatomy and physiology, as well as Oriental Medicine at Southwestern Community College, Haywood Community College, and The Center for Massage and Natural Health in Asheville, NC.
Shirley Knapp
Founder of Northwinds Productions, and embraced by the Northwinds of change to uplift the planetary vibration to one of Joy, Shirley Knapp is an internationally recognized Spiritual teacher and the author of Sustaining Joy. She leads individuals and groups in energy healing and intuitive development to learn to live with less stress and more joy. She has been in a holistic private practice since 1986 and has taught workshops and spoken throughout the US and around the world. Her articles have been published in magazines and newsletters around the world.
Shirley’s passion is to empower us to move beyond personal barriers and limitations to lead a more empowered and joyful life.
Shirley is an NCBTMB Continuing Education Approved Provider #450819-08 and is currently teaching classes that offer CE Hours at the Sylva Acupuncture & Wellness Center, Sylva, NC, around the US, and by teleclass.