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Acupuncturist
- Shane Miller
I
began studying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as part of
a Masters degree at the University of British Columbia. My
studies focused on the philosophical underpinnings that distinguish
Western biomedical practices from more Traditional modes of
medicine. In particular I compared how practitioners from each
of these systems interact with the bodies on which they work,
and how each system shapes our understanding of the body. Upon
completion of the degree I began (and subsequently completed)
studies at the International College of Traditional Chinese
Medicine and Acupuncture--Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine
being my main focus.
My
background in herbal medicine extends back many years. Growing
up, playing and working in and around the mountains of BC and Alberta,
has instilled, and allowed me to indulge, a fascination with plants—I
have dedicated many years to identifying and studying their medicinal
properties. I am an avid wild-crafter, harvesting herbs, and producing
many of the medicines I use in clinic. I continue to attend courses
and workshops on numerous traditions of herbal medicine and “compare
notes” regularly with other herbalists from varying backgrounds.
The herbal paradigm I use most frequently is a blend of Western
and Chinese.
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My
acupuncture training began in several related Chinese styles,
and I spent the early years of my practice working with these.
In 2002 I was honored to become a member of the Matsumoto Benkyo
Kai and began making regular study trips to Japan, with my colleague
Alex Audette to learn Deep Tissue Lymphatic acupuncture (DTLA).
DTLA is a very advanced and subtle form of acupuncture coming
out of an old Japanese tradition that was developed by the blind.
This technique relies largely on touch to continuously gather
information and thereby guide the course and direction of each
treatment. I
began studying movement and meditation in my early 20s beginning
with Taoist Tai Chi, soon moving on to Chen style and various
forms of Qi Gong, which I studied with master Shou Yu Liang in
Vancouver. I came to Yoga, initially, to sort out major back
injuries but stayed with it, eventually taking a teacher training
program at the Calgary Yoga Studio South with Robert Walker and
Margot Kitchen. I met Norman Sjoman and Sri Data Treya in the
fall of 2003 and continue to study advanced asana at their studio
in Bowness Calgary. It was through Norman that I first met Gert
Van Leuwen and with whom I began to study critical alignment
therapy. In 2006 I completed a 400 hour program in Hakomi therapy.
Hakomi is a psychotherapeutic technique that teaches/cultivates
mindfulness of the body to aid in accessing and working through
emotional trauma or maladaptive behavioral patterns and I have
found it to be a natural fit with Yoga and movement as therapy
for injuries and/or unhealthy structural patterns as well. |
