The Unique Benefits of Yurt Acupuncture
In our modern lives, filled with screens and the constant buzz of technology, reconnecting with the natural world can be hard. Having acupuncture in a yurt can offer a unique opportunity for that connection to nature.
A Portal to the Sky
One of the most beautiful parts of having acupuncture in the yurt is the dome above the treatment table. As a client said the other day: “Well this doesn’t suck.”
This dome serves as a portal to the sky, offering an unobstructed view of the clouds or the stream of falling rain. Many of my clients have expressed how incredible it is to lie back and watch the clouds drift by, something we rarely let ourselves do these days. This connection to the sky above can help us to relax into our own bodies and minds as it facilitates a remembrance that we are part of the bigger system.
The Qi of the Sky: 天氣 (Tian Qi)
In Chinese medicine, the sensory organs are essential conduits for gathering the Qi of the world around us. What we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste influences every aspect of our spirit. The term 天氣 (tian qi), or “the Qi of the sky,” is the term used for “weather.” The Ancients believed that the external weather interacts with our internal environment—our thoughts, emotions, and physical health- to produce the interior weather (aka emotions) that we experience. The energy outside, whether calm or turbulent, can influence our emotions, promoting a state of balance or contributing to disharmony. Of course, this depends on our lived experience, our constitutional type and current emotional state.
The Huangdi Neijing Suwen, an ancient Chinese medical text, emphasizes the importance of harmonizing with nature as a foundation for health and longevity. The connection to the natural world fosters this balance, allowing us to absorb the Qi of the sky and integrate it into our being.
Nature’s Symphony
The yurt is not just a place of visual beauty; it is also filled with the sounds of life. Crows and blue jays neogotiate territory, hummingbirds flit about, squirrels are darting about with fresh walnuts in their mouth and bees buzz from mint to sage to fennel. Last month, the spiders eggs opened and they could be found everywhere, weaving their webs. Most of them have figured out where the humans walk now and have worked on their creations in safer areas. The raccoons sleep so quietly that their paw prints in the morning dust are the only way we know they exist. Even in the heart of the city, these creatures remind us of the broader world we are part of—a world where life continues, despite the huge trucks and leaf blowers and sirens around us.
The ability to take in the natural soundscape is another beautiful part of yurt’s power. While the sounds of the city—barking dogs, crying babies, and passing cars—are ever-present, the yurt creates a retreat that is deeply rooted in the normalcy of life. This is not an escape from our daily existence but a sanctuary within it, where the rhythms of life are embraced, and our nervous systems can recalibrate in response to the natural and urban environments.
The Wisdom of the Ancients
Chinese philosophy is rich with wisdom about the importance of connecting with nature. The Huangdi Neijing and texts like the Daodejing and Huainanzi speak to the need for harmony between humans and the natural world.
天地者，萬物之逆旅也；光陰者，百代之過客也。浮生若夢，為歡幾何?
“Sky and Earth are the inn for all things; time is the traveler passing through a hundred generations. Life floats by like a dream—how much joy can it hold?” - Huainanzi Chapter 7
These teachings remind us that the way we live—our connection to the rhythms of nature, the way we manage our internal and external environments—profoundly influences our health and well-being. The yurt can help us to align with the transient nature of life and the universe. Perhaps this encourages us to find harmony within the broader context of the natural world. By understanding our place within this vast system, we can live more fully and in tune with the rhythms of nature.
A Retreat Within the Everyday
What makes yurt acupuncture truly special is that it offers a retreat without taking us far away from our everyday lives. The yurt is a space where ancient wisdom meets modern needs; where the techniques of acupuncture, moxa, and cupping are enhanced by the presence of nature. As you settle into this special environment, you might find that your body naturally begins to regulate and heal, supported by the gentle, yet profound, influence of this world.
In the yurt, you are not just receiving a treatment—you are participating in a symphony of life, where every breath, every sound, and every sensation contributes to your healing journey. The result is a deep recalibration of the nervous system, a renewal of energy, and a profound sense of peace.