Sarana Community Acupuncture 

Pam is a co-founder of Sarana. Pam has served as POCA co-op Board member, and spent many years volunteering at Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, offering free treatments to low-income women with cancer. She received her acupuncture training in Oakland, CA. Pam's practice reflects her deep desire for a world with ample resources for people to create their own solutions to everyday problems. Pronouns: she/her Languages: English

Katie is a California licensed acupuncturist. She has been a big part of Sarana during her acupuncture studies as a volunteer, as well as a massage and cupping practitioner. She is currently one of Sarana's co-managers and acupuncturists. Katie pursued her Chinese Medicine studies at ACTCM in San Francisco, and AIMC in Berkeley. She has participated in many externships while in acupuncture school, offering acupuncture to underserved populations through programs at Ashby Lifelong Clinic, Charlotte Maxwell Clinic, and SF Homeless Prenatal. Katie feels that the community-acupuncture model of inclusive, affordable health care creates a much-needed and accessible space for healing in our otherwise inequitable and profit-driven world. Pronouns: she/her Languages: English and Conversational Japanese

Ollie is part of the Sarana co-manager team. Ollie's acupuncture journey began during a Tui Na (massage) workshop, which sparked a desire to learn more. Ollie completed their training at the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, with a dual focus in Community Acupuncture and Orthopaedics. Ollie has a background in public health and policy, and is deeply committed to improving access to high quality healthcare—especially for trauma survivors, fat, trans, queer, and neuro-divergent individuals—and they love that Community Acupuncture allows them to pursue these goals. In addition to their work at Sarana, they volunteer at Charlotte Maxwell Clinic in Oakland. Pronouns: they/them (English) or elle (Español) Languages: English y Español

I grew up in Siberia, in a home with a cardiologist and gardener mother, computer engineer and philosopher father, and a school teacher and gardener grandmother. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a BS in Integrative Biology, I was looking to find solutions for personal health struggles and began my studies at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley. There I completed 1,000 hour program in Acupressure Therapy and Tui Na. Inspired by Brian O’Dea, L.Ac. and the practical results of hands-on healing, I continued my studies in East Asian Medicine at Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley and the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland. I became a licensed acupuncturist in 2013. Over the past 20 years I’ve enjoyed sharing these healing tools with my community. I have practiced and taught classes at the Suitcase Clinic for low-income women and children, Charlotte Maxwell Clinic for low-income women with cancer, and McKinnon body therapy center. I’ve treated people in a variety of settings and circumstances, and ages ranging from 3 months to 91 years old. I’ve always enjoyed getting community acupuncture, because I find it particularly helpful to be in a group healing field, as well as being able to get frequent treatments. I’m very excited to provide community acupuncture and to join the delightful group of practitioners at Sarana Community Acupuncture. When I'm not practicing healing arts, I like to spend time by the ocean with my kids and family, dance, and make good tea. I am an on/off practitioner of meditation, qi gong and yoga, and I aspire to not take myself too seriously. Pronouns: she/her Languages: English & Russian

I escaped the endless fields of dirt and cacti of my home town, Palm Desert CA, to study Sociology in the Rose City, Portland Oregon. My quest to reach the highest levels of Nerdom had me reading books on herbology and world religions throughout undergrad. I felt drawn to exploring natural medicine more and discovered that Chinese Medicine has the longest continuous history of herbalism! After a quick trip around the world, a short stint in a Buddhist monastery, and a whole lotta mango lassi; I ended up in Santa Cruz, CA enrolled in a Doctorate/Master’s program in TCM, and the rest is history. I am a big fan of accessible healthcare and I believe that reducing barriers to good health can only make the world a better place to exist in. When I am not in the clinic, you can catch me reading dreadfully boring books, writing about things no one cares about, and riding my mountain bike much slower than everyone else.

I received a Master’s degree in Counseling from San Francisco State University and a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, California. Over the last two decades, I’ve worked as an educator, administrator, counselor, mediator, and coach in San Francisco and the East Bay, where I was focused on delivering support to Bay Area youth and their families, and on supporting the progress of these folks on the continuum of personal inquiry, increased self-actualization, and greater well-being. Early on in this emotionally and spiritually taxing work, I had my first experience of Chinese medicine in a community acupuncture setting, which had a deeply transformative impact on my physical health and healing process. My connection and fascination with Chinese medicine continued to deepen and evolve to the point that I knew with absolute clarity that I wanted to shift my approach to supporting folks’ healing and growth. I have always envisioned my path forward in this medicine as a community acupuncturist working in spaces where low-barrier access to healing is the fundamental, motivating principle. I believe that healing begins with feeling connection and a deep sense that one is heard, seen, and understood and that any potential intervention, treatment, or interaction has to be rooted first in relationship and connection. My treatments and general approach hold an intention to re-establish harmony between mind and body and utilize different modalities of Chinese medicine to address physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of wellbeing. When not in the clinic space I find joy in movement, exercise and bopping around Oakland on my bike, being surrounded by music and immersed in water whenever possible, hiking with loved ones, and my favorite happy—the daily stillness and quiet of meditation. I look forward to connecting with you all here at Sarana.

Cupping is offered as a separate service and cannot be combined with acupuncture. Cupping has been used for centuries as a technique to support health in many traditions around the world. Cups are used to create a vacuum over specific areas, which increases blood circulation to activate the meridians and support organs that are not functioning at their best. It is very effective for supporting many different health conditions. More information is available on our website – http://www.saranaca.org/about/cupping/

By appointment only. Cannot be combined with acupuncture. One of our acupuncturists will meet with you, either virtually (via private Google Meet session) or in-person (at the clinic), to gather information needed to create a custom granule formula tailored to your specific needs. You will need to provide information regarding any allergies, dietary restrictions, and your list of current medications — including any vitamins and/or supplements. Cost: our usual sliding scale ($30-60) Duration: the appointment lasts about 30 minutes (Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash)

I grew up in Western China and immigrated to the United States in 2013. When I was in China, I had several acupuncture treatments and observed how acupuncture could transform one’s life. After moving to the U.S, I realized that there was a lot I did not know about Chinese culture, which is deeply meaningful and important to me. I decided to start by learning acupuncture, which combines Chinese philosophy, culture, and medicine. I studied at AIMC Berkeley for four years and recently graduated and became a California licensed acupuncturist. Now I am ready to share the benefit of this amazing healing tool with my community. When I have spare time, I like to go hiking with friends or practice Chinese Calligraphy and seal carving. It is a favorite meditative pastime to help me relax and settle into my inner world. Pronouns: she/her Languages: English, Mandarin, (some) American Sign Language

Holly first discovered Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2012 at a community clinic in San Francisco. She became fascinated with acupuncture as she witnessed empowering shifts in her body and mind during a series of treatments. Holly then pivoted from her path of studying Western medicine and enrolled in acupuncture school in her hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. She is passionate about providing accessible acupuncture as a practitioner and the “group qi” resonance she has experienced as a patient when resting and healing among others in her community. In her free time she loves to read, practice yoga, and explore the natural beauty of the Bay Area. Pronouns: she/her Language: English

Tui Na is a Chinese manipulative therapy that works to improve the flow of energy along the meridians and in the muscles. The name consists of two chinese characters: Tui 推 (pronounced ‘too-ey’) is ‘to push’ and Na 拿 (pronounced ‘na’) is ‘to lift and squeeze’. It is not a calming massage therapy; it is a deep-tissue medical technique focused on breaking up and opening areas of stagnation. This can be intense, especially if you are expecting a gentle Swedish-style massage. Appointments last about 30 minutes and consist of a brief intake, a rolling warm-up to prepare the body, and a short, targeted treatment for your specific health concern(s). Tui Na does not use any oil and is done with your clothing on. Tui Na is offered as a separate service and cannot be combined with acupuncture. More information is available on our website – http://www.saranaca.org/about/tui-na/

Provider for the monthly acupuncture shift dedicated to folks in the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Please only book during this shift if you personally identify as a member of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Walk-ins welcome, appointments preferred. This shift is FREE (donation-based, NOTAFLOF). For those who can afford to pay something, however small the amount, we welcome any donation you feel you can give sustainably. All donations received will go directly towards our ongoing ability to offer this shift and others like it. There is no pressure to donate! If you are an ally who would like to show support, you are welcome to donate (at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/sarcomacu) to help ensure this shift's long-term sustainability. FAQ: https://www.saranaca.org/our-services/lgbtqia2s-acupuncture/