Holiday Hours

Clinic

Yo San Clinic will be closed on the following dates.

• Thursday November 26 (Thanksgiving)
• Friday December 25 (Christmas)
• Friday January 1, 2010 (New Year)

Yo San Clinic will be open until 5 pm. on the following dates.

• December 24 (Christmas Eve)
• December 31 (New Year's Eve)

Administration Office

Admin office will be closed on the following dates.

• Thursday November 26 and Friday November 27
• Thursday December 24 and Friday December 25
• Thursday December 31 and Friday January 1, 2010

Library

Library will be closed for renovation from December 14, 2009 to January 3, 2010

LAUGHTER is the BEST MEDICINE

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 12th. Actress Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives) is lending her many talents once again to benefit Yo San University.

This time Brenda has teamed with Shree.TV and YogaGlo for Laughter is the Best Medicine.

• 4pm - 6pm Yoga 4 Creativity with Brenda Strong ($20)
• 7pm - 11pm Party and Health Care Comedy ($20 / $25 at the door)

Enjoy organic food and wine, a program of sketch, video, stand-up and slam poetry all about Health Care, plus a raffle with amazing gifts.

A percentage of proceeds for this event is going directly to Yo San!

@ Yogaglo in Santa Monica

1800 Berkeley Street Santa Monica, CA 90404

For more information and to purchase tickets visit:http://healthcarecomedy.blogspot.com/

Inspiration from Lao Tzu

"To be worn out is to be renewed."

Welcome Mark Franco!

Mark A. Franco, MSOM, L.Ac.

Associate Director of the DAOM Program in Reproductive Medicine


After beginning his studies of Chinese Medicine at the age of 14 under the tutelage of his uncle, Mark went on to receive his Masters of Science Degree in Oriental Medicine from Samra University. During his time at Samra, Mark began studying Hara (Abdominal) Diagnosis as taught by Kiiko Matsumoto. After years of following Kiiko Matsumoto, he was granted permission to instruct students in this system. Mark Franco, L.Ac. is a native Spanish-speaker with a community-based TCM practice. He is on the acupuncture staff at Good Samaritan Hospital and he is involved in ongoing acupuncture studies ranging from cardiology to stroke rehabilitation. He has also instructed and has been a clinical supervisor at many of the Chinese Medical Colleges & Universities in the Los Angeles area. Mark Franco, L.Ac. is passionate about education and the continual development and acceptance of Chinese Medicine in the United States.

Ask Julie

Question:



What can be done for this severe flu season we keep hearing about?



Answer:

Although “experts” in the news tell us this will be the most severe flu season in recent history, the official flu information site of the US Dept of Health and Human Services (flu.gov) says the timing and severity of this season’s flu are unknown at this time. This season is complicated, because we have not only the “normal” seasonal flu, but also the H1N1 (“swine flu”), which sickened people as early as spring and summer and continues. The Feds tell us the best way to avoid any flu is to be vaccinated against both types. But many people have been unable to get access to the H1N1 vaccine, and the drug companies are struggling to produce enough for the need. Whether one chooses to receive a vaccine is a personal choice, to be decided with the help of one’s physician.

What I do know is that Chinese medicine unquestionably treats the symptoms of the common cold and flu, and definitely affects the course of these illnesses. In this article, I will discuss the most important ideas to keep in mind when treating colds and flu.

First, in terms of prevention, people who feel they will be exposed, or have been exposed, or whose health is compromised in any way (asthma sufferers, for example), can take Jade Windscreen Powder (Yu Ping Feng San: Huang Qi, Bai Zhu and Fang Feng) in decoction or tincture form. But, H1N1 is affecting healthy people as well as compromised people, so it may be that boosting the immune system won’t be effective against this flu. Second, in terms of treatment, the most important factor in any cold or flu is to begin treatment immediately, at the first sign of symptoms, the very same day if possible. This will insure that you have the best chance to expel the pathogenic factor before it has a chance to establish itself and travel deeper. The concept of “expelling the pathogen” has no equivalent in Western medicine, but it is a hugely important concept in Chinese medicine. In my experience, treating a cold or flu at the earliest point after onset makes the difference between an illness that is mild, lasts 2-3 days and resolves with no residual effects, and an illness that is severe, lingers for days or weeks and settles into the chest.

Of course, it is important to make the correct diagnosis. If you diagnose a wind/cold condition as a wind/heat condition, a common mistake in our climate, you will not only have little success with your formula, but you will waste time achieving nothing. If within one day of starting treatment, the condition is not improving, assume you need to revise your diagnosis. A 60 year-old male patient complained simply that he was “not feeling well” and that his throat felt “sore.” I assumed he had “wind/heat” because of the “sore throat” and I gave him a cooling diaphoretic formula with added Xuan Shen and Ban Lan Gen. The next day, he felt worse and also complained of muscle aches in the upper back and a stiff neck. I decided to change my thinking, and I used a version of Ren Shen Bai Du San, with Chuan Xiong, Qiang Huo and Du Huo being critical. He began to improve within a day and by day three, he was mostly recovered.

In my opinion, raw herb decoctions have the strength and the flexibility to handle these conditions best. Of course, patients should see a qualified herbalist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you have questions for Julie, please feel free to submit them directly to Julie Chambers

New YSUSA Officers Announcement

2010 is going to be an exciting year for Yo San University and our student leaders will help shape this excitement. But who will our student leaders be?

2009 YSUSA President Julianne Gardner has just informed us that the following student officers and representatives will be your voice for 2010:

President: Karen Gordon

Vice President: Marina Dabcevic

Treasurer: Tobe Stacey

Secretary: Heather Grant

Communications Officer: Matthew Bryant

1st/2nd Year Rep: Alanna Flanagan

3rd/4th Year Rep: Daniel Danforth

Student Representative to the Board: Julianne Gardner

“What’s Up, Doc?”

Is there a Doctor in the house?

Just in time for our January/February Communi Qi, Dr. Ed Shaheen will be answering questions about the integration of Western Medicine and TCM in his column "What’s Up, Doc?".


Please submit question for either "What’s Up, Doc?" or "Ask Julie" to Tora at support@yosan.edu

Ten Ways to Better EYE Health

By Daoshing Ni

In today's modern age we increasingly rely on our eyes in our daily lives. We constantly stare at computers, TVs, cellular phones, PDAs, papers, etc. Consequentially, by staring at small prints and spending more time reading from this type of medium, we are straining our eyes. This has created much eye fatigue and an increase in the incidence of age related eye problems. Since good eye health provides us with better life quality, it is important for us to examine ways in which we can improve our eye health and keep our eyes healthy for many years to come. The following are ten ways to improve our eye health and prevent eye diseases.

Regular Eye Checkups
As a general rule of thumb, eye exams should be done once every two to four years under age 40 and once every two years after age 40. If you have an active eye problem or condition such as near-sightedness and far-sightedness and are noticing changes, it would be good to have eye exams once yearly. This way, you can detect issues before they get severe. Earlier treatment usually means better prognosis.

Adhere to Good Vision Habits
Prolonged use of your eyes can cause weakening of your vision. Take frequent rests during the day if your work is focused on reading a lot. I would recommend resting for 10 minutes for every 50 minutes of reading activity. Better yet, intersperse your reading activities with exercise oriented activities so you can irrigate your eyes with renewed blood flow. Good lighting is also important. If you find your eyes straining when you read, you should change, or move, or increase your light source. Make sure there is minimal glare when you are reading.

Maintain a Healthy Sleep Schedule
An adequate and sound deep REM sleep schedule will help your eyes recover from the strains of the day. This is the only continuous period of time when your eyes totally rest, repair and recover. Not having enough sleep will reduce your vision and weaken your eyes in the long term. If you have insomnia issues, get them managed or treated.

Eat a Healthy Balanced Diet
A balanced diet that incorporates ample amount of vegetables and fruits is essential to good eye health. Our eyes require a lot of different type of nutrients to function well. Vitamins such as A, C, E, beta-carotene, minerals such as copper and zinc, and oils such as omega-3s are all important nutrients and they can be obtained from your vegetables, fruits and fish. Current research shows that eating yellow and green vegetables may help people avoid age-related muscular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. These vegetables are rich in the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, and include spinach, kale, turnip greens, collards, mustard greens, squash, green peas, broccoli, pumpkin, and corn. Taking a vitamin supplement in addition to a healthy diet can be an extra insurance to help our eyes. Stay away from smoking and limit the use of caffeine as these substances directly affect optic pressure.

Hydrate Regularly and Frequently
Water is an essential nutrient and proper eye function requires proper hydration. Drink water frequently and regularly, this is better than drinking a lot of water in a short time which your body will mobilize to excrete faster. A slow and regular intake of water creates a constant supply of water to lubricate and nourish our eyes.

Exercise Regularly and Have an Active Life Style
Blood circulation is an important key to bringing nutrients and lubrication to the eyes, at the same time this flow ensures the excretion of toxins and build-up in the eyes. Regular exercise ensures our blood vessels stay elastic and all of the microcirculations to the eyes are free flowing without obstruction. This can keep a check on intraocular pressures and prevent or delay glaucoma situations.

Manage Stress Well
It is proven that stress beyond what we can manage weakens and ages our body sooner. In order to start managing stress, we need to cultivate a good perspective on life. It is important to practice some kind of spiritual cultivation, which may include meditation, a religious ceremony, or healing movements such as yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong. This helps us create a guidepost, gives us a sense of the direction in our lives, and ultimately allows us to go through our days with a better purpose, more presence and awareness. Needless to say, having renewed awareness and ease will result in reduced stress levels.

Wear Eye Protection
There are many glass and glaring surfaces in the world. Strong light and prolonged exposure to UV and glare will damage our eyes. Wearing eye protection is a wise move for this reason. Please do not forget to protect your eyes when doing sports. If you are outdoors with sunlight, make sure to wear UV blocking sunglasses.

Practice Eye Exercises Regularly
There are many forms of eye exercises you can practice and most are very helpful. At Tao of Wellness, we have a specific eye exercise program based on the ancient Taoist healing movements of Qi gong. Please ask your practitioner for this program.

Frequent Exposure to Nature
You may also want to spend more time in nature where there is ample fresh air and wide open space. Being present in nature and greenery is very good for your emotional well-being, it will reduce stress levels and help you breath. Better air quality is very healthful for your eyes. If you can, find some time on the weekend to walk in a forest or on a beach. Take a break from reading and look into the distance, the change in focus will bring greater clarity of mind and of sight.

In addition to these ten ways, you may also want to try Acupuncture treatments. When your eyes are strained or inflamed, acupuncture is proven to temporarily bring better localized blood flow to the entire eye region, thus reducing inflammation and irritation.

Traditionally, Acupuncture has been used for blurred vision, eyestrain and eye injuries for thousands of years. Together with Acupuncture, an important part of our practice is the prescription of herbs that can be used internally or topically for eye conditions. The use of these herbs is specific to each eye condition, so if you have an eye condition you wish to address please consult with your Tao of Wellness practitioner for further information

Message from the President

As the year 2009 begins to wind down, plans for 2010 and beyond permeate student conversations as well as faculty and administrative meetings.

Yo San University is in cycle of planned growth with the objective of enhancing our visibility in the higher education and medical communities of Southern California and in our country.

All institutional growth and development activities retain the ultimate goal of advancing the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a model of integrative medicine for the betterment of humanity.

This edition of Communi-Qi will include focus on several projects and activities currently in process that will move us closer to achieving our institutional vision and mission.

Special Alumni Event

With the YSU Annual Appeal campaign quickly approaching on the heels of the successful 20th Anniversary Fundraising event, we respectfully ask that students, alumni and community constituents continue to remember the needs of Yo San University as the year end approaches. At an alumni event to be held on November 19, 2009 at the home of YSU President, Larry Ryan, and co-hosted by alums Jason Moskovitz and Thomas Boldt, among the program items will be an appeal for the involvement of alumni in the establishment of a scholarship fund to assist YSU students. Through a core of dedicated alumni, we hope to facilitate the establishment of one or more endowed scholarship funds that will augment the financial aid packages of our students.

Expansion of the CHLA Externship

With the approaching first anniversary of the partnership between YSU and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, plans are underway to expand clinical externship offering from one to two shifts per week. The expansion will allow for at least one additional YSU student and a YSU Clinical Faculty supervisor, Wing-Benn Deng, to participate in the integrative model engaged in the Pediatric Pain Management Unit headed by Jeffrey Gold, Ph.D. CHLA.

Equally as important with the anticipated expansion of the externship training opportunity will be the provision of many more free acupuncture treatment services for needy children. Dr. Gold’s team that includes YSU Clinical Faculty Supervisors, Brandon Horn, J.D., Ph.D., L. Ac. and Wendy Yu, has recently engaged outreach presentations with the gastro-intestinal and rheumatology units and has scheduled an additional presentation with the allergy unit at CHLA. In addition to generating new referrals to the Pediatric Pain Management Unit, these well prepared and evidence informed presentations led by Dr. Brandon Horn, also serve to promote the concept of integrative medicine.

UCLA Oncology Initiative

As a result of agreement made with Mary Hardy, M. D. of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology and with Richard Pietras, M. D. Professor of Oncology at the UCLA Medical School, in the very near future fourth year UCLA Medical students will be participating in an observational rotation at the YSU Community Clinic for the purpose of broadening their perspectives regarding the use of TCM in oncology and other conditions.


This unique arrangement will include one different UCLA Medical School student each Friday who will be assigned to partner with a YSU intern to observe the gamut of intake, diagnostic, treatment, charting, follow up and supervision activities.


We know that the rotation will have a mutually beneficial impact on both the UCLA and YSU students, and we look forward to collaborating with the Simms/Mann UCLA center in other projects in the future. Thanks are due to Dr. Mao for his role in facilitating the negotiation of this important and groundbreaking UCLA/YSU partnership.

DAOM Program in Reproductive Medicine

The previous edition of Communi-Qi included a brief article about the upcoming initiation of the YSU DAOM program. As the implementation date approaches (January 8, 2009), excitement regarding YSU’s first doctoral level program with its specialty in Reproductive Medicine continues. Plans have been actualized to expand our library resources consistent with the doctoral program offerings as well.


In addition to the new physical and the new name (Learning Resource Center) as described above considerable effort has been made to expand greatly both our print and electronic on line resources in preparation for the doctoral program launch. By the time the DAOM cohort arrives in January 2010, all YSU students will be able to access resources of several full text data bases from any computer terminal. Included among those data bases is the Althealthwatch resource that includes access to 180 full text journals. Final contracting arrangements are in process for faculty. Among the DAOM faculty who will teach in the first trimester are long time part time YSU faculty members Dawn Upchurch, Ph.D. and Margo DeLeaver, M. D., Dawn Upchurch, who holds a John’s Hopkins doctorate and is a UCLA healthcare researcher, will teach several research methodology courses.

Margo DeLeaver brings a background in both western medicine and TCM and will teach the Case Presentation course. Two Reproductive Endocrinologists, Ashim Kumar, M.D. and Gary Hubert, M.D. will join the YSU faculty and will teach the Western Reproductive Medicine courses in the program. Maureen Rozenn, L. Ac. and John Neiters, L.Ac., who reside and practice in the Bay area, will team teach a course in TCM Reproductive Medicine. An additional TCM Reproductive Medicine Component will be taught in the first DAOM trimester by Denise Weisner, L. Ac..

Each DAOM faculty member faces the challenge of the intensive half day to full day course sessions, a factor that highlights the importance of the collaborative nature of the doctoral program to include the engagement of the diverse experiences and perspectives of the DAOM cohort members, many who have been in practice for ten or more years, as an essential component in the teaching/ learning process.

DAOM Director, Dr. Yvonne Farrell was fortunate to have secured the half time services of a program assistant, Mark Franco, L. Ac. Among Mark’s duties will be the follow up of inquires and tracking of admissions files. Mark graduated from Samra University in 1998 and has been most recently associated as a special project researcher at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. He has also had valuable experience as an admissions director at Samra as well as a clinical supervisor and instructor at Emperor’s College. Mark offers the additional skills of fluency in Spanish and martial arts proficiency.

Building Refinement

When students depart from campus at the end of the Fall 2009 trimester on December 13, 2009, their places will be taken by a team of construction workers who will work literally around the clock to implement in the three week break period several significant building improvements on our campus. Those improvements were recommended by the YSU ad hoc Facilities Committee in meetings that began in the Summer and continue to this date. Among the notable improvements will be the relocation of the Qi Studio space to a new location that will be crafted with the removal of the wall between the current Classroom One and Classroom Two. Décor features from the former Qi studio (mirrors and motif items) will be re-installed along with brand new cushioned carpeting in the new Qi studio. All of us were attached to the fine environment offered by the current Qi Studio.

However, the movement of the Qi Studio to a new location makes sense from many perspectives. In its former space directly above about a third of the clinic examination and treatment rooms led to unintended noise and disruption of clinic treatment processes especially when Qi classes involved vigorous movement. The new Qi Studio space will be sparkling with updated décor and cushy new carpets. It will continue to be a space dedicated to personal growth and the cultivation of exercises for wellness.

Another very significant campus improvement project will be the transformation of the former Qi studio to become a greatly expanded YSU library. Consistent with contemporary higher education function and terminology, the new library will also be renamed the YSU Learning Resources Center. Besides all the features that the former library had, the new YSU Learning Resources Center will boast several additional computer stations, a dozen new study carrels, a quiet conversation area and greatly expanded stacks. The new Library space will provide an ideal study and reflection space for YSU students and will provide the support necessary for the continuing development of our academic programs.

Yet another aspect of the late December 2009 construction work will be an entirely new classroom space that will be developed on the third floor in the space now occupied by the Traditions of Tao warehouse. The new classroom will be bright and large. It will have an enviable and inspiring view across the Venice residential treetops to the Santa Monica Mountains and the Santa Monica coastline.

A final aspect of the December building renovations will be the generation of four much needed offices in the space now occupied by the YSU Library. Among those offices will be at least one space that can be designated a common office space to be used for faculty student and other interactions that require privacy.

20th Anniversary Extravaganza Defies the Imagination

YSU’s 20th Anniversary fundraising celebration on October 15, 2009, was not just another party. To the contrary, it felt more like four hours of brilliant theater, surprising and delighting guests at every turn. Just imagine….

The Setting:

The site of the gala was one that exuded not only the ambiance of Hollywood legend and royalty, but also a pervasive sense of warmth, welcome and hospitality. This is the Beverly Hills home of Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito, a house of Hollywood legend that dates back to the 1920s. The house originally belonged to film star Frederick March (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde), and was later occupied by Vanderbilt heirs, and then by Wallis Annenberg, daughter of publishing giant Walter Annenberg. The French Mediterranean styled DeVito/Perlman home is spacious, sprawling and sparkling. This is a house of Hollywood dimensions that maintains a wonderful intimate and personal feel.




The Staging:

At the leafy cul-de-sac a battalion of blue jacketed parking attendants await. Inside the garden gate YSU volunteers garbed in colorful Chinese silk shirts prepare to greet the guests. Food is cooking in the temporary driveway kitchen. Spectacular sprays of flowers are in place on the stage and serving tables. Party planner Chad Gardner is adding the whimsical Chinese lanterns as centerpieces for the bright yellow and red linens on the tables in the garden. The cold damp weather that had wrapped Southern California just hours previously had magically transformed into a perfect dry warm evening providing a fresh and even greener presentation for the lush garden foliage. Beautiful floral arrangements created by Kesanee Krasaeyan, the sister of one of our students, who volunteered numerous hours to ensure that the festive arrangements, were breathtaking and complimented the surroundings delightfully. Two hundred guests are about to arrive. After months of planning and preparation, and a bit of last minute spontaneous tweaking, all is finally complete and ready.



The Cast of Royals:

On the front porch of the sprawling residence, each guest is welcomed by Trustee Sum-Yee Wang and YSU President, Larry Ryan with the help of our volunteers. To the strains of the string instruments of the Chinese Music Ensemble from the Celia Yu Lin School of Music the procession begins. Dr. Dao and Dr. Mao are already in the garden preparing to mix with old and new friends. Nearby half a dozen framed letters of commendation are on display including those from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Sheriff Lee Baca, Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser, Culver City Mayor Andrew Weissman and LA City Councilman, Bill Rosenthal.

This was an event in which every YSU Board Member participated including Dave Radden, Paxton Quigley, Margo DeLeaver, James Tuggle, Don Primack, Don Lee, Neil Malley and Lauren Stomel. Honorary board members present included Chuck Theisen, Jon Jerde, and Mea Argentieri. In addition to our hosts Danny and Rhea, YSU Board of Luminaries members included Steve Bardwil, Kelly Davis, Joe and Ami Cohen, Bobbi and Steve Diamond, Steven Sater, and Stefanie and Robert Skinner. The individuals who populate the Trustees and Luminaries formed the nucleus of the larger group in attendance, all with the common thread of expressing support for the success of YSU. Besides the twenty students volunteers so brilliantly coordinated by YSU Student Association President, Julianne Gardner, there were another 25 students, many with spouses or friends, among the 200-plus guests present at this milestone event.





Time to Mingle:

The evening was off to a fine start with guests mixing in the garden as the wait staff moved through the gathering crowd with dim sum appetizers of shrimp dumplings, fried dumplings with pork, beef rolls, and scallion pancakes. Two bars located at either end of the garden were kept busy serving soft drinks, California wines and the drink of the evening, an unforgettable cocktail: a drink made from Danny DeVito’s own brand of “limoncello” flavored with cilantro and jalapeno, served over ice in a tall martini glass.



Dinner Is Served:


Three dinner buffets opened at 7:15 pm and featured three distinct Chinese cuisines. The Szechuan station featured Kung Pao Chicken, garlic shrimp, and fish filets with black bean sauce. The Shanghainese station featured beef with scallions, rice cakes with pork and braised tofu. The Cantonese station featured shitake mushrooms, asparagus with crabmeat, vegetarian fried rice, and scallops with mixed vegetables. It was simply overwhelming and delicious.

Just when you thought the party was going to settle down, the distinct sound of approaching drums marked the entrance of the featured entertainment for the evening, a pair of colorful and kinetic dragon and lion dances. The dazzling troop of Chinese cultural dancers skillfully performed the taunting and teasing of the fierce animal effigies and even engaged several participants from the audience including Danny DeVito and John Avildsen. With Danny and John in tow, the larger than life figures pranced between the tables and capturing the attention and enthusiasm of the crowd for the program that immediately followed.



The Program Begins:

After a gracious welcome from hosts Danny and Rhea, the evening moved directly into the presentation of the first annual Robert Graham Visionary Award. First, Dr. Dao spoke briefly about the background of the award. The award was then presented by actress Anjelica Huston, wife of the late Robert Graham. The award was conferred upon Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman for their outstanding leadership and generosity and support of TCM and Yo San University. The award itself is a stunning crystal glass trophy with a Robert Graham design of a female human figure and highlighted meridian channels. The figure was based on a drawing which Robert Graham had created for Dr. Dao’s book, The Tao of Fertility. After the award presentation, Dr. Mao reflected briefly upon his recent book, Second Spring. Several testimonials followed, reminding the audience of the significant work that is being carried out by Yo San University faculty and students, especially at the YSU community outreach sites. Dr. Jeff Gold, pediatric psychologist from Children Hospital Los Angeles, talked about the special impact acupuncture treatments provided for a young teen woman suffering from cancer. Filmmaker and Honorary YSU Board Member, Mea Argentieri, also related the value of TCM treatments. As the program moved along, the evening’s mistress of ceremonies, actress Brenda Strong of Desperate Housewives, returned to the stage to conduct the last big event of the evening, the live auction. Brenda’s extraordinary charm made the live auction fun and successful. The live auction items included rides on the Goodyear Blimp followed by lunch with Danny and Rhea (won by Kambiz Agahnia and Terrie Darafshian as well as by Robert and Sheila Johnson), studio/set tours and lunch hosted by Brenda Strong on the Desperate Housewives’ set at Universal Studios (won by Chuck and Anita Theisen and Robert and Sheila Johnson), as well as a Feng Shui reading with Dr. Mao and lunch at the Jonathan Club (won by Steve and Bobbi Diamond).

Room for Dessert:

To wind down the evening guests retreated to the dessert buffet and enjoyed a picture perfect presentation of sweet Asian delicacies including rice balls with black sesame seeds, green tea cakes, and egg custards. Aromatic tea provided the perfect nightcap for a perfect evening. As the crowds thinned out strains of mood music from the Steinway in the DeVito/Perlman music room could be heard courtesy of Dr. Mao’s good friend Stuart Shapiro.

A Perfect Ending:

It was past eleven o’clock, yet a small group of YSU friends and colleagues were not quite ready to give up on the evening. A dozen people migrated to the memorable DeVito/Perlman kitchen where the master of the house, Danny, with two tiny rescue dogs at his feet, shared remarkable stories about growing up with two older sisters in a close knit Italian family in Asbury Park, New Jersey. As the last guests departed the DeVito/Perlman house, the aura of hospitality and welcome continued. Everyone left with memories of a spectacular evening that affirmed the Qi that permeates YSU. It was an evening of harmony, peace, festivity, balance and the expression of loyal support from friendships cultivated over the twenty year history of Yo San University.

A huge THANK YOU to all of the Yo San volunteers who worked so hard to make this event the most successful and most memorable in Yo San history!

Calendar of Events and Announcements

UPCOMMING CNT CLASSES

SCUHS- Whittier
Registration Deadline: September 22, 2009

Class Date: November 22, 2009

This is a notification that, according to the publisher (the National Acupuncture Foundation), the newest edition of the Clean Needle Technique Manual will be available for purchase sometime during the month of October of this year. For purposes of the CNT course, we will transition to the new 6th edition of the Manual during the months of November and December of this year. Students taking the CNT course this November and December will be encouraged to purchase the new 6th edition; however, those students who have already purchased the 5th edition will be allowed to use the 5th edition for those classes. Please be aware that beginning in January of 2010, all applicants for the CNT course must purchase the new 6th edition.

All students must complete Clean Needle Technique before beginning their Practice Internship. CNT applications and schedule of classes are available on the council of Colleges web site: http://www.ccaom.org/. See web site for out of state classes or classes/exams in Korean or Chinese.


UPCOMING CALE DEADLINES

http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/
Any students taking the California Licensing Exam on February 16, 2010 should make note of the following deadlines:

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Deadline to request that your official Yo San transcripts be sent to the state board. Yo San can not send copies of transcripts from other schools. You must request that official transcripts from any applicable schools be sent directly to the State Board.

October 16, 2009

Complete applications*, necessary documents, and a $75.00 application fee must be postmarked no later than October 16, 2009. Any applications postmarked after this date will not be accepted. In addition, all required forms requesting special accommodations must also be filed by October 16, 2009. (no exceptions made) Forms are available on the website at http://www.acupuncture.ca.gov/students/spec_accom.shtml

Week of November 23, 2009

Acupuncture Board to notify you as to whether you qualify or do not qualify for the February 16, 2010 CALE. Preparation guides will only be sent to those applicants who qualify. At this time you will be asked to submit the $550.00 examination fee.

December 18, 2009

$550.00 examination fee for all examination candidates must be postmarked no later than December 18, 2009. Fees received with a postmark after this date will be returned and your application will be rejected.

December 12, 2009

All coursework, including clinic shifts, must be completed.

December 31, 2009

Deadline to notify, in writing, Yo San administration if you will no longer be taking the state board exam on February 16, 2010. You must also contact the state board.

Week of January 25, 2010

Examination information on the test site and scheduling will be mailed to exam candidates who have met all requirements.

Tuesday February 16, 2010

Written Examination – Ontario Convention Center – Ontario, CA 9176

* Any applications received without the required fee or any fee received without the required application, will be returned the same day it is received.
Please check the web sites for details regarding the above dates and requirements.

August 11, 2010

CALE Exam Summer 2010

WEEKEND CLASSES

Founders Seminar: October 31st and November 1st, 2009
Biomedical Acupuncture: October 31st and November 1st, 2009

Who are our students?

By Ed Mervine

How would you describe the typical Yo San Student?

That question could be answered statistically- 70% female, 79% between 25 and 35 years in age, 69% white, 76% from California, and 76% with BA or higher degrees.

Yet ‘typical’ at Yo San is not always what you expect. Yes, there are some generalizations you could make from looking around the halls. It is clear that a majority of our students are women, well educated in their 30s. We have a few expectant mothers and a bunch of Yo San’ers who have been professionally involved in various aspects of the health field. But for me, it gets really interesting when you start to notice the individual characteristics that are so unique and unusual.

There are always a few MDs or PhDs walking around. You’ll also meet some martial artists, more than a few massage therapists, yoga or qigong instructors, personal trainers, artists, actors, musicians and school teachers.

Occasionally, you’ll run into a real estate agent, marketing director, business man, accountant, veterinarian, mechanic, engineer, scientist, film maker or web designer. On auspicious days, you could meet a former football player, nun, monk, bio-medical engineer, midwife or didgeridoo player.

Welcome Albert Vaca, Yo San alum and our new Clinic Manager.

Albert Vaca L.Ac. graduated from Yo San in 2006. After completing the Lerner Acupuncture Orthopedics course, he went to work treating patients in various pain clinics. Fate had it that an opportunity opened up to practice as a Post Graduate Fellow in the YSU Clinic. The Assistant Supervisor position further expanded his love of mentoring. When the opportunity to lead the clinic was presented to him, he knew what he had to do

As a practitioner working with his own patients, he knows the importance of excellent customer care and is happy to bring what he has learned back to the Yo San Community. "The success of the Yo San University Clinic, and the experience of the fine interns working here, is very important to me. I appreciate any feedback and suggestions you may have to make this a great place to learn and grow.”

Albert currently has an acupuncture practice in Westwood focusing on pain management and adrenal fatigue issues. He has been married four years and has his first child on the way in January. Needless to say, he is very excited about his new adventures.

The President’s Message

By Lawrence J. Ryan, Ph.D.

The fall term is a time of optimism, energy and renewal as faculty and students begin a new cycle of teaching and learning in our classrooms and clinic consultation rooms.

The mood at Yo San University is exciting, and every inch of our building is buzzing with activity. With our entering class of 31 fresh and eager new faces combined with our returning learners, we have reached a record enrollment figure of 155 students.

Now that Labor Day has passed all the trappings of academia pervade the YSU campus. A walk down the halls provides scenes of instruction, demonstration, inquiry, bookstore browsing, numerous faculty-student and student-to-student interactions, quiet and synchronous movements in Qi classes and reflective study in the library.

All of those scenes cumulate to provide the basis for the development of effective and responsible healers and the foundation for sound professional practice that will endure for years and will be passed on in turn to subsequent generations of aspiring healers.

The 2009 fall trimester at Yo San will be a memorable one. Besides the dozens of scheduled academic and Qi courses, this fall term will also mark the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of YSU. The celebration will culminate in an October 15th celebrity-studded gala fund raising event to be held at the Beverly Hills home of Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. The regular ticket price to the event is $350, but it only costs $100 for Yo San students and faculty members. It will be a Chinese themed event with lots of fun and the inaugural presentation of the annual Robert Graham Visionary Award.

Another “must” event for the fall 2009 trimester is the Founder’s Seminar scheduled for Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1. Both Dr. Dao and Dr. Mao will lead the YSU academic community and other distinguished professional practitioners in two full days of insight, interaction and exploration of issues related to their professional specialties.

Besides these formal classes and events, opportunities for learning abound at YSU. The stories that you share as well as those that you hear and witness from your student colleagues, instructors and staff members before and after classes, on the way to campus and in advisement sessions, and in and out of the student lounge also contribute significantly to your learning and your developing identity as a professional TCM healer. Savor each of these moments of opportunity on your path to graduation.

China Externship 2009

Four YSU students are currently in Chengdu, China for a 4-week clinical externship program jointly organized by Yo San University and Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences.

The program offers YSU participants an unique opportunity to observe and experience the art and practice of traditional Chinese medicine in the heart of China. YSU students will be rotating through two clinical specialties: TCM Gynecology and TCM Oncology.

The participants will be attached to two different hospitals during the 4 week program: Sichuan Province Second TCM Hospital, Chengdu, China and the Sichuan Province East-West Integrative Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China

We will keep you updated on this exciting trip in our next newsletter.

Welcome Yvonne Farrell, Doctoral Program Director

Yo San University President Lawrence Ryan is very pleased to announce the appointment of Yvonne R. Farrell, DAOM, L.Ac. as the new Director of the Doctoral Program.

Dr. Farrell will have the lead role in the implementation of the first doctoral program cohort that will matriculate at Yo San University on January 8, 2010.

She brings to the position many years of Oriental Medicine experience and a career commitment to TCM education. She is a graduate of the Emperor’s College doctoral program and has over twelve years experience in teaching and supervision of TCM students.

Her most recent educational affiliation is with Emperor’s College where she has served as an instructor and clinic supervisor. Her service at Emperor’s also included leadership as the Herbology Department head. She has additional experience teaching classes in preparation for the State of California L.Ac. Board Examination.

Dr. Farrell has also been in private practice for twelve years and has effectively served a diverse patient population with a range of TCM services. Her experience with fertility and other gynecological problems will be a valuable asset to the first DAOM cohort which will have include a specialty focus in Reproductive Medicine.

In addition to her degrees in TCM and her California acupuncture licensure, Yvonne held NCCAOM certification and has been certified in Trager body work and NMR.

We welcome Yvonne with enthusiasm and confidence.

20th ANNIVERSARY GALA FUNDRAISER

On October 15, 2009, we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of Yo San University with a gala dinner and Fundraising Event at the magnificent Beverly Hills home of Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman.

We are certain this will be a night to remember, with delectable Chinese cuisine from expert chefs, live Chinese music, and exotic Chinese lion and dragon dances!

You should have already received an invitation via email. If you have not, please let us know. Please contact Sum-Yee Wang at 310-577-3000 ext 20 (or email sywang@yosan.edu) if you would like us to send an invitation to your friends, colleagues, or family members.

Yo San students and faculty members are eligible for the very special ticket price of $100 per person.

They may also bring one additional guest for an extra $100.

Ask Julie

Question:

How and why should we use ginseng root to promote health?




Answer:

A funny thing happened in class this week: I had cooked ginseng tea for my students to sample. During the first half of the 3-hour class, people had been on the quiet side, but after we each drank a small cup of ginseng tea, the energy in the classroom rose to magnificent heights. The voices rang out as we practiced our pinyin pronunciation. The effect was electrifying!

Panax ginseng is one of the most deeply researched and widely used of all Chinese herbs. I have a lot of direct experience using this herb myself and prescribing it to patients. Here are some things to keep in mind:

You can pay hundreds of dollars per pound for large, wild Asian ginseng, but you don’t have to! My suppliers (mainly Mayway and Nuherbs, both in Oakland, CA) sell a very good grade of Kirin white ginseng for about $40 a pound.

Be skeptical about ginseng products that are inexpensive, such as teabags for $2.50 claiming to be “100% pure ginseng” – these are often the so-called Siberian ginseng, which is not a true ginseng at all, but rather Eleutherococcus or Acananthopanax. This herb was named “Siberian Ginseng” as a marketing strategy. It is not a bad product, but it is not ginseng. The amount of active ingredient in a teabag is, I’m afraid, not very great. Read labels.

You may have heard that ginseng is dangerous for people with hypertension, insomnia or nervousness because it can be stimulating, but I have never encountered a problem using white Asian ginseng even in patients with hypertension. Of course, you must let them know that the herb can potentially cause problems, and that they should monitor their blood pressure often while using the herb.

Some people want to use the very stimulating red ginseng (which is usually Korean and has been steamed to make it hotter) because they think it will boost performance, either athletic or sexual. This is usually not a good use of ginseng. People with this motivation often overuse it and are not sensitive to its harmful effects.

What I have found is that white Asian ginseng tea is excellent to promote a nice, manageable boost of energy, and is also very good for mental cognition. It seems to focus the mind, improve the body’s resistance, and remove fatigue, without being overly stimulating. It is said to calm the shen (mind/spirit), and it does this by clarifying the mind. Regular drinkers of this tea develop minds that are clearly focused and rapier-sharp. Almost all people can benefit from its energizing actions if they follow this recipe:

Because ginseng roots are dense and precious, they need to be cooked several times to extract all they have to offer. Place about 30 grams (usually 3-4 medium-sized roots) in a non-metal pan with a very tight fitting lid or even a slow-cooking crock pot or ginseng cooker if you have one. Cover with water to within a couple inches of the top of the pot.

Cook slowly, covered tightly, for at least an hour. Not much steam should escape. When the liquid has reduced by about half and has taken on a golden color, pour it off and save it. Drink some of it. Refrigerate the rest. You can now cook the roots again in the same way, three to four more times. You will notice the liquid is darker at the second and third cookings, and then paler at the fourth. Then the roots will be mushy and ready to discard.

You can refrigerate the roots in between cookings if you don’t have time to cook them four times all at once. Just keep combining the liquid from each successive cooking with what you already have in the ‘fridge. Drink your ginseng tea cold or warm, as you prefer.

Just don’t microwave it. Drink one or two cups per day, ideally first thing in the morning, and any time during the day that you feel an energy slump or want more mental clarity.

Founders' Seminar : Integrating Daily Challenges with Deeper Spiritual Needs-- a Ni Family perspective

Dr. Daoshing Ni
October 31, 2009

Introduction: In our busy daily life, working diligently or studying hard to try to achieve our vision, we frequently hits a patch where our vision seems to be so far away and we lose a sense of purpose from time to time. The courage to see things clearly requires us to grow spiritually and stay committed to the truth. But trying to make ends meet and getting good grades in our classes seems to create a non-negotiable tension between our vision and our in-the-face realities. How do we go from point A to point B when
there seems to be no bridge between them. How do I integrate my spiritual self and my real-world self? On this day, we will work together in bringing more closeness to our outer being and inner being. We will explore some of the Taoist meditative and
contemplative techniques that will help us to resolve our inner and outer conflicts.

Ending Objectives:
• Participants will discover a sense of inner peace and joy at the end of the day.
• Participants will feel revitalized in having a stronger sense and purpose in their lives.
• Participants will learn to foster and actualize a discipline of contemplation/meditation that will help the participants continue on the path to a more purposeful and engaged living.

Dr. Maoshing Ni
November 1, 2009

Second Spring: Renewing and Reinventing Yourself to Overcome Daily Challenges
Drawing from the practical wisdom of Chinese medicine and Taoist tradition, Dr. Mao offers simple meditations, qi practices and natural TCM solutions that empower everyone to neutralize the challenges in their lives through what Lao Tzu taught, "constant renewal and rejuvenation" of their body, mind and spirit. In this day-long workshop, Dr. Mao addresses a variety of subject areas including maintaining ageless beauty, enhancing brain power, promoting restorative sleep, relieving pain naturally, creating higher energy and energizing love and sexuality and shares with practitioners how to incorporate anti-aging protocols into their clinical practice.
Topics: Symptoms and Signs of Body-Mind Overload, Aging and Degenerative Diseases, TCM-Taoist Perspective of Over-Taxation of the Three Treasures including Depletion theory and Rejuvenating jing, qi, and shen. Natural Solutions such as Meditation, Qigong, Acupuncture, Nutrition, Herbal Therapy and Life Coaching. Putting it all into Practice, Reinventing Self and Life and Incorporating into your clinical practice.

"We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to spend two full days with this university's founders. Registration for this one-unit elective can be completed at the Admin Office with a simple Add/Drop form. More information will be available as the event approaches."

Reflections on my internship at Being Alive.

By Jerome White

One of five clinical externships offered to Yo San’s interns is at Being Alive in West Hollywood, CA. Being Alive is a not for profit peer-to-peer support organization for HIV+ men and women, offering referrals for primary medical care, housing, substance abuse counseling, as well as a variety of complimentary therapies for their members. Whether male or female, newly diagnosed or a long term survivor, all services are offered free of charge.

Along with Massage, Hypnotherapy, Yoga, Reiki and Chiropractic services, Acupuncture is provided weekly by Yo San University Intern Practitioners. Approximately 20 patients are treated during every shift by our Yo San interns.

While every patient seen at Being Alive has HIV, the range of treatments is as complex and varied as we would see in any other clinic. Ailments treated range anywhere from fatigue, depression and anxiety to the side effects HIV medications such as insomnia, nausea, lipodystrophy and neuropathy as well as many other syndromes commonly suffered by those chronically ill.

This past trimester, I had the opportunity and pleasure to serve one of my clinical shifts at Being Alive. While the challenge of treating such a diverse group of men and women with equally diverse symptoms was enormous, the rewards far outweighed that challenge. The constant and genuine words of thanks and gestures of appreciation extended to me, my fellow interns and my supervisor made interning at Being Alive one of the greatest and most profound experiences of my time at Yo San University.

Announcements and Calendar

UPCOMING CNT CLASSES

Emperors, Santa Monica
Registration Deadline: 7/26/2009
Class Date: 9/26/09

AIMC, Berkeley
Registration Deadline: 8/11/2009
Class Date: 10/11/09

SCUHS- Whittier
Registration Deadline: 9/22/2009
Class Date: 11/22/09

All students must complete Clean Needle Technique before beginning their Practice Internship. CNT applications and schedule of classes are available on the council of Colleges web site: www.ccaom.org. See web site for out of state classes or classes/exams in Korean or Chinese.

UPCOMING CALE DEADLINES

www.acupuncture.ca.gov

The California board has released the 2010 exam dates:

February 16, 2010 at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, CA
August 11, 2010 at the Sacramento Convention Center, Sacramento, CA
Please remember to check in on the web site every so often as “all dates are subject to change”.

You are eligible to take the February 16, 2010 exam if you have successfully completed the Grad exam and all coursework including clinic shifts by December 12, 2009.

Please note that any coursework for which transfer credit was awarded, must have one original transcript with signature and Registrar’s official seal forwarded to the state board DIRECTLY FROM the institution(s) where the course work was originally taken.

October 23, 2009
Completed applications, all necessary documents, including special accommodations request forms and $75 application fee must be postmarked no later than October 16, 2009. Any application postmarked after this date will not be accepted.

Week of November 23, 2009
The Acupuncture board should have notified you if you qualify or not for the February 16, 2010 CALE.

Please see www.acupuncture.ca.gov for additional information and deadlines.


Summer Classes

First Aid and CPR,
9:00-6:00 July 18th 2009 in the UTM/Shrine

Harmonizing with the Seasons of the Sun and Moon
10:00-5:00, July 18 and July 19, 2009, in the UTM/Shrine
Instructor: Cathy McNease


Constitutional Facial Acupuncture Renewal
9:30-6:00 August 21 – August 24 2009 in the UTM/Shrine
Instructor: Mary Elizabeth Wakefield

Welcome Sage!

Sage Goodman has a Bachelor’s degree in Photography and a Master’s in Library and Information Studies, which she received from UCLA. She has spent several years as a professional photographer, before making a career change to librarianship. As part of her graduate studies, Sage concentrated in academic librarianship, cataloging, and preservation, all of which she has had extensive training and is eager to apply to Yo San’s unique environment.

As Yo San prepares to expand its curriculum to a DAOM specialty in reproductive medicine and fertility, the library intends to upgrade its collection and services. Aside from finding new materials in the library that incorporate the new course offerings at Yo San, one noticeable change will be the basic organization of the library. By categorizing materials on the shelves according to subject, patrons will be able to easily browse the library and access needed resources independently. Another area of improvement will be a slight restructuring of the library-cataloging schema so that all materials will be correctly classified according to National Library of Medicine cataloging standards. This process also facilitates better access to materials, as well as eases the transition of creating an online catalog of the entire Yo San Library collection. A library web page will be added to the Yo San University web site, that will not only contain an online public access catalog (OPAC), but also link to online journal subscriptions and a host of useful medical and integrative health e-resources tailored to incorporate Yo San’s own curriculum. As things progress, orientation sessions will be organized to assist patrons in how to efficiently and effectively use the new library tools and systems.

While these few changes are only the beginning of an ongoing list, the ultimate objective of the new library plan is to facilitate a flow of information that is easy to locate and use, both in-house and at a distance. It is also to re-rejuvenate the library to a certain extent, so that it serves its function as a true academic library that is on par with current library standards. In so doing we hope that it will remind patrons that the library is an important part of the Yo San experience. So, while these changes are intended to be seamless, we do hope that they will be noticed and encourage everyone to continue to come in, browse, enjoy a book, and feel free to make suggestions. The library is here to serve, but also promote a participatory existence with its users. Your feedback is welcomed.

See you in the library!

Expanded Free Tutoring

We are excited to announce the successful progress of our enhanced and expanded free tutoring program. With nine Yo San students and alumni working toward a common goal, grades are up and our Dean’s List is getting very crowded!

In the enhanced tutoring program, greater attention is paid to the specific needs of individual students, who are then paired with tutors who share similar characteristics and temperaments. This simple change in the program has been one of the secrets to the program's success: every student's has his or her own style of study, and his or her own individual needs. Some students do better with gentle guidance, some need a lot more structure, and some need to feel they are working with a tutor who ‘speaks their language’; some students need a lot of independence and some need a lot more attention. Our enhancements to the program make these many things possible.

As many of you know the Dean’s List requires a GPA of a least 3.8 -- which is quite high! Congratulations to those students who achieved this honor. We hope to continue the strong momentum of the tutoring program and hope to see more successful students, and tutors, in the near future. If you want to become a Yo San tutor, contact Andrea Murchison, our Assistant Academic Dean. Though students are tutored without charge, even if they are getting three or four hours of support every week, our tutors do get paid!

Ask Julie

Question:

I have been having bad dreams every night for the past few weeks. I believe it comes from stress in the economic situation. Are there herbs that could help me get a more restful and happy sleep?

Answer:

You are not alone in this! Many of my patients are reporting more sleep disturbances, anxiety and even waking in a panic. Several of them have been laid off and are having trouble finding new jobs. Others work in companies where there is a constant rumor of pending layoffs. Even if their jobs are secure, people are still very worried about their futures.

Most people who know me are aware that I am very much in favor of herbal decoctions over prepared formulas, such as tablets and capsules. But there is one formula that I have found works every time for insomnia, and I have been ordering it two dozen at a time lately: It is Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction). I use the Plum Flower brand, but there are others. Here is my advice regarding this formula.

The instructions on the bottle say to take 2-3 tablets, three times a day. For insomnia, I recommend taking 2-3 tablets at bedtime, and then if you wake in the night before it is time to get up (between 2 and 4 am, not later), take 2-3 more tablets. Used this way, I have not had any reports of grogginess in the morning.

The formula is made of Suan Zao Ren, Chuan Xiong, Fu Ling, Zhi Mu and Gan Cao. The function of Suan Zao Ren in this formula is to nourish the heart and liver and calm the shen. Chuan Xiong is a blood invigorator with many uses, but here it is used to regulate the liver to assure free flow of blood and qi. Fu Ling gently calms the shen, and Zhi Mu clears heat, especially heat from deficiency, which is a major cause of insomnia. Gan Cao, as always, harmonizes the actions of the other herbs and strengthens the middle jiao (spleen and stomach function). Classically, this formula is specific for the type of insomnia caused by deficient liver blood, but I have found it works for any kind of insomnia.

If the anxiety and panic (or nightmares) are extreme, then I would advise using Suan Zao Ren Tang as a decocted formula, adding Long Gu (fossilized mammal bones) and Mu Li (oyster shell). These two heavy, sinking substances are very effective for sedating the mind, but be watchful for digestive disturbances, such as loose stools. When used in a decoction, these two substances should be pre-decocted, cooked first for at least 30 minutes before the addition of the other ingredients. Your herbalist will give you specific instructions for this.

Other herbs I like to use for anxiety and sleep disturbances are Yuan Zhi (especially in the honey-fried form), and He Huan Pi and He Huan Hua. These last two herbs are the bark and flower of Albizzia julibrissin (sometimes called mimosa or silk floss tree), a beautiful pink-flowering tree that grows everywhere in Southern California. Whenever possible, I like to use two or even three parts of the same plant together. I feel that whatever grows together must go together!

Thank you for this timely question.