Instructor Biography
Steven Alpern LAc.
Steven Alpern practices acupuncture and Chinese medicine as applied clinical philosophy and has followed the inspired teachings of Jeffrey Yuen for more than fifteen years. In his effort to discern the nature and dynamics of individual health struggles, he draws upon the classics of Chinese medicine and several historical traditions and specialties. Steven's approach to treatment strategies is to stimulate profound and transformational healing by supporting the individual's intrinsic process to expel stagnations. That quest has led him to focus on the Neijing Inner Classic (of Medicine) theory of the five systems of channels and vessels.
After graduating Summa Cun Laude from Dartmouth College, Steven began his studies of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in 1982 as a private student of Tseui Wei in Oakland, CA. He next attended the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco, completing those formal studies in January 1986, then went on to study with Kiko Matsumoto from 1989-94, learning empirical methods for testing the effectiveness of treatments in specific individuals. Since 1994 he has focused his studies with Jeffrey Yuen, and learning to apply his teachings in clinical practice.
Steven's efforts to develop a working knowledge of Jeffrey Yuen's rich classical teachings led him to develop unique contributions to the medicine. One of these, the feedback-pulse method, is an empirical system for confirming diagnostic impressions gathered from the pulse. He also pioneered the development of Neo-natal Daoyin, embodied spirit process work that focuses on identifying and probing the release of habituated holding patterns in sinew activation.
From Jeffrey Yuen: "Steve Alpern continues the rich tradition of Chinese Medicine through his inquisitive mind from which he brings out the essence, subtleties, and beauty inherent in this healing art. Mr. Alpern challenges clinicians to be medical thinkers rather than technicians, and thus preserve the integrity within the depths of Chinese medicine."
Steven has published several short essays on topics such as "Zen and the Art of Chinese Medicine", "Discovering the Alchemy of Healing" and "Beware the Rampaging Hun". Those essays and other writings can be found on his website.
Steven Alpern
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