Haidong Gumdo (Korean Sword Art) Training for Adults and Children. Develop stamina, concentration, and fitness while cultivating the warrior spirit through traditional sword forms, drills, and mind-body exercises. Learn basic self defense as well as sword fighting and bamboo cutting. Classes are conducted using traditional Korean nomenclature. Training is held on Tues. & Fri. at 7pm, as well as Sat. morning at 10:30.

Tang Soo Do (Empty Hand Martial Art) Training for students of all ages (4.5yrs+). Develop self-discipline, determination, and respect through the arduous and ancient exercises of Korean Karate. Practice line drills, kicks, traditional forms, one-step fighting, sparring, and much more. Classes are tailored to rank specific abilities and standards: as a beginner, never feel as though you are being comparred to higher ranks. Classes are held on Mon. and Wed. at 7pm for adults (5pm for children), and Sat. at 9am.

Zen Meditation (Sitting Practice) Training for students ages 16+. Through traditional Zen Buddhist meditation, practitioners calm the mind and clear the senses to promote tranquility. While the practice is Buddhist, and Buddhism is a religion, our practice is secular and focused on the practical aspects of study. Some extra forms of practice are used, such as traditional Korean chants (using the Mok Tok), bowing, and Sutra study are maintained as adjunctive tracts. The Sangha (community) meets every Sun. at 10am. (FREE)

Acupuncture (Needle Therapy) This is part of a broad spectrum of therapies covered under the umbrella term "Oriental Medicine". It is often grouped together with another therapy and termed Zhen Jiu (Acupuncture and Moxibustion), however we also provide exclusively acupuncture or moxibustion therapy as well as the combined treatment methods. Acupuncture is an ancient art of adjusting the bodies Qi (bio-energy) to promote homeostasis and correct disharmony within a person. Disharmony can manifest as a lack of ease, or more substantly as a physical problem. During the acupuncture experience, a patient is evaluated through traditional tongue and pulse diagnosis, medical history, daily routine, lifestyle and mindset, and treated accordingly with sterile (single use only) filiform needles that are solid and contain no substances. These needles are often hair-thin and illicit a feeling of dullness, rather than sharp pain, at the sites of acu-moxa points. Sometimes patients report a movement of Qi (occilating vibrations) which move through and around the body, while some only notice the immense relaxation of the experience. Quiet, soothing music is played in the background, and patients may request candlelight and aromatherapy to ease their stress away. Because acupuncture therapy is a method of maintaining harmony, as well as correcting imbalances, our clinic offers long-term access to methods of self-improvement and wellness enhancement.

Moxibustion (Mugwort Fire Therapy) Historians believe that moxibustion predates Acupuncture by over a thousand years. It is likely that it originated as a camp-fire therapy, passed on by oral tradition from one generation to another. Perhaps it began when one person, suffering from an ache or pain, felt relief when another held a burning stick near the site of discomfort. Over time, it developed as a sophisticated method of applying a simple, common, combustible weed on or near the skin. We use moxa poles, cones, moxa boxes/rings, and moxa needle-tops to stimulate acupuncture points and meridians. The smell of the smoke it makes is distinct, reminicient of traditional clinics in Asia or Chinatown; however, some say it smells like cannibis (but rest assured, it is not). Often used on patients who suffer from musculo-skeletal pain, it is pleasant experience that leaves you feeling warm and comfortable. Given the climate of Rochester, we use quite a bit of it to warm up cold fingers and toes, warm the belly, and treat arthritic conditions made worse by cold weather. It is also commonly used on sports injuries to promote Qi and Blood flow to speed recovery. Moxa therapy is often used in conjunction with acupuncture treatments, but may be done during a brief visit (15 minutes) as a stand-alone therapy for $20.00. In the later instance, herbal linaments (when appropriate) may be applied at no extra charge to the patient.

Chinese Herbal Medicine We rely on herbal formulas to treat the patient when s/he is away from the clinic. Ordinarily, patients in China could come in every day for brief acupuncture treatments suitable for their condition. In the West, however, our schedules (and wallets) do not permit this. Further, traditional herbal formulas can often address areas of a person's constitution or condition that cannot be adequately treated by acupuncture alone. Thus, the two are often combined to give the patient the most thorough approach. Our herbs are only ordered from the safest and most reputable companies available, but patients often remark that the taste gets some getting used to. Our granule herb formulas taste just like the raw ones, and the flavors contained therein are also a part of the therapy. For those patients in need of strong, bitter formulas, we can encapsulate the granules in vegetarian capsules so that taste wont be a problem. We also carry an extensive variety of prepared tea-pill formulas for those wishing a more convenient, and cheaper (but less potent) alternative to raw-herb or granule formulas. Prices vary depending on formula ingredients, product, and volume. We can also drop-ship classical and custom formulas directly to the patient (or provide refills in this way, to save on office visits)

Tui Na (Chinese Bodywork Therapy) Often underused by acupuncturists, traditional Chinese massage (Tui-Na) is an excellent stand-alone treatment for a variety of health concerns. Our Tui-Na treatments are often condition specific, working on affected meridians or body-areas. However, many patients also receive Tui-Na massage as a way to relieve stress and promote wellness. Tui-Na treatments are offered in 30 minute blocks, and include full body soft-tissue massage with herbal linaments/oils, reverse massage (with glass fire-cupping), external Qi-Gong, and aromatherapy.

Fire Cupping Over the centuries, cupping has treated many wind-cold invasions, sore backs, Lung conditions, and more. While the suction-cup marks are somewhat strange, the experience is painless and invigorating. Most people describe fire cupping as reverse massage, since it gathers the skin and muscle inside the glass. It is performed as a series of 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 20 cups, billaterally along the paraspinal muscles of the back. However, it is also common to use just 2 cups with a sliding method, wherein one glides the cups along the UB Meridian to remove stagnation (which presents as 'Sha' or 'sand'). Patients almost always get bruise-like marks on the back which can last from a couple of days to one week on average. On occasion, cupping can also be employed in the treatment of shoulder pain. Less common, but no less valuable, is the combining of Fire Cupping with Bleeding, in an instance known as "wet cupping". In the case of certain febrile and blood stasis conditions, an amount of blood is drawn from a given acupoint and then cupped to relieve the condition.

Gua Sha Home remedies have long been a mainstay treatment of minor conditions. Gua Sha, a method of "scrapping sand" is one of such remedies often done by family members at home. It involves firmly sliding the sipping edge of a traditional Chinese soup spoon longitudinally along the muscles of the back, shoulders, and neck. It produces a painless, somewhat pleasant sensation that is unique to this method. Conditions treated range from respiratory complaints, neck and shoulder tention, fever/chills, to mid-upper back pain.