Mariana Matias

What drew you to MUIH?

I was drawn to MUIH in 2013 by the strong faculty. The founders of the school were active professors, and much of the teaching staff, who have been in practice for decades, has a deep foundational base in Five Element Acupuncture. MUIH is very unique in that not only are the classes rigorous and firmly rooted in Classical Chinese medicine, the program offers classes that will directly inform students—in an experiential format—the philosophical art of inquiry, how to relate to each other with an open mind, and how to create a healing presence, so that we can be better listeners, and stronger healers.

What excites you about your academic field of study?

Acupuncture is on the cutting edge in the field of preventative medicine. It offers patients an all-natural holistic medicine that is safe, and rooted in thousands of years of clinical research and practice in the East. Acupuncture not only treats the physical, it treats the whole person, body, mind, and spirit. I am incredibly excited to be entering this field of medicine, because the opportunities to learn and to grow as a practitioner are boundless.

Has there been a course you’ve particularly enjoyed?

I’ve loved all my courses, so it’s difficult to pick one! I loved the course on Diagnostic Skills: Awakening the Observer, where we learned to effectively engage our senses and deepen our abilities of perception. I really enjoyed Diagnostic Skills: Diagnostic Interactions, all my point location classes, physiology, Chinese and Western nutrition therapy… I without a doubt, have a tough time picking one, because the classes have all been interwoven seamlessly and very effectively, each semester.

Can you speak about the faculty here?

My teachers have all been excellent educators. Bob Duggan, Nancy Takahashi, and Stacey MacFarlane, Celeste Homan, Jane Grissmer… These teachers have inspired me to question and think outside the box, to dig deep into the course work and be diligent in my studies, to stay grounded and in tune with my body as an instrument of healing, and to continue to come from a place of curiosity and wonder.

What is your best MUIH memory?

Tough question! I love every day I come to class! One of my most cherished memories is the needle ceremony with Dianne Connelly. Our class had completed the auricular acupuncture training, and we could now begin treating patients, at partner community sites. It was a very emotional and very beautiful ceremony.  

How do you plan to use what you’ve learned here?

Having learned to pay attention to my body—and my body is my greatest teacher—living in harmony with the cycles of nature and the seasons, has brought me to greater health, mind body, and spirit. I will help support and guide family, friends, people in my community, and patients, to greater health and sense of wellbeing by helping them live perhaps from a place of greater physical comfort, or a place of greater curiosity and wonder for life, if their mind and spirit need support.

What would you say about MUIH to a prospective student who is interested in attending?

I would encourage them to do it! It will be life changing, as they will develop greater mental, physical, and emotional awareness. And the community here supports us through that process.

What is the one word that comes to mind when you think of MUIH?

Stimulating

Mariana Matias is a student in MUIH’s Master of Oriental Medicine program.