The Held Space

In this episode, we welcome back a well-loved and familiar face at Lokahi, Susannah Lee, L. Ac . Susannah shares her deeply personal and winding professional journey from massage therapist to fertility acupuncturist, and eventually back to her roots in bodywork. Susannah opens up about her personal battles with recurrent pregnancy loss, navigating IVF, giving birth in the chaos of 2020, and coping...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Anna sits down with Melissa Mancini, CNM, RN, IBCLC, a Certified Nurse Midwife and Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, to talk about her practice,  More Than Motherhood , based out of Los Gatos, California. Melissa shares her deeply personal journey into motherhood and how a challenging breastfeeding experience with her first child completely altered the tr...

Welcome to The Held Space ! In today's episode, your host Anna Rudel introduces the newest addition to the Lokahi team: Karina Garcia, CMT . Karina joins the team at Lokahi Wellness Space in San Jose, bringing a specialized background from StretchLab in Willow Glen. This episode dives into Karina’s unique approach to bodywork, a "beautiful blend" of therapeutic massage and assisted stretching desi...

Join us in the "Held Space" with our guest, Dr. Janet Yiu , a pelvic floor physical therapist and founder of Optimize Pelvic Health . In this episode, we explore the complexities of the pelvic floor—a part of the body that holds so much, yet is often misunderstood. Dr. Janet shares her holistic approach, looking beyond muscles to the nervous system, stress, and the significant transitions women’s...

In this episode of the The Held Space We welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Swami , an Ayurvedic doctor and postpartum doula. Dr. Swami shares her journey into Ayurveda, the fundamental principles of this ancient Indian science, and practical tips for health and wellness, particularly during the postpartum period. Core Concepts of Ayurveda The Five Elements : Ayurveda is built on the elements of Ether, Air, F...

In this episode of The Health Space , host Anna Rudel sits down with Dr. Meghan Dowling from Austin Family Chiropractic to explore the transformative role of chiropractic care during pregnancy. Dr. Dowling shares her personal journey from a traumatic first birth to an empowered second experience, which led her to specialize in the Webster Technique. In this episode, we discuss: Dr. Dowling’s Perso...

In this episode of  The Held Space , Anna is joined by the brilliant Dr. Sherry Sue, a naturopathic physician and certified Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Gastroenterology (FABNAG). Dr. Sue shares her passion for gut health and its profound impact on overall wellness. We dive into: Why the gut is considered the foundation of health. The immune system’s fascinating role in gut he...

In this episode of The Held Space, Anna sits down with Tanya Goodrich, PT, a pelvic physical therapist with 15 years of specialized experience, to dive deep into the often-overlooked world of postpartum recovery. Tanya brings compassion, expertise, and a refreshing dose of honesty to a topic that deserves far more attention: a mother’s healing journey after birth. We explore: Why postpartum recove...

In this episode of  The Held Space , Anna sits down with Dr. Sadi Jimenez, ND, from Naturopathic Family Health, to dive deep into stress and its impact on adrenal health. Dr. Sadi shares her expertise on understanding stress, how it manifests in our bodies, and why it’s such a pervasive issue in today’s fast-paced world. We explore: The subjective nature of stress and how it affects everyone...

Episode Summary: Have you ever felt that managing your health, especially with a condition like PCOS, is an uphill battle? In this episode, Anna is joined by Lokahi's fertility expert, Cara Ortiz, to explore the holistic connection between your lifestyle and hormonal harmony. Discover how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a gentle yet powerful path to understanding and managing Polycystic...

Episode Summary: Have you ever wondered about the invisible world within you that shapes your health, mood, and even your thoughts? In this profoundly insightful episode, Anna is joined by Acupuncturist Dr. Deborahlise Mota, DACM, L.Ac., MAOM, to explore the profound connection between the gut microbiome and Chinese medicine. Discover how our bodies are intricate ecosystems, and our well-being sta...

In this episode, we welcome back our multi-talented acupuncturist, Dr. Smriti Shamapant, to dive into the world of holistic beauty and skin rejuvenation. Dr. Smriti shares her expertise on using acupuncture, microneedling, and nano-needling as natural alternatives to traditional cosmetic treatments like Botox. We discuss: The science behind acupuncture and microneedling for boosting collagen, elas...

In this episode, Anna sits down with Dr. Smriti Shamapant to explore the transformative benefits of pediatric acupuncture. From addressing chronic pain, stress, and sleep issues to supporting children with sports injuries and academic pressures, Dr. Shamapant shares her expertise on how acupuncture can complement Western medicine and enhance overall well-being. We discuss: Why children benefit fro...

In the final episode of our 4-part menopause series, host Anna Rudel and certified menopause specialist Catherine Davidson offer a new, compassionate perspective, reframing menopause not as something to be endured, but as a phase deserving of support, understanding, and proactive care. In This Episode, We Discuss: Menopause: An Illness or a Natural Phase? We explore the dual nature of menopause, v...

In this episode, we explore how menopause impacts the nervous system and why it’s at the root of symptoms like hot flashes, anxiety, and insomnia. Building on Episode 1’s TCM perspective, we’ll discuss the connection between hormonal changes, stress, and the autonomic nervous system. What you'll learn: How TCM views the nervous system during menopause. The role of Qi and Yin-Yang balance in calmin...

This episode explores the profound connection between hormonal shifts during menopause and your emotional well-being. We move beyond simply listing symptoms and frame this life stage as a significant opportunity for emotional transformation and personal growth. At Lokahi, we offer personalized acupuncture and massage treatments to support your well-being, with a focus on reproductive health, pain...

Welcome to our first episode in our 4-part menopause series. Join Anna, founder of Lokahi Acupuncture, as she welcomes Certified menopause specialist and acupuncturist, Cathryn Davidson to explore menopause through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Together, they unpack how TCM offers holistic tools to support women during this transformative stage of life, blending personalized care...