Acupuncture

I took a break from writing to go to acupuncture today. The intro is looking good, I think, so that was a relief. Acupuncture was pretty amazing too. I went to somebody in Union Square (following a friend's recommendation) and was really impressed. My acupuncturist was so nice, very thorough and helpful and spent about an hour with me discussing everything that might have to do with my case, fertility, etc. I also mentioned a few other minor health issues, like bad colds, and I think she helped me with those too. She covered diet and general wellness, giving me a lot of good advice, including some I didn't expect--avoid salads, smoothies, fruit juices.

Evidently my Qi is weak (although she said could also be because I hadn't eaten all day--and my appointment was at 2.30--a bad habit I sometimes fall into), as was my pulse, so I have to build that. This means focusing on warm foods (I have a list). This, and other blockages, may account for some of my problems conceiving. Evidently, my tongue showed I am stagnating--which I felt too (see the unfinished book), and so she was going to work on that too.

Then the acupuncture. I was reticent at first, maybe a little fearful, but it was amazing. I felt some of the needles going in (mainly in the center of my abdomen, the ones near my hips and the one in my forehead). The ones on my hands and feet I never felt. I was surprised how few needles they use--I'd fallen for the old cliched image where I'd end up like a porcupine. But there was no real pain. Indeed, I think I could have stayed there for hours. It was an odd and pleasant sensation--and I was amazed by how different parts of my body reacted. I felt both energized and relaxed, sometimes sequentially, other times simultaneously. I also felt pulling in my lower back despite no needles. Most curiously, I closed my eyes and saw a deep pink (like the Cassis Clothilde!) and green vying for dominance (odd), I felt my breathing at one point open up to my lower abdomen as some blockage seemed to suddenly give way, and I felt the needle in my head gradually clear my sinuses. I also felt the needle in the center of my stomach and the one in my forehead vying for dominance, as though my over-thinking was being put in check so the abdomen, the site of creativity, could dominate. Towards the end, I had a strange, faint image of being in labor, albeit without pain and in a dreamlike way. Most of this--the breathing, sense of a removed block, the power of the two central needles, I explained to Juliette. She was pleased and said I responded well.

So I left with two forms of medicine-- a curious black chicken in wax eggs and You Gui. I go back next Tuesday for my next session where she will also teach me some stomach massage techniques.

I then met up with Jen, which was lots of fun. We talked and window shopped our way around Soho and Nolita. We walked down Elizabeth Street and I felt compelled to look in 242. The store was empty, save for a yellow motorcycle and black helmet (Jane's desk/register had gone). But the infrastructure was the same. I suspect it has been rented but if so, for what? The motorcycle suggests it won't be for a similar store, if one ever existed--and as we know, there's nothing comparable out there.