From Hawai’i to Queens: My Reiki Journey Towards Healing

In 2005, I started my Reiki journey in Hawai’i.  At the time, I was going through massive shifts in my life that left me heartbroken and shattered, so I went to see a kahuna there (a kahuna is a wise woman/shaman in Hawai’ian culture.)  She told me that I was very powerful, and that I […]

September 20, 2012 | Reiki | 6 Comments

The author's well-used and taped up practice arnis sticks.

“Don’t Think, Just Do”: On Trusting Yourself

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, my father said with stern upheld index finger to a young Margarita, trying to explain the importance of putting forth thought into action, “Don’t think.  Just do.”  The young me muttered something similar to, “Uh, ok, Dad,” and walked off, in favor of playing some Howard […]

August 26, 2012 | Healthy Living | 3 Comments

Book Review: “Stress Solutions For Pregnant Moms” by Susan Andrews, PhD

I recently learned about the book Stress Solutions for Pregnant Moms: How Breaking Free from Stress Can Boost Your Baby’s Potential, by Susan Andrews, PhD.  It is hot off the presses (as of May of this year), and is chock full of helpful guidelines for pregnant moms to help assess your daily stress levels, checklists […]

"Watermelon in a cup - NYC" by m01229, used with permission under CC BY 2.0. Source.

Beat The Heat With Chinese Medicine And Stress Less Tea Recipe

Faint beads of sweat dripping from your brow.  A fan blowing gently on your face, as you smile and enjoy the warmth from a cozy balcony, refreshing beverage in hand.  Perfectly made finger sandwiches await you at an arm’s length, to nibble on as you enjoy the warm sun that glows your tan perfectly without […]

Alcantara Acupuncture Creates Partnership With Gilt City New York

Just a quick note to share my excitement that Gilt City New York, the “local lifestyle site from the Gilt Groupe that offers memorable adventures and exclusive offers, all at insider prices”, announced Alcantara Acupuncture as a featured venue today! Starting Monday, June 18, and lasting for the week (up until this Friday), I am […]

Eighty-five year old Juliana Mungca playing the violin-like instrument of Blaans called “Dawagay” in Barangay Landan, Polomolok, South Cotabato, Mindanao. "Dawagay" by Keith Bacongco, used with permission under CC BY 2.0. Source.

Guest Blogger Rina Corpus: Poetry Honoring Philippine Indigenous Healing

Note:  I welcome Rina Angela Corpus, assistant professor at the Department of Art Studies, University of the Philippines, as my first ever guest blogger!  She initially dropped me a line to contribute to my zine, Bamboo Girl, which I had published back in the day.  Apparently, BG is still making waves!  Rina had submitted some beautiful […]

June 12, 2012 | Healthy Living, Zines | 2 Comments

When anger is channeled to create action. "02.22.DontBombAfghan.WDC.08oct01" by Elvert Barnes, , used with permission under CC BY 2.0. Source.

Why Anger Is Healthy

Often when we think about leading healthier lifestyles, we tend to think that anger, and other emotions like sadness or frustration, that are often deemed “negative”, should never be expressed, much less acknowledged.  That in order for you to achieve your own personal state of true heightened spiritual awareness, you can’t let off some steam. […]

Accessible Acupuncture And Reiki on May 14th at Audre Lorde Project!

When: Monday, May 14, 2012 – 6:00pm – 8:30pm Where: Audre Lorde Project 147 W. 24th St., 3rd Floor New York, NY 10011 I’ll be there providing my acupuncture/reiki combo to folks on this day.  Come on by!  The space is always such a source of rejuvenation for  LGBTSTGNC people of color who take part in the treatments, and considering […]

My Tita/Aunt Perla and I, in a picture taken many years ago at my cousin's wedding.

Colon Cancer Prevention Hits Home

Although I am nowhere near the age of 50, the recommended age for colonoscopies, I finally went through my first colonoscopy today.  Why?  It turns out colon cancer runs in my family, and has claimed two dear aunts (sisters of my mother), Tita Maryann, and my godmother, Tita Perla.  Both ignored their symptoms, and got […]

April 19, 2012 | Acupuncture, Healthy Living | No Comments

Spring has sprung our plants back into life. Are you tending to your inner garden? "Krokuswiese - Botanischer Garten Leipzig" by Maja Dumat, used with permission under CC BY 2.0. Source.

Liberate Yourself This Spring! The Body Will Follow.

Spring is a time of new beginnings.  Yadda, yadda, yadda! Truth is, we are always in constant renewal.  We enjoyed the New Year on January 1st, Chinese New Year, and now we welcome Spring (which I last year celebrated by waxing poetic about the Liver and Gallbladder), which also has its own associations with renewal […]