Hi, it’s Victor! You’re receiving this because you were a subscriber of my old newsletter Align Center, joined one of my workshops, received a session, or shared interest in this work. If you’re not interested, click here to unsubscribe.

I’ve been wanting to write this newsletter for over a year. My intention is to share the practices and ideas that have been changing me, and to offer them as possibilities for your own journey. Sharing what lights me up has always been a passion and a constant thread in my life.

Each letter will offer a glimpse of my current work, a healing practice you can try for yourself, and a stimulus such as a podcast, story, or quote that stirred something in me.

Some of you may remember Align Center, a space where I curated pieces on the art of living, exploring our ties with technology and nature, creativity, learning, and sustainability to spark ideas and conversations for positive change. You can still read the archives here.

When the world shifted in early 2020, I set this aside. Now I’m excited to bring this evolution to light.

And so we land, arriving here together in this first touch.

As we transition from summer into the cooler months, the body can feel the strain of overwork and seasonal change. Fatigue, lowered immunity, and a restless mind often arise. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys are the organ of the Water Element and are like the batteries of the body, linked to fear, anxiety, and exhaustion when out of balance.

Kidney 1 (KI1) is the first point on the kidney meridian, located on the sole of the foot in the soft hollow just below the ball. It’s known as Yongquan (translated as “Bubbling Spring”), because it’s where vital energy (Qi) emerges. It is used to draw down excess energy, combat fatigue, calm the mind, and support overall kidney health.

Try it yourself: Kidney 1 is in the depression about one-third the distance from the top of the ball to the heel. Before bed or after a long day, gently press or massage this point with your thumb for one minute. Notice if your breath slows or your mind settles.

With a partner: Hold their heel with one hand and use the thumb of your other hand to press into Bubbling Spring, slowly circling or holding steady. Use thumb-over-thumb (double thumb press) if they’re craving more pressure. Invite them to breathe deeply and imagine energy rising from the earth through their feet

In this conversation, Tara Brach invites us to embrace the full spectrum of our emotions instead of fixing or pushing them away. She speaks of the difference between chasing meaning with the mind and discovering what truly matters through love and presence.

In my bodywork sessions and AcroYoga classes I often hear, “I’m inflexible”, “I can’t relax”, I can’t...” (I like to add “… yet”).

Tara speaks to these familiar stories with clarity:

She also speaks of the two wings of awareness, mindfulness and compassion, which help us soften judgment and hold even fear or fatigue with gentleness.

Tara closes with a simple hand on the heart practice, a way of returning to kindness and grounding ourselves in moments of anxiety or exhaustion.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast: Embracing the Full Spectrum of Emotions: A Guide to Mindfulness and Self-Discovery with Tara Brach on The One You Feed with Eric Zimmer

I’ve recently noticed how deeply a need for recognition has shaped me. Growing up, I rarely received praise, even for straight A’s, while my sister was celebrated for a B. The meme “You got A, why not A+?” still lands in my bones.

I’m beginning to see how this lives in attachment and shame territory.

As Sue Johnson writes, unmet attachment needs in childhood leave us longing for reassurance, approval, and presence. Brené Brown reminds us that shame grows where recognition was scarce, and we end up hustling for worthiness.

For me, that often shows up as doing, pouring myself into Acts of Service, which, not surprisingly is a big love language of mine.

What I’m practicing now is remembering that my worth is not dependent on being noticed. And yes, I see the irony of saying this in a newsletter, but writing it is part of my practice too. I am learning to recognize myself in my body and my breath, and to trust that being seen begins here.

I’m one month into a 9-month Zenthai Therapist program with teacher Clara Rose Buttemer, and as part of my practicum, I’m offering Zenthai massage sessions from my home in Courtenay for a special rate for a limited time.

These sessions are a chance for me to integrate new gestures while you receive nourishing bodywork.

For now, weekdays between 1–4pm work best. Email me with your available times. A proper calendar setup is coming soon.

🤸 Now that we’re into fall, weekly AcroYoga classes are also back, every Friday at 6pm in Courtenay right by the 5th Street Bridge. Details on Island Movement Arts.

May these practices ripple into your life. If something here speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you. Here are a few ways to connect:

Until next touch,
Victor

Na a na wa roka paya ti vinas santi.

May all illness and suffering be cleared. May the body, heart, and mind be free from harm. May health, happiness and peace be restored.
- Traditional Thai Healing Prayer