Colleen Cole, LAc
I am dedicated to understanding the connection between humanity and nature and how both can co-exist in health and harmony. As a compassionate, lifelong learner with a background in interpersonal communication, nutrition, and bodywork, my mission is to personalize each treatment according to your unique needs. I utilize a blend of acupuncture, cupping, bodywork, flower essences, essential oils, movement, and lifestyle coaching to support you in achieving your health goals. My holistic approach ensures that your physical, mental, and emotional needs will be supported.
BACKGROUND
My journey into alternative healthcare started in 2004. After graduating from Northeastern University with a BA in Organizational and Interpersonal Communications and minor in Psychology, I continued to focus on and explore my love for physical, emotional and spiritual connection: within ourselves, within relationships and community, and within nature. I started with the subtle, yet powerful modality of Usui Reiki, and after being attuned in levels I & II, my curiosity led me to complete a 600 hour holistic massage therapy program in South Portland, Maine in 2005. Practicing as a licensed massage therapist brought so much joy to my life and opened my eyes to the importance of creating a safe space for my clients’ physical and emotional needs.
During this time in my life, I sought out a local acupuncturist to help support my lifelong battle with allergies, asthma, and food sensitivities. Having only limited knowledge about Chinese medicine, and not seeing a sustainable improvement from prescribed daily medications, I was at the point that I’d try anything to improve my quality of life. After experiencing my first acupuncture treatment, I was already sold. It took a series of treatments to get to the root of my chronic health concerns, but since then, I have had my allergies, asthma, food sensitivities, and so much more under control. This is when I had my special “aha” moment that I wanted to support others through Chinese medicine, because the treatment approach aligned so well with who I was and how I wanted to serve others.
After spending a couple of years taking prerequisite pre-med courses, and managing a naturopathic and acupuncture clinic in Portland, Maine, I moved to Portland, Oregon where I completed a vigorous 4-year program studying Classical Chinese medicine. I received a Masters in Acupuncture, summa cum laude, from National College of Natural Medicine. This program focused on full immersion in the classical foundations of Chinese medicine. Other aspects of the program included a holistic education in the Western medical sciences, Qigong and Tai Ji, and over 900 hours of clinical application of the major modalities of Chinese medicine.
CURRENT
I am a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of North Carolina (#770) and a Diplomate in Acupuncture from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I am also a member of the North Carolina Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
- Acupuncturists Without Borders Healing Community Trauma Training, Portland, OR, 8/2012
- Veda Vinyasa 230-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Heart of Yoga School, Carrboro, NC 3/2014-2/2015
- Yin Yoga Teacher Training and Intensive with Shala Worsley, Asheville, NC, 1/2015
- Lonny Jarrett: Chinese Medicine in the 21st Century: A top Down View of the Five-Elements, Greensboro, NC, 4/2015 (14 CEUs)
- Agatsu Upper and Lower Joint Mobility and Movement Certification Level 1, Montreal, Canada, 9/2016
- Karen Velasquez: Stressed Out People: Two Common Patterns, Cary, NC, 9/2016 (4.5 CEUs)
- Ian Florian: Five Element Acupuncture, Durham, NC, 10/2016 (14 CEUs)
- Agatsu Upper and Lower Joint Mobility and Movement Certification Level 2, Toronto, Canada, 11/2016
- Agatsu Indian Club & Mace Certification, Los Angeles, CA, 3/2017
- NASM Personal Trainer Certification, Durham, NC 7/2017
- GMB Trainer Apprenticeship, 2/2018-6/2018
- StrongFirst SFG 1, Chicago, IL 4/2018
- Acrobatic Flow with Shira Yaziv, Santa Cruz, CA 9/15-16/2018
- Soma Glick: Advanced Pediatrics TCM and Shonishin Seminar/ Behavioral Disorders, Durham, NC, 3/2019 (15 CEUs)
- Movement Exploration Retreat with Shira Yaziv, Costa Rica, 5/11-18/2019
- Social Justice for Fitness Professionals, Dr. Tee Williams, May 2019- present
- Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science, University of Pennsylvania, June 2020
- Full Spectrum Doula Training, Birthing Advocacy Doula Trainings, September 2022- present
TEACHING
- Vinyasa Yoga, Heart of Yoga School, Carrboro, NC 12/2014-2016
- Yoga Qi, Meraki Wellness, Chapel Hill, NC 1/2015- 6/2015
- Lunar New Year Workshop, Chapel Hill, NC 2/21/2015
- Yin, Yang, Yoga, & You: Spring Seasonal Workshop, Heart of Yoga School, Carrboro, NC, 3/28/2015
- Yin, Yang, Yoga, & You: Summer Seasonal Workshop, Yogaspire, Chapel Hill, NC, 6/27/2015
- Yin, Yang, Yoga, & You: Fall Seasonal Workshop, Yogaspire, Chapel Hill, NC 10/17/2015
- Yin, Yang, Yoga, & You: Winter Seasonal Workshop, Yogaspire, Chapel Hill, NC 1/9/2016
- Food As Medicine Guest Speaker, UNC Food & China Course, Chapel Hill, NC 2/11/2016
- Movement Classes, Legitimate Movement, Durham, NC 8/2017-8/2018
- Mindful Movement: Hips & Splits Workshop, Legitimate Movement, Durham, NC 12/2/2017
- Movement Classes, Kinetic Potential, Durham NC 3/2019- present
- Animal Movement/ Locomotion workshop, Kinetic Potential, Durham 9/21/2019
- Animal Movement/ Locomotion workshop, Kinetic Potential, Durham 12/7/2019
- Explore Your Core, Part 1 workshop, Kinetic Potential, Durham 2/22/2020
