About
Dr. Ozben Felek, LAc.
I am Ozben Felek a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, Dipl. OM, with a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS) in Oakland, California. I received my diploma for Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2020), clinical doctorate at ACCHS as well.
Prior to my Chinese Medicine education, I studied industrial engineering (Galatasaray University, Istanbul). Although I enjoyed working to optimize complex systems and processes, my career path was missing something unidentifiable until my arrival to the United States. There I was introduced to Asian philosophies and their emphases on the human. I then became an ardent student of tai chi chuan, Aikido, and gong fu cha. After receiving certification to practice Tui Na massage, a branch of Chinese Medicine, I pursued a Master’s in Traditional Chinese Medicine and doctorate.
My approach to acupuncture is strongly influenced by the practice of Aikido and by the approach of palpation based Kiiko Matsumoto style acupuncture (I hold a second degree black belt in Aikido). As a noncompetitive martial art, Aikido utilizes the opponent’s force—rather than one’s own strength—to guide both sides to a safer position. Similarly, instead of fighting with disease using strong and painful needling methods, I prefer a gentle needling method that helps the body find balance and restore homeostasis.
I have been practicing Kiiko Matsumoto style acupuncture where I utilize a systematic, easy to learn, palpatory method which is designed to provide instant feedback. When using this system, I follow a palpation sequence which both establishes a diagnosis and suggests several treatment options that might be effective for treating a particular patient. For more details about this style, please visit this site.
I studied Mr Tung Style Acupuncture with Dr Henry McCann and completed 700 hours Orthopethic Acupuncture Program with Anthony Von Der Muhll during my doctorate.
I am very passionate about Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine (Jing Fang). I have studied with many of the renowned Jing Fang teachers/ clinicians such as Dr. Suzanne Robidoux, Dr. Huang Huang, Dr. Eran Even, Steve Woodley, LAc , Nadine Zäch, Sharon Weizenbaum, LAc.
As a Chinese Medical Doctor, I apply an engineer’s awareness of optimized systems to my concern for the human. Through multiple treatment modalities, I guide and transform the well-being of patients in order to optimize their health and happiness.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Shāng Hán Lùn and Jīn Guì Yào Lüè pulse diagnosis with Nadine Zäch
Successful completion of Chinese Medicine Classical Formula Family Series totaling 33 hours with Dr. Eran Ever, Ph.D., Dr. TCM (All classes approved by Professor Huáng Huáng and the International Jingfang Institute of the Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine)
Classical Acupuncture Mentorship with Dr. Sean Tuten, January 2023-August 2023
Nurturing the Fetus / On the Ten Months of Pregnancy From the Ancient Classics to the Contemporary Clinic by Sabine Wilms, PhD and Andrew Loosely, LAc. March 2023
Classical Chinese Formula Families training with Eran Even, Ph.D., Dr.TC, October 2022-present
Graduate Mentorship Program/ Advanced Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine (Jing Fang) with Sharon Weizenbaum LAC, March 2021-2023
Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine (Jing Fang) Mentorship Program with Dr. Suzanne Robidoux Jan. 2021-Jan. 2023
Shan Han Lun with Hu Xi Shu, One Clause At a time with Dr. Suzanne Robidoux, Sep. 2020- Dec. 2020
The Circle of Life: Pregnancy-Prenatal and Postnatal Care using Classical Chinese Herbal Medicine with Genevieve Le Goff LAC. Aug. 2020-Jan. 2021
Kiiko Matsumoto Style Acupuncture Seminars by Kiiko Matsumoto & Monika Kobylecka 2016-current
Completion of 2 years Jing Fang Classical Chinese Herbalism program with Dr. Suzanne Robidoux 2018-2020
Clinical Internship for Neurological Disorders and Chronic Pain with Dr. Suzanne Robidoux, Toronto, Canada, August 19th-30th 2019
2019 Externship with Kiyofuji and Miyawaki Sensei, Osaka, Japan, March 2019
Internship, Robert Levine, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Albany, CA, 2014-present
Internship, John Nelson, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Berkeley, CA, 2017-2019
Internship, Dr. Steven Finkbine, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist, Fairfax, CA, 2015-2016
LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
California Licensed Acupuncturist, AC 16974
NCCAOM Diplomate of Oriental Medicine, National Board Certification (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine) 842784
Certified Massage Practitioner License, California Massage Therapy Council, 2011
Kiiko Matsumoto / Nagano style acupuncture 150 hour Certificate
EDUCATION
Doctorate in Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS), Oakland, CA, Oct. 2017-2021
Master’s Degree, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS), Oakland, CA, 2012-2015
Massage Education Program, Tui Na & Acupressure, Acupressure Institute, Berkeley, CA, 2009-2011
Bachelor’s Degree, Industrial Engineering, University of Galatasaray, Turkey, 2003-2009
When I am not at the clinic, I love surfing, practicing Aikido, doing contact improvisation, gardening, and spending time with my dog Tarzan.
Dr. Ana Hortillosa, LAc.
Interdisciplinary by nature, my thought process is integrative and informed by classical Chinese medicine, Japanese acupuncture strategies, western physiology and anatomy, neuroscience, trauma therapies, and medical anthropology. I help bring clients into their optimal balance by systematically shifting the layers and networks of stagnation that cause chronic imbalances and disease.
I am trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Japanese-style acupuncture. My technique is gentle, and I value empowering clients through evaluating and advising on diet and other lifestyle areas. I specialize in cases of chronic pain and emotional challenges (depression, anxiety, grief), as well as reproductive health, prenatal/postpartum care, immune system imbalances, and emotional trauma. Through acupuncture and herbal medicine, I aim to disrupt cycles of disharmony and pain, while strengthening our innate capacities for healing and resilience.
Having graduated from the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Francisco and the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, I have been a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist since 2012. I earned my Doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), as well as a Master of Arts in Theater from San Francisco State University. My undergraduate degree is in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley. While attending San Francisco State, I worked at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic and became a longtime weekly volunteer as an HIV test counselor there and at the Women's Community Clinic. I am a former Clinic Director and Clinical Supervisor at the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley.
Outside of my clinical practice and intellectual pursuits, I enjoy making fermented foods, being active outdoors with my family, and learning capoeira.
Dr. Marta Viola, LAc.
Marta Viola is a licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s Degree (MTCM) and Doctoral Degree (DAOM) in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences (ACCHS) in Oakland, California.
She is originally from Brazil, where she majored in Letters and Sciences and completed her Master’s Degree in Applied Linguistics with a focus in Portuguese and English. Her two major interests in life have been learning languages, opening possibilities to different interactions and views of life; and healing arts in the form of inner cultivation through the practices of meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong as well as belly dancing and massage therapy.
The conversion of those interests manifested in her studies and trainings in meditation and healing such as Silva Mind Control, Transcendental Meditation, Inner Guide Meditation, Yoga, Wu style Tai Qi, Reiki and massage while still in her home country.
In the USA, she deepened her meditation practice at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute and started her training in Chinese Medicine graduating from the 850hr massage program at the Acupressure Institute and became a Diplomate in Asian Bodywork Therapy through the National Commission for Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine. She also had training as a doula and pre and perinatal massage therapy.
Later, she further expanded her trainings in wellness and healing studying acupuncture and herbalism in her MTCM and deepening her understanding of Chinese Medicine studying Classical Chinese Medicine and Orthopedics in her DAOM.
Nowadays she lives and works in the Bay area, where she applies different healing modalities to tailor treatments to the well-being of patients to achieve a more harmonious and fulfilling life.
In her free time she enjoys traveling, hiking, swimming, dancing but most of all she enjoys the company of her five beautiful children.
She speaks Portuguese and Spanish.
Myra Bautista, LAc.
Myra Bautista is a dedicated and highly skilled acupuncturist with a strong background in pain management and a deep-rooted passion for holistic healing. With a Master of Science degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College in Berkeley, she possesses a comprehensive understanding of the human body, meridian systems, and the delicate balance of Qi (energy) flow. One of Myra's primary motivations for pursuing East Asian medicine is her unwavering commitment to helping others overcome pain and achieve optimal health. She believes in the power of acupuncture to provide natural and effective pain relief, addressing both physical discomfort and emotional well-being. Alongside practicing the healing arts, Myra is raising her children and enjoys spending time in nature with her family.
Susi Galloso
I am a certified massage therapist and a doula. I specialize in pre& postnatal massage. My massage offerings are enriched by my broad knowledge of general massage therapy, my decade of practice as a birth-doula, my explicit training in prenatal massage therapy, and my passion for life.
I have well over one thousand hours of formal education in general massage therapy. From 2009 to 2013 I studied at the Acupressure Institute, where I picked up a variety of skills in shiatsu and acupressure, and eventually gravitated towards Chinese tui na massage and women’s health. Having taken a deep dive into traditional Asian healing practices, in 2014 I switched over and began studying classical Western massage systems, including both Swedish and deep-tissue massage. From 2016 to the present I have trained in specialized massage and manual therapy for orthopedic conditions at the Hendrickson School. I have an expert level of anatomical understanding and I have provided my massage therapy services at acupuncture and chiropractic clinics throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
In May 2010 while training at the Acupressure Institute, I saw a flyer and became interested in becoming a birth doula. I would go on to get certified, and attended my first birth that following November; I have fulfilled the birth doula role over one hundred times since. My current birth care offerings include birth and postpartum doula services, midwifery assistance, placenta encapsulation, childbirth education, infant massage education, belly binding, and bone closing. I am also a birth photographer as well!
My most specialized training which focused exclusively on prenatal massage was in 2013 with Carol Osborne, at Bastyr University’s prestigious Penny Simkin Center in Seattle, Washington. I learnt specific methods for all phases of pregnancy and postpartum, working with neuromuscular techniques, lymphatic drainage, and connective tissue massage.
Besides massage therapy and birth work, I am passionate about photography, and especially enjoy documenting my travels around the world. I come from a large Peruvian family and enjoy spending the holidays with them up in Seattle. To relax I alternate between my love of hatha yoga and binge-watching cooking shows.
Charles Strange
I am Charles Strange, a certified massage therapist with specialized training in the treatment of chronic pain and soft tissue injury. My practice of massage therapy has spanned twenty-three years and my survey of different modalities of bodywork has scanned from East to West.
Prior to learning osteopathic manual therapy modalities from western traditions, I was mainly interested in Asian bodywork traditions. Shortly after turning eighteen, I traveled multiple trips to Thailand, where for a total of eleven months between 1999-2002 I trained in Thai massage intensively, and certified from all of the available local schools in Chiang Mai. At age twenty-nine I moved to the San Francisco East Bay Area where I have lived ever since. From 2009-2014 I completed a 1000-hr program in Zen Shiatsu massage, tui na massage, and acupressure massage at the Acupressure Institute in Berkeley.
Later on, I attended a variety of intensive seminars with the famous anatomist and professional circus coach, Jim Donak. These seminars ranged from palpation skills, to stretching classes, to cadaver dissection. Inspired by the exposure to western science from Mr. Donak’s seminars, my interests thereafter turned primarily towards western manual therapy traditions. I soon went on to study Swedish massage and deep tissue massage at the McKinnon School in Oakland. Around the same time, I also began a comprehensive study of the native flora of California. For approximately three years I very actively studied botany, natural history, ethnobotany, and the toxic, edible, medicinal and utilitarian uses of native California plants.
My massage therapy practice developed exponentially when in 2016 I began studying the Hendrickson Method of massage and manual therapy with founder Tom Hendrickson, D.C. From the Hendrickson Method I learned manual therapy treatment protocols and massage for a wide variety of orthopedic conditions covering the whole body. Finally, in 2019 I began pursuing advanced studies in osteopathic non manipulative therapy known as Muscle Energy Technique (MET) from Tom Ockler, P.T. Now my most called upon technique, MET is a pain-free and profoundly effective form of therapy that emphasizes precision results in treatment of soft tissues and joints, addressing both pain as well as function.
As a massage therapist I work with chronic pain management and repair of soft tissue injury using entirely non manipulative techniques. I incorporate orthopedic assessment and my focus is on achieving positive, objective outcomes. I integrate relaxation, breathing and emotional empathy with high level hands-on massage therapy technique.
Charles is fluent in Spanish.
Chloe Wilson
I am Chloe Wilson, I am an artist with seven years experience working in administration in arts and environmental nonprofits in the Monterey Bay Area. I hold a degree in Studio Art from the University of California at Davis, and have been pursuing my art career since 2012.
Most recently I was an administrative assistant at Watsonville Wetlands Watch, and before that I worked at Youth Arts Collective in administration, promotion, development, and mentoring. In my free time I love gardening, reading, and hiking! As someone who has been interested in natural medicine, meditation, and mindfulness for quite some time I am looking forward to joining the Felek Acupuncture team, and I can't wait to get to know our wonderful patients!
¡Hablo Español!
Brad Lebowitz
Brad has been a tea enthusiast and educator since 1999, when he discovered and began working at Far Leaves Tea in Berkeley, CA. He shares Far Leaves’ philosophy of using the practice of tea to help slow down, pay attention, and savor life.
During his time practicing Zen and Taoist meditation with a Korean Zen master in the early 1990’s Brad learned of the deep historical connection between tea and the meditative arts. Even after all these years immersed in the craft tea world Brad is as ever passionate about this wonderful beverage and culture.
In his free time, Brad always likes to be crafting something. In the past it was ceramics, mostly teaware. These days it's kitchen knives and tools, used for the Chinese (gongfu cha) tea ceremony.
Brad leads meditation & tea class every wednesday mornings 8am-9am/
dagmar weber
dagmar is a teacher who loves sharing the joy and magic of qigong with students of all ages and abilities. She is passionate about the great outdoors, enjoys hiking the woods and riding her bike around town. She is also an artist, currently working on a picture book "Adventures of supergoose".
dagmar leads Qigong classes Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the clinic garden.
