Meet Christina DuBois: Acupuncturist & Yoga Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christina DuBois and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Six years ago my sister asked me to teach a yoga class on her wedding morning. Her wedding venue was a compound in the Santa Cruz mountains, so friends and family were staying on the property. The class was under these big redwood trees and we laid out blankets for everyone to stretch, breathe, and start the day. It was a perfect start to a beautiful and important day filled with love & forever friendship. I took this concept and decided to make it a business, and Balanced Bride was created. As an Acupuncturist in Los Angeles that specializes in women’s health, I am able to see women throughout different phases of their lives, so this seemed like the perfect way to help women during one of the most important days. Through Acupuncture, Yoga and Breath-work, Balanced Bride creates tailored wellness events for brides, bridesmaids, groomsmen and whoever wants to add a stress-free experience to their wedding planning.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been dedicated to work and thrive in environments where I can meet new people. I have a bachelors degree in Anthropology from San Francisco State University, and through my education there, I learned about health disparities within different communities. It was here that I knew I wanted to be in the healing space, but I did not quite know where or how. I wanted to help people feel better on their own terms, as well as empower them to know they can be an advocate in their own healing journeys.

In my early 20’s I was having some health problems that forced me into a crossing point with western medicine. I didn’t know where to turn and a friend recommended Acupuncture. I found Acupuncture and yoga and started researching lifestyle changes and alternative ways to combat some symptoms I was having. As I started to feel better, I realized how important it was to sometimes look outside of the box and take your healing head on. I decided to apply for a graduate program to learn the ways of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Throughout my healing journey I also realized there was a huge gap in women’s health care. I found myself in situations where I left the Gynecologist office feeling like I wanted more, or to talk about my women’s health issues more with a practitioner. Women’s emotional health is so important to their physical health and every month’s cycle. I wanted there to be someone who would explain and talk more about the details of what was going on in my body.

As an Acupuncturist that specializes in women’s health, I always want the women who come to me to feel heard and empowered by their body, instead of confused. Our cycles shouldn’t debilitate us, and infertility shouldn’t be shameful. There are so many stigmas behind the women’s body and how it relates to the outside world. I think what makes me stand out as a practitioner are these ideas and ways of trying to assist in healing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live on the west-side so I would take them to Venice first. I love Venice and being near the water. Walking or biking down the boardwalk where there are different vendors and people to see. I am a coffee and foodie nerd, so hitting up Menottis in Venice, or Gjusta are some of my favorite places. Then we would shoot across the city to the east-side and to dtla. I love the broad museum. so that would definitely be on the list, and the Huntington gardens in Pasadena are some of the most beautiful botanical gardens. My favorite place right now to grab pastries and a bite is Breadblok, a gluten free bakery on Montana Ave. On Sunday we would go to the Mar Vista farmers market, where some of the best farmers and vendors LA has to offer show up. Theres a lady there that makes arepas that are absolutely amazing, so we would have to grab one or two of those!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not have the knowledge or insight about women’s health if it was not for my mentor Danica Thornberry, Doctor of Acupuncture and Fertility, owner of Well Women Acupuncture, and author of “Stick it to me baby.” She has helped me and guided me through treating women and addressing women’s emotions through a modern approach to Traditional Chinese Medicine practices.

Website: wellwomenacupuncuture.com

Instagram: @chrisintaleiwellness and @balancedbride

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaleiwellness/