Since 1996 Maria Furlano, MQT, MTOM, L.Ac., has been treating injuries, stress related syndromes, and Fibromyalgia Syndrome using Myofascial Therapies, Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, and Medical Qigong Exercises. Maria Furlano is a California Licensed Acupuncturist, and received her Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, Magna Cum Laude, from Emperor’s College in 2005, and has trained in Eastern and Western forms of Therapeutic Bodywork since 1996. Maria is also a certified Medical Qigong Therapist by the International Institute of Medical Qigong. Maria is certified by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Clean Needle Technique, and is a member of the American Acupuncture Council, and the American Association of Acupuncture Oriental Medicine. Maria received her undergraduate training at the Boston Conservatory of Music in 1994.

Teaching Background: From 2000 - 2006 Maria was an advanced bodywork instructor with the Touch Therapy Institute® in Los Angeles, CA. focusing on Myofascial Therapies, Body Mechanics, and Proper Breath Alignment; as well as continuing education seminars (CEU) in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and Medical Qigong Exercises. In 2006 Maria joined the National Holistic Institute as an instructor in their Eastern Bodywork series and presently continues with them as a CEU instructor. Maria has also taught Theatrical Movement, Stage Combat, and Breathing Techniques to children and adults at The Boston Conservatory of Music (undergraduate project 1994), the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum (summer Shakespeare series 1998), and UCLA (Summer Youth Program 1998). Maria has been a Medical Qigong instructor with The Lionheart Institute of Transpersonal Energy Healing in Los Angeles, CA. since 2005 (www.lionheartinstitute.com <http://www.lionheartinstitute.com> ). Maria also teaches Medical Qigong classes to semi-private and small groups on a regular basis in Los Angeles and San Diego, CA.

Medical Qigong Training: Maria is a Certified Medical Qigong Therapist and continues to train with the International Institute of Medical Qigong (IIMQ), under Dr. Bernard Shannon, D.M.Q.(China). (The certification programs offered by the IIMQ are based upon the curriculum that has been established at the Medical Qigong College at the Hai Dian University, and used clinically at the Xi Yuan Medical Qigong Hospital in Beijing, China. In February 2006, the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine authorized the IIMQ to be the Overseas College of Medical Qigong for the Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine). From 1998 - 2005, Maria also trained in Medical Qigong with Yo San University, and with Emperors College in their Masters of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine programs. In 2001 and again in 2002 Maria traveled to Beijing, China to experience the instruction and healing effects of Medical Qigong under Master Su Jian Wan and his Master Students trained within the Shaolin Temples.

Martial Art Training: In 1981, at age 12, Maria began training with World Grandmaster David Chaanine for 12 years in the Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do obtaining a Second Degree Black Belt. Maria credits Grandmaster Chaanine for her strong foundation of the dynamics of proper alignment in movement. She also credits Grandmaster Chaanine for her beginning understanding of Qi flow throughout the body. Maria has also trained in Deep Level Mediation with Grandmaster David Chaanine.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage Training: Maria is trained in the Vodder technique of Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (under Julie Beck, D.C., M.S., C.S.C.S.), and uses Manual Lymphatic Drainage on a regular basis, along with Acupuncture and Medical Qigong in the prevention and in the treatment of many chronic and acute lymphatic stagnation conditions; including women’s breast health in post surgical procedures of lumpectomy, mastectomy and radical mastectomies.

Therapeutic Bodywork Training: Maria has trained in Advanced Bodywork Therapies since 1996. These include: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Therapeutic Stretching, Myofascial Trigger Points, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Therapeutic Aromatherapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Positional Release Techniques, Acupressure / Meridian Therapy, Fibromyalgia Syndrome Techniques, and Tuina.

Addiction Treatment Training: Maria completed her Clinical Externship in 2005, with Cri-Help, a Drug and Alcohol treatment facility (under Shelly Bobbins, RN, L.Ac., QME in association with Emperor’s College). Maria utilizes the NADA protocol when treating patients recovering from addictions, as well as Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Medical Qigong Prescription Exercises, Therapeutic Nutrition, and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
Facial Rejuvenation/Anti Aging Training: Maria’s training in “Facial Rejuvenation/Anti Aging” Acupuncture includes Traditional Chinese Facial Acupuncture and Facial Gua Sha Massage techniques from Dr. Yue-Ying Li at Emperor’s College, and with the Mei Zen Acupuncture system of Cosmetic Acupuncture.