Expertise

Maria Furlano’s fascination with the “mind-body” connection began at age 12, as she began studying external Martial Arts, and trained for 12 years in Tae Kwon Do under World Grand Mater David Chaanine.  In 1995 Maria re-focused her training to Chinese Internal Healing Arts (known as Nei Dan).  It was at this time that her passion for Qigong was ignited, and she began studying the human body in anatomy and physiology, and through Eastern forms of healing and bodywork.  Maria’s travel’s to Beijing, China in 2001, and again in 2002 gave her the fortunate opportunity to experience Medical Qigong treatment’s and instruction under Master Su Jian Wan, and his Master students trained within the Shaolin Temple’s.  Maria holds a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Magna Cum Laude, from Emperor’s College,  and is a California Board Licensed Acupuncturist.

Maria has done extensive post-graduate training in Medical Qigong and is currently a Doctoral Candidate from the Western District Medical Qigong Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute (China), and through the International Institute of Medical Qigong (USA).  Upon completion of her thesis will culminate in a Doctorate of Medical Qigong (China), and a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine (China).

Her undergraduate training specialized in structural breathing foundations for vocal projection, as well as movement and dance from the highly acclaimed Boston Conservatory of Music.  This specialized training has been essential for wellness management of her patients who are professional musicians, dancers, singers and actors.

Maria’s training with meditative breathing and Medical Qigong for the sympathetic nervous system, is an essential aid in her patient’s work with stress, anxiety, and emotional transitions.  Maria Furlano has been teaching anatomy, physiology, structural breathing techniques, body mechanics, Proprioseptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Medical Qigong, and Eastern/Western forms of structural bodywork for the past 13 yrs.  Maria  is certified by the Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Clean Needle Technique, is a member of the American Acupuncture Council; and the American Association of Acupuncture Oriental Medicine.

Maria believes that true healing takes place when a person learns how to tune into their own bodies.  Maria utilizes Eastern traditional tools to empower her patient’s well being on spiritual, emotional, and physical level’s to restore and manifest lasting wellness.


TEACHING BACKGROUND

  • Medical Qigong Instructor ~ International Institute of Medical Qigong.
  • Medical Qigong (Teacher’s Assistant) to Executive Director Dr. Bernard Shannon, DMQ (China) International Institute of Medical Qigong.  Temple of Peace and Virtue Palm Dessert, CA.  2011 – Present
  • Medical Qigong, & Anatomy Instructor ~  Lionheart Institute of Transpersonal Energy Healing Los Angeles, CA.  2005~Present.
  • Medical Qigong Seminars ~ National Holistic Institute Los Angeles, CA.  2006~2011.
  • Proprioseptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Master Class Series ~  Touch Therapy Institute® Los Angles, CA.  1999-2006. Fibromyalgia Syndrome & Treatment Master Class Series ~  Touch Therapy Institute® Los Angles, CA.  1999-2006.
  • Anatomy, Physiology, & Body Mechanics instructor ~  Touch Therapy Institute® Los Angeles, CA.  1998~2006.
  • Medical Qigong Master Class Series ~  Touch Therapy Institute® Los Angeles, CA.  2000~2006.
  • Eastern Theory & Bodywork instructor ~  National Holistic Institute Los Angeles, CA.  2006~2007.
  • Stage Combat co-choreographer ~  Boston Conservatory of Music (undergraduate project) 1994.
  • Shakespeare & Stage Combat assistant instructor for school outreach program ~ Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum~summer Shakespeare series.  1998.
  • Movement & Music Instructor ~  U.C.L.A. Summer Youth Program. 1998.

MEDICAL QIGONG TRAINING

  • Maria has done extensive post-graduate training in Medical Qigong and is currently a Doctoral Candidate with the Western District Medical Qigong Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute (China), and through the International Institute of Medical Qigong (USA), under Executive Director Bernard Shannon, DMQ (China).  Upon completion and approval of her thesis will culminate in a Doctorate of Medical Qigong (China), and a Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine (China).
    The 5 year Doctor of Medical Qigong (China) program offered by the IIMQ (USA) is 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 Hai Dian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine authorized the International Institute of Medical Qigong to be the Overseas College of Medical Qigong for the Hai Dian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
  • Meditation, Medical Qigong and Philosophies in Taosim – Bernard Shannon, DMQ (China), Abbot, Temple of Peace and Virtue, 21st Generation Dragon Gate Sect, Qing Cheng Shan.
  • Qigong & Tai Chi ~ Yo San University, & Emperors College of Chinese Medicine (Los Angeles), Master’s Degree programs in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.  1998~2005.
  • In 2001 and again in 2002 traveled to Beijing, China to experience Medical Qigong Therapy treatments and instruction under Master Su Jian Wan, and his Master Students trained within the Shaolin Temples.

MARTIAL ART TRAINING

  • At age 12, Maria began training under World Grandmaster David Chaanine for 12 years in the Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do, earning a Black Belt (Second Degree) at age 18.
  • Deep Level Meditation training ~ Grandmaster Chaanine, 2000.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE TRAINING

  • Trained in the Vodder tech. of Manual Lymphatic Drainage under Julie Beck, D.C., M.S., C.S.C.S.
  • Manual Lymphatic Drainage can be used along with Acupuncture and Medical Qigong in the prevention, and in the treatment of many chronic and acute conditions; including woman’s breast health in post surgical procedures of lumpectomy, mastectomy and radical mastectomies.

MYOFASCIAL & EASTERN BODYWORK TRAINING

  • Maria has trained in Bodywork Therapies since 1996, including:  Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, Therapeutic Stretching, Myofascial Trigger Points, Fibromyalgia techniques, Craniosacral Therapy, Aromatherapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Positional Release Techniques, Cupping, Moxibustion, Acupressure, Qigong Massage, &  Tuina.

ADDICTION TREATMENT TRAINING

  • Maria completed her Clinical Externship in 2005, with Cri-Help, a Drug & Alcohol treatment facility under Shelly Bobbins, RN, L.Ac., QME, & Emperor’s College of Chinese Medicine.
  • Maria utilizes the NADA protocol when treating patients recovering from addictions.  Medical Qigong Prescriptions, Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, Nutritional Information & Chinese Herbal Medicines are also prescribed as needed.

FACIAL REJUVENATION TRAINING

  • Training from Dr. Yue-Ying Li in Traditional Chinese Facial Acupuncture, and Facial Gua Sha Massage techniques.  2008
  • Training from the Mei Zen Acupuncture system in Cosmetic Acupuncture.  2006