Blog: The Healer of Spirits

Dr. Aram Akopyan was 35 years old when he realized that his successful career in the corporate world, with all it's hustle and bustle, was wearing him down. 

Not only did he find himself unhappy, but he had no real sense of spiritual purpose in the work that he did. There was no deeper satisfaction or feeling of accomplishment, even though he had certainly "made it" in his career. He knew that staying on this path, however successful financially it was, would surely kill him sooner rather than later—if not physically, then spiritually. 

That is when Dr. Akopyan chose to walk away and pursue his true calling in the world of healing through Chinese medicine. This was not an easy choice to make. The path to changing his career midway through life—essentially a change in his life itself—would be challenging and difficult. Most of us are not that brave.

Dr. Akopyan began his studies in Yo San University in Los Angeles, under Master Hua Ching Ni, where he immersed himself in the teachings of Taoist (Daoist) philosophy and Chinese medicine. He then continued his studies in China, where he completed his doctorate and his residency in Sichuan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He not only excelled in his work but found the inner peace and contentment he had searched for throughout his life. 

While in China, Dr. Akopyan traveled to Tibet, where he deepened his knowledge of Taoism under the tutelage of Tibetan monks, who seemed to be the real enlightened ones, and who had truly "figured out" the meaning of life through patience, true selflessness, self-cultivation and prayer. 

Dr. Akopyan returned from China a different man than the stressed, unhappy and empty shell of a person he was six years prior. He was now armed with the knowledge he needed both mentally and spiritually to begin his practice of healing. Since his return, he has established a Wellness Center and has contributed greatly to public education in Taoism and traditional Chinese medicine through numerous public lectures, articles, research publications and books. One of his more successful books is Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds Of Ways to Live To Be 100, which he co-wrote with his master, Maoshing Ni. 

Dr. A., as I like to call him, resides right here in Eagle Rock. He practices at his Wellness Center in neighboring Glendale, where he offers a variety of services to heal the mind, body and spirit. He also teaches Qi Gong, a martial art form of Tai Chi he learned while in China, at the Brand Library on Saturday mornings. The classes are a community service on his part, and are free and open to all who wish to partake. Having participated in his Qi Gong classes for the past few years as well as having been treated by Dr. A, I can honestly say that he is a true healer in a deeper sense.

I asked Dr. A once during one of our many conversations why he chose this form of healing, to which he had this to say: "As Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor said, ‘treat the symptoms and you treat the disease—heal the spirit and you truly heal the patient.’ I chose this form of healing because it doesn't treat diseases but heals the patients with all of their individual complexities." What he loves most about his work, Dr. A added, is "bringing the joy associated with feeling healthy" to his patients. 

Just as Hippocrates said, "Physician, heal thyself first," it would seem the journey Dr. Akopyan pursued to become a healing force in the community ultimately healed his own spirit the most.

I'm glad to also inform you that Dr. Akopyan is one of our newest local voices as a blogger here on Eagle Rock Patch.  as well as look for his future postings.

Total Wellness Center is located in Glendale at 125 East Glenoaks Blvd., Suite 105, Glendale 91207

Dr. Akopyan can be reached at (818) 507-6168.

For more information about Dr. Akopyan, visit his website at www.aramakopyan.com as well as the Facebook page for Total Wellness Center.

Please visit my Facebook page as well at My Town Eagle Rock for more interviews and information about community events. And take a moment to peruse my blog at MyTownEagleRock.blogspot.com.