A little about Cydney
Cydney Smith, R.Ac., studied Acupuncture and Moxabustion at Eight Branches Academy of Eastern Medicine from 2015 to 2017. She recently moved to Vancouver Island in 2020 and is living in the Traditional Territories of the Costal Salish Peoples, specifically the Pauquachin First Nation and Tseycum First Nation. Her first experience in a community acupuncture setting was in 2018, at Toronto Reproductive Acupuncture Clinic, working with IVF and IUI, labour induction & cervical ripening, and other reproductive health issues. Currently she is studying the Si Yuan Balance Method, that will help her clients with pain, digestive problems, and many other diseases.
Read below to get to know Cydney or visit her bio !
What is your hometown?
I was born in Toronto, Ontario and lived there until I was 7 years old. My family then emigrated to Melbourne, Australia for 5 years, the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Bunurong Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We returned back to Canada and I finished my secondary education in Mississauga, Ontario which is also Algonquin-Anishinabeg Nation.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I was an awesome babysitter and loved working with children, so I started my post secondary education to become a teacher. I realized quickly that university wasn’t for me and the program I was in was not for me either.
Favorite place you’ve traveled?
Salento – Colombia, Lake Titikaka – Peru, Kyoto – Japan
Favorite food?
Wood Oven Pizza, charcuterie, coffee, dark chocolate and mangoes!
Cats or dogs?
I’ve always had cats growing up but ever since being with Molly (my 14y.0. Black lab) I am ALL DOGS ALL THE WAY! #alldogsgotoheaven
Current book you’re reading?
The Rebel Angels, by Robertson Davies
In Love with the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying, by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue book 1, by Neale Donald Walsch
Son of A Trickster, by Eden Robinson
What are you listening to nowadays?
At the moment I’m jamming out to – Sylvan Esso, Calle 13, Two Door Cinema Club, Kid Cudi, Anderson .Paak, Mura Masa, Qveen Herby, and Jessie Reyez. I’m constantly finding new music so this will be out of date in a matter of weeks.
I also love healing sounds.. gongs, chimes, singing bowls. But more specifically; Rising Appalachia, Beautiful Chorus, Funkhunters & Moontricks
I also love listening to CBC Radio 1 – Q with Tom Power!
I also enjoy the podcasts She’s All Fat, The Duncan Trussell Family Hour, Habits of a Goddess and Fascinating People.
What are things you enjoy doing with your spare time?
I have started a couple new hobbies and gone back to doing a few things that I used to do in my youth. I’m learning how to roller skate to music, ABBA specifically, and I enjoy going for long skates with Molly around the Victoria Airport. I have gone back to swimming and playing guitar, both activities I used to do weekly in my younger years. It brings me back to a simpler time and brings me a lot of joy.
Non-profits you should be watching?
Pacifica Housing Advisory Association – is a not for profit housing provider offering subsidized, supported, and affordable housing to over 1500 people in Greater Victoria, Duncan, and Nanaimo
Umbrella: Society for Addictions and Mental Health – they work with anyone for whom substance use has become a problem. There are no fees for Umbrella services; not ever. If you’re feeling frightened and alone, confused and overwhelmed by substance use issues, they can help.
SOLID Outreach Society – a non-profit organization that provides peer-based health education and support services to reduce the harms associated with drug use in Victoria. Our mandate is to provide accessible pathways to health and treatment for individuals who are street-involved. Our immediate goal is to help our members stay alive during their most difficult times so that they will have the opportunity to improve their lives with the proper supports in place.
What is your super power?
Natural Empath (born that way), Empathic SuperPowers, overwhelmingly empathetic.
Why acupuncture?
Acupuncture has had a profound impact on my own healing journey by introducing me to the concept of preventive medicine. So often, I see people in my treatment space who are at their wits end, they say “I’ve tried everything, I might as well try acupuncture.” This is great, but through clinical experience I have found that diet, movement and acupuncture can all be used to prevent disease.
Describe community acupuncture in a nutshell.
Always something different, you never know what is coming next. This means I have experience treating a great variety of imbalances and diseases.
Heart & Hands is…
a safe space for everyone! It is a place of healing and community, where we can all gather for a mutual goal which is health and longevity.
